For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
For oil-rich, environmentally vigilant Gulf states, Astro isn’t just another startup story. It is a blueprint for accelerating an energy transition that is now existential, not optional.
Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) also known as the sidr tree is a real, identifiable tree native to the Middle East, and it appears—directly or indirectly—in Islam, Judaism, and later Christian tradition. The connections between the three faiths are not theological agreements but overlapping uses, names, and symbolic associations rooted in the same landscape.
Believe it or not, securing funding through grants is crucial for the success of any nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and research facilities. The Grant Management Software is a modern solution that will streamline the complicated processor managing grants from start to finish.
But what exactly is GMS, and what are its benefits and advantages?
What is Grant Management Software?
Barefoot College helps women learn solar engineering. Building software for non-profits gives good karma to this world.
To talk about a GMS we need to talk about a CSR platform, which are the ones offering the best grant management software.
Grant Management Software is like a personal assistant for organizations, helping them keep track of grant deadlines and prizes deadlines, manage budgets, report on progress, and also helps them make sure they meet the grant requirements.
By taking care of these tasks, GMS frees up time and resources, allowing teams to focus on what really matters! Which is achieving their mission and goals.
Benefits of Grant Management Software
If you are running an impact charity or a small impact solar energy business, you need to know all the ins and outs of raising money and finding a platform for managing your efforts.
Grant Management Software isn’t just a tool; it’s a game-changer for organizations that looking to get grants.
Its benefits are vast and varied, touching on every aspect of the process.
Simplifying the Application Processes
GMS makes applying for grants a breeze with its customizable forms and different templates to the point that some software nowadays makes it automatically.
This means organizations can quickly put together their applications without having to start from scratch each time. This not only saves time but also increases the likelihood of submitting a top-notch application.
Better Collaboration and Communication
Grant management systems often come with features that let team members work together smoothly, no matter where they are.
This means everyone involved in the grant process or in the employee volunteering process can stay updated in real time, share documents, and communicate effectively.
It helps everyone work together seamlessly in managing grants.
Improving Financial Aspects
Financial management is a critical component of grant management and most business management.
In most cases, the GMS provides organizations with tools to track expenses, monitor budgets, and forecast future financial needs.
This level of oversight ensures that the funds are used efficiently and in compliance with grant stipulations and requirements.
Reduce Risk and Get a Better Compliance
Organizations must meet grant requirements without exception, and GMS makes it easier by sending reminders for reporting deadlines, keeping detailed records, and providing audit trails.
This helps reduce the chance of non-compliance and lessens the risk of financial penalties or loss of funding.
Makes Data Management and Reporting Easier
Making decisions based on data is crucial, and GMS offers excellent data management and reporting features.
Organizations can gather data at every stage of the grant process, study it for valuable insights, and create detailed reports for stakeholders.
This approach helps in making informed decisions that can ultimately lead to better outcomes.
Boost Productivity with Automation
Automation is at the heart of GMS, and it’s a major operational boon. By automating repetitive tasks such as data entry, tracking deadlines, and generating reports, GMS allows staff to redirect their efforts toward more strategic activities.
This boost in productivity can lead to more grants being pursued and, ultimately, more funding secured.
Easier Access to Information
Gone are the days of sifting through file cabinets or disparate digital folders. GMS centralizes all grant-related information in one accessible location.
This means that team members can easily find what they need when they need it, without unnecessary delays or confusion.
The moments when the jugs come out of the water in a special basket built in their honor. (Photo credit: Emil Eljam)
A 3,300-year-old cargo with hundreds of ancient pots was discovered 60 miles off the coast of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea. Antiquities researchers say this is the world’s most ancient ship to be found in the world in the deep seas, proving that ancient mariners possessed ancient tech and wisdom to traverse the sea without a line of sight to the coast.
Sunken ship and ancient amphorae on the sea floor off Israel’s coast
The ship’s cargo was found during a standard seafloor sweep by the natural gas company Energean, operating in the East Mediterranean – and now working with Israel’s Antiquities Authority to physically extract and bring up sample vessels from the ship. The contents were positively identified as Late Bronze Age Canaanite storage vessels.
Energean -a leading E&P natural gas company operates the Karish, Karish North, Katlan and Tanin offshore natural gas fields near Israel.
“The ship seems to have sunk in crisis, either due to a storm or to an attempted piracy attack – a well-known occurrence in the Late Bronze Age,” says Jacob Sharvit, Head of the Israel Antiquities Authority Marine Unit.
“This is a world-class history-changing discovery: This find reveals to us as never before the ancient mariners’ navigational skills – capable of traversing the Mediterranean Sea without a line of sight to any coast. From this geographical point, only the horizon is visible all around. To navigate they probably used the celestial bodies, by taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions,” he says.
Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Minoans, Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Vikings relied on the stars for navigation. By observing the movements of specific stars and constellations, early navigators were able to estimate their latitude and navigate along the coastlines and rivers.
A quartermaster takes a sun sighting from the navigation bridge of the USS Alaska in 1945. U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE PHOTO ARCHIVE
“It turned out to be a sensational discovery, far beyond what we could imagine,” says Karnit Bahartan, Environmental Lead at Energean.
The company’s technicians planned a unique, complex operation and even built a special tool to enable extracting artifacts with minimal risk of damage to the entire assemblage.
A robot sent to investigate estimates the ship is about 14 yards long. The muddy bottom conceals a second layer of vessels, and it seems that wooden beams of the ship are also buried within the mud, say the researchers.
The discovery of this boat now changes the understanding of ancient mariner abilities: It is the very first to be found at such a great distance with no line of sight to any landmass.
“The vessel type identified in the cargo was designed as the most efficient means of transporting relatively cheap and mass-produced products such as oil, wine and other agricultural products such as fruit. Finding such a great quantity of amphorae on board one single ship is testimony to significant commercial ties between their country of origin and the ancient Near Eastern lands on the Mediterranean coast,” Shavit adds.
Only two other shipwrecks with cargo are known from the Late Bronze Age in the Mediterranean Sea – the boat from Cape Gelidonya and the Uluburun boat; both found off the Turkish coast. Yet both of those shipwrecks were found relatively near the shore, and were accessible using normal diving equipment.
Photos collected from the ancient ship underwater
Based on these two finds, the academic assumption until now was that trade in that time was executed by safely flitting from port to port, hugging the coastline within eye contact. The discovery of this boat now changes the understanding of ancient mariner abilities: It is the very first to be found at such a great distance with no line of sight to any landmass.
Energean (LSE:ENOG, FTSE 250, TASE:אנאג, TA-35) is a London-based independent E&P company focused on developing resources in the Mediterranean. The multi country 1bn+ boe portfolio is 80% gas weighted, producing up to 150k boepd. Energean is committed to sustainable development and to be a net zero emitter by 2050.
Thailand is known for luxury travel, great massages and food, unbeatable weather, lots of smiles and miles of beaches. But as inflation rises and the standard of living increases for Thai people, finding luxury on Phuket in your price range won’t be easy.
For about $200 a night you can get a room in a medium+ star hotel close to the beach, the strip of shops that offer mango shakes, pancakes, pad thai. For much less you can travel to the North and visit hill tribes and villagers in the areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which is really not to be missed. We sent our kids to live with a hill tribe in Chiang Mai. You can too!
A resort in the jungle, on Phuket Island, Thailand
But if you can increase your budget for a few days, a trip to Keemala, an eco luxury resort in the jungle, offers a mini vacation inside the regular fun of Thailand. It costs about $900 a night for a luxury pod, with two floors, and a private pool, and for a few days you can dream away to the sound of crickets at night and quiet during the day at the large pool or spa.
Daily yoga lessons in a cave and cultural enriching crafts (like weaving plant fronds) are part of the deal at Keemala, along with the regular fare you can find at any Thai spa: massages, facials, and alternative treatments.
Keemala caught my eye from the sea when we were on a boat trip coming home from a hidden beach. It’s not on the beach in Phucket, but a half hour walk or short taxi drive to a small Muslim village down by the coast, and taxis in Thailand, including Thailand car rental with driver, are affordable and convenient.
The concierge gives you a checklist of what you expect before your arrival, including what kind of pillows you like and how many. You will be given hand-crafted luxury soaps and creams and coffee you can grind in an old fashioned coffee grinder in the mini bar area on the first floor of your pod.
Me posing for my husband in our treehouse at Keemala. Just kidding. This is a promo shot from the hotel. The kids loved the pool and we had a unit just like this one. An upper bedroom on the top floor and a lower bedroom on the lower.
Every evening at sunset, some of the crew put on drums and bells and march around the property in a traditional ceremony the likes you won’t find at any beach bar on a strip in Phuket.
Keemala at night, Phuket Thailand by Karin Kloosterman
Arriving to Keemala is a chance to feel true Thai hospitality and luxury, started every morning with a delicious, healthy breakfast, made to order and on buffet in the restaurant that looks from up high over the sea.
The only complaints are that the hydroponic farm wasn’t operational when we visited, and the kids activities only happened once. There were a couple of Asian influencers busy taking way too many photos eating breakfast and by the pool, but it was sort of funny as well, especially seeing how bored their kids were by it all.
Other than that the kids enjoyed our treehouse in the jungle and three nights was perfect for feeling rested so we could enjoy the festival of Songkran or New Year’s Eve.
HVAC systems release water in the summer. Not the safest for your pet to drink, but okay if you top it up with mineral-containing water.
The summer months are upon us and in some towns and cities the air conditioners and HVACs are turned on night and day. If you are connected to a solar system (read DIY solar – pros and cons) , good for you because this means guilt-free cool air circulating through your home. But most of us still get energy the old fashioned way, from the grid.
But the water that comes from our air conditioner can be put to use. If you can stream it to a hose and bucket, here are some ways you can make good use of your air conditioner water. Note that air conditioner water is essentially without any minerals or salts so it is not safe to drink it long term. It will leach salts and minerals from your body or from your pet’s body. It’s essentially distilled or demineralised water and itself is not necessarily toxic.
So if your air con is leaking water, first figure out if it’s normal or if its a problem with your unit. Call the air conditioner service person near you if it’s leaking in irregular areas and directly out of the machine. The best way to find the best person at local prices is to ask a WhatsApp or Telegram group or a friend, if you need someone you can trust.
Consider that some condensate on the edges of the air conditioner can be normal if the air is super humid. In this case wipe it down occasionally and put a towel on the floor to make sure it doesn’t damage your hardwood floor or carpet. If it’s leaking or dripping, make sure it is not near electrical outlets or plugs.
Air conditioner and HVAC water uses:
To water plants.
It can be stored in a bucket to wash your car.
You can have an outdoor shower with the wate
One reader asked on AC water uses if it can be used to iron clothes. Yes, great idea!
Save in a bucket to wash your hair. Shiny hair here you come!
Pipe it into your pool or kiddie pool, or make a pet pool in the backyard for your dogs and chickens. (Here is how to start a chicken coop).
Until we all have windcatchers like the ones in Iran, we will need to fire up the air conditioners and try our best at using less energy and repurposing the water. All the big business tech that claim to “pull water from thin air” like Watergen is essentially massive gas guzzling air conditioners. If you think you can do better, try! A great idea for an impact company.
Little is known about faith groups and how they deal privately with health issues. In a new study US researchers wanted to figure out how Muslim communities deal with cancer screenings. The results show that in some areas the rates are significantly lower than the general population and that Muslim women depend more on their faith when it comes to health issues.
The study looked at screening behaviors of Muslims in the Washington, DC, area, highlighting the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on health practices. The study, conducted in collaboration with key faith leaders from four mosques in the region, underscores the need for culturally and religiously sensitive health initiatives to improve cancer screening rates among Muslims, reports the researchers in the Journal of Cancer Education.
The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, which includes parts of Virginia and Maryland (DMV), is home to one of the largest and most diverse Muslim communities in the United States. Despite this, cancer screening behaviors within this community remain under-researched.
To address this gap, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted with 203 participants recruited through community outreach and engagement efforts. This collaborative approach ensured that the questions posed were both religiously and culturally sensitive.
Key findings from the study include an overall lower rate of screening among the Muslim population surveyed than in the DMV:
Colorectal Cancer Screenings: 35% of both men and women reported receiving a screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopy, a much lower rate than overall in the DMV area (DC: 82%; Virginia: 67.6%; and Maryland: 72.5%);
Mammogram Screenings: 56% of women surveyed reported receiving a mammogram screening, a much lower rate than overall in the DMV (D.C.: 80%; Virginia: 76.2%; and Maryland: 81.2%);
Prostate Cancer Screenings: 45% of men reported receiving a prostate cancer antigen test (a higher rate than overall in DC, but lower than in Virginia and Maryland); and
Cervical Cancer Screenings: 83% of women reported receiving screening for cervical cancer (comparable to the overall rate in the DMV).
The study also revealed that many participants relied on their faith to guide their cancer screening decisions. Women were more likely than men to rely on their faith when dealing with health concerns.
“Findings from our study highlight that religious and cultural beliefs may play a role in influencing health behaviors; however, to better understand those roles, we need to continue to engage with the Muslim community in the DMV area in order to create an avenue for providing health education in a religiously and culturally sensitive way,” said Aisha Choudhri, a community health educator at the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington.
Participants expressed a strong interest in having health initiatives related to cancer education, screening and survivorship integrated within mosques. This preference suggests that mosques could serve as vital centers for health education and intervention, leveraging the trust and influence of faith leaders to promote better health outcomes.
It’s a heard sell to live in the Middle East if you need to relocate from the US or Europe for work. There are the dusty apartments, there are the uprisings, the conflicts. There is the heat. To help accommodate for luxury tastes Cairo is getting a new development for wealthy urbanites. It’s a far cry from Hassan Fathy’s sustainable vision of New Gourna.
Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy
Mercon Developments, a leading real estate company, announced the launch of its latest project, “Nurai,” situated on 16 acres in a prime location in the Lotus area at Golden Square, the heart of New Cairo.
“Nurai” represents a breakthrough in the concept of integrated urban communities, showcasing unique and distinctive designs never seen before in the Egyptian real estate market, according to PR material, but which looks like the American dream. With a total investment of approximately 10 billion EGP ($200 million USD), the project comprises 350 units, aiming to achieve targeted sales of around 3 billion EGP by 2024.
With a mixed-use residential and commercial development, the project features dedicated spaces for sports, cycling tracks, swimming pools, and water features, alongside commercial zones, recreational facilities, picturesque landscapes, luxurious entrances, and advanced security systems, as well as hotel units boasting modern designs that blend sophistication with luxury.
From the project’s inception, the company has adopted a strategy focused on meticulous planning and continuous market research to introduce a distinct product.
Additionally, the collaboration with renowned engineering consultants, led by Omar Okail, adds further value to the project, as his visionary designs breathe life into the compound, with every unit boasting exceptional views, luxurious natural ventilation, and unique natural lighting, creating an environmental balance that emphasizes the company’s commitment to sustainability.
“Nurai” is part of Mercon Developments’ expansive plan in the Egyptian market, aligning with the company’s strategy of selecting prime locations to enhance project success. The company is committed to sustainability and upholding social and environmental responsibility, using eco-friendly building materials and designs based on renewable energy. This reflects our vision of delivering integrated urban communities. While catchphrases of sustainability are thrown around in a press release, not much details about what this really means is included in the vision.
The Dubai Police General Command in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed off addition of an all-electric Tesla Cybertruck to its tourist police patrol fleet.
Elon Musk responded with “Cool” on social media, as the Cybertruck joins other high-performance vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Urus in Dubai’s impressive lineup.
”The Dubai Police General Command has added the Tesla Cybertruck, the modern electric car with a futuristic design, to its tourist police luxury patrol fleet,” wrote Dubai Police. The Tesla supercar sports a green and white stripe to match the country’s current police cruisers. Its hood also includes the Dubai Police logo.
Today until 10PM the city of Dubai is inviting the public to come and take photos with the Cybertruck outside the Dubai Mall near the Dubai Ice Rink.
The Dubai police invite the public to see their Tesla Cybertruck
This is in stark contrast to the police cars I grew up –- where people in Toronto and York Region celebrated Blinky, photo below.
They weren’t prepared for 116F or 47C degree heat: about 20 people have died from Jordan and Iran and more are missing amid the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Officials to urge worshippers to avoid the blistering heat as climate change take its toll on the region.
Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are encouraged to take at least once in their lifetime to Mecca, the holiest site in Islam. It began on Friday and ends on Wednesday. Hajj means “pilgrimage made to the Kaaba“, a journey that Muslims believe will clean their souls from sins – the same way Jews and Christians would make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to the Holy City. But no-one should expect to die on the journey.
Shocking videos of people left on the side of the road to die are circling on Twitter, prompting people to ask why are other pilgrims leaving the bodies alone, and also asking why the Saudi authorities aren’t taking care of the situation by warning people about the dangers of heat stroke and death by extreme climate events.
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the city of Mecca. It began on Friday this year and will run until Wednesday. Muslims often travel to Medina as well during the pilgrimage.
Covid shut down Hajj, but not an intense heat wave that has killed an estimated 20 people on June 17.
Temperatures have been high during this pilgrimage in the past years when it fell on summer months. AccuWeather reported a high of 113 degrees F (45 degrees C) in Mecca on Monday, June 17. But AFP reported that the Saudi weather service recorded a reading of 125 degrees F (52 C) at the city’s grand mosque.
The Saudi Health Ministry said that 2,764 pilgrims on Sunday suffered from heat stress.
What can Saudi Arabia do to keep people cool? Start planting trees. Natural shade offered by trees allows the air to circulate, cooling ground temperatures as well. Trees cool our cities by providing shade but also by releasing water vapor from their leaves, which cools the air when it evaporates. Trees can provide up to 10 degrees C less (or 18 F less).
In the meantime, cooling mists, personal umbrellas, staying hydrated. Or, perhaps, postponing the Hajj to the evening time when the sun has set.
Tips to stay cool during Hajj
Cool shades isn’t enough. Plastic shades create a greenhouse effect blocking air circulation.
Avoid direct exposure to sun.
Use light-colored umbrellas.
Drink enough water to replace lost fluids.
Sit in shade and cool areas.
Get enough sleep and rest.
Do not rush to perform the rituals of Hajj to avoid fatigue.
Sauntering around the local open-air market this week, I was happy to see mangoes on sale. Smallish, roundish, yellow mangoes with a red blush – the Maya variety. Later in the season, at least four more mango varieties will be available, but Maya is the first out and the most popular.
Mangoes – exotic, delicious. Luscious.
Mangoes are cultivated around the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River valley, where the climate is subtropical and humid. But living as I do in Central Israel, I see the occasional mango tree in gardens nearby. A tree heavy with mature green and red mangoes is a sight to see. I confess to gardener’s envy when I do see one.
Immigrants from India and Iraq brought to Israel a taste for mangoes in savory contexts. The best-known one is amba, a sauce made with pickled mangoes. Stop in at any falafel or shwarma joint, and you’ll see squeeze bottles lined up on the counter, containing tahini, ketchup and amba. Amba is dark yellow with turmeric, and runny. You won’t want to wear a white shirt when you’ve drizzled amba over your nosh.
We have recipes for other exotic condiments like walnut-based muhammara and fiery Yemenite zhug.
Or just eat carefully so as not to spill. The savory, spicy, fruity relish adds an even more exotic dimension to your fast food. Amba is delicious spooned over rice or meat dishes like kebabs, but especially good with any fried food: fish, French fries, etc.
You’ll need to buy a spice mix called “amba powder.” It can be found in ethnic Indian stores. In Israel, it’s called “baharat amba” and can be found in some supermarkets.
Indian/Iraqi Amba Sauce
A spicy sauce based on pickled mangoes
Sterilized glass jar 4-cup capacity
large bowl
6 large green mangoes
3 tablespoons coarse salt
200 grams (1 scant cup) amba powder
1 tablespoon hot red paprika
Wash the mango well. Peel it, slice thinly, and discard the kernel.In a large bowl, soak the mango slices for about an hour with the salt.
Add the amba powder and red paprika. Mix and add water. Mix until a slightly thick mixture is obtained. If too thick to drop from a spoon, thin with a little warm water.
Transfer the mixture to a sterilized jar and leave in a sunny place for 2 or 3 days, turning the jar once a day.
Taste to see if all the flavors are absorbed; if not, allow to sit another day or two.
Choose large, under-ripe mangoes, not ripe, soft ones.
Ever grabbed a cookie or indulged in a sugary drink and then wondered if it’s doing you any favors? We all know that what we eat matters for our health, but have you thought about how those sweet treats and processed foods might be impacting your fertility? Let’s explore the good, the bad, and the surprising ways these diet choices can affect your chances of having a baby.
The Sweet Culprit: Sugar
Sugar is everywhere. From the obvious sources like candy and desserts to the hidden sugars in processed foods, it’s easy to consume more than we realize. But what does sugar have to do with fertility?
Insulin Resistance and PCOS
One of the significant ways sugar impacts fertility is through its effect on insulin levels. Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more. This condition is particularly problematic for women as it is closely linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility. Women with PCOS often have higher insulin levels, which can disrupt their hormonal balance, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation issues.
Hormonal Imbalance
Insulin resistance doesn’t just affect women with PCOS; it can also impact those without the condition. High insulin levels can lead to an imbalance in other hormones, including those crucial for reproduction. For example, insulin can increase androgen production, which can interfere with ovulation and menstrual regularity.
Inflammation
Another way sugar affects fertility is through inflammation. High sugar intake can lead to chronic inflammation in the body, which can negatively impact the reproductive organs and overall fertility. Inflammation can interfere with the implantation of an embryo and may contribute to other reproductive issues.
The Processed Foods Problem
Processed foods are often laden with unhealthy fats, sugars, and artificial ingredients. They are convenient and tasty, but their impact on fertility can be significant.
Nutrient Deficiency
One of the primary issues with processed foods is that they are often low in essential nutrients. Fertility relies on a range of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. A diet high in processed foods can lead to deficiencies in these crucial nutrients, impacting reproductive health.
Doctors performing tubal ligation reversal surgery always advise patients to eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods and key nutrients. This helps support overall reproductive health and improves the body’s readiness for pregnancy.
Hormone Disruptors
Processed foods often contain artificial additives, preservatives, and chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors. These substances can interfere with the body’s natural hormonal balance, affecting ovulation and menstrual cycles. Some processed foods also contain trans fats, which have been linked to decreased fertility in women.
Weight Gain
A diet high in processed foods is often high in calories and low in nutritional value, leading to weight gain. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for infertility. Excess weight can cause hormonal imbalances and ovulation problems, making it more challenging to conceive.
Fertility Monitor: Keeping Track of Your Journey
As you navigate your fertility journey, using a fertility monitor can be incredibly beneficial. These devices help track your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and other fertility indicators, providing valuable insights into your reproductive health. By combining the use of a fertility monitor with a healthy diet, you can better understand your body and make informed decisions to support your fertility.
Tips for a Fertility-Friendly Diet
Now that we’ve explored how sugar and processed foods can impact fertility, let’s look at some practical tips to create a diet that supports your reproductive health.
1. Go for Whole Foods
Load up your plate with fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. These natural goodies are packed with the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and boost your fertility.
2. Cut Down on Sugar
Keep an eye on those sneaky sugars hiding in processed foods. Choose natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup in moderation, and let fruits satisfy your sweet tooth.
3. Pick Healthy Fats
Make friends with avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. These healthy fats are great for hormone production and can give your fertility a helping hand.
4. Stay Hydrated
Keep sipping on water throughout the day. Staying well-hydrated helps your overall health and can improve the quality of cervical mucus, which is super important for conception.
5. Consider Supplements
If you’re concerned about nutrient deficiencies, consider taking a prenatal vitamin or fertility supplement. These can provide essential vitamins and minerals that support reproductive health.
6. Monitor Your Fertility
Use a fertility monitor to track your cycle and understand your body’s rhythms. This information can help you identify your most fertile days and make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Wrapping It Up
Think of your diet as the fuel that powers your body. Just like putting premium gas in a car keeps it running smoothly, eating nutritious foods can keep your body in top shape, especially when it comes to fertility. While sugary snacks and processed foods can throw your system off balance, switching to wholesome, nutrient-packed meals can give you a boost on your fertility journey.
By paying attention to what you eat and using helpful tools like a fertility monitor, you’re setting yourself up for success. It’s all about making those small, positive changes that add up over time. So, the next time you’re tempted by a sugary treat or a quick, processed snack, remember your long-term goals. Opt for foods that nourish your body and support your dream of having a family.
You’re not alone in this! Many women are making these changes and seeing great results. With a bit of patience, determination, and a focus on healthy living, you can improve your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving. Cheers to a healthier, happier you and a bright future filled with new beginnings!
The world is shifting towards an eco-friendly approach to various facets of life, including the business sector. This environmental awareness provides a new motivation for companies to start going green. And for most of them, going paperless is a great transition to an overall eco-friendly business operation.
Choosing to go paperless offers significant benefits to businesses and the environment. By cutting down on paper usage, waste is reduced significantly. Companies can also save money and resources in the long run. This shift towards digital solutions helps streamline processes and increase efficiency at work while minimizing a business’s environmental impact.
Research shows that businesses in the US spend over eight billion dollars annually on managing paper, and the average cost to file a single document is $20. Adopting a paperless solution is key to saving money and reducing the need for deforestation and paper production. Going paperless is a smart business approach that can lead to sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint.
Financial Benefits of Going Paperless
Being part of the sustainability movement can benefit businesses. It can help them save a lot of money. A paperless system maximizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which cannot be easily achieved through managing and storing paper documents. Transitioning to digital solutions helps streamline processes and reduce expenses.
Statistics show that 59 percent of businesses that transitioned to paperless solutions achieved total ROI in less than 12 months. Among those companies, 84 percent achieved payback at least 18 months later. Indeed, migrating to the digital realm can have a significant positive impact on your business. Among the benefits you can experience include:
Cost savings on paper and printing
Those who have been active in the business world for quite some time can attest to the expenses that must be allotted to traditional documents. Purchasing ink, paper, and printers alone can result in substantial costs. On top of that, printers need to be regularly maintained and possibly repaired after a while. However, these are expenses you can avoid with digital solutions.
Going paperless saves you costs on paper and printing. You’ll no longer have to worry about high electricity consumption from printers and copiers. You won’t have to be concerned about the materials you need to produce documents. For example, a mid-sized company has saved over $10,000 annually after they switched to digital reports and invoices.
Storage and space efficiency
Are you doing the #vanlife? No space for paper on the road.
We have established that shifting to paperless solutions can be a strong move for your finances. In addition to this primary benefit, you can maximize storage and space efficiency. Paper documents take up much physical space, making larger office areas necessary. However, you can eliminate this need when you go paperless.
Pay Stub Generators:
Payroll management is another area where businesses can embrace paperless technology. A pay stub generator eliminates the need for printing pay slips by allowing companies to create and distribute digital pay stubs instantly. This not only reduces paper waste but also ensures employees have secure and organized access to their financial records. For small businesses, it’s a cost-effective solution that aligns with the paperless goal while improving efficiency.
Digital documents can be conveniently saved and retrieved from computers and devices, saving much storage space. Doing so also cuts down the costs of rental fees for storage. It’s also relatively easier to retrieve and manage documents since you can be as organized as possible in a digital space.
Improved productivity and efficiency
Digital systems speed up the processing and retrieval of documents via digital systems. The paperless movement reduces businesses’ time filing and searching for paper documents, which could be time-consuming. You can also integrate digital tools with your existing business software to ensure a seamless operation.
Restaurants have been benefiting from this transition for some time now. Restaurant point of sale software enables establishments to maximize work efficiency and productivity. At the same time, it reduces the need for paper copies, decreasing the demand for paper production.
Environmental Impact of Going Paperless
Save paper and you can spend more time hugging trees
The paperless movement has a significantly positive impact on the environment. With the decrease in paper usage comes the reduction of the need for deforestation. The migration to digital solutions also contributes to reduced pollution and carbon emissions. This change leads to the green movement and environmental mindfulness we aspire to achieve.
Going paperless ensures that your company leaves less carbon footprints. According to Lancashire Business View, 420 million tons of paper are produced yearly worldwide. In the early weeks of 2022 alone, 15 million tons of paper were already made. Transitioning to digital solutions can help remedy this serious problem the environment currently faces.
Reducing deforestation
Paper production demands a lot from the remaining forests in the world. However, sustainable forestry practices can mitigate the damage caused by this high demand. Companies can initiate change and inspire consumers to do the same. For example, Sims Limited is one of the global leaders in metal recycling and ranked first among international companies at the forefront of sustainability.
Global corporations that shift to greener operations, such as digital billing, can tremendously impact the environment. By making these changes, companies show that commercial industries must participate in conserving natural resources.
Lowering carbon footprint
Carbon emissions are usually associated with paper production and transportation. Heavy reliance on traditional hardcopies and documentation can increase your company’s carbon footprint. Again, this can be avoided through adopting digital solutions. By going paperless, you eliminate the need for any of these processes.
A study by Unilever shows that approximately a third of consumers worldwide have shifted their interest to sustainable brands. People gravitate toward and prefer brands that observe the proper social and environmental practices. By supporting companies that help protect the environment, consumers can also observe eco-friendly practices on their own terms.
Decreasing waste and pollution
Statistics show that 26 percent of waste in landfills is paper waste, most of which could have been recycled. Nearly 50 percent of the business waste is paper products. Although it only takes 30 percent less energy to recycle paper than to make new ones, paper production is still widely rampant. Excessive paper manufacturing comes with pollution that could have been otherwise reduced.
Going digital has an immense effect on the path to waste reduction. By choosing digital solutions, you eliminate the need for paper as much as possible. For example, an educational institution can reduce waste by half by adopting electronic communication and giving digital assignments. This shift maximizes the existing technology while preserving natural resources.
The Role of Technology in Going Paperless
Technological advancements have made transitioning to a paperless environment easier. These innovations have made everything, including tools and software, much more accessible and effective. A survey shows that 80 percent of respondents believe companies and organizations should go digital instead of using paper copies. Fortunately, technology abounds in this field.
Document Management Systems (DMS)
DMS provides automated, singular hubs designed for organizing various formats of essential documents and converting paper copies. Companies can benefit from DMS because it helps reduce costs, improve work efficiency, and promote better collaboration among colleagues. It’s also convenient for emergency recovery of files, enhances security, and reduces storage space.
Electronic signatures and forms
E-signatures promote better legality and efficiency in the workforce. You can speed up paperwork significantly through e-signature solutions and the transition from paper to digital forms. For example, real estate agencies can reduce contract processing time through e-signatures.
Cloud storage solutions
Storing documents in the cloud maximizes usability, accessibility, and security. It’s also relatively cost-efficient compared to its counterparts. Files can be synced and accessed by multiple users simultaneously. The cloud also gets rid of the fear of losing vital data since recovery is possible.
Always observe the best practices to ensure you use the cloud to its fullest potential. Choose the right cloud service provider, organize your files accordingly, and emphasize security. It’s also best to sync files across all devices but remove anything that’s no longer necessary. Financial firms can take advantage of the enhanced data security and accessibility cloud storage offers.
Implementing a Paperless Strategy
Transitioning to a paperless environment will take careful planning and even better execution. Companies must consider multiple factors to ensure their implementation is smooth and successful. You can do so by keeping track of current trends, preparing your staff, and monitoring your company’s progress in this field.
Assessing current paper usage
An audit of the company’s paper usage can help you determine which areas necessitate paper and which ones can do without. However, it’s best to be realistic about your goals and the timelines you set for gradually reducing paper usage. You can use tracking tools to help you gather data when you conduct an audit.
Training and support for employees
Training your employees on the new digital tools and systems your company will use is crucial. Check-in on your employees to ensure they’re faring well in the transition. Practice constant support and troubleshooting during the implementation phase. Companies that offer comprehensive training can see a tremendous adoption rate of new digital tools.
Monitoring and evaluating progress
It’s ideal to set up metrics to track the progress and success of your paperless movement. You can review your progress regularly and adjust your strategies accordingly. Take note of the feedback and results you gather, and celebrate milestones and achievements to keep your employees invested and motivated. Try using management software to monitor progress and establish accountability.
Conclusion
Going paperless offers many benefits for businesses and the environment. Financial savings and a reduced carbon footprint are just two advantages of transitioning to digital solutions. Implementing technology and well-planned strategies can propel your business to new heights while supporting the sustainability movement.
Businesses have a responsibility to the environment, just as ordinary people do. So, make the shift from paper to digital. You will save money and the planet. It’s a win-win situation in every way.
In a new study US researchers found that mice fed a regular serving of extra virgin olive oil exhibited a reduction in numerous inflammation biomarkers.
Senior Author Dr. Domenico Praticò is a Professor at the University of Temple Lewis Katz School of Medicine, and Director of ACT, coordinated the study. He is also the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research, Professor and Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, and Professor of Pharmacology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Until more research on humans is done, why not drink a spoon a day like this researcher inspired by Jewish traditions?
A trash sorting robot can help avoid contact with hazardous waste
Can a garbage collecting robot find me a pile of money in a mattress? Can it spare real-life sorters from the dangers of e-waste? Will they take over jobs and a way of life?
Plenty of people the world over rely on livelihoods out of sorting trash. My father did it for years. And I joke to a lot of people that he found me at the side of the road. But the same people and children who pick through trash are also exposed to an overload of toxic chemicals and e-waste. My dad was always burning out the plastics on the copper wire he found and I believe it contributed to the cancer he succumbed to.
Today’s robots can already be programmed to accurately recognize many objects through vision and touch. Tactile information, obtained through sensors, along with machine learning algorithms, enables robots to identify objects previously handled.
But sensing is often confused when presented with objects similar in size and shape, or objects unknown to the robot. Other factors restrictive to robot perception include background noise and the same type of object with different shapes and sizes.
Children in China play in electronic waste
In Applied Physics Reviews, researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China worked to break through the difficulties of robotic recognition of various common, yet complex, items.
Humans possess many different types of touch sensing, one of which is temperature: cold metal, warm wood. The researchers aimed to mimic this ability by designing a robotic tactile sensing method that incorporated thermal sensations for more robust and accurate object detection.
The Chinese team created a layered sensor with material detection at the surface and pressure sensitivity at the bottom, with a porous middle layer sensitive to thermal changes. They paired this sensor with an efficient cascade classification algorithm that rules out object types in order, from easy to hard, starting with simple categories like empty cartons before moving on to orange peels or scraps of cloth.
To test the capabilities of their method, the team created an intelligent robot tactile system to sort garbage. The robot picked up a range of common trash items, including empty cartons, bread scraps, plastic bags, plastic bottles, napkins, sponges, orange peels, and expired drugs.
It sorted the trash into separate containers for recyclables, food scraps, hazardous waste, and other waste. Their system achieved a classification accuracy of 98.85% in recognizing diverse garbage objects not encountered previously. This successful garbage sorting behavior could greatly reduce human labor in real-life scenarios where so much goodness goes to landfill.
Can you train the robot hands to find a pile of money in a mattress or gold hidden in an old shoe? We will keep an eye out for this one but also be mindful of trash sorting communities in the world that depend on upycyling.
Well known trash sorting communities in the world include:
The Zabbaleen (Cairo, Egypt): The Zabbaleen are informal Christian garbage collectors who recycle a significant portion of Cairo’s waste. They have developed an efficient system using pigs too! that sorts and repurposes materials from household waste, making them a critical part of the city’s waste management.
Zabaleen in Cairo via Wikipedia
The Catadores (Brazil) are cooperative groups of waste pickers who collect and recycle materials from urban waste. They play a vital role in Brazil’s recycling efforts and have helped formalize the recycling sector. Several movies have been made about the importance of garbage collecting for these people.
The Zero Waste Town (Kamikatsu, Japan) has committed to becoming a zero-waste town by implementing extensive sorting practices. Residents separate waste into 45 different categories to maximize recycling and composting.
Kamikatsu, Japan
The Dharavi (Mumbai, India) is one of Asia’s largest slums but it is a hub for recycling and waste management. Small-scale industries in Dharavi recycle plastics, metals, and other materials, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s waste reduction.
Salmon is paired with red wine in this perfect Mediterranean Diet dish
Over the past three decades, rates of colon and rectal cancers—collectively known as colorectal cancer—have steadily risen among people under the age of 50. It’s particularly striking to researchers because rates have been declining among older people during the same time period.
Young people tend to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease, making it harder to cure.
“In past years, we’ve thought of colorectal cancer as a disease of aging,” said Joel Mason, a gastroenterologist and Senior Scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts. “If you look at the absolute incidence rates, it’s still higher amongst older people, but the rate is going up steadily in young people, whereas it’s going down in older people. It’s a disturbing trend.”
Mason said that the rates are rising too quickly to be attributed to genetic changes. “It seems most likely to be an environmental factor or combination of factors,” he said, “but we can really only speculate at this point.”
Working in stressful environments like online businesses where work never stops can be one of the problems. Social media and stress about where one fits in could be another.
The obesity epidemic may be partly to blame, because having excess body fat is associated with a higher risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Mason said declining rates among older people may be due to effective screening and an increased awareness of protective lifestyle factors like a healthy diet and regular exercise.
For those looking to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer, Mason said studies have consistently found that a healthy diet and exercising at least three times a week are associated with lower rates, while being overweight and smoking are associated with higher rates.
“Among all the common cancers,” Mason said, “colorectal cancer is one where the risk is most sensitive to dietary factors.” Over the past few decades, multiple studies have shown that colorectal cancer risk can be reduced with a diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and much less (if any) processed meat, red meat, and alcohol. Processed meat includes bacon, sausage, ham, hot dogs, and luncheon meat.
A Turkish salad high in lycopenes
Some common symptoms of colorectal cancer are rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, and a distinct change in bowel habits. All of these symptoms also can be caused by other less dire conditions, such as hemorrhoids, menstrual bleeding, and food sensitivities. In light of rising rates of colorectal cancer in young people, Mason said providers and patients shouldn’t be too quick to attribute rectal bleeding to hemorrhoids or iron-deficiency anemia to menstrual bleeding.
“I hate to raise the anxiety level of younger people,” he said, “but the trends are very disturbing and in balance maybe it is worth making our younger population a little more vigilant about symptoms that need to be paid attention to.”
So in the space sector news, there are some results in from the four civilian passengers of the Inspiration4 spaceflight about what happens to untrained-for-space bodies in orbit: during a short 3-day trip into Earth’s orbit.
Researchers found the space travellers experienced some of the same physiological changes during their roughly three-day trip into Earth’s orbit as astronauts on much longer missions.
“Civilian participants have different educational backgrounds and medical conditions compared to astronauts with career-long exposure to spaceflight. Understanding their physiological and psychological responses to spaceflight and their ability to conduct research is of utmost importance as we continue to send more private astronauts into space,” explained Dr Emmanuel Urquieta, chief medical officer at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), in a statement.
The results are published in a new Nature paper explaining how even short spaceflights might affect human biology. Just a few days in orbit can cause immune-cell disruption, dehydration and cloudy thinking — but most of these conditions revert to normal soon after travellers return to Earth, according to the largest catalogue of data detailing the impacts of space travel on the human body.
Every crewmember experienced lengthening of their telomeres during the flight. These are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, and they get shorter during our lives as our bodies’ cells undergo ccycles of replication. Eventually, the telomeres become so short that they lose their power to protect.
Scientists have been experimenting with ways of boosting longevity by slowing telomere shortening.
All Inspiration4 crew showed evidence of telomere lengthening during their brief sojourn into space so it can be said that they got genetically “younger” during the mission. “It’s really a remarkable finding in a number of ways and helps us solidify our findings,” commented Susan Bailey, a professor at Colorado State University, in a press briefing.
“This is the beginning of precision medicine for spaceflight,” says geneticist Christopher Mason, who is a co-author on some of the papers.
The reports aim to chart how spaceflight affects space tourists, who have a wider variety of health histories and issues than selected and highly trained astronauts.
