We present you funny dog posts from Jan 28 to Feb 03 that will paws-itively make you through the rest of the week!

Tell Me the Border Crisis Is a Problem for Biden's Re-Election Without Telling Me the Border Crisis Is a Problem

Senate Releases Border Amnesty Bill on Sunday Night

Harvard Kennedy School Triples Down on Antisemitism

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has just broken the world record to become the person who has spent the most time in space ever. He has now been in space for over 879 days‚ beating the previous record of fellow cosmonaut Gennady Padalka's 878 days‚ 11 hours‚ 29 minutes‚ and 48 seconds in space. Both cosmonauts achieved this cumulatively over five missions‚ but Kononenko’s fifth mission is not even halfway through‚ meaning he is set to smash the record this year. The 59-year-old cosmonaut is scheduled on the International Space Station until September 23. He will clock in 1‚110 days in space by the time he comes back to Earth‚ which is roughly 2.5 years. Kononenko‚ who is the commander of the cosmonauts corps‚ will cross the never-before-achieved 1‚000 days in space on June 5. "I fly into space to do my favorite thing‚ not to set records‚" Kononenko told Russian news agency TASS in an interview‚ reports Reuters. "I am proud of all my achievements‚ but I am more proud that the record for the total duration of human stay in space is still held by a Russian cosmonaut."An achievement‚ yes‚ but microgravity is not exactly a welcoming environment for the human body so extended stays in space take their toll. What happens to your body in space is often weird and in some cases disgusting. The first thing that happens is fluids like blood move towards your head‚ which is annoying at first but then sort of balances in a worrying way. You also lose blood cells‚ a fair bit of them. Your muscle mass also reduces as you don’t have to work too hard in microgravity‚ which is why astronauts spend a lot of time in the gym. The same goes for your bones‚ which become reabsorbed into your body. On the plus side‚ your feet will lose all their calluses. So you’ll be back down on Earth a bit anemic but with feet as smooth as a baby.Russia also holds the record for the longest single stay in space. Valeri Polyakov spent 437 days and 18 hours (more than 14 months) on the Mir space station in the mid-1990s. American astronaut Peggy Whitson holds the NASA record for cumulative time with 655 days in space. Frank Rubio holds the NASA record for the longest single space flight at 371 days‚ which he achieved last September – despite not being planned!

The Sun is particularly active at the moment‚ unleashing powerful solar flares and causing radio blackouts on Earth. This is all part of an 11-year cycle that sees the Sun's poles reverse.Sun activity increases and decreases in an 11-year cycle known as the Schwabe cycle. From 1826 to 1843‚ German amateur astronomer Heinrich Schwabe observed the Sun‚ discovering that it rotates on its axis once every 27 days. He noticed that over 11 years the Sun goes from quiet periods‚ where no sunspots can be seen‚ to the maximum phase where 20 or more groups of sunspots can be seen.These sunspots are caused by changes in the magnetic field of the Sun‚ as the Sun's equator rotates faster than the poles and stirs it all up."The Sun’s magnetic fields rise through the convection zone and erupt through the photosphere into the chromosphere and corona‚" NASA explains. "The eruptions lead to solar activity‚ which includes such phenomena as sunspots‚ flares‚ prominences‚ and coronal mass ejections."  The magnetic field of the Sun flips during the cycle‚ like a much more fluid version of the Earth. The cycle can be as short as eight years‚ or as long as 14. During the solar minimum‚ when sunspot activity is at its lowest‚ one pole is positively charged and the other negatively."The solar magnetic structure changes over the solar cycle. It has a dipole structure during solar minimum‚ where the open flux extends mainly from the polar regions into the interplanetary space‚" one paper on the topic explains. It doesn't remain in that dipole state for long‚ before the rotation of the Sun twists up its magnetic field‚ pushing on the cycle. "During maximum‚ a complex structure is formed with low-latitude active regions‚" the paper continues‚ "and weakened polar fields‚ resulting in spread open field regions."So where are we now in the cycle? At the moment‚ the Sun's activity is increasing‚ with the next solar maximum predicted to be sometime between January and October this year.However‚ one team believes they have a more accurate prediction by looking at something called "terminator events". The team looked at magnetic donuts which form at 55 degrees of latitude on both hemispheres of the Sun. These formations migrate towards the equator where they meet and cancel each other out‚ which the team dubbed a Hale cycle (two solar cycles) terminator.This terminator event tends to happen up to two years after the minimum‚ and by focusing on these events‚ the team believed they could make better predictions about the solar cycles."If you measure how long a cycle is‚ not the minimum to minimum‚ but from terminator to terminator‚ you see that there is a strong linear relationship between how long one cycle is and how strong the next one is going to be‚" NASA research scientist Robert Leamon told Space.com.Using these methods‚ they predict the magnetic field will flip in mid-2024‚ a few months before the solar maximum.[H/T: Vox]

Despite happening to so many of us – around 1.8 billion every month – menstruation is blighted by myriad myths and misconceptions‚ from the long-standing‚ and incorrect‚ belief that periods can “sync up” to the equally improbable idea that menstruating people attract bears. It’s also been suggested that a person’s cognitive skills could be impacted during that time of the month‚ and‚ once again‚ this has been proven untrue.In a recent study‚ researchers demonstrated that verbal and spatial skills‚ such as word retrieval and navigation‚ stay relatively constant throughout the menstrual cycle‚ suggesting they are not affected by hormonal fluctuations as previously thought. “Verbal and spatial functions have [...] been repeatedly studied along the menstrual cycle‚” the team write in their paper‚ “with research questions following the general rationale that a ‘feminization’ of cognitive functions would occur during phases with higher levels of ovarian hormones.” It has therefore been hypothesized that verbal performance improves and spatial performance is impaired during the peri-ovulatory or luteal phases. To investigate further‚ the researchers analyzed verbal and spatial skills across the menstrual cycle in a series of studies. All participants were female‚ aged 18 to 35 years‚ did not use hormonal birth control‚ had no underlying health conditions‚ and a cycle between 21 and 35 days in length.In one study‚ participants completed an at-home verbal memory and mental rotation task for up to 80 days (two to three menstrual cycles). In another‚ they completed sessions in a computer laboratory either during their period‚ two to three days before ovulation‚ or a week before their next period. This time‚ the tests included a verbal fluency task‚ a mental rotation task‚ and a navigation task. Saliva samples were collected at each time point to assess hormone levels.What they found goes against recent studies that have reported brain changes in response to hormonal fluctuations along the menstrual cycle. Instead‚ they demonstrate‚ there is “substantial consistency” in verbal and spatial performance‚ suggesting the menstrual cycle has no effect on these skills. “We conclude that verbal and spatial performance remain relatively stable along the menstrual cycle in human females‚” the researchers write. “Associations of verbal and spatial performance to ovarian hormones are likely weak and not moderated by individual hormone sensitivity.”However‚ they add‚ inter-individual variability is worth exploring further: menstruation could affect cognition differently for different people. For example‚ those who have irregular cycles or are particularly sensitive to hormonal changes. “These findings don’t mean that these hormones don’t matter for [cognition]‚” The University of Toronto’s Liisa Galea told New Scientist. “This just tells us that across a quote unquote normal menstrual cycle‚ we don’t see these kinds of effects.”Want to bust some more period myths? Look out for our exclusive interview with gynecologist Dr Jen Gunter in the upcoming issue of CURIOUS‚ our free e-magazine‚ out February 25. Subscribe to our newsletter and get it delivered directly to your inbox.The study is published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

A 34-year-old woman in the US has become the first person to receive a brain implant that treats both epilepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Having been fitted with the device at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland‚ Amber Pearson says her incessant hand-washing and anxiety about contamination have now all but vanished.Measuring 32 millimeters (about an inch) in length‚ the chip – known as a responsive neurostimulation system (RNS) – was originally offered to Pearson as a treatment for her epilepsy. Such implants are commonly used for the condition‚ and work by delivering a pulse that disrupts brain activity patterns associated with seizures.Speaking to AFP‚ Pearson’s neurosurgeon Ahmed Raslan explained that "It was her idea to say‚ 'well‚ you're going into my brain and putting this wire‚ and I have OCD‚ so can you just put a wire for OCD?'.""And you know‚ luckily‚ we took that suggestion seriously."To configure the RNS‚ doctors recorded the brain activity patterns that arose when Pearson was exposed to seafood – a trigger that tends to set off her compulsions. They were then able to program the device to recognize and disrupt these signals‚ in addition to those linked to epileptic seizures.“Usually we think of devices either for OCD or for epilepsy”‚ said Raslan. Pearson’s implant‚ however‚ is "the only device in the world that treats two conditions.”"And it's programmed independently. So the program for epilepsy is different than the program for OCD‚" explained the neurosurgeon.After being fitted with the device in March 2019‚ Pearson had to wait around eight months to start seeing noticeable results. However‚ at her final follow-up two-and-a-half years later‚ she told doctors that the RNS had transformed her life.Tracking her progress over that period‚ the authors of a case report write that “she has had a life-changing improvement in her OCD symptoms.” For instance‚ they explain that she now spends no more than 30 minutes a day on “compulsions” like excessive hand-washing or checking that windows are closed – activities that used to rob her of more than eight hours a day.The researchers state that Pearson in now “able to do things that she had previously deemed impossible‚ such as being able to sit next to someone eating something that previously would have triggered her contamination obsessions (e.g.‚ seafood) and to leave the house without engaging in much of her previous checking routine‚ such that she is no longer late for work.” “She has also resumed living independently for the first time in many years‚” they write.In a statement‚ Pearson herself explained that “OCD is worse than having the seizures.” Describing how she used to wash her hands until they bled‚ she says that “epilepsy brings limitations to my life‚ but OCD controlled it.”However‚ thanks to the RNS‚ things have improved dramatically. "I'm actually present in my daily life and that's incredible‚" she told AFP. "Before‚ I was just constantly in my head worrying about my compulsions."The case report is published in the journal Neuron.

When we’re diagnosed with a medical condition‚ often the first place we look to for information and advice is the internet. Online communities can be powerful support and advocacy networks‚ particularly for those with long-term health conditions. They can also provide important data that alerts medical researchers to a problem‚ as we saw with long COVID at the start of the pandemic. But we also know that social media is not always the most reliable source. It can be difficult to sift through the misinformation – but when it comes to our health‚ getting the wrong information could have serious consequences.Tinnitus is a common condition causing a persistent ringing‚ buzzing‚ or whining noise in the ears. One study estimated that it affects more than 740 million adults worldwide. There’s no cure‚ but a quick online search will highlight a number of “treatments” that have been touted across different social media platforms. We spoke to audiologist Jodi Sasaki-Miraglia‚ Director of Professional Education Programs for hearing aid manufacturer Widex USA‚ to learn more about the misinformation surrounding tinnitus.What causes tinnitus?“Tinnitus is very often caused by noise-induced hearing loss‚” Sasaki-Miraglia told IFLScience. “When a musician is exposed to loud noise‚ whether at a concert or in their everyday lives‚ tiny hair cells in their ears‚ which send signals to the brain‚ get damaged.”“As the ear’s hair cells flatten‚ two things happen. First‚ the person loses hearing. Second‚ the system begins misfiring signals to the brain‚ resulting in what sounds like ringing‚ buzzing‚ or whining. But it really isn’t sound at all and no one else can hear it.”Sometimes‚ the ringing sound is brought on by medication‚ an ear infection‚ an injury to the head or neck‚ or even excessive earwax. It can occur in one or both ears. Sometimes it can go away on its own – but when it becomes chronic‚ it can have a significant effect on day-to-day life.Sasaki-Miraglia likened noise-induced damage to hair cells in the ear to repeatedly trampling a lawn of pristine grass.Image credit: Sakurra/Shutterstock.comThere are also some more unusual forms such as pulsatile tinnitus‚ in which the sounds you hear are in rhythm with your heartbeat. This rarer subtype can be a sign of an underlying health condition‚ so it’s important to speak to a healthcare provider if you think you may have this type of tinnitus. What NOT to do to treat tinnitusLiving with a constant buzzing or ringing in your ears can be extremely challenging‚ so it’s understandable that people will be tempted to try just about anything to find some relief. Unfortunately‚ as one 2019 study in the Hearing Journal found‚ information about the condition on social media is plagued with falsehoods and misleading claims.“The findings are shocking‚” Sasaki-Miraglia explained to IFLScience. “Forty-four percent of public Facebook groups and 30 percent of YouTube video results contained misinformation. Out of all Twitter accounts‚ 34 percent contained what was classified as misinformation.”And that was back in 2019. Today‚ in the age of TikTok‚ the problem is arguably worse than ever. But just what are some of these tinnitus “cures”?Dietary changes“On TikTok‚ lifestyle recommendations are more bizarre than ever‚ such as cutting out milk‚ adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet‚ or even no longer drinking tap water‚” said Sasaki-Miraglia‚ but the idea of modifying your diet to cure your tinnitus goes back much further than that. Unfortunately‚ there’s little evidence of a quick dietary fix.“While it’s true that certain individuals have reported that caffeine and alcohol consumption made their tinnitus worse‚ no diet or lifestyle change will cure your tinnitus entirely‚” Sasaki-Miraglia said.Home remediesMany of the videos‚ posts‚ and tweets analyzed in the 2019 study included mentions of supplements‚ oils‚ and ear drops that can supposedly “cure” tinnitus. “Several products and supplements are sold and marketed across social media platforms‚ with some priced in the hundreds of dollars‚” Sasaki-Miraglia explained to IFLScience. The dietary supplement industry is a behemoth‚ and it’s estimated that the global market will be worth $300 billion by 2028. Regulations around dietary supplements vary considerably‚ and products marketed as potential treatments for conditions may not be held to the same efficacy and safety standards as traditional pharmaceuticals. But where there have been clinical studies‚ they have often produced less-than-impressive results. “Many of these products [for tinnitus] have undergone in-depth clinical investigation‚ all of which revealed meager benefits aside from a potential placebo effect‚” said Sasaki-Miraglia. Physical exercisesOn TikTok‚ there’s one class of viral tinnitus “cures” that appears more than any other. “Strangely‚ physical exercises appear the most‚” Sasaki-Miraglia told IFLScience. “Again‚ many are flat out weird like tapping a spoon under your earlobe or pressing on your pressure points.”“However‚ the most 'viral' exercise of all is actually pretty simple. The technical term is ‘Suboccipital Muscle Release‚’ but it just involves covering your ears and tapping your fingers several times on the back of your head.”The theory behind it is that the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull and upper spine can easily become tense or tight – anyone who spends a lot of time sitting at a desk will know this only too well! In some individuals‚ it’s been suggested that there could be a connection between this muscular tension and their tinnitus symptoms‚ and that the tapping helps to relieve the tension.However‚ Sasaki-Miraglia believes there could be something a bit different going on.“What’s more likely happening is a physical form of tinnitus masking‚ which involves introducing external sounds‚ often referred to as 'masking sounds‚' to help reduce the perception of the tinnitus sound or to make it less noticeable.”“When one thumps the back of their head with ears covered‚ the sound resonates and sort of feels like your head is in the inside of a drum. So‚ instead of masking tinnitus sounds with white noise for instance‚ the person is doing so with drum-like sounds inside their head.”What can you do to help combat tinnitus?So we’ve covered what not to do‚ or at least which social media “cures” you’d be better off ignoring. But are there any treatments that do help?The most important thing‚ according to Sasaki-Miraglia‚ is to seek help from a qualified professional.“There is no cure for tinnitus. There are‚ however‚ legitimate‚ science-based treatments and therapies that can help people manage their symptoms and improve quality of life‚” she explained. “According to the Mayo Clinic‚ 90 percent of those with tinnitus have some underlying form of hearing loss‚ meaning that in many cases‚ the sound amplification reintroduced by modern hearing aids goes a long way toward dissipating the effects of tinnitus.”Widex USA is currently working on another innovative way to use hearing aids in the treatment of tinnitus. It relies on a type of sound therapy called fractal sound stimulation. A processor within the hearing aid generates predictable – but never-repeating – tones that have a relaxing effect and help the brain habituate to the underlying repetitive ringing of the tinnitus.The system‚ called Widex SoundRelax‚ is part of an ongoing study‚ but preliminary results published in 2023 showed that 80 percent of participants had experienced an improvement in the severity of their tinnitus.Recent years have also seen the development of a number of smartphone app-based approaches to treating tinnitus in a convenient and easily accessible way. One group reported “encouraging results” from their personalized app in 2022 with the hope of larger trials in the near future‚ while another study just this year demonstrated the potential of a cognitive behavioral therapy approach delivered via a virtual coach called Tinnibot.       With research progressing into these targeted treatments‚ the future looks a bit brighter for those with tinnitus. In the meantime‚ Sasaki-Miraglia told IFLScience about some other things you can try to help relieve the symptoms.The first step is to minimize any further damage to the ears by “reducing exposure to extremely loud noise or wearing hearing protection‚” she explained.“Many individuals experiencing tinnitus find it helpful to avoid total silence. The quieter the environment‚ the more noticeable your tinnitus will be.” White noise machines‚ air conditioners‚ dehumidifiers‚ and fans can all help provide some background noise.“You’d want to believe something or someone can help”Researching a medical condition online is often part of the diagnosis journey. It’s totally understandable to want to seek advice and help from other people who may be dealing with the same things you are. But it’s also vital to remember that you can’t trust everything you read.“False or sensationalized information on social media can amplify existing anxiety and stress‚ leading to worsened psychological symptoms. The emotional baggage of living with tinnitus is hard enough. Inaccurate information and false hope will only make the experience worse‚” Sasaki-Miraglia told IFLScience.“Wading through so many untruths can be a daunting challenge for anyone diagnosed with tinnitus. The reality is checking facts can be time-consuming and a large amount of the misinformation provided can be enticing. If you’ve been suffering from a condition that’s said to be incurable‚ of course you’d want to believe something or someone can help.”“However‚ for both new tinnitus sufferers and those already well acquainted with the symptoms‚ it’s critical to resist the temptation.”All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text‚ images‚ and links may be edited‚ removed‚ or added to at a later date to keep information current. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice‚ diagnosis‚ or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.