We're not sure any other rock star on Planet Earth can claim to be as real as Bruce Springsteen

‘Judgement at Tokyo’ by Gary J. Bass review JamesHoare Mon‚ 01/22/2024 - 11:07

In the age of social media‚ claims regarding hormone imbalances abound‚ with quick solutions ranging from raw carrot salads to specific coffee-drinking times. However‚ doctors warn against depending on these unproven therapies‚ highlighting the necessity of understanding hormones as a complex system designed to maintain equilibrium. Marilyn Tan‚ an endocrinologist at Stanford Medicine‚ explains that hormones‚ a type of protein‚ play an important role in coordinating metabolism among organs. She goes on to say‚ “Hormones refer to a whole category of proteins that send signals throughout the body.” Anne Cappola‚ a professor of endocrinology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine‚ adds depth‚ saying‚ “They carry messages from the glands through the bloodstream to various organs and tissues to tell them how to function. This complex network of glands and organs is known as the endocrine system.” The hormonal orchestra: a symphony of signals Cappola delves into the varied role of hormones in development‚ metabolism‚ reproduction‚ and mood. She highlights that hormones work together to preserve balance‚ dispelling the myth of widespread but unsubstantiated illnesses such as “adrenal fatigue.” Cappola states‚ “It really takes a pretty big insult for your adrenal glands not to work. These glands have a lot of built-in redundancy. You have two adrenal glands. You need less than one to function.” The true connection between hormones and symptoms Acne‚ lethargy‚ and weight gain are frequently ascribed to hormonal imbalances on social networking platforms such as TikTok. However‚ experts like Cappola are cautious‚ pointing out that similar symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors‚ including sleep‚ stress‚ food‚ and activity levels. She emphasizes the adaptability of hormones‚ which regulate and correct for imbalances‚ debunking the idea of “adrenal fatigue.” According to Cappola‚ “It just takes a lot of work for your adrenal glands not to work‚ and if something is off in one way‚ they compensate‚ they adapt‚ and they regulate.” The myth of diet as a hormonal hero Contrary to online assertions‚ changing one’s diet is unlikely to put hormones back into balance. According to Cappola‚ hormones are meant to preserve homeostasis and adapt to changes rather than being influenced by external factors such as nutrition. She highlights hormone flexibility‚ noting‚ “They’re only there trying to help normalize when things are off for another reason.” A balanced diet is important for overall health‚ but it is not a cure-all for hormone-related illnesses. Navigating hormonal health: when to get help Cappola recommends people see a trusted doctor if they are experiencing symptoms‚ emphasizing the significance of a complete medical history‚ examination‚ and related tests. While some hormonal diseases‚ such as thyroid problems‚ can be quickly recognized with blood tests‚ a thorough evaluation is required. Cappola cautions against self-diagnosis and encourages people to seek professional help rather than changing their lives based on unproven web advice. She believes it is worthwhile for a doctor to conduct a comprehensive history‚ perform an examination‚ and order tests based on your symptoms. Thyroid problems‚ for example‚ are extremely common and can be easily diagnosed with a blood test. However‚ if everything appears to be in order‚ you may have to face the possibility that there is no medical cause. Cappola states‚ “Of course‚ I wouldn’t want anyone to miss an endocrine disease‚ but I also don’t want people to be misdiagnosed with an endocrine disease. I also don’t want them to have to rearrange their lives because they think the timing of their coffee is going to be what puts their hormones in alignment.” The promise of rapid solutions for hormonal imbalances pervades social media‚ but doctors advise against relying on untested remedies. Understanding hormones as a sophisticated system intended for balance allows people to make more educated decisions regarding their health. Rather than depending on social media influencers‚ get professional medical guidance to ensure proper diagnosis and appropriate solutions for hormone issues. In the search for well-being‚ a comprehensive approach that combines lifestyle choices with expert advice emerges as the key to hormonal balance.The post Navigating the complex world of hormonal balance first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

For Stafford Sheehan‚ a cofounder and chemist at Air Company‚ perfume-making is more than simply creating an enticing scent. Air Company‚ established in New York‚ uses technology that transforms carbon dioxide into ethanol‚ which is then blended with essential oils and water to create the pale yellow Air Eau de Parfum. Sheehan emphasizes the unique value‚ stating‚ “Every 50-milliliter bottle uses 3.6 grams of CO2 that otherwise would have been released into the atmosphere.” This technology demonstrates an innovative and fascinating method of putting captured carbon to use‚ which Sheehan reiterates‚ adding: “Our package reads: ‘Turning CO2 into something beautiful.'” Capturing and utilizing carbon: startups on the frontlines While renewable energy and electric vehicles make gains toward reducing carbon emissions‚ the growing field of CCU is gaining traction as a possible game changer. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2019 study‚ around 230 million tons of CO2 are used each year. Advocates of CCU believe that the number of companies exploring new carbon applications has increased in recent years‚ indicating a promising option for combating climate change. “Carbon-derived fuels and chemicals could theoretically grow to the scale of billions of tons of CO2 use per year if companies could perfect their technology and lower costs‚” the report suggests. Air Company’s scent is not the only endeavor in the CCU market. CleanO2‚ headquartered in Calgary‚ converts CO2 captured from building heating boilers into feedstock for soap manufacture. Newlight Technologies‚ situated in California‚ transforms atmospheric carbon into biodegradable plastics. Covestro AG‚ a German company‚ is using carbon-derived materials in a wide range of products‚ including vehicle shells and medical equipment. Regulation and investment driving CCU growth The worldwide venture capital community is increasingly interested in CCU‚ with approximately $500 million invested in carbon utilization startups in 2022 alone. This increase in investment contrasts significantly with 2015‚ when limited venture funding supported CO2 utilization technologies. Regulations and incentives are critical‚ with the Inflation Reduction Act‚ signed by US President Joe Biden in 2022‚ greatly increasing the tax credit for carbon capture and utilization‚ making these projects more financially viable. “It’s very hard to be at cost parity with a 100-year-old industry that doesn’t even have to pay for its externalities‚” admits Jennifer Holmgren‚ CEO of LanzaTech Global Inc. Carbon utilization in concrete: a novel approach to building materials CCU’s innovative uses extend into the construction industry. “Cement is a big offender in carbon emissions‚” says Constance Cincotta‚ proprietor of Glenwood Mason Supply‚ a Brooklyn-based firm showcasing a novel solution. The startup collects CO2 from a residential building and turns it into a powder that resembles dry ice. This powder is then combined with cement‚ sand‚ and aggregate to form concrete blocks containing sealed-in CO2. The technique not only stores carbon but also increases the strength of the blocks. Glenwood Mason Supply believes that the company has used approximately 100 tons of CO2 in its construction blocks since 2020. Amazon.com Inc. was drawn to the factory’s CO2-storing concrete blocks‚ and in 2022‚ the company convinced a real estate developer to buy approximately 50‚000 blocks for the construction of a new warehouse in New York‚ which Amazon has leased. Challenges and opportunities: the future of CCU technology While CCU holds great promise‚ there are still hurdles ahead. Scaling up facilities to match the impact of oil refineries is a lengthy process. Startups like Air Company require large-scale production facilities to address rising demand for carbon-derived products. Despite the challenges‚ the appeal of transforming captured carbon into common things is fueling innovation in the CCU industry. “We need to scale these facilities to the size of oil refineries today in order to have the impact on climate change that we want to have‚” Sheehan says. Despite its potential‚ the carbon utilization industry has yet to threaten the status quo. While Air Company began selling carbon-derived perfume in 2021‚ Sheehan says the business has yet to establish its first commercial facility due to the time-consuming process of collecting data and fine-tuning the technology for large-scale production.The post The leading startups transforming CO2 into everyday wonders first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'Before we begin‚ I'd like to take time to congratulate Ron DeSantis'

The post 11 Long Nosed Cat Breeds (With Pictures) by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. According to The International Cat Association (TICA)‚ there are over 70 standardized cat breeds.1 Each of these breeds brings something unique to the table‚ whether it’s a quirky personality trait or a distinctive physical characteristic. Today‚ we’re going to take a deep dive into one particular physical feature that you might not think about often unless you see a cat with an odd-shaped one: noses. A cat’s nose mostly looks the same from breed to breed‚ but there are a handful of kitties with longer-than-usual noses‚ so let’s take a deep dive into 11 of the most adorable long-nosed cat breeds! Classification of Long Noses Breeds with long noses certainly stand out from those with “normal” sized ones simply because of the physical space their nose takes up on their face. While there is no exact measurement that makes one cat’s nose “long” and another’s “normal”‚ you can tell by looking at the breeds below that their noses have a little something extra. The 11 Long Nosed Cat Breeds 1. Oriental Shorthair Image Credit: Zhigulina Oksana‚ Shutterstock Origin: England Lifespan: 12 to 15 years Height: 9 to 11 inches The Oriental Shorthair is perhaps one of the best-known long-nosed cat breeds. These instantly recognizable kitties have wedge-shaped heads and long‚ tubular bodies with slender legs and tails. Their coats are very short and glossy‚ coming in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The svelte Oriental Shorthair belongs to the Siamese family of cat breeds and is known for their intelligence‚ vocalizations‚ and athleticism. 2. Chausie Chausie (Image Credit: Wilczakrew‚ Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0 Unported) Origin: Egypt Lifespan: 10 to 15 years Height: 14 to 15 inches This rare cat breed is a long-legged and statuesque specimen built for running and jumping. Their bodies are limber and graceful‚ like an Olympic athlete. Their deep chests allow them to breathe deeply‚ adding to their seemingly infinite source of energy. Their noses are medium to wide‚ becoming slightly broader between the eyes. The Chausie is the first hybrid between the jungle and domestic cat. They’re known for their intelligence‚ curiosity‚ and high energy levels. 3. Oriental Longhair Image Credit: slowmotiongli‚ Shutterstock Origin: Turkey Lifespan: 12 to 15 years Height: 8 to 10 inches The Oriental Longhair‚ like its Shorthair counterpart‚ belongs to the Siamese breed group. They have the same body type‚ except they come in various colors with a semi-long‚ silky coat on their elegant and graceful bodies. They have the same trademark wedge-shaped heads that their shorter-haired counterparts are known for. The Oriental Longhair is an expressive cat with loud voices they use often. They are highly active‚ intelligent‚ and loyal. 4. Highlander Image Credit: Patrick Hatt‚ Shutterstock Origin: United States Lifespan: 10 to 15 years Height: 15 to 22 inches The Highlander is a relatively new cat breed‚ having begun refinement in 2004. These big‚ powerful cats are easy to spot thanks to their loosely curled ears and long sloping foreheads. Their noses are wide and long‚ with a larger nose leather than most cats. The muzzle‚ chin‚ and nose give the Highlander a boxy muzzle look. These cats love to play and thrive on human company. They’re relatively quiet but have a lot of energy‚ especially when it comes to chasing and hunting games. 5. Siamese Image Credit: slowmotiongli‚ Shutterstock Origin: Thailand Lifespan: 15 to 20 years Height: 10 to 17 inches Siamese cats are another almost instantly recognizable breed. These medium-sized cats are svelte and refined with long‚ tapering lines. Their heads‚ like the Oriental breeds we spoke about above‚ are wedge-shaped. The breed standard requires the Siamese to have a long and straight nose that continues from the forehead without a break. Siamese cats are known for their incredible intelligence‚ affectionate temperament‚ and strong opinions. They’re highly extroverted and likely to bond strongly with one particular person in their family. 6. Turkish Van Image Credit: Vadim Petrakov‚ Shutterstock Origin: Armenia Lifespan: 12 to 17 years Height: 10 to 14 inches The Turkish Van is a beautiful breed known for its unique and distinctive patterning. All Turkish Vans are white cats with colored tails and head markings. This breed is a solidly built and semi-long-haired specimen with a broad‚ wedge-shaped head and pink leather on their long noses. The Turkish Van is a friendly‚ outgoing‚ and energetic family companion. They thrive on companionship and need a lot of attention. 7. Ragdoll Image Credit: izmargad‚ Shutterstock Origin: United States Lifespan: 13 to 18 years Height: 9 to 11 inches The Ragdoll is one of the biggest cat breeds and one of the slowest to mature. They can take as long as four years to reach full maturity. These moderately long-haired‚ blue-eyed cats have pointed markings. While their noses aren’t as long as others on our list‚ they’re certainly longer than other cat breeds‚ so we had to include them. Ragdolls are very laidback cats. They’re known for their gentle‚ calm‚ and friendly personalities. While less demanding than a Turkish Van‚ Ragdolls can sometimes develop a dog-like devotion to their humans. 8. Savannah Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya‚ Shutterstock Origin: United States Lifespan: 12 to 20 years Height: 13 to 20 inches The Savannah cat has a short to medium-length coat with coarse guard hairs covering a much softer undercoat. They are tall‚ lean‚ and graceful‚ with dark spots and bold markings. These striking cats result from crossbreeding African Servals and domestic cats‚ hence their “wild” look. Savannahs are playful‚ friendly‚ and loyal. They love to play in water and forge strong bonds with their owners. However‚ they are not the right breed for everyone as they require a fair amount of space and stimulation compared to other domestic cats. 9. Cornish Rex Image Credit: Stramp‚ Shutterstock Origin: Great Britain Lifespan: 11 to 15 years Height: 8 to 12 inches The Cornish Rex is incredibly unique‚ standing out from others thanks to their soft‚ wavy coat. Their heads are small compared to the size of their bodies and egg-shaped. Their noses are often described as “Roman noses” as when they are viewed in profile‚ the noses’ prominent bridge appears to be curved. Cornish Rex cats are curious and bubbly companions that get along great with everyone. They’re highly affectionate and people-oriented‚ so they need quite a bit of attention to stay happy. 10. Abyssinian Image Credit: Alla Lla‚ Shutterstock Origin: Egypt Lifespan: 9 to 15 years Height: 12 to 16 inches The Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat with a regal appearance. They’re lithe‚ hard‚ and muscular‚ with a slightly rounded wedge-shaped head. These exotic-looking‚ slender cats have long noses that should ideally form a straight line with the chine when viewed in profile. Abyssinians are very friendly‚ curious‚ and active cats with outgoing personalities. They love to play but can become easily bored‚ requiring a fair amount of interaction and constant access to toys to stay happy and healthy. 11. Russian Blue Image Credit: Review News‚ Shutterstock Origin: Russia Lifespan: 12 to 15 years Height: 9 to 11 inches Russian Blues have a smooth‚ wedge-shaped head and large ears with a wide base. They have long tails and slender legs. These cats vary in colors from a light‚ shimmery silver to a dark‚ slate gray. Their coats are short and dense and stand out from their body. Russian Blues are typically quiet and can be quite reserved around strangers. They are curious‚ calm‚ and affectionate‚ though they are not as clingy as other breeds we’ve discussed today. Final Thoughts Though the 11 cat breeds above have large-than-typical noses‚ that doesn’t mean they’re the only breeds sporting longer schnozzes. Every individual cat will have a nose size that’s unique to them‚ so even if your cat’s breed isn’t on our list above‚ that doesn’t mean they can’t grow a longer nose. Sources https://tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds Featured Image Credit: Natalia Fedosova‚ Shutterstock The post 11 Long Nosed Cat Breeds (With Pictures) by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

In the rich tapestry of Greek mythology‚ the Gorgons stand out as iconic and fearsome creatures‚ particularly Medusa‚ the most renowned among them. The Gorgons are three monstrous sisters – Stheno‚ Euryale‚ and Medusa – who were able to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. Euryale and Stheno were immortal‚ but Medusa ‘suffered a woeful fate’ and was not. In our documentary‚ Medusa with Natalie Haynes‚ we ventured to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu with classicist Natalie Haynes to discover the roots of the extraordinary myth of Medusa and investigate sites closely connected – including Corfu’s spectacular Gorgon pediment‚ a gigantic early image of Medusa that once protected a magnificent Archaic era temple to Artemis. The Gorgons have captured the imagination of storytellers‚ artists‚ and scholars for centuries. To understand their origin and significance‚ one must delve into the depths of Greek mythology and the ancient poem Theogony by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Hesiod’s Theogony and the birth of the Gorgons Gorgons were a popular image in Greek mythology‚ appearing in the earliest of written records of ancient Greek religious beliefs‚ including the two hugely influential epic poems of ancient Greece – Homer’s The Illiad and The Odyssey. Here they were depicted as a terrifying head on the shield of Greek warrior‚ Agamemnon‚ or a monster of the underworld. However‚ it was Hesiod’s Theogony that serves as a foundational text in Greek mythology‚ providing insights into the genealogy and origins of divine beings‚ and it was here that the origins of the Gorgons and their significance was explained. According to Hesiod‚ the Gorgons were born from the union of the sea deities Phorcys and Ceto. Phorcys‚ a primordial sea god‚ and Ceto‚ a sea monster‚ were parents to a myriad of monstrous offspring‚ including the three Gorgon sisters: Stheno (the mighty)‚ Euryale (the far-springer‚ or of the wide sea)‚ and Medusa (the queen). The Gorgon sisters were said to occupy a liminal space; their parents are sea creatures‚ they have wings‚ but dwelt on land – said to be on the farthest side of the western ocean‚ which some believe refers to Libya. Medusa‚ the mortal Gorgon Among the Gorgons‚ Medusa occupies a central role in Greek mythology.  After two gods had vied to be the protector of Athens – with the sea god Poseidon offering the sea‚ and Athena‚ goddess of wisdom‚ warfare‚ and handicraft‚ offering olive trees – Athens picked Athena. Originally a priestess in the temple of Athena‚ Medusa’s life took a tragic turn when she caught the eye of Poseidon‚ who raped her within the sacred walls of Athena’s temple‚ leading to the goddess’s wrath. As a punishment for violating her sacred space‚ Athena punished Medusa‚ turning Medusa’s hair into snakes and giving her a gaze that could turn mortals to stone. The iconography of Medusa is striking – a creature with a monstrous countenance‚ wings‚ and a head adorned with live serpents. This transformation not only punished Medusa but also served as a potent symbol of divine retribution in Greek mythology. ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ by Antonio Canova(1757 – 1822) – in the Metropolitan Museum of ArtImage Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Ad Meskens; sculpture Antonio Canova / CC BY-SA 3.0 Perseus and the quest for Medusa’s head The narrative takes a turn with the introduction of Perseus. In a classic hero’s quest‚ Perseus‚ son of Zeus‚ is tasked with the perilous mission of beheading Medusa – the only mortal Gorgon. Equipped with gifts from the gods – a reflective shield from Athena‚ winged sandals from Hermes‚ and a sword from Hephaestus – Perseus embarks on this daunting mission. Guided by divine assistance‚ Perseus successfully decapitates Medusa without directly facing her gaze. The severed head‚ however‚ retained its petrifying power‚ serving as a potent weapon in subsequent mythological tales. Symbolism and interpretations The Gorgons‚ particularly Medusa‚ hold rich symbolic meanings in Greek mythology. One interpretation sees Medusa as a representation of divine wrath and the consequences of violating sacred spaces. The transformation from a beautiful priestess to a monstrous Gorgon with snakes in her hair becomes a cautionary tale of the wrath of the gods. Moreover‚ Medusa’s gaze turning individuals to stone can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of death. The petrification serves as a powerful reminder of mortality‚ emphasising the boundary between the mortal and divine realms. Artistic representations The myth of Medusa and the Gorgons has inspired countless artistic interpretations throughout history. From ancient Greek pottery to Renaissance paintings‚ artists have sought to capture the allure and terror associated with these mythical beings. Notable works include Caravaggio’s Medusa‚ where the artist depicts the severed head with haunting realism‚ capturing the moment of transformation frozen in time. On the Greek island of Corfu‚ a large statue of Medusa dating from 580 BC was found in the remains of the Temple of Artemis (an Archaic era and the oldest-known Greek stone temple). The statue would have been part of the pediment of the temple‚ and is on display at the Archaeological Museum of Corfu. It depicts this Gorgon as having wings‚ and as a strong woman with a wide mouth and protruding tongue (often depicting a cacophonous loud noise). It also shows Medusa’s two children: Pegasus and a golden giant. An archaic Gorgon (around 580 BC)‚ as depicted on a pediment from the temple of Artemis in Corfu‚ on display at the Archaeological Museum of CorfuImage Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Archaeological Museum of Corfu / CC BY-SA 4.0 The statue’s role would have been to look down at new arrivals‚ protecting and impressing at the temple’s entrance. Medusa was thought to scare or protect depending on who you are. To help her achieve this‚ fantastical wild beasts including a ‘leo-panther’ (lion/panther) are depicted by her. Because of their legendary and powerful gaze that could turn one to stone‚ in ancient Greece‚ images of the Gorgons (or an individual Gorgoneion – a stone head‚ engraving‚ or drawing of a Gorgon face‚ often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between her fangs) were frequently used as a talisman‚ and placed on doors‚ walls‚ floors‚ coins‚ shields‚ breastplates‚ tombstones‚ and on the ends of pipes or roofs‚ in the hopes of warding off evil. In later centuries‚ Gorgon imagery developed from depicting a monstrous woman with a wide mouth and tongue out‚ to a more beautiful and sedate-looking woman‚ but with a couple of snakes in the hair. Gorgons in popular culture The legacy of the Gorgons extends beyond ancient mythology into modern popular culture. The image of Medusa‚ with her serpent hair and petrifying gaze‚ has become a recognisable symbol in literature‚ art‚ and cinema. Whether in classical literature or contemporary fantasy novels‚ the Gorgons continue to captivate audiences with their otherworldly and fearsome nature‚ and remain a timeless exploration of human fascination with the divine‚ the monstrous‚ and the transformative power of myth.