Saxophonist‚ keyboardist and backing singer became the voice of the band between songs because no one else wanted to do it

HAMAS leader‚ Yahya Sinwar‚ a prime target on the Israeli Defense Forces hit list following the October 7th massacre  orchestrated by Sinwar‚ would have died from a brain tumor in 2008‚ had he not been operated on by Jewish doctors in an Israeli hospital. He was sentenced to four life sentences in 1989‚ but in […]

Ancient Rome’s Failed Building Projects JamesHoare Thu‚ 02/15/2024 - 09:26

Prehypertension‚ a prelude to high blood pressure‚ has serious health concerns‚ including cardiovascular disease. With systolic blood pressure (SBP) ranging from 120 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ranging from 80 to 89 mmHg‚ early action is critical to avoiding consequences. A recent study by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS) investigates the effectiveness of tai chi versus aerobic exercise in controlling prehypertension. Aerobic exercise vs. tai chi The study included 349 volunteers aged 18 to 65 who were randomly allocated to either tai chi or aerobic exercise groups. Both groups participated in four 60-minute supervised sessions per week for 12 months. The tai chi group practiced Yang-style tai chi‚ which emphasizes slow‚ controlled motions‚ whereas the aerobic exercise group did exercises such as climbing stairs‚ jogging‚ brisk walking‚ and cycling. Blood pressure was measured at baseline‚ six months‚ and twelve months. Key findings: tai chi’s superior impact After a year of focused effort‚ the results were impressive. The tai chi group showed a much higher reduction in workplace SBP than the aerobic exercise group. The mean change in office SBP for tai chi participants was -7.01 mmHg‚ higher than the -4.61 mmHg in the aerobic activity group. Furthermore‚ the tai chi group saw greater reductions in 24-hour and nocturnal ambulatory SBP. At the study’s conclusion‚ 21.8 percent of the tai chi group had normal blood pressure without drugs‚ compared to 15.6 percent in the aerobic exercise group. The incidence of hypertension was considerably lower in the tai chi group (12.0 percent versus 17.7 percent). Tai chi’s unique advantages Researchers believe that tai chi’s success in blood pressure management is due to its effect on the sympathetic nervous system‚ which reduces excitability and induces a soothing effect. This ancient technique‚ characterized by gentle movements and mental focus‚ has emerged as a valuable ally in cardiovascular health. The study’s findings have important public health implications‚ highlighting tai chi as an effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease in prehypertensive individuals. Dr. Jamea‚ a professional sex therapist‚ emphasizes the significance of confidence in health‚ noting‚ “Research tells us that feeling confident and self-assured leads to greater sexual satisfaction and pleasure.” Taking on tai chi from a public health perspective As tai chi emerges as a champion in the treatment of prehypertension‚ it encourages wider use of this ancient practice for cardiovascular health. Integrating tai chi into preventative health measures could pave the path for a healthier future in which people are empowered to take proactive steps to protect their heart health. Source study: JAMA Network Open— Effect of tai chi vs aerobic exercise on blood pressure in patients with prehypertensionThe post Is Tai Chi even better than aerobic exercise when it comes to heart health? first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

England is introducing a biodiversity credit scheme in a historic move that will transform the construction scene. This week marks the debut of the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) program‚ a bold endeavor to push new development projects to benefit‚ not hurt‚ the natural environment. The Biodiversity Net Gain scheme Under this “nature market‚” all new building projects must generate a 10 percent net increase in biodiversity or habitat. If a natural area is damaged‚ a similar or superior habitat must be created‚ either on-site or elsewhere. This plan is not only ambitious‚ but it also corresponds with the UK government’s goal of building 300‚000 new houses yearly by the mid-2020s. Natalie Duffus‚ a University of Oxford researcher‚ underlines the scheme’s potential impact: “In theory‚ it could restore lots of habitats.” The legislation takes effect under the Town and Country Planning Act‚ with larger sites mandatory on February 12 and smaller sites on April 2‚ 2024. International implications and inspiration The BNG initiative in England‚ dubbed “world-leading in its scope” by Sophus zu Ermgassen‚ an ecological economist at the University of Oxford‚ is gaining global notice. Sweden‚ Singapore‚ Scotland‚ and Wales have already expressed interest in adopting or adapting the approach‚ with Duffus adding‚ “Other places are watching us and seeing how it unfolds.” The global challenge: demand for biodiversity credits While the BNG plan is lauded as ambitious‚ the global biodiversity credit market faces a key challenge: low demand. Currently‚ there is only $8 million committed worldwide. Globally‚ biodiversity funding totals $169 billion each year‚ with the majority coming from domestic public funds. According to the UN‚ it needs to reach $200 billion from all sources (public‚ private‚ domestic‚ and international) by 2030. Ermgassen adds that a mandatory approach increases demand and draws more investment. Regulatory strengths and weaknesses The BNG plan is overseen by several organizations‚ including local governments and government agencies. This multi-layered strategy is regarded as a positive‚ avoiding the difficulties inherent with voluntary markets. However‚ there are worries about a shortage of monitoring resources‚ with more than a quarter of BNG units in danger of not resulting in tangible improvements in biodiversity. Farmers’ dilemma and off-site habitat restoration A major amount of off-site habitat restoration is expected to take place on farmland‚ but farmers are hesitant due to uncertainties about the market size. Ben Taylor‚ a farm manager‚ describes it as “crystal ball stuff‚” emphasizing the financial dangers that many farmers are hesitant to accept. Meanwhile‚ Amanda Williams of the Chartered Institute of Building observes that the existing policy ignores the effects of construction materials on biodiversity. Challenges and future considerations Despite the encouraging developments‚ environmentalists emphasize that the BNG scheme’s success is dependent on adequate regulation‚ monitoring‚ and enforcement. Tom Oliver‚ an applied ecology professor‚ warns that previous environmental restrictions have often been laxly enforced. “BNG’s success hinges on effective environmental regulation‚ monitoring‚ and policing‚ and yet when you look at all our past case studies they clearly show a failure of environmental enforcement and policing‚” he went on to say. Finding a balance between innovation and thorough control is vital to the scheme’s long-term success. The private sector’s growing role in conservation Over the last decade‚ the corporate sector has become increasingly involved in nature conservation. As worldwide voluntary biodiversity credit markets grow‚ internationally accepted standards become increasingly important. Zu Ermgassen notes that the current era is one of experimentation and innovation‚ highlighting the lack of a universally accepted framework. Government funding: a critical need The Campaign for Nature‘s research emphasizes the need for government support‚ arguing that biodiversity should be recognized as a public good. Governments must play a critical role in financing biodiversity and incorporating it into private investment decisions via policies‚ regulations‚ and incentives. England’s Biodiversity Net Gain plan is a pioneering step toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future in construction. While there are limitations‚ the model’s worldwide appeal and potential for positive impact make it worth observing and learning from.The post England’s biodiversity revolution—a radical approach to sustainable development first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

33 years ago today‚ Czechoslovakia‚ Poland‚ and Hungary created the Visegrád Group‚ a cooperation agreement to reorient their nations away from communism and toward free market capitalism and EU integration. Signed by Czechoslovakia premier Václav Havel‚ the President of the Republic of Poland‚ Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa‚ and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary‚ József […] The post Good News in History‚ February 15 appeared first on Good News Network.

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