Those brief, intense workouts you’ve heard about that boost fitness might also help fight certain types of cancer by releasing molecules into the bloodstream that can spur DNA repair and inhibit cancer growth signals. When embarking on an exercise routine for the new year, take heart that new research reveals that just 10 minutes of […] The post 10 Minutes of Intensive Workout Can Trigger Powerful Anti-Cancer Effects: New Study appeared first on Good News Network.

When native English speakers try to learn tonal languages like Chinese, Thai, or Navajo, it can take a while to get the hang of it. The idea that the same syllables spoken in a different tone can change the meaning of a word is a foreign concept in English, where we shift our tone and pitch in all kinds of ways without any change in actual word definitions.But that doesn't mean tone or pitch plays no role in English word meanings. Changing our tone and pitch to stress different syllables does change the meaning of a surprising number of words. Interestingly, there's a whole bunch of two-syllable words that follow a rule of sorts, where stressing the first syllable makes the word a noun and stressing the second makes it a verb. — (@) For example, the word "conduct." Stress the first syllable, using a higher tone or pitch at the start, and you get CON-duct, a noun meaning "behavior." Emphasize the second syllable instead, and it becomes con-DUCT, a verb meaning "to carry out" or "to lead."And there are so many more:PERmit vs. perMITPREsent vs. preSENTINsult vs. inSULTOBject vs. obJECTREject vs. reJECTSUSpect vs. susPECTCONflict vs. conFLICT — (@) CONvict vs. conVICTCONvert vs. conVERTIMport vs. imPORTRECord vs. reCORDPROtest vs. proTESTPROduce vs. proDUCEADDress vs. addRESSWhat kind of rule is this? Why do all of these words change from a noun to a verb simply by changing which syllable we stress? - YouTube youtu.be Interestingly, these words function as both nouns and verbs, but there's a bigger picture when it comes to syllable stress and its relationship to word meaning. As Coffee Break Languages shares: "Research into English word stress has shown that around 90% of two-syllable nouns are stressed on the first syllable. So when we see a two-syllable noun, we can be quite confident the word will be stressed on the first syllable." We see that pattern in words like APple, LIon, ORange, PERson, TEAcher, and WINdow."Research also shows that around 70% of two-syllable verbs are stressed on the second syllable," they add. "We need to be more careful with verbs, but still most of them are stressed on the second syllable so we can make an educated guess here if necessary. For example, the words agREE, colLECT, deFEND, enJOY imPROVE, and perFORM follow that pattern." These are the kinds of patterns most native English speakers aren't specifically taught, but people learning English as a second language have to learn. And because English doesn't use stress punctuation like accent marks, vocal stress has to be figured out entirely from context.Again, English isn't a tonal language, but is this really an example of the way tonal languages function? - YouTube www.youtube.com Not exactly. Tone, pitch, and stress are distinct linguistic elements, and they overlap in ways that aren't always easy to explain. You can get into the weeds pretty quickly when diving into the role each element plays in different languages. (If you really want to dig in, there's an excellent description of how different categories of languages utilize tone, pitch, and stress on Linguistic Stack Exchange. It's pretty interesting.)It's not exactly a secret that English has a lot of odd rules, exceptions to rules, and one-off cases that many of us don't even know are rules. Every language has its inconsistencies, but English is famous for them. All the more reason to always be gracious with those who are learning.

[By David Sylvester] My friend Kevin died at his desk on September 11, 2001, on the 99th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I was in Philadelphia watching the Twin Towers fall on TV like everyone else, except I knew someone inside. A lifelong positive presence, Kevin was someone who made […] The post Traveling the World Getting One Million Hugs Helped Me Heal After Losing My Brother on 9/11 appeared first on Good News Network.

The Baby Boomer generation (those born from 1946 to 1964) often gets flak from younger generations. From their unique texting style to their approach to grandparenting and their perceived "angry" attitudes, Boomers are widely criticized.But one Gen Zer on Reddit was curious about the good Boomers have brought into the world and asked a question aimed at surfacing positive takes on their impact: "What are the best things Boomers have done?"People shared their thoughts on the great things Boomers have contributed to society. From social activism to supportive parenting and out-of-this-world cooking, here are 10 things to appreciate about Boomers: Boomers laugh together.Photo credit: Canva"Let's not forget how vocal and persistent the civil rights activists of the Baby Boomer generation were when protesting, including against the Vietnam War and racism and against women's oppression. Let's not forget how hard the artists, and especially musicians, of that generation worked to lift their voices LOUDLY and unflinchingly. Those Boomers served as my blueprint growing up, and they helped me see how to be a humanitarian." - BloodyBarbieBrains"The recipes... I love all the pastries... Cookies and cakes!" - Ambitious_Welder6613"Women in the workplace. Women able to get loans without a husband's signature. Civil rights." - Minute-Frame-8060 Elton John GIF Giphy "They gave us some pretty good music. Elton John, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Page, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Elvis Costello." - gramersvelt001100, Ok_Still_3571"I never hated Boomers like many others did. I find that most Boomers, especially those born in the 50s seem to understand the world is hard for youth and are sympathetic. The most generous people I know are Boomers whether it's tipping or giving you a gift for a small favor. I feel much of the hate is unwarranted and unfair." - Erythite2023"Baby boomers get a lot of sh*t, but they heavily contributed to a lot of good things: civil rights, LGBTQ rights, women's rights, workplace protections, environmental laws, car safety standards, emission standards. If they screwed some things up, they also got a hell of a lot of things right. Boomers just lived their lives like everyone else does, doing the best they could. I really think when people complain, they should be honest about what they're doing differently than boomers did, and how they're going to make the world a better place so their grandchildren don't blame them for everything, too, which they probably will despite all efforts." - Electric-Sheepskin Boomer couple poses together.Photo credit: Canva"One big thing I credit them with is normalizing not having to dress so formally all the time for public settings. They were the ones who said 'f*ck no' to having to wear suits or skirts just to go run errands. I know they caught flak for that but I am very grateful for it?." - Antique_Remote_5536"My parents were baby boomers. while they certainly had their own set of issues, one thing I will always admire is their work ethic. It was one of the last generations that was raised with very little poor-me if that makes sense. My dad would show up to work with a good attitude and get all of his duties done without complaining while having the flu. Not because he didn't want to stay home but because that was just — normal back then. You made things work. He put his families security first over his sickness." - Forward-Air-4462"They created the best forms of music and media. I don't care what anyone says today's stuff doesn't even begin to compare to the entertainment boomers created." - AroundTheBlockNBack"Changed what it meant to age, mostly in positive ways. Older people were cast aside by industry and culture much quicker before they came along." - AnswerGuy301

As someone named Annie, I've spent decades fielding jokes made about my name, from references to "Little Orphan Annie" to "Annie Get Your Gun" to "Little Annie Oakley" to everyone's favorite lyric from Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." So when a fellow Annie shared a public message on behalf of all of us, I'd never felt more seen:"Hi, I speak for all women named Annie when I say this. Yes, we are okay. Yes, we know the sun will come out tomorrow. No, you are not clever for making those connections. Yes, I have heard it every time I meet a new person. You are not the smooth criminal who struck me. Thank you." from mildlyinfuriating If I had a nickel for every time I've heard, "Annie, are you okay?" and a dime for everyone who followed that up with, "I bet you never hear that, huh?" I'd be a wealthy woman. Obviously, there are more important things in the world than having your name become a meme, but it is mildly annoying to hear the same jokes over and over again your entire life, politely pretending that whoever is telling it this time is oh-so-clever. (Though, I will say, the commenter who wrote, "On behalf of everyone I just want to thank you for your white cheddar shells," did make me laugh.)Apparently, Annie's mini-rant hit a nerve, not just with other Annies but with everyone whose name comes with the same pop culture references over and over. - YouTube www.youtube.com The comments are filled with people pointing out the repeated name jokes they've spent their life putting up with, and it's wild how many there are:"Hi, I speak for all women named Jenny when I say...my number is not 867-5309, you do not, in fact, have my number.You can be fooled by the rocks that I've got, because I'm not, I'm not Jenny from the block.""Yes. I'm a Tiffany. And no, we're not alone now.""Similarly, no I will not beam you up. Also, I do know." – Scotty"And here I am just wondering why people keep asking me where my lamb is and concerned about how my garden grows…" – Mary"Joelene here. Yes, I will steal your man. All your men. They’re mine now.""Hi Annie, I'm a white girl named Becky.....""On behalf of all A-A-rons, it's not funny anymore." A famous Key and Peele skit ruined Aarons forever. Giphy "Chiming in for all Jakes here. We've seen the commercials. Yes, khakis, very clever.""As a Maria, I'm very tired of people always singing my name. Too many damn songs with my name in it and it drives me insane how often it happens.""My name is Hannah and my last name isn’t Montana and I know it’s a palindrome and also I am not a banana. I give it all a pass usually (with the palindrome I get to pretend to be Woo Young Woo) but I’m kind of done with the banana thing.""Try being a man named Jesse and having people tell you they wish they had your girl. ?""And are you saying that not all Roxanne's are working the street for money???""As a Felicia - quit saying bye. It’s old.""As a Sam, I would like to travel back in time and assassinate Dr. Seuss so I feel you.""As a Luke, the next person that claims to be my father owes my mother child support." Poor Luke. Giphy "Jagger here. No, I don’t have the moves.""I feel it. My name’s Victoria. I get asked about my secrets a lot.""As an Eileen, I already know I have to not be a klutz or else I get people singing Come On Eileen.""As a Robin, please don’t 'tweedle dweedle deet' at me, or ask me where Batman is. I am not rockin’ and I truly don’t know.""Feel ya girl. My name is Brandi. Used to work at a golf course club as a bartender/drink cart girl. The amount of times I’ve gotten 'you’re a fine girl?' Or 'what a good wife you would be' I got to the point where I’d avoid saying my name. ? Yes, I’ve heard THAT song before sir! & I love it so stop ruining it for me."It may seem silly, but whether a name is connected to a popular cultural reference is something parents might want to consider when choosing names for their kids. While occasional jokes aren't the end of the world, sometimes it can be a genuine issue, as one person shared:"As I’ve gotten older, I can deal with the annoying 'Sweet Caroline' references, but as a kid, it would make me so uncomfortable when adults would start enthusiastically singing it to me. My parents let me go by my middle name for a lot of my childhood because people really don’t listen when a kid says they’re uncomfortable, but of course, people would ignore that and demand my 'real name' and the cycle would start again."Of course, name memes can't be predicted, as the people in the comments named "Isis" and "Tesla" can attest. And learning to take these things in stride probably builds character or something. But it is good to keep in mind: when you feel tempted to make an obvious name joke, the person on the other end has probably heard it a million times and might be over it. As an Annie, I'm telling you: I'm okay. But I'm over it.