<p>Can cannabis reduce the ageing of brain? As per new research done on mice, long-term, low-dose use of the active ingredient of cannabis has an anti-ageing effect.</p>

<p>The study done by Bonn University in Germany has found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main therapeutic ingredient in cannabis, restores cognitive abilities and synapse density in old mice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have now been able to show that treatment with THC has a tissue-dependent and dual effect on mTOR signaling and the metabolome," said Dr Andras Bilkei-Gorzo a researcher who conducted the study along with an international team of scientists.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Gravitas: Medical use of Cannabis now legal in Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p><br />
To understand what it means, it's important to know about two specific processes of the brain that affect ageing.</p>

<p>One is synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change neuronal connections. Less synaptic plasticity is a sign of ageing.</p>

<p>The other is mTOR, or Mechanistic target of rapamycin, signalling. The mTOR signalling pathways regulate growth and metabolism in animal cells. The mTOR activity can be reduced through a low-calorie diet, intensive physical activity or pharmacological treatment.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/daily-marijuana-use-surpasses-daily-drinking-in-the-us-says-study-724533"><strong>Also read: Daily marijuana use surpasses daily drinking in the US, says study</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>How the study was done</strong></h2>

<p>Two groups of mice were used in the study,&nbsp;young ones around four months old, and older ones aged around 18 months.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some mice in each age group received a daily low dose of THC across a period of 28 days, and the effects were compared to age-matched controls.</p>

<p>The mice treated with THC showed a boost in mTOR activity in the brain and the production of more of the proteins necessary to form new synapses between neurons.</p>

<p>The mTOR activity in fat tissue dropped in the same way that it does with a calorie-controlled diet: In other words, the body starts to dial down some of its production processes in ways that have previously been shown to slow down biological ageing too, said a release on the study.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-man-gets-high-on-edibles-attempts-sex-with-flight-attendant-opens-door-mid-air-746543">Also read: US man gets high on edibles, attempts sex with flight attendant, opens door mid-air</a></strong></p>

<p>"We concluded that long-term THC treatment initially has a cognition-enhancing effect by increasing energy and synaptic protein production in the brain, followed by an anti-ageing effect by decreasing mTOR activity and metabolic processes in the periphery," said Bilkei-Gorzo.</p>

<p>He suggested that the findings of the study could potentially pave the way for future anti-ageing treatments. "Our study suggests that a dual effect on mTOR activity and the metabolome could be the basis for an effective anti-ageing and cognition-enhancing drug."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Can cannabis reduce the ageing of brain? As per new research done on mice, long-term, low-dose use of the active ingredient of cannabis has an anti-ageing effect.

Can cannabis reduce the ageing of brain? As per new research done on mice, long-term, low-dose use of the active ingredient of cannabis has an anti-ageing effect. The study done by Bonn University in Germany has found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main therapeutic ingredient in cannabis, restores cognitive abilities and synapse density in old mice. "We have now been able to show that treatment with THC has a tissue-dependent and dual effect on mTOR signaling and the metabolome," said Dr Andras Bilkei-Gorzo a researcher who conducted the study along with an international team of scientists. Watch: Gravitas: Medical use of Cannabis now legal in Ukraine × To understand what it means, it's important to know about two specific processes of the brain that affect ageing. One is synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change neuronal connections. Less synaptic plasticity is a sign of ageing. The other is mTOR, or Mechanistic target of rapamycin, signalling. The mTOR signalling pathways regulate growth and metabolism in animal cells. The mTOR activity can be reduced through a low-calorie diet, intensive physical activity or pharmacological treatment. Also read: Daily marijuana use surpasses daily drinking in the US, says study How the study was done Two groups of mice were used in the study, young ones around four months old, and older ones aged around 18 months. Some mice in each age group received a daily low dose of THC across a period of 28 days, and the effects were compared to age-matched controls. The mice treated with THC showed a boost in mTOR activity in the brain and the production of more of the proteins necessary to form new synapses between neurons. The mTOR activity in fat tissue dropped in the same way that it does with a calorie-controlled diet: In other words, the body starts to dial down some of its production processes in ways that have previously been shown to slow down biological ageing too, said a release on the study. Also read: US man gets high on edibles, attempts sex with flight attendant, opens door mid-air "We concluded that long-term THC treatment initially has a cognition-enhancing effect by increasing energy and synaptic protein production in the brain, followed by an anti-ageing effect by decreasing mTOR activity and metabolic processes in the periphery," said Bilkei-Gorzo. He suggested that the findings of the study could potentially pave the way for future anti-ageing treatments. "Our study suggests that a dual effect on mTOR activity and the metabolome could be the basis for an effective anti-ageing and cognition-enhancing drug." (With inputs from agencies)

Cannabis found to have anti-ageing effect on brains of mice. So can pot make you younger?

<p>Los Alamos, where the American atomic bomb was born under the Manhattan Project led by Robert Oppenheimer, currently has plutonium levels similar to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, researchers have warned.</p>

<p>“Extreme concentrations” of the radioactive material plutonium&nbsp;were found in soil, plants and water in the area, located in New Mexico state, said a study by North Arizona University researchers.</p>

<p>After years of redevelopment to make it safe, the land around Los Alamos had been turned into a dirt trail popular with bikers, hikers and runners, The Guardian newspaper said in a report.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH: WION reports from the world's first-ever floating nuclear power plant in Russia's Far East</strong></p>

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<p><br />
In the area known as 'Acid Canyon', Northern Arizona University scientist Michael Ketterer found plutonium levels to be "among the highest" he had ever seen in a publicly accessible area in the US, and similar to Chernobyl in Ukraine, the site of the nuclear spillage disaster.</p>

<p>“This is one of the most shocking things I’ve ever stumbled across in my life,” said Ketterer, who led the study,&nbsp;pointing out that the radioactive isotopes are “hiding in plain sight”.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy said the plutonium levels were “very low and well within the safe exposure range,” said the report.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-use-weapons-never-used-before-iran-issues-threat-as-israel-mulls-over-retaliation-711898">Also read: ‘Will use weapons never used before’: Iran issues threat as Israel mulls over retaliation</a></strong></p>

<p>Ketterer agreed that immediate danger is low, but said the environmental risk is still worrying.</p>

<p>Plutonium can contaminate water supplies that eventually flow into the Rio Grande River. It can get into plants and eventually the&nbsp;food chain, or can be dispersed widely in ash in the event of a wildfire, he warned.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hiroshima-nagasaki-at-78-nolans-oppenheimer-has-put-atomic-focus-on-safe-use-of-nuclear-energy-623922">Also read: Hiroshima-Nagasaki at 78: Nolan's Oppenheimer has put 'atomic' focus on safe use of nuclear energy</a></strong></p>

<p>Until 1963, the Los Alamos National Laboratory sent radioactive waste into a canyon that became so saturated in toxic waste that it was dubbed 'Acid Canyon,' said the report.</p>

<p>The Guardian report&nbsp;said the study comes at a time when the US Department of Defense plans to increase production of plutonium pits, a core component of nuclear weapons, at Los Alamos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Los Alamos was excluded from a defence bill that expanded funds for those exposed to the government’s radioactive waste.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Los Alamos, where the American atomic bomb was born under the Manhattan Project led by Robert Oppenheimer, currently has plutonium levels similar to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, researchers have warned.

Los Alamos, where the American atomic bomb was born under the Manhattan Project led by Robert Oppenheimer, currently has plutonium levels similar to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, researchers have warned. “Extreme concentrations” of the radioactive material plutonium were found in soil, plants and water in the area, located in New Mexico state, said a study by North Arizona University researchers. After years of redevelopment to make it safe, the land around Los Alamos had been turned into a dirt trail popular with bikers, hikers and runners, The Guardian newspaper said in a report. WATCH: WION reports from the world's first-ever floating nuclear power plant in Russia's Far East × In the area known as 'Acid Canyon', Northern Arizona University scientist Michael Ketterer found plutonium levels to be "among the highest" he had ever seen in a publicly accessible area in the US, and similar to Chernobyl in Ukraine, the site of the nuclear spillage disaster. “This is one of the most shocking things I’ve ever stumbled across in my life,” said Ketterer, who led the study, pointing out that the radioactive isotopes are “hiding in plain sight”. Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy said the plutonium levels were “very low and well within the safe exposure range,” said the report. Also read: ‘Will use weapons never used before’: Iran issues threat as Israel mulls over retaliation Ketterer agreed that immediate danger is low, but said the environmental risk is still worrying. Plutonium can contaminate water supplies that eventually flow into the Rio Grande River. It can get into plants and eventually the food chain, or can be dispersed widely in ash in the event of a wildfire, he warned. Also read: Hiroshima-Nagasaki at 78: Nolan's Oppenheimer has put 'atomic' focus on safe use of nuclear energy Until 1963, the Los Alamos National Laboratory sent radioactive waste into a canyon that became so saturated in toxic waste that it was dubbed 'Acid Canyon,' said the report. The Guardian report said the study comes at a time when the US Department of Defense plans to increase production of plutonium pits, a core component of nuclear weapons, at Los Alamos. Meanwhile, Los Alamos was excluded from a defence bill that expanded funds for those exposed to the government’s radioactive waste. (With inputs from agencies)

This American nuclear site has as much plutonium levels as Chernobyl disaster area in Ukraine

<p><strong>Alien probe:</strong> Are we alone? Is there any alien life or 'super civilisations' outside Earth? The premier institute in the US searching for alien life and intelligence has launched a new project that will look for low frequencies in intergalactic space, in the first probe of its kind.</p>

<p>SETI Institute - full form the Berkeley SETI Research Center and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research - is going for an intergalactic search for 'technosignatures,' or signs of alien technology, at low radio frequencies - those at or under 100 MHz.</p>

<p>SETI stands for Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH: Black hole 'moons' may signal advanced alien life</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The low frequency probe will cover 2,800 galaxies in one search, "of which 1,300 we know the distance to," said a release from the institute.</p>

<p>The study will use the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a low-frequency radio telescope located at the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia.</p>

<p>"Usually, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has focused on signals within our galaxy. This new approach goes further, looking at distant galaxies, looks at distant galaxies, making it one of the most detailed searches for super civilisations—those more advanced than ours," said the SETI release.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-life-may-be-hiding-in-purple-hue-of-universe-scientists-712945">Also read: Alien life may be hiding in purple hue of universe: Scientists</a></strong></p>

<p>"This work represents a significant step forward in our efforts to detect signals from advanced extraterrestrial civilisations. The large field of view and low-frequency range of the MWA makes it an ideal tool for this kind of research," said Dr Chenoa Tremblay of the SETI Institute, who is leading the study.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-to-install-nuclear-powered-ufo-detectors-in-space-to-lure-aliens-to-earth-claims-expert-723913">Also read: Scientists to install nuclear-powered UFO detectors in space to lure aliens to Earth, claims expert</a></strong></p>

<p>"The MWA continues to open up new ways of exploring the Universe for intelligent civilizations and technosignatures, while using the same data to study the astrophysics of stars and galaxies. This work is new and novel, but also paves the way for future observations with even more powerful telescopes,” said Prof Steven Tingay of Curtin University who is also the Director of the MWA leading the study.</p>

<p>This research highlights the importance of working together internationally and using advanced technology to expand our understanding of the Universe.</p>

<p>The SETI Institute, founded in 1984, describes itself as an institution leading humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and to share that knowledge with the world.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Alien probe: Are we alone? Is there any alien life or 'super civilisations' outside Earth? The premier institute in the US searching for alien life and intelligence has launched a new project that will look for low frequencies in intergalactic space, in the first probe of its kind.

Alien probe: Are we alone? Is there any alien life or 'super civilisations' outside Earth? The premier institute in the US searching for alien life and intelligence has launched a new project that will look for low frequencies in intergalactic space, in the first probe of its kind. SETI Institute - full form the Berkeley SETI Research Center and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research - is going for an intergalactic search for 'technosignatures,' or signs of alien technology, at low radio frequencies - those at or under 100 MHz. SETI stands for Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. WATCH: Black hole 'moons' may signal advanced alien life × The low frequency probe will cover 2,800 galaxies in one search, "of which 1,300 we know the distance to," said a release from the institute. The study will use the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a low-frequency radio telescope located at the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia. "Usually, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has focused on signals within our galaxy. This new approach goes further, looking at distant galaxies, looks at distant galaxies, making it one of the most detailed searches for super civilisations—those more advanced than ours," said the SETI release. Also read: Alien life may be hiding in purple hue of universe: Scientists "This work represents a significant step forward in our efforts to detect signals from advanced extraterrestrial civilisations. The large field of view and low-frequency range of the MWA makes it an ideal tool for this kind of research," said Dr Chenoa Tremblay of the SETI Institute, who is leading the study. Also read: Scientists to install nuclear-powered UFO detectors in space to lure aliens to Earth, claims expert "The MWA continues to open up new ways of exploring the Universe for intelligent civilizations and technosignatures, while using the same data to study the astrophysics of stars and galaxies. This work is new and novel, but also paves the way for future observations with even more powerful telescopes,” said Prof Steven Tingay of Curtin University who is also the Director of the MWA leading the study. This research highlights the importance of working together internationally and using advanced technology to expand our understanding of the Universe. The SETI Institute, founded in 1984, describes itself as an institution leading humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and to share that knowledge with the world. (With inputs from agencies)

Alien search: SETI Institute launches probe for low frequencies across galaxies in first study of its kind

<p>It's a general notion that some children are born brilliant and excel at studies, while others 'with less intelligence' lag behind in academic performance. A large new study seeks to bust this myth, having found that motivation, self-regulation, grit and perseverance help children become better at studies.</p>

<p>These non-cognitive skills that are part of emotional intelligence and also include academic interest and value attributed to learning, are as important as intelligence- a largely genetic attribute- in determining academic success, found the study.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: AI is spying on students</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The researchers followed the development of 10,000 children in the UK, including siblings, to reach the conclusions.</p>

<p>Fostering non-cognitive skills alongside cognitive abilities could significantly improve educational outcomes, said the authors of the study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/autistic-11-year-old-girl-beats-albert-einstein-stephen-hawkings-iq-scores-590778">Also Read: Autistic 11-year-old girl beats IQ scores of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking</a></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our research challenges the long-held assumption that intelligence is the primary driver of academic achievement," said Dr Margherita Malanchini at Queen Mary University of London, who did the study along with Dr Andrea Allegrini at University College London.</p>

<h2><strong>Non-cognitive skills vs genetic factors</strong></h2>

<p>The findings challenge the traditional view of educational achievement as determined largely by intelligence, which is largely a genetic attribute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Instead, it suggests that a child's "emotional and behavioural makeup, influenced by both genes and environment, plays a crucial role in their educational journey," said the release.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How the study was done</strong></h2>

<p>The study followed 10,000 children from age seven to 16 in England and Wales, using "a combination of twin studies and DNA-based analyses to examine the interplay between genes, environment, and academic performance," said the release.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/inheritance-of-attraction-study-claims-children-of-attractive-parents-earn-more-687432">Also Read: Inheritance of attraction? 'Hot parents' study claims children of attractive people earn more</a></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>By analysing DNA of study participants, researchers constructed a "polygenic score" for non-cognitive skills, essentially a genetic snapshot of a child's predisposition towards these skills, it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We discovered that genetic effects associated with non-cognitive skills become increasingly predictive of academic achievement over the school years, in fact their effect nearly doubles between the ages of 7 and 16," Dr Allegrini said.</p>

<p>"By the end of compulsory education, genetic dispositions towards non-cognitive skills were equally as important as those related to cognitive abilities in predicting academic success."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Children in same families differ in approach to studies</strong></h2>

<p>Children within the family may shape their own learning experiences based on their personality, dispositions and abilities.</p>

<p>"We found that while family-wide processes play a significant role, the increasing influence of non-cognitive genetics on academic achievement remained evident even within families," said Allegrini.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our education system has traditionally focused on cognitive development," said Dr Malanchini.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


It's a general notion that some children are born brilliant and excel at studies, while others 'with less intelligence' lag behind in academic performance. A large new study seeks to bust this myth, having found that motivation, self-regulation, grit and perseverance help children become better at studies.

It's a general notion that some children are born brilliant and excel at studies, while others 'with less intelligence' lag behind in academic performance. A large new study seeks to bust this myth, having found that motivation, self-regulation, grit and perseverance help children become better at studies. These non-cognitive skills that are part of emotional intelligence and also include academic interest and value attributed to learning, are as important as intelligence- a largely genetic attribute- in determining academic success, found the study. Watch: AI is spying on students × The researchers followed the development of 10,000 children in the UK, including siblings, to reach the conclusions. Fostering non-cognitive skills alongside cognitive abilities could significantly improve educational outcomes, said the authors of the study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. Also Read: Autistic 11-year-old girl beats IQ scores of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking "Our research challenges the long-held assumption that intelligence is the primary driver of academic achievement," said Dr Margherita Malanchini at Queen Mary University of London, who did the study along with Dr Andrea Allegrini at University College London. Non-cognitive skills vs genetic factors The findings challenge the traditional view of educational achievement as determined largely by intelligence, which is largely a genetic attribute. Instead, it suggests that a child's "emotional and behavioural makeup, influenced by both genes and environment, plays a crucial role in their educational journey," said the release. How the study was done The study followed 10,000 children from age seven to 16 in England and Wales, using "a combination of twin studies and DNA-based analyses to examine the interplay between genes, environment, and academic performance," said the release. Also Read: Inheritance of attraction? 'Hot parents' study claims children of attractive people earn more By analysing DNA of study participants, researchers constructed a "polygenic score" for non-cognitive skills, essentially a genetic snapshot of a child's predisposition towards these skills, it said. "We discovered that genetic effects associated with non-cognitive skills become increasingly predictive of academic achievement over the school years, in fact their effect nearly doubles between the ages of 7 and 16," Dr Allegrini said. "By the end of compulsory education, genetic dispositions towards non-cognitive skills were equally as important as those related to cognitive abilities in predicting academic success." Children in same families differ in approach to studies Children within the family may shape their own learning experiences based on their personality, dispositions and abilities. "We found that while family-wide processes play a significant role, the increasing influence of non-cognitive genetics on academic achievement remained evident even within families," said Allegrini. "Our education system has traditionally focused on cognitive development," said Dr Malanchini. (With inputs from agencies)

Intelligence alone doesn't make children excel at studies; it takes grit and perseverance too: Study

<p>A new, nasally administered Covid vaccine candidate could be a game changer as it offers broad protection against the deadly virus and its variants, while also vaccinating those who are averse to needles, its developers have said.</p>

<p>Administered through the nasal passage, the dose has been licensed to the vaccine maker, Indian Immunologicals Ltd, and is expected to go into clinical trials soon.</p>

<p>The dose, called CDO-7N-1, is an intranasal live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which uses a method known as codon deoptimisation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch: What reasons did AstraZeneca give while withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine globally?</strong></p>

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<p>With just one shot, CDO-7N-1 was found to induce robust immune response in mice, hamsters and macaques, said its developers, who published their findings in Nature Communications journal on Monday (Aug 26).</p>

<p>The lab test animals were protected from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as its variants like beta, delta and omicron XBB.1.5, said the researchers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-faces-rising-claims-for-covid-19-vaccine-damages-over-14000-seek-compensation-751001">Also read: UK faces rising claims for COVID-19 vaccine damages; over 14,000 seek compensation</a></strong></p>

<p>“This is a live attenuated intranasal vaccine, inducing potential mucosal immunity as well as systemic immunity with just a single dose,” said Prof &nbsp;Suresh Mahalingam from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, who has been working on the vaccine for four years.</p>

<p>“The vaccine induces strong memory responses in the nasal mucosa, offering long-term protection for up to a year or more. It’s been designed to be administered as single dose, ideally as a booster vaccine, as a safe alternative to needles with no adverse reactions in the short or long term,” he said.</p>

<p>This is a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains the entire virus, thereby providing broad immunity, in contrast to a single antigen, which is used in many other vaccine platforms.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/plea-filed-in-indias-top-court-seeking-investigation-into-covishield-side-effects-717027">Also read: Plea filed in India’s top court seeking investigation into Covid vaccine Covishield's side effects</a></strong></p>

<p>The vaccine provides cross-protection against all variants of concern, and has neutralising capacity against SARS-CoV-1, said Dr Xiang Liu, the lead author of the study, adding it protects against transmission, prevents reinfection and the spread of the virus, while also reducing the generation of new variants.</p>

<p>“Unlike the mRNA vaccine, which targets only the spike protein, CDO-7N-1 induces immunity to all major SARS-CoV-2 proteins and is highly effective against all major variants to date," said Liu.</p>

<p>“Importantly, the vaccine remains stable at 4°C for seven months, making it ideal for low- and middle-income countries.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new, nasally administered Covid vaccine candidate could be a game changer as it offers broad protection against the deadly virus and its variants, while also vaccinating those who are averse to needles, its developers have said.

A new, nasally administered Covid vaccine candidate could be a game changer as it offers broad protection against the deadly virus and its variants, while also vaccinating those who are averse to needles, its developers have said. Administered through the nasal passage, the dose has been licensed to the vaccine maker, Indian Immunologicals Ltd, and is expected to go into clinical trials soon. The dose, called CDO-7N-1, is an intranasal live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which uses a method known as codon deoptimisation. Watch: What reasons did AstraZeneca give while withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine globally? × With just one shot, CDO-7N-1 was found to induce robust immune response in mice, hamsters and macaques, said its developers, who published their findings in Nature Communications journal on Monday (Aug 26). The lab test animals were protected from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as its variants like beta, delta and omicron XBB.1.5, said the researchers. Also read: UK faces rising claims for COVID-19 vaccine damages; over 14,000 seek compensation “This is a live attenuated intranasal vaccine, inducing potential mucosal immunity as well as systemic immunity with just a single dose,” said Prof Suresh Mahalingam from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, who has been working on the vaccine for four years. “The vaccine induces strong memory responses in the nasal mucosa, offering long-term protection for up to a year or more. It’s been designed to be administered as single dose, ideally as a booster vaccine, as a safe alternative to needles with no adverse reactions in the short or long term,” he said. This is a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains the entire virus, thereby providing broad immunity, in contrast to a single antigen, which is used in many other vaccine platforms. Also read: Plea filed in India’s top court seeking investigation into Covid vaccine Covishield's side effects The vaccine provides cross-protection against all variants of concern, and has neutralising capacity against SARS-CoV-1, said Dr Xiang Liu, the lead author of the study, adding it protects against transmission, prevents reinfection and the spread of the virus, while also reducing the generation of new variants. “Unlike the mRNA vaccine, which targets only the spike protein, CDO-7N-1 induces immunity to all major SARS-CoV-2 proteins and is highly effective against all major variants to date," said Liu. “Importantly, the vaccine remains stable at 4°C for seven months, making it ideal for low- and middle-income countries.” (With inputs from agencies)

Covid vaccine: Single-dose nasal drop protects against virus and variants, can be a gamechanger

<p>More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found.</p>

<p>The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<strong>Watch: Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report</strong></p>

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The fear over drinking water was highest in Zambia, and lowest in Singapore while the overall mean was 52.3%, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications on Monday (Aug 26).</p>

<p>In the US, 39%&nbsp;anticipated serious harm from drinking water in the short term, said the study by Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-threatened-maldives-receives-tibetan-glacier-water-from-china-705369">Also read: Climate change-threatened Maldives receives Tibetan glacier water from China</a></strong><br />
<br />
Those who are worried about their drinking water are mainly women, city dwellers, individuals with more education, and those struggling with their current income were more likely to anticipate being harmed by their drinking water, said the release on the study.</p>

<p>Interestingly, it found a correlation between higher corruption perception index scores and expected harm from drinking water</p>

<p>And even in countries like the US, where water access is consistent, doubts about safety were widespread, found the study.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What happens when people don't trust their drinking water?</strong></h2>

<p>Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern and senior author of the new study said,&nbsp;“When we mistrust our tap water, we buy packaged water, which is wildly expensive and hard on the environment; drink soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages, which is hard on the teeth and the waistline; and consume highly processed prepared foods or go to restaurants to avoid cooking at home, which is less healthy and more expensive."</p>

<p>"Individuals exposed to unsafe water also experience greater psychological stress and are at greater risk of depression.”</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-groundwater-to-turn-undrinkable-for-half-a-billion-people-by-2100-study-740031">Also read:&nbsp;Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study</a></strong><br />
<br />
It is difficult for consumers to judge the hazards and safety of their water supply because many contaminants are invisible, odourless and tasteless, noted the authors of the study.</p>

<p>Without adequate information, many are left to evaluate the safety of their water based on prior experiences, media reports, and personal values and beliefs, they said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found. The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release.

More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found. The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release. Watch: Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report × The fear over drinking water was highest in Zambia, and lowest in Singapore while the overall mean was 52.3%, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications on Monday (Aug 26). In the US, 39% anticipated serious harm from drinking water in the short term, said the study by Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Also read: Climate change-threatened Maldives receives Tibetan glacier water from China Those who are worried about their drinking water are mainly women, city dwellers, individuals with more education, and those struggling with their current income were more likely to anticipate being harmed by their drinking water, said the release on the study. Interestingly, it found a correlation between higher corruption perception index scores and expected harm from drinking water And even in countries like the US, where water access is consistent, doubts about safety were widespread, found the study. What happens when people don't trust their drinking water? Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern and senior author of the new study said, “When we mistrust our tap water, we buy packaged water, which is wildly expensive and hard on the environment; drink soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages, which is hard on the teeth and the waistline; and consume highly processed prepared foods or go to restaurants to avoid cooking at home, which is less healthy and more expensive." "Individuals exposed to unsafe water also experience greater psychological stress and are at greater risk of depression.” Also read: Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study It is difficult for consumers to judge the hazards and safety of their water supply because many contaminants are invisible, odourless and tasteless, noted the authors of the study. Without adequate information, many are left to evaluate the safety of their water based on prior experiences, media reports, and personal values and beliefs, they said. (With inputs from agencies)

More than half of the world does not trust its drinking water and expects to be harmed by it: Study

<p>What is love, or rather, 'where' is love? A fascinating new study has located where exactly love happens in our brains. More precisely, it has mapped how different types of love situations fire up different parts of the brain.</p>

<p>Using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI, the researchers from Aalto University mapped the brain activity of participants who were given stories to think about, related to six types of love: for romantic partners, friends, children, strangers, pets and nature.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Does falling in love mess with your head?</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>How was the 'brain in love' study done?</strong></h2>

<p>The researchers gave specific love-related statements to participants and observed how their brains reacted. After hearing a professional actor’s rendition of each love story, participants were asked to imagine each emotion for 10 seconds,&nbsp;the researchers said in a release.</p>

<p>Could you guess which type of love ignited more parts of the participants' brains?&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Love for one’s children generated the most intense brain activity, closely followed by romantic love, according to the study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex.</p>

<p>The statement given to the parents was: "You see your newborn child for the first time. The baby is soft, healthy and hearty — your life’s greatest wonder. You feel love for the little one."</p>

<p>It was presented to 55 parents who said they were in a loving relationship.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-love-in-the-times-of-ai-your-digital-avatar-might-soon-go-out-on-dates-for-you-721735">Also Read: Love in the times of AI: Your digital avatar might soon go out on dates for you</a></strong><br />
<br />
"In parental love, there was activation deep in the brain's reward system in the striatum area while imagining love, and this was not seen for any other kind of love," said Pärttyli Rinne, who coordinated the study.</p>

<p>‘‘The activation pattern of love is generated...in the basal ganglia, the midline of the forehead, the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head," said Rinne.</p>

<p>Brain activity is influenced not only by the closeness of the object of love but also by whether it is a human being, another species or nature.</p>

<p>Compassionate love for strangers was less rewarding and caused less brain activation than love in close relationships, it noted.</p>

<p>The study also found that love of nature activated the reward system and visual areas of the brain, but not the social brain areas.</p>

<p>The study also found that it is possible to find, based on brain activity, whether a person is a pet owner or not.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-international-dog-day-indian-celebs-love-letters-for-their-furry-friends-753388">Also Read: International Dog Day: Indian celebs' love letters for their furry friends</a></strong></p>

<p>"When looking at love for pets and the brain activity associated with it, brain areas associated with sociality statistically reveal whether or not the person is a pet owner. When it comes to the pet owners, these areas are more activated than with non-pet owners," said Rinne.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


What is love, or rather, 'where' is love? A fascinating new study has located where exactly love happens in our brains. More precisely, it has mapped how different types of love situations fire up different parts of the brain.

What is love, or rather, 'where' is love? A fascinating new study has located where exactly love happens in our brains. More precisely, it has mapped how different types of love situations fire up different parts of the brain. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI, the researchers from Aalto University mapped the brain activity of participants who were given stories to think about, related to six types of love: for romantic partners, friends, children, strangers, pets and nature. Watch: Does falling in love mess with your head? × How was the 'brain in love' study done? The researchers gave specific love-related statements to participants and observed how their brains reacted. After hearing a professional actor’s rendition of each love story, participants were asked to imagine each emotion for 10 seconds, the researchers said in a release. Could you guess which type of love ignited more parts of the participants' brains? Love for one’s children generated the most intense brain activity, closely followed by romantic love, according to the study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex. The statement given to the parents was: "You see your newborn child for the first time. The baby is soft, healthy and hearty — your life’s greatest wonder. You feel love for the little one." It was presented to 55 parents who said they were in a loving relationship. Also Read: Love in the times of AI: Your digital avatar might soon go out on dates for you "In parental love, there was activation deep in the brain's reward system in the striatum area while imagining love, and this was not seen for any other kind of love," said Pärttyli Rinne, who coordinated the study. ‘‘The activation pattern of love is generated...in the basal ganglia, the midline of the forehead, the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head," said Rinne. Brain activity is influenced not only by the closeness of the object of love but also by whether it is a human being, another species or nature. Compassionate love for strangers was less rewarding and caused less brain activation than love in close relationships, it noted. The study also found that love of nature activated the reward system and visual areas of the brain, but not the social brain areas. The study also found that it is possible to find, based on brain activity, whether a person is a pet owner or not. Also Read: International Dog Day: Indian celebs' love letters for their furry friends "When looking at love for pets and the brain activity associated with it, brain areas associated with sociality statistically reveal whether or not the person is a pet owner. When it comes to the pet owners, these areas are more activated than with non-pet owners," said Rinne. (With inputs from agencies)

What is love? Now, researchers have mapped exactly which parts of brains fire up in various love situations

<p>Did you know that some so-called 'smart toys' may be spying on your kids' behaviour patterns? A shocking study into 12 such toys found breaches of security and privacy, with the toys recording and transmitting user&nbsp;data to toy manufacturers.</p>

<p>The study examined smart toys like Toniebox, Tiptoi smart pen,&nbsp;Edurino learning app, Tamagotchi virtual pet, Moorebot mobile robot and chlidren's smart phone Kidibuzz. These toys employ interactive play through software apps and internet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Smart devices evesdropping for ad targeting and listening to your conversations secretly?</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Many of these toys raise privacy concerns, and some even collect extensive behavioral data about children," said the researchers at the University of Basel, Switzerland in a release.</p>

<p>Take the case of Toniebox in which children can use figurines that, when put into a box, would play music and audio content. The researchers found that the toy records exactly when the toy is activated and by which figurine, when the child stops playback, and to which spot they rewind or fast-forward, said the release.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-shuts-down-customers-smart-home-devices-over-false-racism-claims-605214">Also read: Amazon shuts down customer's smart home devices over false racism claims</a></p>

<p>Such data is sent to the manufacturer, found the study headed by Prof Isabel Wagner of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Basel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the study to be presented at the Annual Privacy Forum in September, the researchers looked into data traffic encryption, data protection, transparency and compliance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They found that Toniebox and the Tiptoi Pen do not securely encrypt data traffic.</p>

<p>Toniebox collects data and sends to the manufacturer.&nbsp;"Even if the Toniebox were operated offline and only temporarily connected to the internet while downloading new audio content, the device could store collected data locally and transmit it to the manufacturer at the next opportunity," said Wagner, a professor of cyber security.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musk-threatens-apple-device-ban-over-openai-integration-730630">Also read: Elon Musk threatens Apple device ban over OpenAI integration</a><br />
<br />
In another toy that integrates ChatGPT, the researchers found that log data "regularly vanishes,” said Wagner, adding the system is probably set up to delete the local copy of transmitted data to optimise internal storage use.</p>

<p>The ChatGPT toy transmits a data stream that looks like audio. "Perhaps the company wants to optimise speech recognition for children’s voices," said Wagner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While companies claim the data helps optimise the devices, it's not clear to users what purpose this data could serve.</p>

<p>“The apps bundled with some of these toys demand entirely unnecessary access rights, such as to a smartphone’s location or microphone,” said Wagner.</p>

<p>“Children’s privacy requires special protection,” said Julika Feldbusch, first author of the study.</p>

<p>She said toy manufacturers should place greater weight on privacy and security of their products.</p>

<p>“Well-informed parents engage with the issue and can choose toys that do not create behavioural profiles of their children. But many lack the technical knowledge or don’t have time to think about this stuff in detail,” Feldbusch.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Did you know that some so-called 'smart toys' may be spying on your kids' behaviour patterns? A shocking study into 12 such toys found breaches of security and privacy, with the toys recording and transmitting user data to toy manufacturers.

Did you know that some so-called 'smart toys' may be spying on your kids' behaviour patterns? A shocking study into 12 such toys found breaches of security and privacy, with the toys recording and transmitting user data to toy manufacturers. The study examined smart toys like Toniebox, Tiptoi smart pen, Edurino learning app, Tamagotchi virtual pet, Moorebot mobile robot and chlidren's smart phone Kidibuzz. These toys employ interactive play through software apps and internet. Watch: Smart devices evesdropping for ad targeting and listening to your conversations secretly? × "Many of these toys raise privacy concerns, and some even collect extensive behavioral data about children," said the researchers at the University of Basel, Switzerland in a release. Take the case of Toniebox in which children can use figurines that, when put into a box, would play music and audio content. The researchers found that the toy records exactly when the toy is activated and by which figurine, when the child stops playback, and to which spot they rewind or fast-forward, said the release. Also read: Amazon shuts down customer's smart home devices over false racism claims Such data is sent to the manufacturer, found the study headed by Prof Isabel Wagner of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Basel. For the study to be presented at the Annual Privacy Forum in September, the researchers looked into data traffic encryption, data protection, transparency and compliance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. They found that Toniebox and the Tiptoi Pen do not securely encrypt data traffic. Toniebox collects data and sends to the manufacturer. "Even if the Toniebox were operated offline and only temporarily connected to the internet while downloading new audio content, the device could store collected data locally and transmit it to the manufacturer at the next opportunity," said Wagner, a professor of cyber security. Also read: Elon Musk threatens Apple device ban over OpenAI integration In another toy that integrates ChatGPT, the researchers found that log data "regularly vanishes,” said Wagner, adding the system is probably set up to delete the local copy of transmitted data to optimise internal storage use. The ChatGPT toy transmits a data stream that looks like audio. "Perhaps the company wants to optimise speech recognition for children’s voices," said Wagner. While companies claim the data helps optimise the devices, it's not clear to users what purpose this data could serve. “The apps bundled with some of these toys demand entirely unnecessary access rights, such as to a smartphone’s location or microphone,” said Wagner. “Children’s privacy requires special protection,” said Julika Feldbusch, first author of the study. She said toy manufacturers should place greater weight on privacy and security of their products. “Well-informed parents engage with the issue and can choose toys that do not create behavioural profiles of their children. But many lack the technical knowledge or don’t have time to think about this stuff in detail,” Feldbusch. (With inputs from agencies)

Some smart toys may be spying on your kids' behaviour patterns in breach of privacy

<p>A probe panel's report into sexual abuse has shaken and stirred the Malayalam film industry in the south Indian state of Kerala. The Hema Committee report, released to the public on August 19, has led to a further flurry of allegations against some of the most prominent names in Kerala filmdom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following such claims, director Ranjith quit as chairman of the government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, whereas veteran actor Siddique resigned as general secretary of the movie actors' association AMMA, or Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes.</p>

<h2><strong>Hema Committee report: The background</strong></h2>

<p>What set the cat among the pigeons&nbsp;was some of the shocking findings of the Hema committee report, which was set up&nbsp;in the wake of a kidnap and sexual assault on a famous actress by a bunch of thugs on a moving vehicle in 2017, for which then superstar Dileep was the prime accused. Dileep went in and out of jail and continued the legal battle, even as his career continued more or less unimpeded, though not to the extent&nbsp;of stardom that he had enjoyed from the late 1990s till the year of the assault.</p>

<p>AMMA, time and again, appeared to dilly-dally on the issue of sexual assault and exploitation of female stars and aspiring artists, in some cases openly defending accused persons like Dileep.</p>

<p>While a bunch of male actors joined the chorus against sexual exploitation, most of them were either sidelined or quietened down.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/how-three-malayalam-films-are-scripting-history-with-massive-box-office-numbers-globally-712996">Also read: How three Malayalam films are scripting history with massive box office numbers globally</a></strong><br />
<br />
Some in the Malayalam film industry have deep linkages with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left Democratic Front or LDF government. This complicates matters for it, as institutions like Chalachitra Academy are state-run. There was also criticism that the report, even though it was submitted several years ago, was released only this month.</p>

<p>Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan and Law Minister P Rajeeve said that action will be taken against the accused only if formal complaints are filed. Another minister, MB Rajesh, said the government will seek legal advice on filing a legal complaint against Siddique and Ranjith.</p>

<h2><strong>What are the allegations that came to light after Hema Committee report?</strong></h2>

<p>Revathy Sampath, a young actress, alleged that Siddique raped her in a hotel room in 2016. She said she was not interested in a legal battle unless survivors of sexual assault are given protection by the government. Siddique, after quitting his post in AMMA, has lodged a police complaint against Sampath.</p>

<p>Sreelekha Mitra, a Bengali actress, accused Ranith of trying to sexually molest her during a film discussion.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Malayalam actor Lena makes surprising revelation</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since the committee report was released, several actors have been accused of some sort of sexual harassment in the past, including Riyaz Khan, Baburaj, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju and Jayasurya.</p>

<p>While the casting couch is not unheard of in the Kerala film industry, the bravery of women who are coming forward to speak up about sexual exploitation in Tinsel Town is unprecedented.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the Hema Committee, and what are its findings?</strong></h2>

<p>Hema Committee was formed by the Kerala government in 2017 to look into the issue of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry. The committee, whose other members are veteran actress Sharada and former civil service officer KB Valsalakumari, was formed a few months after the February 2017 kidnap and sexual assault of the young actress in which actor Dileep is the prime accused.</p>

<p><br />
<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/indian-film-producer-actor-vijay-babu-booked-for-rape-revealing-survivors-identity-on-social-media-474387">Also read: Indian film producer-actor Vijay Babu booked for rape, revealing survivor's identity on social media</a></strong><br />
<br />
The committee was formed on a complaint from Women in Cinema Collective, an association created in the wake of the kidnap assault incident.</p>

<p>Though the report was submitted to Chief Minister Vijayan in 2019, it did not see the light of the day until court complaints led to its release.</p>

<p>The report was released this month with many parts redacted, to preserve the privacy of some individuals.</p>

<p>The report found that sexual favours were being asked of women who wanted to&nbsp;enter the film industry and find work.<br />
It said sexual assault, abuse and harassment at the workplace were commonplace for women.</p>

<p>It highlighted the lack of basic amenities for women like female-only restrooms and changing rooms.</p>

<p>It put the spotlight on general male dominance in the industry.</p>

<p>It noted that often, complaints are not recorded in writing.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


A probe panel's report into sexual abuse has shaken and stirred the Malayalam film industry in the south Indian state of Kerala. The Hema Committee report, released to the public on August 19, has led to a further flurry of allegations against some of the most prominent names in Kerala filmdom.

A probe panel's report into sexual abuse has shaken and stirred the Malayalam film industry in the south Indian state of Kerala. The Hema Committee report, released to the public on August 19, has led to a further flurry of allegations against some of the most prominent names in Kerala filmdom. Following such claims, director Ranjith quit as chairman of the government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, whereas veteran actor Siddique resigned as general secretary of the movie actors' association AMMA, or Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes. Hema Committee report: The background What set the cat among the pigeons was some of the shocking findings of the Hema committee report, which was set up in the wake of a kidnap and sexual assault on a famous actress by a bunch of thugs on a moving vehicle in 2017, for which then superstar Dileep was the prime accused. Dileep went in and out of jail and continued the legal battle, even as his career continued more or less unimpeded, though not to the extent of stardom that he had enjoyed from the late 1990s till the year of the assault. AMMA, time and again, appeared to dilly-dally on the issue of sexual assault and exploitation of female stars and aspiring artists, in some cases openly defending accused persons like Dileep. While a bunch of male actors joined the chorus against sexual exploitation, most of them were either sidelined or quietened down. Also read: How three Malayalam films are scripting history with massive box office numbers globally Some in the Malayalam film industry have deep linkages with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left Democratic Front or LDF government. This complicates matters for it, as institutions like Chalachitra Academy are state-run. There was also criticism that the report, even though it was submitted several years ago, was released only this month. Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan and Law Minister P Rajeeve said that action will be taken against the accused only if formal complaints are filed. Another minister, MB Rajesh, said the government will seek legal advice on filing a legal complaint against Siddique and Ranjith. What are the allegations that came to light after Hema Committee report? Revathy Sampath, a young actress, alleged that Siddique raped her in a hotel room in 2016. She said she was not interested in a legal battle unless survivors of sexual assault are given protection by the government. Siddique, after quitting his post in AMMA, has lodged a police complaint against Sampath. Sreelekha Mitra, a Bengali actress, accused Ranith of trying to sexually molest her during a film discussion. Watch: Malayalam actor Lena makes surprising revelation × Since the committee report was released, several actors have been accused of some sort of sexual harassment in the past, including Riyaz Khan, Baburaj, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju and Jayasurya. While the casting couch is not unheard of in the Kerala film industry, the bravery of women who are coming forward to speak up about sexual exploitation in Tinsel Town is unprecedented. What is the Hema Committee, and what are its findings? Hema Committee was formed by the Kerala government in 2017 to look into the issue of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry. The committee, whose other members are veteran actress Sharada and former civil service officer KB Valsalakumari, was formed a few months after the February 2017 kidnap and sexual assault of the young actress in which actor Dileep is the prime accused. Also read: Indian film producer-actor Vijay Babu booked for rape, revealing survivor's identity on social media The committee was formed on a complaint from Women in Cinema Collective, an association created in the wake of the kidnap assault incident. Though the report was submitted to Chief Minister Vijayan in 2019, it did not see the light of the day until court complaints led to its release. The report was released this month with many parts redacted, to preserve the privacy of some individuals. The report found that sexual favours were being asked of women who wanted to enter the film industry and find work. It said sexual assault, abuse and harassment at the workplace were commonplace for women. It highlighted the lack of basic amenities for women like female-only restrooms and changing rooms. It put the spotlight on general male dominance in the industry. It noted that often, complaints are not recorded in writing. (With inputs from agencies)

Sexual abuse in Malayalam film industry: Hema committee report leads to Siddique, Ranjith exits I Story so far

<p>A lonely and amorous dolphin in search of a mate may be behind a spate of attacks on humans in some Central Japan beaches, according to some experts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some others feel that the dolphin that has been overexposed to people could be reacting after some bad encounters with them in the past, and trying to be defensive to bathers and swimmers in Fukui prefecture beaches.</p>

<p>Suzu, the bottle-nosed dolphin, has been identified as the possible culprit behind several attacks on humans because of the unique injuries on its tail fin were seen in several places over the last three years where attacks were reported.</p>

<p>Suzu is used to human exposure, and what starts as coos has ended as screams for several beachgoers.</p>

<p>Dozens of people have been attacked in Fukui prefecture, mostly since 2022.</p>

<p>They've been "bumped, bitten and sexually harassed", by Suzu, according to a report in <em>The Times</em>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/stranded-pink-dolphin-rescued-in-bolivia-751889"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Stranded Pink Dolphin rescued in Bolivia</strong></a></p>

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<p>Last week alone, there were two attacks off the tiny island of Mizushima, including a man whose fingertip was bitten off, said the report.</p>

<p>In the past couple of years, the coast guard in the area has set up warning signs for dolphin attacks. One such poster from 2022 said: "Even though they may look cute, dolphins are still wild animals...If you see a dolphin at the beach, do not touch them, do not approach them, get out of the water and enjoy your time safely!”</p>

<p>This year, the Mihama town in Fukui warned that the dolphin/ or dolphins, “can bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed, or… drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening”.</p>

<p>This summer alone, 18 people were injured. That&nbsp;included a school student whose finger required at least 20 stitches, BBC said in a report.</p>

<p>In 2023, six people were injured, up from one attack in 2022.</p>

<p>"It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those of the dolphins seen off the coast last year, and it is rare for dolphins, which normally move in groups, to be alone for such a long time," Prof Morisaka told NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. He noted that male bottlenose dolphins communicate by "play-biting" each other, which is the dolphins' way of communication with people too.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dolphin-heist-footage-shows-clever-bait-snatching-off-australias-coast-661861"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Dolphin heist: Footage shows clever bait snatching off Australia's coast</strong></a></p>

<p>BBC cited Dr Simon Allen, a biologist and principal investigator with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project as saying: "Bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals and this sociality can be expressed in very physical ways."</p>

<p>"Just as in humans and other social animals, hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injuring the people it interacts with. Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans," he said.</p>

<p>Dr Allen said the dolphin may have been "ostracised from its own community and be seeking alternative companionship".</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A lonely and amorous dolphin in search of a mate may be behind a spate of attacks on humans in some Central Japan beaches, according to some experts. Some others feel that the dolphin that has been overexposed to people could be reacting after some bad encounters with them in the past, and trying to be defensive to bathers and swimmers in Fukui prefecture beaches.

A lonely and amorous dolphin in search of a mate may be behind a spate of attacks on humans in some Central Japan beaches, according to some experts. Some others feel that the dolphin that has been overexposed to people could be reacting after some bad encounters with them in the past, and trying to be defensive to bathers and swimmers in Fukui prefecture beaches. Suzu, the bottle-nosed dolphin, has been identified as the possible culprit behind several attacks on humans because of the unique injuries on its tail fin were seen in several places over the last three years where attacks were reported. Suzu is used to human exposure, and what starts as coos has ended as screams for several beachgoers. Dozens of people have been attacked in Fukui prefecture, mostly since 2022. They've been "bumped, bitten and sexually harassed", by Suzu, according to a report in The Times. Watch | Stranded Pink Dolphin rescued in Bolivia × Last week alone, there were two attacks off the tiny island of Mizushima, including a man whose fingertip was bitten off, said the report. In the past couple of years, the coast guard in the area has set up warning signs for dolphin attacks. One such poster from 2022 said: "Even though they may look cute, dolphins are still wild animals...If you see a dolphin at the beach, do not touch them, do not approach them, get out of the water and enjoy your time safely!” This year, the Mihama town in Fukui warned that the dolphin/ or dolphins, “can bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed, or… drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening”. This summer alone, 18 people were injured. That included a school student whose finger required at least 20 stitches, BBC said in a report. In 2023, six people were injured, up from one attack in 2022. "It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those of the dolphins seen off the coast last year, and it is rare for dolphins, which normally move in groups, to be alone for such a long time," Prof Morisaka told NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. He noted that male bottlenose dolphins communicate by "play-biting" each other, which is the dolphins' way of communication with people too. Also read | Dolphin heist: Footage shows clever bait snatching off Australia's coast BBC cited Dr Simon Allen, a biologist and principal investigator with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project as saying: "Bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals and this sociality can be expressed in very physical ways." "Just as in humans and other social animals, hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injuring the people it interacts with. Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans," he said. Dr Allen said the dolphin may have been "ostracised from its own community and be seeking alternative companionship". (With inputs from agencies)

A sexually frustrated, lonely dolphin may be behind attacks on humans in Japan over three years

<p>We cannot escape social media and endless scrolling of photos and videos on our smartphones, once we are introduced to the practice. The same is the case with games on mobile phones or consoles. But have you ever wondered why we are so deeply into these technology-driven addictions? Is there a way out, taking control of our time and being mindful and purposeful of our use of technology?</p>

<p>A new book, <em>Managing Your Gaming and Social Media Habits: From Science to Solutions</em> by Catherine Knibbs, offers some tips to get out of social media addiction.</p>

<p>“When we engage with social media or gaming, we disconnect from our bodies and being present, and spend that time interacting with the media for what can seem like hours. This is one of the reasons why we get ‘caught up’ in the scrolling,” Knibbs was quoted as saying in a release.</p>

<p><br />
<strong>Watch: Are you scrolling phone and is it adding to your stress? Then you are 'doomscrolling'</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her book seeks to make us&nbsp;aware of why we use technology the way we do, and how we can recognise when interventions are needed to help master our technology use.</p>

<p>Changing the addictive behaviours around technology could improve our mental health, productivity as well as sleep habits and diet.</p>

<h2><strong>But why are we addicted to technology in the first place?</strong></h2>

<p>This, according to the author, is because of a combination of factors: our need to belong, feel loved and cared for, and the way technology companies design products to address these.</p>

<p>“For some people social media and gaming offer a lifesaving space. Games provide a space for people to connect, and to combat other feelings that exist in their lives such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression,” said Knibbs, a psychotherapist who specialises in cybertrauma and online harms.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/doomscrolling-can-cause-health-issues-says-study-513539">Doomscrolling can cause health issues, says study</a></strong></p>

<p>She said people told her how their online communities make them feel like they are with people who understand them, see them and have the same interests.</p>

<p>"This can help them when they feel alone and in need of support.”</p>

<p>The book, part of the new Ask The Experts in Psychology series in partnership with the British Psychological Society,&nbsp; says the first step is to understand the tricks that technology companies use to get you addicted to their apps and devices.</p>

<p>They "create products that deliberately tap into our innermost desires and needs so as to keep our attention on those products,” she says.</p>

<p>And those needs are the desire to be recognised, seen, valued, loved and needed, and the fear of missing out or FOMO.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-abrosexuality-receives-a-push-on-social-media-what-is-it-752878">'Abrosexuality' receives a push on social media. What is it?</a></strong><br />
<br />
Avoidance of rejection and abandonment is at the core of what we do daily, especially on social media. “We are born ready to socialise and in doing so we have a primary need to get others to take care of us to prevent us from being rejected, abandoned, and causing us to die,” says Knibbs.</p>

<p>Then there's the desire for novelty, excitement and reward. The apps send out a constant stream of prompts, pings and pushes, nudges, and rewards, to appeal to this aspect of our minds.</p>

<h2><strong>Tips to address social media addiction and start taking back control </strong></h2>

<p>1. Start writing a diary of your technology use&nbsp;</p>

<p>2. Think critically about the situations in which you use it</p>

<p>3. As the question: What needs am I trying to meet when I reach for my smartphone?</p>

<p>4. Notice how the first use of social media of the week happened: what you did, where you were and at what time you first noticed "the urge to open the phone, laptop, computer, console etc"</p>

<p>5. Find out if your technology use is helpful and purposeful or not. Are you using this "in a mindful and purposeful way", so that you can feel more in control?</p>

<p>6. Notice the kinds of things that you seek out online, engage with, scroll past, or hover on</p>

<p>7. Turn the background colours on your devices to black and white</p>

<p>8. Remove notifications from the apps or home screen</p>

<p>9. Instal time blockers that tell you when you have spent a certain amount of time online.</p>

<p>10. Do meditation and other mindfulness practices</p>

<p>The eventual goal, says Knibbs,&nbsp; is "to reach a state where you can engage with technology more intentionally when you have the capacity to do so.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


We cannot escape social media and endless scrolling of photos and videos on our smartphones, once we are introduced to the practice. The same is the case with games on mobile phones or consoles.

We cannot escape social media and endless scrolling of photos and videos on our smartphones, once we are introduced to the practice. The same is the case with games on mobile phones or consoles. But have you ever wondered why we are so deeply into these technology-driven addictions? Is there a way out, taking control of our time and being mindful and purposeful of our use of technology? A new book, Managing Your Gaming and Social Media Habits: From Science to Solutions by Catherine Knibbs, offers some tips to get out of social media addiction. “When we engage with social media or gaming, we disconnect from our bodies and being present, and spend that time interacting with the media for what can seem like hours. This is one of the reasons why we get ‘caught up’ in the scrolling,” Knibbs was quoted as saying in a release. Watch: Are you scrolling phone and is it adding to your stress? Then you are 'doomscrolling' × Her book seeks to make us aware of why we use technology the way we do, and how we can recognise when interventions are needed to help master our technology use. Changing the addictive behaviours around technology could improve our mental health, productivity as well as sleep habits and diet. But why are we addicted to technology in the first place? This, according to the author, is because of a combination of factors: our need to belong, feel loved and cared for, and the way technology companies design products to address these. “For some people social media and gaming offer a lifesaving space. Games provide a space for people to connect, and to combat other feelings that exist in their lives such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression,” said Knibbs, a psychotherapist who specialises in cybertrauma and online harms. Also read: Doomscrolling can cause health issues, says study She said people told her how their online communities make them feel like they are with people who understand them, see them and have the same interests. "This can help them when they feel alone and in need of support.” The book, part of the new Ask The Experts in Psychology series in partnership with the British Psychological Society, says the first step is to understand the tricks that technology companies use to get you addicted to their apps and devices. They "create products that deliberately tap into our innermost desires and needs so as to keep our attention on those products,” she says. And those needs are the desire to be recognised, seen, valued, loved and needed, and the fear of missing out or FOMO. Also read: 'Abrosexuality' receives a push on social media. What is it? Avoidance of rejection and abandonment is at the core of what we do daily, especially on social media. “We are born ready to socialise and in doing so we have a primary need to get others to take care of us to prevent us from being rejected, abandoned, and causing us to die,” says Knibbs. Then there's the desire for novelty, excitement and reward. The apps send out a constant stream of prompts, pings and pushes, nudges, and rewards, to appeal to this aspect of our minds. Tips to address social media addiction and start taking back control 1. Start writing a diary of your technology use 2. Think critically about the situations in which you use it 3. As the question: What needs am I trying to meet when I reach for my smartphone? 4. Notice how the first use of social media of the week happened: what you did, where you were and at what time you first noticed "the urge to open the phone, laptop, computer, console etc" 5. Find out if your technology use is helpful and purposeful or not. Are you using this "in a mindful and purposeful way", so that you can feel more in control? 6. Notice the kinds of things that you seek out online, engage with, scroll past, or hover on 7. Turn the background colours on your devices to black and white 8. Remove notifications from the apps or home screen 9. Instal time blockers that tell you when you have spent a certain amount of time online. 10. Do meditation and other mindfulness practices The eventual goal, says Knibbs, is "to reach a state where you can engage with technology more intentionally when you have the capacity to do so.” (With inputs from agencies)

Are you addicted to social media and gaming? Here are tips to escape the mindless scrolling

<p>Winter seems to have come to California a bit too early. An unusual dusting of snow was witnessed in the usually sunny west American state in the middle of summer, a first in 20 years.</p>

<p>This is the first snowflakes of the year for the state's mountains. The High Sierra in Yoesmite saw its earliest snowfall in over 20 years over the weekend. Snow dusted other peaks like Mount Shasta too.</p>

<p>Yosemite has not seen August snow for at least 20 years, as per the National Weather Service, which described the situation as “anomalous cool conditions” in much of the western US.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: UNDP's future weather forecast hopes to drive climate action</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Temperatures in some places fell by 15 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. The weekend temperature was around 22 degrees and mostly cloudy but gradually recovered.</p>

<p>Social media users posted videos of snow capping the Sierra Nevada mountain range on Saturday (Aug 24).</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">California's bracing for a rare August snow! 🌨️❄️ This ultra-rare event could bring snow to the Sierra Nevada, with temps dropping 15°F below normal. Get ready for a wintery surprise! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CaliforniaSnow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CaliforniaSnow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeatherAlert?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeatherAlert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RareEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RareEvent</a> <a href="https://t.co/mqrkZOGKW8">pic.twitter.com/mqrkZOGKW8</a></p>
— XzERp (@XzERp11) <a href="https://twitter.com/XzERp11/status/1826332996057923746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mount Shasta in the north of the Golden State saw 15 inches of snow, which is unusual for this time of the year.</p>

<h2><strong>But it could be a 'very late snowfall'</strong></h2>

<p>Gary Lazak, who runs weather2020.com, said this could be a very late snowfall, a sort of residue from the last winter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"While it may seem like an early snowfall, it's actually a continuation of the weather pattern established last October...and thus a very late snowfall, and not an early snowfall," he posted on X.<br />
<br />
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-severe-storms-sweep-across-central-and-eastern-regions-707360">US: Severe storms sweep across central and eastern regions</a></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This event is linked to the part of the cycling weather pattern that occurred and produced snow in previous cycles during the winter and spring, particularly in mid-January. We're still cycling through the same pattern set last fall," he added.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">August 24th and we are officially on the board for snow! ❄️ <a href="https://t.co/Z4tSgPY7PG">pic.twitter.com/Z4tSgPY7PG</a></p>
— Carter Murphy 💰8️⃣ (@cartermurphy218) <a href="https://twitter.com/cartermurphy218/status/1827377859595473390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nevertheless, the snow in August was definitely unexpected at&nbsp;Minaret Vista, a lookout point south-east of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada, said Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich.</p>

<p>“It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It made for a day I won’t soon forget...It’s just one of those moments that makes working up here so special,” Rich said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/greenland-ice-sheet-melting-rates-can-predict-europes-summer-weather-heres-how-700072">Greenland's melting rate of ice sheets can predict Europe's summer weather. Here's how</a></strong></p>

<p>Snow also fell at Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe ski resorts.</p>

<p>“This morning was chill. Take a look at the dusting of new snow on the mid and upper-mountain,” Mammoth Mountain staff posted on social media.</p>

<p>About three inches of snow fell in Lassen Volcanic National Park.</p>

<p>The early arrival of snow is a bit of a relief for Californians, who have witnessed heat waves and wildfires this summer season.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Winter seems to have come to California a bit too early. An unusual dusting of snow was witnessed in the usually sunny west American state in the middle of summer, a first in 20 years.

Winter seems to have come to California a bit too early. An unusual dusting of snow was witnessed in the usually sunny west American state in the middle of summer, a first in 20 years. This is the first snowflakes of the year for the state's mountains. The High Sierra in Yoesmite saw its earliest snowfall in over 20 years over the weekend. Snow dusted other peaks like Mount Shasta too. Yosemite has not seen August snow for at least 20 years, as per the National Weather Service, which described the situation as “anomalous cool conditions” in much of the western US. Watch: UNDP's future weather forecast hopes to drive climate action × Temperatures in some places fell by 15 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. The weekend temperature was around 22 degrees and mostly cloudy but gradually recovered. Social media users posted videos of snow capping the Sierra Nevada mountain range on Saturday (Aug 24). California's bracing for a rare August snow! 🌨️❄️ This ultra-rare event could bring snow to the Sierra Nevada, with temps dropping 15°F below normal. Get ready for a wintery surprise! #CaliforniaSnow #WeatherAlert #RareEvent pic.twitter.com/mqrkZOGKW8 — XzERp (@XzERp11) August 21, 2024 × Mount Shasta in the north of the Golden State saw 15 inches of snow, which is unusual for this time of the year. But it could be a 'very late snowfall' Gary Lazak, who runs weather2020.com, said this could be a very late snowfall, a sort of residue from the last winter. "While it may seem like an early snowfall, it's actually a continuation of the weather pattern established last October...and thus a very late snowfall, and not an early snowfall," he posted on X. Also read: US: Severe storms sweep across central and eastern regions "This event is linked to the part of the cycling weather pattern that occurred and produced snow in previous cycles during the winter and spring, particularly in mid-January. We're still cycling through the same pattern set last fall," he added. August 24th and we are officially on the board for snow! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/Z4tSgPY7PG — Carter Murphy 💰8️⃣ (@cartermurphy218) August 24, 2024 × Nevertheless, the snow in August was definitely unexpected at Minaret Vista, a lookout point south-east of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada, said Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich. “It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It made for a day I won’t soon forget...It’s just one of those moments that makes working up here so special,” Rich said in a statement. Also read: Greenland's melting rate of ice sheets can predict Europe's summer weather. Here's how Snow also fell at Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe ski resorts. “This morning was chill. Take a look at the dusting of new snow on the mid and upper-mountain,” Mammoth Mountain staff posted on social media. About three inches of snow fell in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The early arrival of snow is a bit of a relief for Californians, who have witnessed heat waves and wildfires this summer season. (With inputs from agencies)

California dusted by earlier-than-usual snow in August for the first time in 20 years - Watch

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