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A Modern Crisis On Natural Disasters

Humans have long since flourished on this planet but it wasn’t always an easy ride. For starters, the elements haven’t always been kind to us and we worked so hard in overcoming it so we can live in sheer comfort and convenience and it wasn’t without a cost. Imagine living with nothing on your back and no real homes to live in like ancient humans lived in back in the days as you are exposed to the heat, cold, wind, rain, etc. not to mention the animals that roam in the wild. Much has changed from that situation and we have concrete houses now to keep us all warm and dry or cool and comfy whatever the weather outside is but the weather remained as unpredictable as ever. We haven’t even cracked a way to control it as it simply is impossible and beyond our human capabilities.

We are still helpless in the face of Mother Nature’s wrath. You see it time and again with the number of casualties each time the elements act up. Whether it be fire, water, wind, or movements emanating from deep in the earth, not all the time can we predict when these tragedies will happen despite the many tech advancements we have now achieved. In reality, nations are actually spending a lot on tech measures to help the people prepare for these eventualities as well as the actual damages we actually incur each year. It is already a billion dollar loss in the US alone and the figure is expected to go high with the progress of climate change and global warming that we haven’t really fathomed just how disastrous these natural calamities can further become.

Weatherwise, it's already been a disastrous start to the year in the U.S., even before the tornado season ramps up and long before any direct hits from hurricanes.

In just the first three months of year, the U.S. has endured three separate weather disasters that each caused at least $1 billion in damages, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Friday.

The events included a severe storm outbreak in the Southeast in March and two winter storms in the central and eastern U.S. in January and March.

At $1.8 billion in damages, the costliest event so far was the nor'easter that walloped the Northeast on March 1-3, killing 9 people. The damage from the storm was due to high winds, heavy snow and coastal erosion, NOAA said.

(Via: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/04/06/weather-disasters-damages-winter-storms/493793002/)

It’s not even half of the year yet but the damage left behind by the disasters we have seen this year have already totaled to three billion and they are mainly caused by winter storms. Now spring has come and other parts of the country will soon be at risk of disastrous tornadoes and we can count on seeing more calamities as the months go by although we hold on to that glimmer of hope that we will be spared and no more lives will be lost. What do we learn from these events? First, Mother Nature is unstoppable. Second, we are insignificant in the face of these disasters. Third, it is not yet too late to do something about it and salvage whatever is left in the planet for the future generations.

From 1980 to 2017, an average of six climate disasters costing over $1 billion struck the U.S. each year. But in 2018, three billion-dollar disasters have already hit — and it's only been three months.

A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows how the number of massive climate disasters has skyrocketed in recent years. Over the past five years, for example, there's been an average of 11.6 billion-dollar climate disasters per year — nearly double the overall average since 1980.

In 2017 alone, there were 16 billion-dollar disasters. In fact, back-to-back hurricanes and other extreme weather cost the U.S. more than $300 billion last year — a new record, per the NOAA.

(Via: http://theweek.com/speedreads/765735/natural-disasters-have-already-cost-america-3-billion-2018)

The world is going through a rough patch and we can’t ignore the fact that humans contributed greatly to this misfortune as we sped up geographical changes that took place for decades or centuries in the past to a mere months to years today because of irresponsible human behaviors that we just can’t seem to let go until today. Considering the growing number of material possessions we now own, the damage will only be higher and one can only imagine what a turmoil it will be in the face of massive floods and widespread earthquakes with the highest magnitudes. Well, we aren’t praying for such things to happen but we can never really tell for sure when they do even if we have some of the most sophisticated machines on land today. What we can do is to simply change our ways and lessen the burden we place on the planet that does its best to support us because we will only lose more and have nowhere to go if we don’t.

The following article A Modern Crisis On Natural Disasters was originally seen on The Euro Toques Blog

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/06/11/a-modern-crisis-on-natural-disasters/

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Activism Spirit On Campus

We live in a democracy where everyone supposedly has the right to various human rights and the freedom to express their opinions without usurpation given that they also are aware of the accompanying responsibilities to these inherent rights. But if you look around you, you’d see that things are far from ideal and it is always a struggle to get what you so rightly deserve and to be heard amidst all the noise and clatter. Certain people are emboldened to stand up and fight for their rights and at times ask for help from the majority to help get their message across. Activism has long since been an avenue for people to speak up and at times resist against the institutions if needed and lots of people have even died for their principles and causes they support.

Most speakers are eloquent and have a way with words and it is but a must for a cause as theirs that needs fighting and breaking down a lot of walls and overcoming countless obstacles thrown their way. And what better place to foster this activist spirit than in campuses where students who aren’t yet used to the way the real world works are so engrossed in their definition of all things ideal. Students won’t hesitate to join arms in something they passionately believe in and since they only have themselves to think of, they won’t have any problem listening to activist talks or going on rallies that are meant to send a specific message.

“I don’t even like children!” Handler said, as she lamented what she considers the apathy of the NRA and the favoring of guns over children. Despite the weightiness of the topics discussed, humor was sprinkled throughout the talk, which Handler considers crucial.

“I think we should make fun of all the things that keep us apart, and try to use it as glue to keep us together,” Handler said.

This event is part of Handler’s year-long tour of town-hall style events in which she spreads her social message. In a separate interview with The Bucknellian, Handler discussed the rationale for embarking on this tour. She cancelled her Netflix show, “Chelsea,” after two seasons in order to get more involved politically, because: “it was too upsetting for [her] not to participate and not to do something.” After being called an elitist, Handler realized that she was living a life of privilege and challenged herself to change.

(Via: https://bucknellian.net/84232/news/chelsea-handler-brings-message-of-political-activism-to-campus/)

After all, students have witnessed their fair share of injustices in this world despite their young age such as rising incidents of gun violence at schools where the perpetrators are usually students themselves. Many student activists fight for stricter gun control that can hopefully prevent these violent attacks on students in their second homes and prevent the unnecessary loss of another human life. Most students can relate to this fear as we have all witnessed various attacks in different states over the past years. No wonder more and more students join up these protests seeing how much things have changed in the country and that safety and securityhaves always been on heightened alert because of various threats.

It is interesting to see the parallels between BLM and the earlier movement led by King, both of which have had non-violence as a tenant. Like King’s movement, BLM is vilified in the press and by conservatives as the cause of the violence against them. According to those in power, the civil rights movement was built by outside agitators, and similarly, according to officials in Ferguson, BLM protests were cause by outside agitators. Paradoxically, they were each also told that silence will make their problems go away – that if they stop agitating then justice will eventually come. This preposterous notion haunted the civil rights movement and continues to dog the BLM movement today.

On the 50th anniversary of his assassination, we must remember King for his universal message of peace and non-violence. We must remember that this message was not “tame” but radical. It was radical in that it called people to fight for change but also maintain their morality. This was a tough battle in the face of vehement hatred and the frequent indignities faced by African Americans and other minorities. As King stated, “Hate is dangerous. It is as injurious to the hater as it is to the hated.”

(Via: http://www.the-platform.org.uk/2018/04/05/we-must-keep-moving-martin-luther-king-jr-and-student-activism-at-howard-university/)

We just commemorated the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination and he is a prominent figure in the country who stood up for what he believed in even at the expense of his life. He is an icon when it comes to patriotism and his words ring true until now when a lot of injustices are being made here and there. A lot of students these days still look up to him seeing how much of a joke many of today’s leaders have become who were never truly genuine in their talks of helping the country and its people recover and become great again. Student activists who find comfort in his words and the hope that real positive changes happen will likely never cease to be discouraged and continue walking on streets with placards in hand fighting for causes that mean a lot to them that they believe will benefit the American society in general especially for the future generations.

The post Activism Spirit On Campus Read more on: euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/05/30/activism-spirit-on-campus/

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Should You Recover Data On Your Own?

There are so many things going on in the world right now many of you probably can’t keep up with all these changes anymore. The rapid rise in technology is the major factor as to why the world that our parents grew up in is but a distant shadow only. From young kids to adults, technology has become a crucial part of our lives. Just think of all those handy smartphones on your hand or in your pocket and the tablets that keep kids entertained as their harried parents trying to juggle the increasing demands of work and home life as prices keep on going up as the price we have to pay for modern living. Seeing how much we all depend on technology, it would surely be a major hassle if we lose access to one of these modern contrivances that holds so much of our dear life.

For instance, computers that break down can spell big trouble especially if you store a lot of your data in it and you didn’t have the foresight to keep a copy in a different storage space ahead of time. But of course, you can never tell when tragedy hits you so you end up trying all sorts of hacks to get your lost data back. Take note that even if you do get your computer fixed, it is still not an assurance that you can recover all valuable files and other tidbits of information you stored in there. Now, most people don’t have the technical know-how so they just let the experts take care of the problem for them but since you can pretty much research everything on your own now over the web, those who are brave enough dare to take on the challenge of recovering their own data but should you?

There are hundreds of software utility tools that can be downloaded off the internet for free, and offer promises of fast and easy data retrieval. Unfortunately, many of these are filled with malware, and using them will expose the data to theft or worse.

Avoid using free utility services that do not have an established reputation as effective and virus-free tools. For example, SanDisk offers multiple recovery products (mainly for SD cards) that are virus-free and well respected among industry professionals.

Despite the availability of some recovery options, the best way to avoid going through the expensive recovery process is to proactively manage data so that if a device fails, it does not have as big of an impact on your productivity. You simply buy a new machine and go about your day.

(Via: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/data-recovery-diy-tips)

While there are risks, there are also countless resources you can turn to for help. You can see a lot of posts about it on the web. Some even provide step-by-step tutorial while others even have it on video so you no longer have to use your imagination to put the pieces together. You have to take into consideration, though, the make and model of your device because different hardware may look and work differently too. Again, only attempt a DIY data recovery if you are sure of what you are doing or have at least an idea how a computer works and can work your way around it or risk causing more trouble than previously.

The first line of defense for a computer should be a login PIN number, which offers a layer of protection against theft. Another tactic is to install (and update frequently) a firewall program and a well-regarded antivirus and malware utility. You can also encrypt your data which makes it nearly impossible to read unless in possession of the encryption key. Update the O/S frequently to pull in the latest security patches, and use multi-faceted tools that will warn you about possible phishing emails, unsecure websites, and other hacking attempts.

Recovery should always be seen as a "last resort" that’s used to pull the most important data. It’s best to treat a laptop or desktop as simply a gateway for reaching the internet and a way to power software. With the cloud, there’s no longer any reason to use a computer as a storage device. So if something goes wrong with the machine, then simply buy a new one for $500 and dive back into work.

(Via: https://betanews.com/2017/12/05/diy-data-recovery-challenges-and-alternatives/)

Simple computer issues may be fixed even if you only DIY but it might not work on devices that have been severely damaged and beaten especially by the elements. You will need far more extensive knowledge and a wide array of tools and clean room set-ups to deal with this type of mess especially if you are resolute in getting your data back. And this is something you can’t just Google on the web. Only knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced computer technicians can do the job right on the first try but it may come at a price that your data rightly deserves. To save yourself from the woes of data recovery, learn saving your data in multiple locations like the cloud and other external storage devices because you won’t likely getting stressed out over things like this that you could’ve prevented in the first place.

Should You Recover Data On Your Own? is available on Euro Toques

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/05/25/should-you-recover-data-on-your-own/

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The Delicate Balance Of International Relations

We live on a big planet, without a doubt. For the longest time, most people living here only worried about their own well-being without regard to those living farther than their eyes can see. To each his own is a great way to describe it. However, as we became more adept at controlling our surroundings we became bolder and felt more confident to explore farther horizons. It’s no longer surprising that conflict soon arose – a conflict that is very much present until now – when people from different backgrounds start fighting over their respective territories. One defending his own while the other looking to expand his conquest. It has always been that way for the longest time and that still applies until today although maybe a little less barbaric than previous conquests but we still can’t entirely eradicate violence in the picture.

We have already been through a lot for many centuries of trial and error when it comes to international relations. It is a topic that you can’t always seem to get the right formula as wars still exist in various parts of the globe. Our modern technologies weren’t able to save us from our own human nature that perhaps in a way impede our progress. It is never an easy thing to make peace and stay at peace with one another but it is worth trying knowing this is the only way the human species will survive. We have to try at the very least and it is the reason why there are courses on international relations offered in colleges and universities to ensure that the future generations know how to run the world despite our diversity and conflicting backgrounds and opinions.

By appreciating the far-reaching significance of emotions, not only in developing international relations theory, but also in shaping the perceptions, motivations and intentions of political actors, we can approach and understand world politics in a whole new, more holistic light.  Far from a hindrance, we see, rather, that emotions tell us things – important things that we could not otherwise have known. Emotions permeate the complex, often overlapping social structures that underpin decision-making and collective actions in world politics. And while often hidden and inaudible, and typically neglected and refuted, when emotions are uncovered and taken seriously, the political insights they provide are invaluable.  Recognizing that emotions are social and political – and thus lie beneath all political perceptions – reshapes how we think about the global realm, about society, politics and the formation of policy. Indeed, a turn to emotions provides critical clues as to why international actors, individually and collectively, think what they think, and respond in the ways they do.

The pervasive social roles of emotions in society and politics has far-reaching implications for the study of international relations: they force us to rethink dominant conceptions of world politics in theory and practice.  In my next instalment on emotions and international relations for E-IR, I explore this more closely. 

(Via: https://isnblog.ethz.ch/international-relations/why-study-emotions-in-international-relations)

What we need to remember is that various political systems are in place yet the bottom line is that people are still behind these offices and positions – people with human emotions whose actions are affected by what they feel. Hence, when you look at nations and its establishment, think of the people running this place. Think of their upbringing, their values, and essentially just what they are like behind the scenes because it can tell a lot about how they also end up running the country. Most leaders are only concerned about their own jurisdiction and has little to no regard for the rights of those outside their territories. This is the major cause of conflicts that is basically just human emotions at work only that of prominent and powerful people whose every decision can make or break a country or even start or end a war.

The majority of the conference is spent doing exactly this: caucusing. During the sessions, delegates interact as if speed-dating, sizing up one another’s stances on issues before forging alliances, breaking into groups and collaborating on resolutions in Google Docs. It’s also open season for veteran delegates to bully the newbies.

Hence the behavior of Mexico, a barrel-chested delegate from Boston’s Suffolk University, regarding an issue that generally doesn’t occupy the attention of actual Mexican diplomatic bigwigs: that resolution mandating QR codes on weapons, which was his creation. Holding forth in one corner of the basketball-court-size room, he pitches the idea to a half dozen dewy-eyed delegates. Colombia, Russia, and Georgia are onboard. But Kazakhstan sounds skeptical: “Why QR codes and not bar codes?”

Mexico cuts him off, then launches into a lecture concerning the two-dimensionality of QR codes and the one-dimensionality of the other. It’s a dazzling display of MUN acumen—gavel-mongering, in MUN lingo—regardless of its factual accuracy, because it serves to bludgeon Kazakhstan into intellectual submission and leaves him unable to rebut, aggravated to the point that he breaks character.

(Via: https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/03/11/sex-nerds-international-relations-inside-crazy-world-fake-diplomacy-model-un/)

It is indeed a crazy world we live in yet despite that we try so hard to maintain some sort of order and ensure that as many nations are civil to one another even though some only do it for show. Perhaps this is our biggest flaw as a species. We do not just settle for mere surviving but we want to rise above the others at all cost. Yet it can also be our charm. Human emotions can work in both ways (for the good and the bad) when it comes to international relations. It all depends on the person with power. Their own personality and values will dictate the way their government will operate and that could likewise affect relationships with neighboring countries. Perhaps voters should be more prudent in exercising their right to suffrage, so they put in office the best leaders from the lot and lessen the conflict that already consumes the world today.

The blog article The Delicate Balance Of International Relations Read more on: The Euro Toques Blog

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/04/25/the-delicate-balance-of-international-relations/

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The Evolution Of The Healthcare Industry

Nothing remains constant, right? Everything in this world is bound to change sooner or later. Apart from death and taxes, nothing is safe from all these changes. A major aspect of human life is related to healthcare. We have long since realized we can make a difference on the quality and length of our lives by adopting certain habits and practices that promote good health and help us fight off the occasional ailments we may have over the course of our lives. Seeing how far the healthcare system has come this day, it would probably make you feel grateful that you live at this age wherein most ancient (and often painful and cringe-worthy practices) are now rendered obsolete. You now have the help of modern science to help you navigate through life in the best possible health although at times it comes at a cost. And as much as we would like to delude ourselves into thinking, it is far from a perfect science but it works most of the time in meeting our needs when it comes to the fragile state of our health.

Technology plays a big part in the evolution of the human healthcare system. Wherever you look in hospitals, there are various tech gadgets and contrivances that does work in as simple as data encoding to actually supporting human life and helping those in near-death circumstances bounce back again. Computers are everywhere and healthcare professionals use it non-stop in the delivery of vital health care and life-saving procedures. It is even possible that in the near future, artificial intelligence will also be used and definitely transform the entire concept of patient care. We can only imagine what happens until that time comes and continue to marvel at all the big and little things technology accomplishes in the healthcare setting.

While this may seem like a rudimentary understanding of how technology has impacted healthcare, it would be prudent to list out its key benefits to all stakeholders across the spectrum. For the patient, the need for human intervention and the possible impact of error or bias is reduced, ensuring a scientific and calculated approach to healthcare. When it comes to the medical practitioners, it reduces the time they spend on therapy and recommendations, by providing real time automation. As for the healthcare industry, it brings about standardization, improves operational efficiency and reduces costs in the long run.

Having said that, it is imperative to highlight the myriad ways in which technology has improved healthcare from the patient’s perspective. Something as basic as the use of handheld and connected devices by doctors and nurses, for instance, has the potential to transform patient care. The ability to collate lab results, records of vital signs and other such critical patient data in a centralized platform has enhanced the level of care and efficiency a patient can expect to receive when they enter the healthcare system.

(Via: http://bwdisrupt.businessworld.in/article/The-Impact-of-Technology-in-Healthcare/06-04-2018-145662/)

Making sure that hospitals are equipped with all tech advancements it needs will cost a lot of money but the return is that complications or problems arising from human error is significantly reduced just as long as your machine is working fine and you don’t have any power outages to deal with. While nothing can replace real healthcare professionals in their line of work, there are certain tasks that you can actually delegate to machines. Doing this can help address various realities we are now facing today such as expensive healthcare and insufficient medical staff among others that have become big issues too especially on its impact on the quality of healthcare that patients receive.

The conventional wisdom that the best care is delivered in-person by experienced caregivers may soon be overturned. Rising health care costs, a shortage of physicians, and an aging population are making the traditional model of care increasingly unsustainable. But new uses of virtual health and digital technologies may help the industry manage these challenges. A number of new technologies are helping to move elements of patient care from medical workers to machines and to patients themselves, allowing health care organizations to reduce costs by reducing labor intensity.

Virtual health refers to the use of enabling technology — such as video, mobile apps, text-based messaging, sensors, and social platforms — to deliver health services in a way that is independent of time or location. We believe uses of virtual health hold potential to boost the capacity of primary care doctors — without adding or training more professionals — at a time when the American Association of Medical Collegesprojects a shortage of as many as 40,000 primary care physicians (PCPs) in the next decade.

(Via: https://hbr.org/2018/04/virtual-health-care-could-save-the-u-s-billions-each-year)

It is inevitable for technology to be widely used in healthcare given the nature of this field. We are experiencing massive shifts in technology itself with industry leaders and innovators geared towards the use of artificial intelligence and the rise of quantum computers someday. They might really come in handy as these new technologies can, without a doubt, help medical institutions save money and speed up efficient delivery of services that is still a major crisis today especially when manpower is short.

Automating most of these medical services that aren’t urgent gives the patients more control over their health as well as speed up consultations when necessary data are already filled-up ahead of time and can be conveniently accessed online or on a central file. The benefits may be many but let’s just also prepare in advance for the risks because no technology is perfect and we can’t just compromise human health in the process.

The following post The Evolution Of The Healthcare Industry Read more on: ET Blog

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/04/19/the-evolution-of-the-healthcare-industry/

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Losing Sleep Because Of Sleep Apnea Can Put Your Life At Risk

Most of us just long for the comfort of our bed and get a good night’s sleep after a long day at work or school. Our tired bodies need to recuperate so it has the energy it needs to face another day because you just can’t get away from the daily grind. It’s the reality of life. There are people, though, who don’t get to enjoy the luxury of sleep that most individuals look forward to at the end of the day. It really is such an irony that they end up sleepy the entire day but unable to fall into deep sleep at night even though sleep is all they can ever think of. It is not that they don’t like sleeping, it’s just that they can’t. It may be hard to believe but it is true and millions suffer from sleep deprivation because of it. What’s the contributing factor then?

You may have heard of sleep apnea by now and most likely associate it with snoring. Well, it is true that most patients diagnosed with sleep apnea snores but it is also worth noting that not all snorers have sleep apnea. What many tend to overlook is how sleep apnea contributes to sleep deprivation. Sure, the snoring itself is a major distraction to sleeping and most patients have a hard time breathing that leads to short shallow sleep. Now, think of the dangers if you constantly lose sleep. You may be more prone to accidents such as road and occupation hazards for people who drive or operate pieces of machinery in their daily life. However, you can’t just ignore the figures and countless accidents caused by drivers sleeping on the road as is the case of most people suffering from chronic sleep deprivation.

Excessive sleepiness can cause cognitive impairments and put individuals at a higher risk of motor vehicle crash. However, the perception of impairment from excessive sleepiness quickly plateaus in individuals who are chronically sleep deprived, despite continued declines in performance. Individuals may thus be unaware of their degree of impairment from sleep deficiency, which raises the question of whether these individuals are at an increased risk of motor vehicle crash. A team of researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital addressed this question and their results are published in BMC Medicine.

(Via: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180404114716.htm)

Sleep apnea should not be taken lightly. You should not be reminded over and over again especially that a big chunk of the population suffers from whether they know it or not and it seriously impacting their lives. The moment you lose sleep, there is a part of you that is not in its perfect shape. Your cognition is mostly affected as you tend to lose focus more and feel lost at times because of excessive sleepiness. Many people unknowingly suffer from it because they tend to shrug off the symptoms thinking that you just have to bear with symptoms like snowing or the continuous breathing gaps in your sleep when help is available as long as you seek for it. While the cure is still elusive, there are still things you can do or medications you can take to offer you relief from your symptoms and thereby allow you to sleep better at night.

Researchers found that "[s]evere sleep apnea was associated with a 123% increased crash risk, compared to no sleep apnea," and that "[s]leeping 6 hours per night was associated with a 33% increased crash risk, compared to sleeping 7 or 8 hours per night," read the study, which was published online in the journal BMC Medicine. 

"We found that chronically sleep-deprived individuals don't perceive themselves as being excessively sleepy and thus don't perceive themselves as impaired," said lead author Daniel Gottlieb, MD, MPH, associate physician in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, in a statement released by BWH. "This resulted in an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes in sleep-deprived individuals."

(Via: https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/04/05/studying-car-crashes-involving-those-sleep-deprived-unaware-it-12797)

Sleep apnea is often a problem associated with your anatomy so there is little you can do about that unless you opt to undergo an invasive surgery, which has its added risks. But if surgery is not an option for you, do not lose hope yet because there are little things you can do to change your situation. Sometimes, your lifestyle also contributes to the worsening of sleep apnea symptoms and changing a few of your not-so-good habits can go a long way in helping you get your lost sleep back. It would also make more sense to avoid long drives or having to operate heavy machinery when you have trouble sleeping because you might end up in the emergency room with just one wrong move. Talk to your doctor now and find out what else you can do to sleep like a baby at night despite your sleep disorder.

The blog article Losing Sleep Because Of Sleep Apnea Can Put Your Life At Risk Find more on: https://www.euro-toques.org/

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/04/12/losing-sleep-because-of-sleep-apnea-can-put-your-life-at-risk/

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Caring For Your Skin After Childbirth

Women play such an important and sensitive role in the big picture that is mankind. Motherhood sets them apart from their male counterparts as women have the natural ability to carry and deliver another human being into this world. The risks they have to take and the difficulties they go through is unique to them that it is often a relief when the baby comes out. The thing is the real work begins once you have your little bundle of joy with you. The long sleepless nights can take its toll not to mention the pains of breastfeeding if you choose to feed your own child. With the countless obligations, unstable hormones, and the mere fact that your baby needs you all the time often leaves most mom unable to care for themselves. They neglect skincare and proper grooming as they usually are covered in baby spit and poo. Some even experience skin tags, that require specialized creams to remove.

What women should be aware of is that they can still look great and feel good in their own skin even with this added responsibility on their shoulders. You may not be able to religiously follow a 10-step skin care regimen that is all the rage now but you can definitely do something about maintaining your youthful looks and pleasant appearance. Various changes happened to your body during pregnancy and you may feel that you don’t look your best anymore but simply taking care of yourself can lift you up from your baby blues and help you fully embrace this new chapter in your life. You don’t even need to buy expensive skin care products to get that glow back on your cheeks or somehow make those unsightly stretch marks or other blemishes disappear.

Post pregnancy every mother gets complacent with her skin care regimen. Given that you have to be on your toes and vigilant 24/7 taking care of the new baby, the fact that you are able to breathe is like a blessing, let alone sticking to your pre-pregnancy skin care routine. But mothers, you still cannot be ignorant about your health and also your skin. As soon as the initial hustle-bustle settles down you have to get back to a healthy routine to reclaim your life back. This is easier said than done, especially when it revolves around skin care because a glowing and blemish free skin is a mother’s least worry. Here is why you should avoid going to parlours during pregnancy. 

But postpartum as the hormonal levels fluctuate, makes you fatigued, lethargic and tired, it takes a toll on your skin too. Increased production of hormones HCG and progesterone increases blood volume during pregnancy giving that pregnancy glow. But the after effect on skin post delivery is exactly the opposite. Many moms may experience uneven skin tone, dark circles, eye bags, acne, patchy pigmentation (chloasma), stretch marks and dull skin. All of this coupled with a sluggish metabolism and baby blues can make things worse. 

(Via: http://www.thehealthsite.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-guide-pregnancy/post-pregnancy-skin-care-routine-10-dos-and-donts-to-follow-d0318/)

Simple steps like cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser, toner, and moisturizer can go a long way in making you look like your pre-pregnancy self once more. It won’t take so much of your time and you surely can still be there for your baby his/her every waking hour. Do this in between naps or when someone else is there to look after your newborn. Doing this twice daily at most is all you need, no need to overdo it. If you have more time on your hands, it won’t hurt to exfoliate too during your quick baths. It’s a great way to remove dead skin cells and leave you with soft and supple skin that you won’t be embarrassed to showcase in public.

Here's some more good news: melasma typically dissipates after you finish breastfeeding. "On some women, it goes away sooner, but usually it takes a few months after you stop breastfeeding for your body to feel completely normal again." If the spots don't lighten on their own after you stop breastfeeding, you can also talk to your dermatologist about professional treatment options, like microdermabrasion and retinol creams.

(Via: https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/What-Pregnancy-Mask-44128640)

Even skin changes like melisma during pregnancy can be taken cared of especially if you breastfeed since it usually disappears on its own if you are a breastfeeding mom. It is not common for these blemishes to persist way after you ceased breastfeeding but if it does and it bothers you, that’s when you’ll need the help of an expert on procedures like microdermabrasion that may cost you more than just a few dollars. Applying sunscreen can also help prevent more of these blemishes from appearing as well as lightening eye creams or slices of cucumber placed under your eyes to lessen dark under eye circles. What’s most important is that you get lots of sleep whenever you can no matter how impossible it may seem because enough shuteye will not only boost your mood but work like magic on your dull and tired-looking skin that has gone through so much since you got pregnant.

Caring For Your Skin After Childbirth was initially published on ETB

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/04/11/caring-for-your-skin-after-childbirth/

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The Benefits Of A Responsive Web Design

Having a website is now a must for any brand, business, organization, or institution since it gives their consumers and users 24/7 access to whatever they have to offer – meaning you can also take your brand globally as the web is a global platform used by everyone. The Internet and social media is running most industries today and everyone who understands the power of the World Wide Web understands very well how effective these platforms are when marketing your business. The digital age has come and we all live in it, there is no denying that reality. So, if you need a platform where you can showcase the products or services you offer, a website is a must for you. And today, there are various web designs to choose from. Each one resonates differently to its users and responsive web designs are currently the most in-demand for a lot of reasons.

For those who don’t have an idea as to what a responsive web design means, it is simply a website design that responds to the behavior of the user and the medium used. We all know that most people prefer using handy and mobile smart gadgets and phones that are WiFi-ready that they can take with them everywhere they go. Basically, this type of web design adjusts depending on the size of the screen, orientation, and platform. It’s a common request from entrepreneurs these days for web designers to make them a mobile-friendly version of their websites that will look and work great on whatever handy gadget there is sold in the market today – whether it be a tablet or phone or running on iOS or Android that their consumer personally prefers.

It is no longer enough to design a website solely for the desktop screen. The growing market of mobile phones and tablets is compelling web designers to reconsider how their work would be displayed on various devices. People are using their smartphones more often than accessing their desktops today. This necessitates a responsive web design.

Programming codes automatically make adjustments depending on the screen’s size with responsive websites. Hence, you get to enjoy an optimal user/viewing experience and navigating the site using your mobile gadget is just as easy as when using a traditional desktop computer or laptop.

Why Is Responsive Design So Important?

If designers came up with infinite versions of any particular website that would be working effectively for every possible device available to us, the process would be impractical from the point of view of the time and it would prove to be exorbitant. These sites would not be responsive to any technological changes in the future and so site maintenance would prove to be pretty challenging. Use responsive design as it is the best solution for future-proofing your website.

(Via: https://www.businesscomputingworld.co.uk/understanding-the-basics-of-responsive-website-design/)

Over the years, over 60% of websites haven’t yet innovated and established a mobile design for their existing websites. Hence, it means that there are still 6 out of 10 entrepreneurs needing professional assistance in making this upgrade happen today, a plus if you are a skilled web designer that is on the lookout for endless work opportunities. This move is a must considering most web users prefer to use Google when making online searches and knowing Google, they do not stop in innovating and giving their users the best web experience possible. Hence, optimizing your site is something you should be looking into now if you still want your site to appear on top of Google searches on your specific niche.

We now live in a mobile-first era and are moving toward a mobile-first index.

That’s because consumers are addicted to smartphone and tablets. And that isn’t changing any time soon.

In this environment, responsive design is no longer an innovation. Instead, it has become a standard component of any SEO plan, regardless of industry.

Don’t Be Unresponsive to Responsive Web Design

The last 12 months have seen the web move forward at an incredible rate. Among the many changes, the inevitable happened. Mobile web browsing overtook desktop as the device of first choice for internet users.

As published in late 2016, we also saw that, of those people who only use one type of device, twice as many are using smartphones over desktop computers.

(Via: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-responsive-web-design-benefits/211264/)

Businesses that succeed are the ones who know when and how to innovate and not wait for everybody else to do it before acting on an opportunity. That essentially separates winners from losers. Also, what seems to drive the growth and popularity of a responsive web design is our growing interest in the use of mobile applications a.k.a. simply apps. Imagine how many mobile apps are downloaded, installed, and used by mobile users each day. Hence, responsive will likely reign supreme for a long time as the public becomes more increasingly dependent on their smart gadgets in doing various things every single day. These apps help you stay connected to your target audience, thus help boost sales and maintain your brand’s relevance in the now cluttered world we live in.

The Benefits Of A Responsive Web Design Find more on: euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/11/11/the-benefits-of-a-responsive-web-design/

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Kid’s Health Suffers From Excessive Screen Time

It is common knowledge nowadays how damaging too much exposure to technology and gadgets is to the developing minds and bodies of young kids. It wasn’t a problem in the past when kids did not have access to these innovative and smart gadgets that are taking up most of their time these days. Medical experts are always urging parents to limit kid’s screen time because it predisposes them to various health conditions that can later affect them in adult life.

Up to now, many are still wondering how much screen time is ideal for kids, and how much outside play they get. Well, it is better if they aren’t allowed to use these devices at all but that rarely happens now as there are just way too many (smart) gadgets in our life that it is inevitable for them to get their little hands on smartphones, for instance. Parents are usually harassed as well in trying to juggle their multiple responsibilities that only grow the more our technology advances. It is why they give these gadgets to their young children, so they can be free to do whatever it is they need to do as their young children busy themselves with various apps and games that are trending now. It’s even a bonus if they have access to WiFi because that means they can surf the web and do more with their time.

The average Australian child is spending the equivalent of a full time job staring at screens, according to a new study commissioned by Specsavers. While the Australian Department of Health recommends children spend no longer than two hours per day looking at screens, the new research shows that the time Aussie children spend on electronic devices is increasing year on year.

As technology advances and digital devices take the place of books and outdoor play, prolonged screen time is having an impact on children’s vision, which develops until the age of eight. A study by the Royal Children’s Hospital shows that while almost all Australian teenagers have a phone or tablet, 67 per cent of primary school kids and 36 per cent of pre-schoolers have their own mobile device.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/specsavers-eyes-on-health/2017/aug/28/the-toll-of-too-much-screen-time)

Children spend more time indoors and no longer get to lead an active life that is often associated with childhood. Not only is too much screen time affecting a child’s normal growth and development but it also impairs their health in ways that we can’t yet fathom. Their eyes, for instance, is among the most susceptible as it gets damaged over time of continued gadget use. Kids become more prone to develop myopia or near sightedness that is worsened by excessive gadget use and lack of physical activity and movement.

Helping to prevent nearsightedness in children may be as simple as urging them to spend more time outside, some experts say.

Possibly due to changing habits among children — spending more time reading in dim light and spending more time indoors than those of past generations — doctors are seeing an increase in the number of cases of nearsightedness, also known as myopia.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC recently opened a Myopia Treatment Center to meet the growing demand. 

Nearsightedness is a condition in which vision gets blurred when viewing an object at a distance.

(Via: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2017/08/29/More-children-are-being-diagnosed-with-nearsightedness-but-experts-aren-t-sure-why/stories/201708280007)

Not only are kids becoming fat but they also get sicker without most parents realizing the harm they are consciously exposing their children into. Just the mere fact that most of these kids still get to use gadgets even past their bedtime (as their bedtime is already stretched further into the night as the days pass by) in the dim light of their room puts a heavy strain on their eyes making it prone to myopia than if they were using it in broad daylight. Aside from that, these smart gadgets release blue light, a type of an ultraviolet light that gets deeper into a person’s eye and severely injures the retina. It can even predispose a child to age-related macular degeneration over time aside from just developing myopia.

No matter how busy a parent’s life is, they must still remember that they should make wise decisions that will improve the health and well-being of their kids and not simply take the easy way out. Technology should not control our lives more so become a risk to our health, especially of the young ones.

Kid’s Health Suffers From Excessive Screen Time was initially published on https://www.euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/11/15/kids-health-suffers-from-excessive-screen-time/

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What Do You Think About The Mayweather-McGregor Fight?

The world of sports is perhaps just as nasty as politics since everyone involved will move heaven and earth in order to win. Controversies aren’t new and it often extends to the person’s personal life. It really is such a shame hearing the nasty things they say to each other but the conflict among players often build up the momentum and urge the viewers to spend money to watch live matches or shell out fees for pay-per-views. And boxing, like some kinds of wrestling, is one of those sports that always attract global attention, especially when played by equally popular players.

The most recent match that has garnered worldwide attention is the one between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor. What makes this fight really notorious is the fact that the latter is not a professional boxer himself but a UFC fighter. For sure many were intrigued about how the fight turns out to be and how well the two of them will fight it out in the arena considering their different backgrounds but some were apparently disappointed at the turn of events when McGregor easily got exhausted several rounds into the fight. It is understandable, though, that he’ll have a harder time lasting the entire 12 rounds of fight in a match that he isn’t accustomed to.

So why am I so sure that Mayweather-McGregor won’t rebound into a moment in time that disrupts boxing and MMA? Two generations from now, couldn’t this boxing match similarly shift and shape the fighting landscape into something none of us ever envisioned?

As difficult as it was to picture McGregor upending Mayweather, the same is true trying to imagine a meaningful effect of what they did together. Rather than an evolutionary jumping-off point, Saturday night seems much more an ode to rationalism. The thing that was supposed to happen did, and Las Vegas wasn’t brought down by an Irish earthquake.

Rest assured: Even as Mayweather-McGregor falls in line with the fight-sport lineage that from time to time aligns boxing with mixed-rules contests, it was its own self-contained thing. This was an event predicated on one simple tease by two giant personalities who convinced millions of people that for $100 they could participate in the novelty of 49-0 versus 0-0, and that the payoff wouldn’t reside in the resoundingly likely outcome, but in the potentially shocking what if.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/aug/30/mayweather-mcgregors-uneasy-legacy-the-triumph-of-entertainment-over-sport)

Even if McGregor didn’t win over Mayweather, he definitely didn’t come home empty-handed simply because theirs was a billion-dollar fight. Mayweather may get the bigger pie but he still does have his fair share as well. Others even claim it has been staged right from the start although it is very different from the long-awaited 2015 match between Mayweather and Pacquiao that is perhaps the most disappointing to fans than this recent (mis)match.

That thing in a boxing ring Saturday night in Las Vegas turned out to be totally real. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor was a genuine, honest-to-goodness fight.

Ok, so it wasn't a knockdown, drag-out fight. No one got knocked down. No one got dragged out.

But no one demanded a refund. It lasted into the 10th round. (Some thought it might last 10 seconds.) Mayweather was declared the winner by a technical knockout. (Some thought McGregor might be declared DOA by CSI.)

The referee stopped the fight because McGregor looked to be wobbly, exhausted and nearly out on his feet. A minute or two after Mayweather's arm was raised in triumph, he conceded that McGregor gave him a lot harder time than he had expected.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/27/opinions/mayweather-mcgregor-opinion-downey/index.html)

It seems that it is all about money now. The media hyped up the event and talked about everything else aside from the important issues that matter to the fight the most. It’s clearly a mismatched fight right from the beginning but it is the very concept they sold to fans – two equally great yet different fighters who are both willing to fight in the same ring. A renowned champion that remains undefeated and an underdog that has won the heart of the masses, it is the perfect marketing ploy to get people to spend their money on luxuries like spectator sports. This boxing match might even encourage people to spend their money on life priorities rather than on some senseless made-up violence show meant to attract people that will definitely not get a rematch at all.

What Do You Think About The Mayweather-McGregor Fight? is available on Euro Toques

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/10/02/what-do-you-think-about-the-mayweather-mcgregor-fight/

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Inherent Right To Vote

Voting has always been a sensitive issue in years past. Wars have been fought and millions have died for the freedom we are all enjoying today. Indeed, we have come a long way but much is still left to be done. The US Constitution states and upholds this right as stated in Section 1 of Amendment XV that American citizens have the right to vote regardless of their race, color, or prior condition of servitude. While most people get to enjoy their inherent voting rights right now, many are still deprived of the right to choose the elected official they want to rule the land simply because they aren’t eligible, for instance.

Yet no matter how much the country has achieved over the years, problems pertaining to one’s voting rights persist especially that the topic of illegal votes was raised during the last election. While President Trump won the presidency in broad daylight, he still raised the issue of the three million illegal votes he insists that Clinton received and is the reason why he fails to win over the popular votes. His claim of voter fraud paved the way to the recent creation of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity that many believe is just the start of their attempt to roll back voting rights.

There is a battle under way for our democracy. The choice that lies in front of us: Will we be a country that guarantees every eligible citizen the right to vote and participate? Or will we allow states and politicians to twist voting rules and ignore constitutional rights in order to limit access to democracy?

That is the choice in front of us, and it is not an abstract choice.

Minnesota continues to be a model for inclusive voting rights and democratic participation. In 2016, we again led the nation in voter turnout with 74 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot. Minnesota enacted same-day registration more than 42 years ago, and in the years since we have expanded access through online voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting. In 2012, Minnesotans defeated efforts to put discriminatory voter ID laws into the state Constitution.

(Via: https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2017/08/voting-rights-fight-our-democracy)

If this happens, the votes of millions of Americans will be put to waste as the officials heading the commission are known advocates of voter suppression and anti-immigrant crusaders in the person of Vice-President Mike Pence and Kris Kobach. Yet despite this obvious political ploy being played by the current administration in securing their personal interests, millions of American citizens are now becoming more aware of the issue and are educating themselves on the issue of voting rights, what it means to them, and how they can protect it from power-greedy officials.

As the 2018 and 2020 elections approach, federal and state officials ought to be scrambling for ways to prevent a repeat of Russian interference or other meddling in American democracy.

Instead, many are on an obsessive hunt to eradicate phantom problems, such as supposedly massive fraud by non-citizens and people voting in two states.

The upshot is that 54 years after Martin Luther King Jr. appealed for voting rights in his "I Have a Dream" speech, those rights remain under a double-barreled assault:

(Via: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/27/president-trump-election-integrity-panel-sham-editorials-debates/562687001/)

They start with IDs since most minorities will have a hard time complying with some requirements especially if they frequently move from one state to the other. It means these people have to secure new IDs that may take time for some and will prevent them from meeting certain federal deadlines. Hence, it’s the first step to gradually restrict citizens’ voting rights and ensure that the result of the election is always in favor of the sitting president. For a president who cried voting fraud, it seems that he is doing the exact thing he was complaining about. How can you ensure that an election is conducted fairly and justly if not every citizen in the land can exercise the right to vote for the leaders they believe is the best for America?

The post Inherent Right To Vote was originally seen on https://www.euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/28/inherent-right-to-vote/

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Is There A Reason For The US To Be Scared Of North Korea?

Society as we know of today may look calm and peaceful most of the time that is because most of us have turned a blind eye to the problems experienced by war-torn nations and all the refugees who are displaced because of these wars that most progressive nations (that started these wars in the first place) refuse to accept in their shores. But there is one nation that has held itself very well and managed to resist any outside influence – North Korea. For decades, very little is known about their country and how everyone lives. The only thing we know is that they are preparing for something big that will shock the entire world when the right time comes.

Kim Jong Un, the current supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and also the Chairman of the Worker’s Party of Korea, is perhaps one of the most talked about yet feared political leader of today. He has been doing a series of missile testing over the years and has been threatening the western world with whatever they are cooking especially that it involves nuclear ammunition. And as such, his leadership of his tiny nation has, at times, caused distress to the world at large and we can only second guess what else is happening inside North Korea.

US President Donald Trump has warned Pyongyang that "all options are on the table" after North Korea fired a missile over Japan early Tuesday.

Tuesday's launch was particularly provocative as it was North Korea's first ballistic missile to fly over Japan. Kim Jong Un's regime regularly fires missiles into the sea between its own territory and Japan.

The launch comes as the US and South Korea conduct joint military drills on the peninsula and a day after drills ended between the US and Japan on the northern island of Hokkaido.

It also follows a fiery exchange of threats and insults between Trump and the North Korean regime, commenting through state media.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/28/politics/north-korea-launch-unidentified-projectile/index.html)

It is impossible to ignore North Korea’s message because they did it so in a manner that can be heard loud and clear by everyone – another missile test that dropped somewhere in the Pacific. It even passed the northern part of Japan, a rare occurrence even if they have been known to drop bombs here and there from time to time and has definitely made everyone feel uneasy because it was just quite recently when Kim Jong Un threatened to bomb the US island territory of Guam.

President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that all options are on the table for the United States to respond to North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile over northern Japan's Hokkaido island into the sea in a new show of force.

The missile test further increased tension in east Asia as U.S. and South Korean forces conducted annual military exercises on the Korean peninsula, angering Pyongyang which sees the war games as a preparation for invasion.

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong Un, in defiance of U.N. sanctions, but firing projectiles over mainland Japan is rare.

(Via: http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2017/08/29/trump-says-all-options-on-table-after-n-korea-fires-missile-over-japan.html)

It seems that President Trump is really fed up now over all these ballistic missile threats they are getting from North Korea and he should be considering he now leads America. He will surely not allow any of those missiles to land anywhere in the mainland US and as such, is now communicating with allied nations on the best recourse for this new threat. The US, South Korean, and Japanese governments are all working side by side because of the bombing as it is no longer just a physical threat but an economic one too.

Despite all the ruckus, the US claims to put diplomacy first before exhausting all means whatever it may be because the capacity of the opponent is still unknown to the rest of the world and thus a grave threat to all. So yes, there is a reason to be scared but there is still time to prepare and work with allies to protect everyone from any possible attack.

The article Is There A Reason For The US To Be Scared Of North Korea? is courtesy of The Euro Toques Blog

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/26/is-there-a-reason-for-the-us-to-be-scared-of-north-korea/

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Too Many Apps? Free Up Space On Your Device

Since we live in the digital age, most of the things we do have gone digital too. Only a few people do things manually. Why make it harder for yourself when you can simply look up things online and have them saved right on your device for easy access and storage. But because we have grown accustomed to the use of technology in our daily lives, data storage became an increasing concern for us considering the amount of data we accumulate over time. From photos, music, videos, files, and other important documents you need for various purpose, they need to be stored somewhere accessible like a computer or a laptop perhaps.

Smart gadgets are popular too and they allow us to have a smooth browsing experience because it works like any conventional computer device albeit it usually fits the palm of your hand. While most have a built-in internal storage system, some allow you to use an external SD card or external disk drive where you can migrate your files for long-term storage once your device starts running out of space. Storage space is especially a chronic problem among iOS users mainly because iPhones aren’t compatible with any type of external storage added into it.

Windows or macOS running out of room and crawling to a halt as a result? Nowhere to store your latest batch of phone photos or iTunes music purchases? Dwindling computer storage space is a problem most of us have to face from time to time, and here’s what you can do to ease the pressure.

The more empty space you’ve got on your hard drive the better—it gives your OS more room to breathe and more flexibility when it comes to storing files and all the temporary data that goes along with day-to-day use of your system. Even if you’ve already got a sizeable chunk of disk space free, it’s always worth clearing out some more.

Delete, delete, delete

Don’t underestimate how much room you can free up using nothing but the Delete key, even if you’ve only got five or ten minutes for the job. While automated tools are faster, this gives you more control over what gets deleted and what doesn’t.

(Via: https://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-complete-guide-to-creating-more-space-on-your-compu-1798530536)

Also, devices start lagging once you have stored more than enough data. Too many apps that you don’t use eat up space and affect the way your gadgets work. It takes longer for uploads/downloads to finish and there are many more issues you may encounter because of low storage space. It always helps to clear unwanted files starting from your devices download folders because it is fast and easy to do before checking your gallery or photo, video, and music libraries. It also helps if you can purchase an external storage device that has a bigger storage space for all your data saving needs.

Western Digital Corporation has bought Upthere, a consumer data storage startup with its own public cloud.

Upthere was founded in 2011 by director Bertrand Sarlet, VP for business development Alex Kushnir, and Roger Bodamer. CEO Chris Bourdon joined Upthere as VP products in August 2012 after being Apple's senior product line manager in the Mac OS X area. He was promoted to CEO in December 2015 when Bodamer left.

Sarlet worked at Apple from 1997 to 2011, and was previously at Steve Job's NeXT.

The company, based in Redwood City, CA, stores users' data – photos, videos, documents and music – in its own data centre and says this about its core technology:

(Via: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/29/wdc_buys_public_cloud_storage_startup/)

Then, you can start deleting games and apps you are no longer using on your smartphone. You can even have certain data copied on Google Drive or Dropbox, for instance. Now, this is most helpful. The arrival of cloud technology has definitely made life a lot more comfortable for us as we don’t necessarily have

There are more options now like Upthere that gives consumers more freedom in saving their important data that isn’t just marketed as a secondary backup storage option but the main alternative in keeping and finding your files for the next time you need it. Best of all, cloud technology allows you to access the same file in various devices, which is really helpful now that one person probably personally own and use one or more smart gadgets at a time. Your device will thank you if you do all these measures today and not wait for the time to come when you lose access to your precious data and can’t get it back anymore.

The following post Too Many Apps? Free Up Space On Your Device was first published to The Euro Toques Blog

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/25/too-many-apps-free-up-space-on-your-device/

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Cyber Issues On Medical Devices

Technology is synonymous with modern living. It is a crucial part of our lives that not only makes the world go round right now but somehow makes it more complex too. These high-tech innovations have actually transformed our lives and made a lot of things easier and more comfortable for us but they are also flawed like most things here on this planet. A lot of things are interconnected now on the Internet of Things and as such, things can easily go from bad to worse when disaster strikes. And it is something we have experienced many times in this digital age.

The ransomware, WannaCry, which infected over 200,000 computers globally managed to cripple the UK’s healthcare system and many patients missed out on their medications for days because the medical staff can’t access the hospital computers where the patient’s chart and data can all be found. You see, any tech issue can potentially become a major medical emergency because medical devices that are hooked and used in a patient’s care can be hacked or encrypted by dubious cyber scammers that are only out for monetary gain.

As the internet of things spreads into more and more areas, increasing numbers of medical devices are now connected, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks that could shut down medical processes, expose critical hospital and patient data, and ultimately put patient safety at risk.

Many medical devices are not built with cybersecurity in mind, yet a survey by Deloitte Cyber Risk Services of over 370 professionals organizations operating in the medical device/IoT arena shows that 36.5 percent have suffered a cyber security incident in the past year.

(Via: https://betanews.com/2017/08/15/iot-medical-device-security/)

Cyber security is not only a concern for public and private individuals using the web on a daily basis but many hospitals and health institutions have also automated most of their processes and services and are just as vulnerable as any one of us. The problem here is that human lives on the brink of death are at risk once the medical devices and machines keeping them alive suddenly stop working because of a technical error or problem. Medical institutions can’t allow that to happen because the risks are far too big to allow such a failure to prepare and plan a contingency plan for such a scenario that will endanger the lives of the people in their care.

A recent Deloitte survey of over 370 professionals whose organizations operate in the Internet of Things (IoT) connected medical device ecosystem found that more than 35 percent of respondents experienced a cyber security incident in the past year.

Respondent organizations included medical device or component manufacturers, healthcare IT organizations, medical device users, and regulators.

Over 30 percent of respondents said identifying and mitigating the risks of fielded and legacy connected devices presents the industry's biggest cyber security challenge.

"It's not surprising that managin cyber risks of existing IoT medical devices is the top concern facing manufacturers, providers and regulators," Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory partner Russell Jones said in a statement. "Legacy devices can have outdated operating systems and may be on hospital networks without proper security controls."

(Via: http://www.esecurityplanet.com/network-security/over-a-third-of-healthcare-iot-organizations-suffered-cyber-incidents-in-the-past-year.html)

Imagine the inconvenience and the outright dangers posed by malfunctioning or non-functioning (at all) medical devices that are supposed to support patient’s lives but fail to do so. Even cyber criminals are aware of this, which is probably why they showed the UK the type of disaster they can bring with the last WannaCry outbreak. Increasing cyber security efforts and taking data recovery backups seriously is something all medical institutions can do to safeguard themselves from such modern problems now that most gadgets (medical or not) are all connected to the web. It is a non-negotiable measure given that malwares are just looming on the horizon and any system can easily fall prey to these attacks.

The blog article Cyber Issues On Medical Devices See more on: https://www.euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/20/cyber-issues-on-medical-devices/

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Canadians Pioneering In The Use Of Medical Cannabis

The medical community is always full of surprises, from surprising tech innovations, mind blowing medical treatments, new drug discoveries, to out-of-the-box medical practices, the public is always fascinated by most news in the field of medicine. And for quite some time now, we are seeing major changes happening everywhere too. We have witnessed how the humble marijuana plant has transformed its image from an illegal substance to a now legal one. Various US states have already given the thumbs up to the farming, use, promotion, and selling of either medical or recreational cannabis but it seems that the US has been beaten by their next-door neighbor when it comes to this weed’s popularity.

What probably urged Canada to be quick and bolder than the US in their approach towards cannabis is their desire to improve the lives of many Canadians who have been suffering from many chronic and debilitating conditions for the longest time that no drug or medical treatment has managed to address aside from medical cannabis and boost the economy. There have been numerous studies and testimonies as to the powerful effects of medical marijuana in treating conditions like epilepsy, seizure, chronic pain, and even cancer. And unlike the US, Canada has passed the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) in aid of cannabis research, sale, and use, so that Canadians requiring help from such a magical plant like Cannabis can have access to it whenever they need one.

There are millions of people worldwide with chronic diseases and other medical conditions whose lives could be improved with better access to medical cannabis. Meanwhile, for the past decade and a half, Canada has built the most sophisticated medical cannabis framework in the world. These circumstances present an exceptional opportunity for trade leadership on the international stage.

Last year, the amount spent on cannabis worldwide — including medical cannabis — was US$150 billion. By comparison, Canada's crude oil exports totalled C$49.8 billion in 2016. The federal government must proactively make medical cannabis exports part of its innovation agenda. With the right approach, the industry has the potential to be a significant contributor to Canada's biotechnology and life sciences sectors.

(Via: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/brendan-kennedy-/canada-can-be-a-world-leader-in-medical-cannabis_a_23156157/)

The public’s perception of cannabis has changed a lot over the years and Canada is taking advantage of this positive shift to help them become a leader in the cannabis industry. Unlike some US states that are still undecided whether or not to legalize adult medical or recreational marijuana use in their territories, Canada has been pushing their lead forward and in the process helps their economy grow as well. And they are not wasting any second to realize their goals by acting on it now when other nations are still second guessing their decision.

As Canada marches toward federally legal recreational cannabis, one of the most compelling unknowns is what kinds of stores will eventually sell the marijuana.

Some Canadians are already envisioning a future in which a quick stop at the liquor store could net a bottle of wine for dinner, a six pack for the weekend, and a couple eighths of BC Bud.

While most of the legal world has opted to sell retail weed in pot-specific storefronts, aka dispensaries and pot shops, British Columbia and other provinces are being urged by liquor store owners to sell marijuana inside existing liquor stores.

(Via: http://www.thedailybeast.com/will-canada-put-weed-on-the-same-shelves-as-booze)

Given Canada’s current aggressive take on cannabis use, it probably won’t be long before they eventually start selling weeds alongside most alcohols, wines, and spirits in groceries and stores. Although it is a novel and daring concept, we all know nothing is impossible especially if such actions are backed by the federal government like in the case of Canada. For now, there are legit dispensaries where cannabis patients can go to and come out with various weed products in hand. Supply really isn’t an issue anymore and people realize more than ever how beneficial weed is for their health where most traditional medical treatments have failed.

Canadians Pioneering In The Use Of Medical Cannabis Read more on: https://www.euro-toques.org

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/17/canadians-pioneering-in-the-use-of-medical-cannabis/

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Bitcoins: The New Gold Rush

Human beings are always on the lookout for the next big thing in life. We don’t just settle for second-rate items or luxuries because we only want the best our money can afford. Although we don’t always get what we want, it gives us more reason to work harder and hope for a brighter future. If we want to uplift our lives, we must be able to act timely on opportunities or forever miss our chance of experiencing something really great in our lives.

Knowing that we are now living in the digital age, it is safe to assume that the majority of the population is hooked on some sort of tech device in their day-to-day lives. We are a generation that can’t live without social media and the Internet – a far cry from the lives led by our parents and grandparents in the past. Yet, this is the reality of our times whatever part of the globe you may be living in. So, it no longer comes as a surprise that the new opportunities presented to us are also in the digital form. What am I talking about? Bitcoins.

With cryptocurrencies like bitcoin quadrupling in value this year alone, high frequency players are finding their way to the new Wild West of trading that some believe is in bubble territory. Proprietary trading firms are particularly well positioned to pursue cryptocurrency trading because they are in the business of putting their firms’ own capital to work. The fiduciary obligations Wall Street’s hedge funds have to their outside investors often preclude them from trading bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The big Wall Street investment banks like Goldman Sachs have their own institutional limitations.

“The only place to start an institutional-sized bitcoin trading desk in 2014 would have been at a principal trading firm like DRW,” Komaransky said in an interview conducted over email with Forbes.

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2017/08/22/wall-streets-cowboy-traders-find-new-riches-in-bitcoin-and-cryptocurrencies/#2378c29914ac)

You’d be surprised at how Bitcoin investors are enjoying their profits today. Cryptocurrency is the name of the game nowadays and everyone who wants a good investment turns to it because everybody wants to have a slice of the pie. It is a great way to double, triple, or even quadruple your money, something you won’t be able to do with conventional investments.

The cryptocurrency space in India is likely to soon light up as major players enter the market and plan to offer trade in many other cryptocurrencies apart from bitcoin.

Poland-based cryptocurrency exchange, BitBay will soon launch its services in India and enable users to buy and sell 6 altcoins (alternative cryptocurrencies to bitcoin).

A few exchanges like Zebpay, Unocoin, and Coinsecure have been there for a while, providing a platform for trading bitcoin but have not yet introduced various altcoins like ethereum, ripple, dash etc. on their platforms.

Riding on the back of bitcoin's popularity, altcoins have rallied exponentially since the start of the year. The market cap of altcoins has shot from USD 2 billion to USD 77 billion since the beginning of the year.

With the entry of BitBay, users will have access to some of the most popular altcoins like litecoin, ether, monero and dash which have rallied over 1,050 percent, 3,825 percent, 620 percent, and 2,216 percent year-to-date respectively, as per Coinmarketcap.

(Via: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/interview-with-bitbays-rohit-dahda-after-bitcoins-success-altcoins-set-to-foray-in-india-2366787.html)

Cryptocurrency may still be a novel item for most tech users right now but it won’t be for long as these alternative currencies are currently taking the world by storm. Investments are skyrocketing and many hypes about it on social media, so it is no longer surprising if many are asking about it on a daily basis. Since the start of 2017, Bitcoin's value kept on rising and it has encouraged investors to put in more money and buy more crypto currencies making it the multi-billion industry that it is today. Bitcoin is actually just one type of cryptocurrency. There are many more that you can invest in if you are willing to take the risk of this highly unstable market.

Bitcoins: The New Gold Rush is republished from Euro Toques

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/15/bitcoins-the-new-gold-rush/

[eurotoques]

Why Children Are Getting Fatter By The Minute

Kids give more meaning to life. Ask any parent about it and they will likely tell you the same thing. But raising one is a different story. There are a lot of hurdles parents face each day from the moment a child is born. Not only are parents expected to provide all the basic needs of their kids but as well as teach them on how to become wise, responsible, God-fearing, and compassionate adults someday. But how can kids do that in the near future if they are already struggling with their health (and body image) as early as now? Looks may not be everything but say that to a bullied pubertal child or teen and you’d likely receive glaring stares that paint a thousand words.

Weight is the biggest struggle of young kids these days perhaps because of the food they eat and the lifestyle they lead. Parents today are almost always harassed and exhausted so you can’t expect them to prepare healthy home-cooked meals when more often than not, both partners are out most of the day earning their keep. Aside from feeding their young children sweets, junks and processed food, kids also have access to tech gadgets to help them pass the time and not bother their tired parents at home. So eating + lounging around with a tablet/smart gadget with WiFi in hand = obesity. Hence, more and more kids are diagnosed as overweight and obese today than kids in the past.

Affiliated with Tokyo’s National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, the authors of the new study express concern about the number of Japanese children with weight problems: “approximately 10% and 8% of 12-year-old boys and girls, respectively, were overweight or obese in 2015.” Though these percentages are down a bit from what health officials saw in 2000, when they began addressing the problem, the authors of the new study still regard them as “substantial.”

Childhood obesity is hardly peculiar to Japan. The researchers see “Japan follow[ing] the global trends,” with “the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increas[ing worldwide] in the late 20th century,” pushing the number of preschool children who were overweight or obese in 2014 to approximately 41 million.

(Via: https://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/why-only-children-are-at-higher-risk-of-obesity/20300)

Even adults find comfort in eating especially when they are stressed. It is not surprising to discover that kids are vulnerable to this too since it helps them cope with all the new things they encounter in life. Children’s preoccupation with technology leaves them too lazy to engage in more active outdoor activities that young kids their age should be doing. Yet even though we like pinching the chubby cheeks of a cute, fat child, the impact of obesity on the health and well-being of that child is not always a positive experience as it can put them at higher risk of certain medical conditions and even suffer from lower self-esteem from being bullied by their peers for their heavy weight.

Recent research reflects some of this range of aetiological factors that influence childhood obesity. Global perspectives from countries of study including Brazil, Australia, England, South Africa, China, and a review of the international literature cover topics frequently reported by the media, like the food environment, unhealthy food advertising policy, weight management interventions, and associations with gender and sleep. Lesser known research areas include the developmental origins of obesity, which examines how foetal conditions in utero can influence the amount of fat deposited on the body in childhood and adulthood. This field of research provides the kind of evidence used to justify a public health approach to obesity, with a focus on prevention in early life. Another important area of public health research, but again perhaps lesser known, is the roles of schools and parents, given the tendency for policy approaches to involve schools and communities in prevention.

(Via: https://blog.oup.com/2017/07/children-obesity-future/)

Society as a whole should be taught to change their perception regarding obesity and basically urge everyone to examine the way they live their lives and how parents also raise their children. If children aren’t taught about the value of health and healthy eating, they will carry their bad habits into adulthood and eventually do the same thing to their children. It will be an endless vicious cycle that we are starting to feel its menace now. The problem basically lies with the types of food we eat and how we live our lives when we are constantly glued to the screens of our smart gadgets day in and day out.

Despite this awareness, nothing much has changed and kids still get fed with fastfood and all things sweet and processed. But you can’t blame most parents since it is actually more expensive now to feed your family with healthy and organic food than junks especially if these parents are also struggling to make both ends meet. Indeed, it takes a village to raise a child. It is only with the concerted efforts of everyone that we can start making progress in addressing childhood obesity and saving young kids from a long list of health, emotional, and mental woes brought about by being overweight or obese from a young age.

The following post Why Children Are Getting Fatter By The Minute was initially published on https://www.euro-toques.org/

from https://www.euro-toques.org/2017/09/15/why-children-are-getting-fatter-by-the-minute/