All posts tagged: risks

Communal water bowls for dogs pose numerous health risks for animals and humans, expert warns

Communal water bowls for dogs pose numerous health risks for animals and humans, expert warns

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more On a bright, sunny day, after a nice walk with your dog, you stop at a local cafe to grab a drink. At the counter, you spot a water bowl for your dog. But before letting your dog take a sip, consider this: shared water bowls can be a breeding ground for harmful bugs that could make your dog sick. Water is essential for dogs’ health, supporting normal body functions and regulating temperature. During warmer weather or after exercise, it’s especially important to ensure your dog stays hydrated. This is because dogs are limited in their ability to cool down by sweating in the same way as we can. Instead, they rely on panting to regulate their body temperature, and water is essential to …

Brussels’ nightmare French election scenario risks coming true: Bardella vs. Mélenchon

Brussels’ nightmare French election scenario risks coming true: Bardella vs. Mélenchon

Published by Sam Flores

PARIS — Brussels’ nightmare scenario is no longer looking far-fetched: a French presidential election next year in which both candidates in the runoff hail from the political extremes and hold a deeply skeptical outlook on the EU and NATO. Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally — the nationalist, anti-immigration party of Marine Le Pen — has long been the favorite to win the 2027 race, but mainstream centrist parties have been hoping they can find a unifying challenger to beat him in the second round. That prospect of stopping Bardella has hit a major potential hurdle, however, as momentum builds behind the campaign of the firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party. The latest polls suggest he now has a strong chance of qualifying for the second-round showdown — depriving the race of a centrist who could rally voters against the far right in the EU’s No. 2 economy. Mélenchon draws much of his support from working-class and immigrant communities, and his critics have condemned him for antisemitism and a “brutalization” …

U.S.-China Conflict Over Taiwan Risks a Nuclear Escalation, Study Finds

U.S.-China Conflict Over Taiwan Risks a Nuclear Escalation, Study Finds

Published by Sam Flores

By Greg Torode and Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE, May 28 (Reuters) – A conflict between the U.S. and ⁠China ⁠over Taiwan would risk a nuclear escalation with ⁠both militaries likely to stage sweeping operations targeting rival command and communications hubs, a leading defence research centre said ​on Thursday. In a strategic assessment ahead of Asia’s biggest annual defence meeting in Singapore this weekend, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said the world was on the cusp ‌of a new nuclear arms race “with the Asia-Pacific ‌at its core”. “Regional states and those with strategic interests are expanding their nuclear arsenals, while non-nuclear weapons states pursue long-range conventional-strike capabilities: both challenging strategic stability,” the IISS ⁠assessment said. There was ⁠no immediate response from U.S. or Chinese authorities. Taiwan, the conflict in Iran and uncertainties about U.S. commitments ​to the region, are expected to surface prominently at the IISS’ Shangri-La Dialogue. The informal conference runs from May 29 to 31, drawing an eclectic mix of ministers, generals, intelligence chiefs, diplomats, analysts and weapons makers. The …

Pope Leo Warns of Risks From A.I. in 42,300-Word Encyclical

Pope Leo Warns of Risks From A.I. in 42,300-Word Encyclical

Published by Sam Flores

Pope Leo XIV on Monday set out a sweeping vision for corporate executives, politicians and individuals who will shape and be shaped by the future of artificial intelligence, warning leaders to safeguard humanity from A.I.’s most disruptive effects. Leo’s declaration came in the form of a papal encyclical, an open letter to “all people of good will” that ran to roughly 42,300 words in its English version. It outlined his desire to protect human dignity and agency in an age in which technology threatens to replace humans in many professional and social roles. He presented it alongside Christopher Olah, a co-founder of Anthropic, a major A.I. developer, in a symbolic gesture of dialogue between leaders of the spiritual and technological worlds. While emphasizing that “technology should not be considered, in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity,” he wrote that “the pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs.” Among other things, Leo called for: government regulation of the private companies that are driving the development of A.I. protection and retraining for …

‘Beef. It’s what’s for dinner’: Previous health risks linked to the red meat debunked

‘Beef. It’s what’s for dinner’: Previous health risks linked to the red meat debunked

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Eating beef every day may not be as harmful as once thought. Red meat has long been tied to risks to cardiometabolic health, including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. The conditions affect more than 160 million Americans, including over 36 million living with Type 2 diabetes. However, having 6-7 ounces of beef every day – a slightly smaller portion than a typical ribeye steak – does not affect risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, researchers at Indiana University say. “Results from this gold standard randomized controlled trial build on existing scientific evidence that shows eating beef as part of a healthy dietary pattern supports heart health and does not adversely impact measures of blood sugar regulation or inflammation,” Kevin Maki, an adjunct professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, said in a statement. “When beef is consumed as …

As Iran war persists, some US Muslims consider risks of Mecca pilgrimage

As Iran war persists, some US Muslims consider risks of Mecca pilgrimage

Published by Sam Flores

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (RNS and NPR) — Juber Ahmed, a pharmacist, and his mother, Shamima Akther, are preparing for a trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage — a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s considered a sacred obligation for Muslims. The Sterling Heights, Michigan, residents found out their applications to go were accepted in January, after months of waiting. “Honestly, that feeling, I still can’t find the words to express,” he said. “I was in tears, did sajdah as-sukr (offered gratitude) and then I hugged my mom, and both of us just were in tears.” Akther, 63, said she waited nearly 30 years to make the journey and wants to do it while she’s still physically able. “I was waiting for my kids to grow up so I can go with my oldest son,” she said.  They are among a few thousand pilgrims from the United States who will join the estimated 1.5 million people from around the world performing Hajj this year. Hajj is performed on the eighth through 13th days of …

Russia says Latvia risks retaliation over Ukraine drone plans; Latvia says claims are ‘pure fiction’

Russia says Latvia risks retaliation over Ukraine drone plans; Latvia says claims are ‘pure fiction’

Published by Sam Flores

By Andrea Shalal May 19 (Reuters) – Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday Moscow had information that Ukraine planned to launch military drones from Latvia and other Baltic states, warning membership in NATO ‌would not protect those countries from retaliation. The ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, speaking during a UN Security Council meeting on ‌security in Ukraine, said Kyiv had already dispatched Ukrainian drone forces to Latvia and Russian intelligence could determine the launch sites for such aircraft. “The foreign ​intelligence of Russia did say that the coordinates of decision-making centers in Latvia are well known, and membership in NATO will not protect you from retaliation, even if you are a member of NATO,” Nebenzya said, speaking through an interpreter. Latvia’s envoy to the Security Council, Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, immediately rejected the remarks as “pure fiction.” On Tuesday, Latvia’s foreign ministry summoned the acting head of the Russian ‌mission and lodged “a categorical protest” over the ⁠statements made by the Russian side. “Despite repeated communications by the Latvian side through diplomatic channels and in public …

The hidden risks and realities of sexual behavior in moving vehicles

The hidden risks and realities of sexual behavior in moving vehicles

Published by José Betancourt

Almost one-third of surveyed college students report engaging in sexual activity while riding in or driving a moving vehicle. Couples often view this behavior as a fun adventure despite the obvious risks on the road. The practice involves high rates of distracted driving and a noticeable gender gap in the rates of orgasm, according to new research published in The Journal of Sex Research. For about a century, automobiles have provided couples with a private place away from family and roommates to explore their sexuality. Most academic literature on the subject has focused on the well-known practice of parking. This concept refers to having sex in a stationary car parked in a secluded area, like an empty field or a drive-in theater. Fewer researchers have evaluated the prevalence of sexual interactions while a vehicle is actually traveling down the road. Some media reports and traffic safety records capture extreme examples of this behavior. These official records usually only emerge when the sexual activity leads to a traffic stop, aggressive driving complaints, or a vehicle crash. …

Unpredictable childhoods may hinder a young adult’s ability to take positive risks

Unpredictable childhoods may hinder a young adult’s ability to take positive risks

Published by José Betancourt

A 7-year longitudinal study found that adolescents who experienced more unpredictable life events tend to show higher levels of activation in the frontoparietal region of the brain during a cognitive control task. Because a maturing brain should require less effort to complete these tasks, this higher activation suggests a less efficient brain network. In turn, this inefficiency was associated with a lower willingness to take positive social risks (e.g., exploring a new career, voicing an unpopular opinion, starting a conversation) in young adulthood. The paper was published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. Positive social risks are situations in which a person takes a chance in social life in order to create a positive outcome or long-term benefit. They include actions such as starting a conversation, apologizing first, asking for help, offering help, admitting a mistake, or expressing honest feelings. These actions are “risks” because the other person may reject us, criticize us, misunderstand us, or fail to respond warmly. They are “positive” because they can lead to trust, friendship, cooperation, forgiveness, learning, and stronger …