
10 Facts About James Baldwin’s ‘Giovanni’s Room’
James Baldwin's novel 'Giovanni’s Room' was rejected by editors and publishers before it was eventually released in 1956.
2023-06-26 20:23

Scientists see brains 'de-ageing' in people who adopt a popular diet
The biological age of our brains is a health factor that many people neglect – but as young people these days are expected to live longer than ever, it’s getting more and more important. It turns out that switching to a diet full of fresh vegetables and low in processed foods could do wonders for what’s going on up there, new research has found. According to a team of scientists from universities in Israel, Germany and the US, eating a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, seafood and whole grains can slow the signs of accelerated brain ageing which are typically seen in obese patients. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Scans taken after 18 months showed the participants’ brain age appeared almost nine months younger than expected, compared to estimates of their brain’s chronological age. The study involved imaging the brains of 102 people who were taking part in a larger clinical trial. Scans were taken at the beginning, and again after 18 months, along with tests of liver function, cholesterol levels and body weight. Groups ate one of three diets: a Meditterranean diet of nuts, fish and chicken instead of red meat, a similar diet but with a few added extras like green tea, or a diet based on healthy dietary guidelines. Brain age estimates were based on an algorithm that had been trained using brain scans from a separate group of nearly 300 people. People in the trial lost an average of about 2.3kg. For every 1 percent of body weight lost after following a set diet, the participants’ brains appeared about nine months younger than their chronological age. However, it is still unknown whether changes in brain age actually translates to improvements in brain function. "Our study highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including lower consumption of processed food, sweets, and beverages, in maintaining brain health," said neuroscientist Gidon Levakov of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. The study was published in eLife. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-06-26 19:50

Sarah Ferguson details undergoing mastectomy to treat breast cancer: ‘It was only a shadow’
The Duchess of York has urged people to get their breasts checked after it was confirmed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarah Ferguson, 63, opened up about how she was preparing to undergo a single mastectomy, a procedure to remove a breast in order to treat the cancer. In the latest episode of her podcast with businesswoman Sarah Thomson, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, Ferguson revealed that she was scheduled for the surgery the day before they recorded. Emphasising how important it was to her to speak about having cancer, she said she thought of her father, Ronald Ferguson, and his experience with cancer in the Nineties. “What sprang to mind was my father, when everyone rang him and said, ‘Why, no one wants to hear from me – and I don’t mind if no one wants to hear from me, because I’m telling you that I am doing this,” she said. “I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked.” On Sunday (25 June), a spokesperson for the duchess confirmed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a routine mammogram screening. Reflecting on her diagnosis in the podcast, Ferguson said she was initially “really worried” about whether or not she should talk about it. “It wasn’t until we talked it through before this podcast that actually… hold on a minute, you’ve done so much work. You’ve now caught this cancer in time, I pray, and then right now, if I can talk about it publicly, then everybody, please, don’t wait,” she said. Ferguson also praised the NHS staff at the Royal Free Hospital in London and said they did “amazing work” in catching her cancer. “Had it not been for that extraordinary injection in you to contrast, and it shows the contrast and it shows where to go – if I hadn’t done that, it was only a shadow, they wouldn’t have found out that it needs to be immediately sorted,” she added. Ferguson’s spokesperson said yesterday: “She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully. The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family.” He continued: “The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. “She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.” Ferguson, who was married to the Duke of York from 1986 to 1992, and divorced in 1996, is reportedly recovering at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which she still shares with Prince Andrew. For more than 30 years, she has worked with the Teenage Cancer Trust and frequently campaigns for breast cancer awareness. In 2019, during the Breast Cancer Foundation’s annual gala, she said in an interview: “It’s that hidden, frightening thing, the word cancer, the big C. Then on top of that is the word ‘breast’, people just don’t use it. “The secret for the Breast Cancer Foundation is to spread awareness and to say it’s OK. It’s not OK, of course it’s awful. But if you have got it or you worry, or you think you may, go and have it checked and we are here to support you.” Ferguson’s father, Ronald Ferguson, had prostate cancer in 1996 and also had skin cancer. He died in 2003 at the age of 71 of a heart attack. Read More Gongs, chanting and Celtic Shamanism: What I learnt from a day at the Glastonbury Healing Field Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has surgery for breast cancer A woman stopped tidying up after her husband accused her of doing ‘nothing’. Then she filmed the results
2023-06-26 16:52

What to stream this week: 'The Bachelorette,' Idris Elba, The Weeknd, Sarah Snook and 'Jack Ryan'
This week’s new entertainment releases include a new album from Lucinda Williams, the kickoff of the 20th season of the reality dating show “The Bachelorette” starring a 27-year-old therapist from Georgia who was featured on the last season of “The Bachelor,” and Idris Elba is stuck on the worst flight ever in the new series “Hijack” for Apple TV+
2023-06-26 12:24

No more needles? A daily pill may work as well as Wegovy shots to treat obesity
Losing significant amounts of weight may soon be as easy as taking a daily pill
2023-06-26 09:47

FAA lifts ground stop at DC-area airports after pausing departures for repairs at air traffic control facility
Flights to DC-area airports are able to resume after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a ground stop made earlier Sunday evening due to equipment problems at an air traffic control facility in Virginia.
2023-06-26 08:49

Chinese Tourists Can Help Pull Thai Baht Out of Political Morass
Thailand’s baht slid to the lowest level since March last week but there are reasons to believe it
2023-06-26 08:19

LGBTQ+ Pride Month reaches its grand crescendo on city streets from New York to San Francisco
LGBTQ+ revelers and allies are partying coast to coast for the grand crescendo of Pride Month
2023-06-26 08:18

LGBTQ+ Pride revelers flash feathers and flags in the streets from New York to San Francisco
LGBTQ+ revelers and allies are partying coast to coast for the premiere weekend of Pride Month
2023-06-26 01:57

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker reveal the gender of their baby
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have revealed the gender of their new baby. Earlier this month, Kardashian, 44, announced that she and Barker are expecting their first child together. On Saturday 24 June, the couple – who tied the knot last May – posted a gender reveal video on Instagram, along with a caption of pink and blue hearts. Kardashian is seen sitting on Barker’s lap, alongside a drum kit on a stage. The Blink-182 drummer can be heard saying: “Is our pyro guy ready?” The Poosh founder replies: “I don’t know what’s happening, whatever you guys had planned…” Her sister Khloe Kardashian can apparently be heard saying: “Let’s get the party started – we’re all excited!” Barker, 47, then begins a drum roll which ends with a burst of blue streamers, as the couple’s family and friends celebrate the news that they’re having a baby boy. “I love how they dont even look at anyone else when they’re together,” one fan reacted to the video. Referencing Kardashian and Barker’s couple name, another wrote: “They can actually name [the baby] Kravis.” Kardashian first shared the news she and Barker, 47, are expecting with a Blink-182-style pregnancy reveal video. In it, the mother of three can be seen holding up a sign that reads “Travis I’m pregnant”, recreating a scene from one of the band’s hit songs “All the Small Things”. While the video was widely celebrated on Instagram, some people suggested it was “staged” since Kardashian’s baby bump was apparently visible in it. Fans defended the reality star at the time, claiming it didn’t matter when Barker found out, and that the point of the video was simply to share the news with their followers. Earlier this week, Kardashian shared pictures of her growing baby bump, as some users speculated about her due date. Kardashian and Barker tied the knot after years of being friends, and celebrated their marriage with three wedding ceremonies – including one officiated by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas. Since then, the couple has documented parts of Kardashian’s experience with fertility treatments on her family’s reality series The Kardashians. In an episode last April, she also addressed how “every single person on social media is always like, ‘Kourtney’s pregnant, Kourtney’s pregnant, Kourtney’s gained so much weight” while she was undergoing IVF treatments. She told her mother Kris Jenner: “I’m like, it’s so rude to comment on people when you have no idea what they’re actually going through.” At the time, she also explained how the medication “basically put me into a depression”. Kardashian shares three children with her former partner Scott Disick. Meanwhile, Barker shares two children with his ex-wife and former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler. Read More Mother shares heartbreak after inviting whole school class to daughter’s birthday party Lewis Capaldi opens up about worsening Tourette’s tics while he’s on stage Gongs, chanting and Celtic Shamanism: What I learnt from a day at the Glastonbury Healing Field Prince Harry ‘wanted to interview Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about childhood trauma’ How Center Parcs became a symbol of class
2023-06-25 19:18

Check your pantry: Frito-Lay issues allergy alert for an undeclared salsa dip ingredient
Frito-Lay has issued a voluntary recall of Tostitos Avocado Salsa Jar Dip because it may contain an undeclared milk allergen, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
2023-06-25 14:29

Ahead of the BET Awards, a look back at how the network helped hip-hop grow and thrive
“Rap City.”
2023-06-25 12:58