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The former Google CEO who gave you notifications says it's time to log off if you want to be productive

The former Google CEO who gave you notifications says it's time to log off if you want to be productive

Time of India23-07-2025
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned that constant phone use is damaging our ability to think and work with depth. Speaking on the Moonshots podcast, Schmidt said researchers can't focus with notifications constantly interrupting them. He criticised the tech industry's push to monetise every moment of attention, and dismissed digital wellness apps as distractions in disguise. While app makers pushed back, experts and studies supported his argument that digital interruptions are taking a real toll on concentration, rest, and mental clarity.
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Chikungunya outbreak in China: Is this the dawn of a new medical era? Here's how China is fighting back with drones, AI, and lab-grown mosquitoes
Chikungunya outbreak in China: Is this the dawn of a new medical era? Here's how China is fighting back with drones, AI, and lab-grown mosquitoes

Time of India

time32 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Chikungunya outbreak in China: Is this the dawn of a new medical era? Here's how China is fighting back with drones, AI, and lab-grown mosquitoes

Thousands infected in Guangdong as chikungunya cases surge What is chikungunya virus and how it spreads? High fever Intense joint pain Headaches Rash Fatigue and muscle pain Live Events How is China using drones and AI to fight chikungunya? Widespread insecticide spraying Deployment of drones to identify mosquito breeding sites Introduction of biological agents like larvae-eating fish and lab-bred 'elephant' mosquitoes that eliminate dengue-carrying species Fines up to 10,000 yuan (approx. $1,375) for residents who fail to eliminate standing water Temporary electricity cut-offs for non-compliance What are lab-grown or engineered mosquitoes and why is China using them? Patients isolated despite chikungunya being non-contagious U.S. issues travel alert amid global chikungunya surge Is this China's model for the future of public health? Symptoms to watch and how to protect yourself Rest and fluids Pain relief (excluding aspirin early in infection due to bleeding risk) (excluding aspirin early in infection due to bleeding risk) Monitoring for chronic symptoms in vulnerable individuals Using mosquito repellent Wearing long sleeves and pants Staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms Avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours Are there vaccines for chikungunya? What should travelers know? Use mosquito repellents Wear long-sleeved clothing Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodations Avoid outdoor activities during early morning and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active Has the new age of medical science arrived? Key takeaways Topic Details Epicenter Foshan, Guangdong Province, China Cases Reported Over 7,000 confirmed infections (as of August 2025) Spread Mechanism Aedes mosquitoes; not human-to-human Major Symptoms Fever, rash, intense joint pain, headache, fatigue Control Measures Drones, spraying, fines, mosquito-eradication programs Travel Alert U.S. CDC issues Level 2 warning for travelers to affected areas Global Impact Over 240,000 global cases in 2025; nearly 90 deaths Vaccine Status Approved abroad but not yet available in China Prevention Repellents, protective clothing, indoor protection, mosquito control FAQs: (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel China is facing one of its worst-ever public health challenges as a chikungunya virus outbreak spreads rapidly across several provinces. But this time, the country is responding with futuristic tools—drones, artificial intelligence, and genetically engineered mosquitoes. Could this be the beginning of a new era in how the world fights infectious diseases?The current chikungunya outbreak has been concentrated in Foshan, a major city in Guangdong province, where over 7,000 people have fallen ill due to the virus. This marks the largest chikungunya outbreak ever recorded in mainland China, sparking concerns over mosquito control and public health especially alarming is that this is the first major wave of chikungunya infections in China, meaning the local population has no prior immunity—making the region especially vulnerable to a fast-moving aspread by, the same species responsible for dengue and Zika virus. While not usually fatal, the virus can cause, including:For some patients, especially the elderly or those with chronic health conditions, the joint pain can linger for months, making daily life difficult long after the fever has passed. The virus does not spread from person to person, but only through mosquito response to the outbreak, Chinese authorities have launched aggressive anti-mosquito campaigns, drawing lessons from their COVID-era public health playbook. Control measures include:These steps are part of a sweeping 'mosquito-free city' initiative in Foshan, intended to cut the chain of virus transmission before it spreads further across southern government is deployingto identify mosquito breeding grounds from above, especially in hard-to-reach urban corners, rooftops, and construction high-tech drones help health officials, pinpoint problem zones in real-time, and guide teams to eliminate the source of mosquito infestations much faster than traditional a prime example of howis moving beyond hospitals—straight into the heart of public health of the most surprising strategies is the release of bioengineered mosquitoes, including a species nicknamed the "elephant mosquito" (Toxorhynchites splendens). Unlike common mosquitoes, these lab-grown predators don't bite humans—instead, they feed on the larvae of other disease-spreading introducing them into high-risk environments, authorities aim to naturally control the Aedes mosquito population without chemicals or harmful is part of China's biological control approach, blending ecological science and technology to reduce virus transmission at its though chikungunya is not spread between humans, local health departments initially ordered home quarantine and hospitalization for those infected. Patients in Foshan were required to stay in hospitals for at least one week, though home isolation rules have since been precautions, while strict, reflect heightened public health vigilance following the country's recent experiences with COVID-19 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel alert for travelers heading to Guangdong and surrounding areas, advising visitors to take extra precautions due to the alert comes amid global chikungunya activity, with ongoing cases in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bolivia, and parts of Central and South America. According to the CDC, over 240,000 chikungunya cases have been recorded worldwide in 2025, resulting in nearly 90 world is watching as China turns this crisis into a real-time experiment in next-gen epidemic control. By combining data-driven drone surveillance, AI analysis, and biological innovation, China is essentially redefining how public health systems respond to fast-spreading successful, these methods may become a blueprint not just for chikungunya, but for future outbreaks of dengue, Zika, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases—especially in tropical and subtropical is currently no antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Most patients recover with:The best defense is. To avoid infection, health experts recommend:Globally, vaccines like IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA have been approved in the United States and European Union, but they're not yet available in China. These vaccines are considered safe for most adults but not yet recommended for older people due to limited safety U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong, urging travelers to take enhanced precautions. Other countries like Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Bolivia are also battling to China should:With a blend of technology, biology, and public health enforcement, China's response to the chikungunya outbreak might be one of the most futuristic health interventions we've seen in challenges remain—especially the lack of a widely available vaccine—this could mark the beginning of a new medical era where viruses are fought not just in hospitals, but from the skies and inside mosquito habitats this model works, it could rewrite the global playbook on how we battle infectious diseases in the 21st mosquito-borne illnesses on the rise, the chikungunya outbreak in China is a wake-up call for global preparedness. Whether you're traveling to Asia, living in a mosquito-prone area, or simply staying informed, understanding how to prevent and respond to these infections is now more crucial than is a mosquito-borne virus spread by Aedes mosquitoes, not between chikungunya vaccines aren't available in China yet.

Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead
Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead

Economic Times

time44 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead

Is Google's AI Overviews Causing a Drop in Website Traffic? News Outlets and Media Feel the Pressure From Google Search Changes Live Events Traffic Shifts: Who's Gaining and Who's Losing Valuable Clicks: Why AI Responses Still Drive Engagement AI Mode Launch: Changing How We Search FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Google is pushing back against recent reports that its AI-powered search features are hurting website traffic, as per a report. The tech giant published a blog post on Wednesday, which was written by VP and Head of Google Search, that said click volume across the platform has remained 'relatively stable' compared with the same time last year, though some types of websites are seeing gains while others are seeing comments come just weeks after asuggested that users are 'less likely' to click on links when presented with, known as, which appear at the top of search results, as reported by The Verge. Google disputes those findings, arguing that many third-party studies rely on 'flawed methodologies,' according to the READ: Candace Owens bets $300,000 Brigitte Macron is male — even lawsuit can't stop her claim The findings matter because changes to Google Search have already sent ripples through the, as per the Verge report. A Wall Street Journal report detailed how outlets like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seenfollowing the rise of AI features such aswhich has forced some media organisations to reduce staff, as per the report. Independent websites have also struggled to maintain visibility in search results due to Google's algorithms, according to The Verge READ: New driving rule could cost you big — what every American motorist must know before September 1 According to Reid, AI is changing how users search, but not necessarily reducing engagement, reported The Verge. She pointed out that there are 'decreased traffic to some sites and increased traffic to others,' while "websites with forums, videos, podcasts, and authentic voices benefitting the most," as per the per The Verge report, users are also more likely to visit websites that contain in-depth reviews, original posts, or thoughtful READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Reid highlighted that, 'We continue to send billions of clicks to websites every day and believe that Search's value exchange with the web remains strong,' as quoted in The Verge also noted that while some users might not click on citations in AI Overviews, those who do tend to spend more time on the site exploring a topic in depth, according to the report. She explained that, 'An AI response might provide the lay of the land, but people click to dive deeper and learn more, and when they do, these clicks are more valuable,' as quoted by The tech giant's comments come as Google rolled out AI Mode to all users in the United States, a feature that functions like a chatbot within search, according to the report. Despite concerns from digital publishers, Google is pressing ahead, testing new AI-curated search results pages that aim to reshape how people discover information online, as per The Verge Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results to provide quick media organizations like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen declines in traffic, partly due to AI-driven changes in search, as per The Verge report.

Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead
Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead

Google AI search impact on website traffic : Google is pushing back against recent reports that its AI-powered search features are hurting website traffic, as per a report. The tech giant published a blog post on Wednesday, which was written by VP and Head of Google Search Liz Reid , that said click volume across the platform has remained 'relatively stable' compared with the same time last year, though some types of websites are seeing gains while others are seeing declines. Is Google's AI Overviews Causing a Drop in Website Traffic? Reid's comments come just weeks after a Pew Research report suggested that users are 'less likely' to click on links when presented with Google's AI-generated summaries , known as AI Overviews , which appear at the top of search results, as reported by The Verge. Google disputes those findings, arguing that many third-party studies rely on 'flawed methodologies,' according to the report. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program ALSO READ: Candace Owens bets $300,000 Brigitte Macron is male — even lawsuit can't stop her claim by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo News Outlets and Media Feel the Pressure From Google Search Changes The findings matter because changes to Google Search have already sent ripples through the digital media industry , as per the Verge report. A Wall Street Journal report detailed how outlets like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen traffic declines following the rise of AI features such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, which has forced some media organisations to reduce staff, as per the report. Independent websites have also struggled to maintain visibility in search results due to Google's algorithms, according to The Verge report. ALSO READ: New driving rule could cost you big — what every American motorist must know before September 1 Live Events Traffic Shifts: Who's Gaining and Who's Losing According to Reid, AI is changing how users search, but not necessarily reducing engagement, reported The Verge. She pointed out that there are 'decreased traffic to some sites and increased traffic to others,' while "websites with forums, videos, podcasts, and authentic voices benefitting the most," as per the report. As per The Verge report, users are also more likely to visit websites that contain in-depth reviews, original posts, or thoughtful analyses. ALSO READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Valuable Clicks: Why AI Responses Still Drive Engagement Reid highlighted that, 'We continue to send billions of clicks to websites every day and believe that Search's value exchange with the web remains strong,' as quoted in The Verge report. Reid also noted that while some users might not click on citations in AI Overviews, those who do tend to spend more time on the site exploring a topic in depth, according to the report. She explained that, 'An AI response might provide the lay of the land, but people click to dive deeper and learn more, and when they do, these clicks are more valuable,' as quoted by The Verge. AI Mode Launch: Changing How We Search The tech giant's comments come as Google rolled out AI Mode to all users in the United States, a feature that functions like a chatbot within search, according to the report. Despite concerns from digital publishers, Google is pressing ahead, testing new AI-curated search results pages that aim to reshape how people discover information online, as per The Verge report. FAQs What are AI Overviews in Google? AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results to provide quick insights. How has AI affected news outlets? Some media organizations like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen declines in traffic, partly due to AI-driven changes in search, as per The Verge report.

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