Latest news with #Czech-born
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Blast from the past: Boks beat Canada in WC group match, huge scuffle steals the show
1951 — Eric Sturgess, who had rallied from 1-4 down in the fifth and final set to win his semifinal against Australian Ken McGregor, goes down to his Czech-born doubles partner Jaroslav Drobny of Egypt 3-6 3-6 3-6 in the final of the French championships in Paris. Drobny, who won an Olympic ice hockey silver playing for Czechoslovakia in 1948, retained the French championship the following year and went on to win a Wimbledon title, the only man with African citizenship to do so. For Sturgess, 31 at the time, it was his last singles final in a grand slam, having lost in Paris in 1947 and at the US Open in 1948. Sturgess, an accountant, was a Spitfire pilot in World War 2 and was captured after bailing out during a sortie. He spent the last seven months of the war in the Stalag Luft III camp made famous by the Steve McQueen movie The Great Escape...
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
New creative hub to be a lifeline for Wexford arts community – ‘It's about creating a welcoming space for everyone'
Set up by Czech-born artist and photographer Kristyna Simkova, Y21 Studios is a privately managed space designed to inspire creativity, connection, and integration in the local community. The studio offers a dedicated hire space for art classes, workshops, creative meet-ups, and children's parties, and is open to artists, educators, and community groups of all backgrounds. Joining Kristyna is Conor Gibson, a rising star of the Irish street art scene, who brings a wealth of experience working with local groups, young people, and fellow creatives. His involvement marks an exciting chapter in Enniscorthy's growing arts culture. Y21 Studios also houses its own 'Body & Soul' Studios — a welcoming space for pilates, yoga, and meditation classes, promoting balance, well-being, and positive mental health. The studio is based at Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, beside the IFA Centre. In addition, the newly relocated Creative Grounds Café & Farm Shop will be based at Y21 Studios, serving up Wexford roasted coffee, handmade treats, and local produce, along with the live music and food events that have made the café a much-loved part of Enniscorthy's cultural life. Kristyna explained that they hoped that the hub will provide a safe and inspiring place for generations of artists to come. 'Y21 Studios is about more than just art — it's about building community, encouraging creativity, and creating a welcoming space for everyone, no matter where they're from. We believe integration happens naturally when people come together through shared experiences, and that's what this space is all about.' Y21 Studios will be open year-round for classes, private hires, events, and community-led programming. The official grand opening will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 12 p.m. and the public is warmly invited to attend.
Boston Globe
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bruins vs. Blackhawks preview: Little on the line as the season winds down
'I think it was one of our better games in a long time,' Bruins coach Joe Sacco said. The Bruins have won two of their last three games after dropping 10 in a row, and David Pastrnak has been impressive during that time. Pastrnak scored or assisted on 13 Boston goals in a row through the first period Tuesday. Advertisement Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov is uncertain to play Thursday as he missed Wednesday's practice due to a family matter. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Here's your preview. When: Thursday, 7 p.m. Where: TD Garden, Boston TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5 Line: Boston -185. O/U: 5.5. BLACKHAWKS Season record: 22-46-10. vs. spread: 39-38 (1 game with no line). Over/under: 37-31, 9 pushes (1 game with no over/under) Last 10 games: 2-7-1. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 5-5 BRUINS Season record: 32-38-9. vs. spread: 35-44. Over/under: 40-38, 1 push Last 10 games: 2-8-0. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 7-3 TEAM STATISTICS Goals scored: Chicago 208, Boston 212 Goals allowed: Chicago 280, Boston 260 Power play: Chicago 24.0%, Boston 15.3% Penalty minutes: Chicago 677, Boston 783 Penalty kill: Chicago 80.0%, Boston 76.9% Faceoffs won: Chicago 44.9%, Boston 51.6% Advertisement Stat of the day: Pastrnak became the first Czech-born player in NHL history to post three consecutive 100-point seasons. Notes: Massachusetts native Michael Callahan scored his first NHL goal, and 2021 first-round draft pick Fabian Lysell his first point in Boston's win over New Jersey. ... Chicago (22-46-10, 54 points) looks to recover from a 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins — only its second shutout defeat of the season but its 13th loss in 15 games (2-11-2). ... The Blackhawks' long-lasting struggles have included seven consecutive road losses. Thursday will mark their first action since holding a team meeting following the loss to Pittsburgh. ... 'Sometimes it's good to blow off some steam and not sit on it for days, so (we talked about) just how bad we played,' Chicago alternate captain Connor Murphy said. 'It's good to hear guys talk and be a part of a locker room at any stage.' ... In large part due to defensive-zone turnovers, Chicago's loss was a long way off from a 3-1 home victory over the Penguins just two days earlier. That difference and lack of effort, interim coach Anders Sorenson said, was 'mind-boggling.' ... 'I don't think they let me down,' Sorensen said. 'They let themselves and their teammates down, right? ... We're a group here. It's not me or them.' Aiden Barker can be reached at
Associated Press
01-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Discovering a Breakthrough: Gilead's Long-Standing Commitment to Helping Change the Course of HIV
In 2006, Tomas Cihlar knew all too well that despite initial successes with combination treatment, HIV was firmly holding ground around the globe and existing therapies were limited. He was 12 years into his virology research career at Gilead and the first daily single tablet regimen for HIV treatment was still awaiting approval. Treatment options for people living with HIV at the time were a raft of daily medications that often carried intolerable side-effects, or the virus became resistant to the medications. 'That's what kept the research team at Gilead awake and stirred our urgent imperative to create something different,' recalls Tomas, now Senior Vice President, Research Virology. Ten arduous years later, the researchers made significant progress toward their goal by creating a molecule that has the potential to help revolutionize the fight against HIV. 'In the beginning, if somebody told me that we'd end up where we are now, I would say, 'You're a dreamer,'' Tomas says, smiling. 'What we ended up discovering was completely novel.' At the time, most existing HIV drugs worked by interfering with the viral enzymes that HIV uses to multiply and spread throughout the body. But Tomas envisioned a different solution – one that disrupted the viral capsid, the cone-shaped protein structure that holds the genes essential for viral reproduction. Most scientists thought the capsid was too difficult to target, but the Czech-born biochemist was convinced otherwise. 'The capsid protects the genetic material of the virus. If you can interfere with that, you could potentially stop the virus,' he explains. So the team began screening hundreds of thousands of compounds, looking for one that could disrupt the capsid's function. But the ones they initially found were too weak to be effective as future drugs. By 2009, the researchers almost reached a dead end when they couldn't seem to find a solution. But then a poster at a medical conference in January 2010 caught Tomas' eye and provided an 'aha moment' and some new inspiration. 'That breathed new life into the research project and gave us new direction,' he says. In the six years that followed, Gilead scientists synthesized and tested over 4,000 molecules which led to the discovery of a novel molecule that proved to be remarkably potent at extremely low concentrations. The new molecule, when injected into the human body, was found to be very stable and retained its viral-fighting properties for several months without degrading. 'The Gilead story is a classic tale of innovation, collaboration, resilience and determination and this was definitely a breakthrough point,' Tomas acknowledges. Fittingly, Breakthrough, The Quest for Life-Changing Medicines is the name of a newly released book about innovation in drug discovery that examines eight medications that have had a significant impact on patients around the world. Written by physician-scientist and biopharmaceutical executive Dr. William Pao, the book devotes a chapter to Gilead's new HIV medicine, while detailing the improbable journey and numerous obstacles that stood in the way of Gilead scientists. 'There have been a number of medicines for HIV, but this is really transformative,' William says. 'It's a completely different way of thinking about the virus and attacking it. Its discovery also required embracing serendipity, that is, making an insoluble molecule with a long half-life into a subcutaneous medicine.' As Pao notes throughout his book, the process of drug discovery and development involves many people and many trials. 'Every project in drug development has its ups and downs. Teams persist with resilience and determination not for their own glory, but for the benefits of patients,' he says. And this Gilead story is no exception. 'The sheer determination of hundreds of people not only in Gilead research and development, but also external partners and all the participants in clinical trials, contributed to the outcome,' says Tomas. 'This is a story that really shows people how things can turn out when we set our mind to an ambitious goal and work together to achieve it.' Results of recent clinical trials show that the drug has the potential to prevent HIV transmission altogether. The company has devised a global access strategy for its supply in low- and middle-income countries if it obtains regulatory approval.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Supermodel Paulina Porizkova, 59 says sex 'can get better with age' — expert tips to improve sex after menopause
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Paulina Porizkova is committed to challenging misconceptions about sexuality after menopause. Last summer, the 59-year-old supermodel took to Instagram to share an intimate photo captured by her partner, screenwriter Jeff Greenstein, with an empowering message to women embrace pleasure in their menopausal and post-menopausal years. 'Menopausal women and sex is still a taboo,' Porizkova said. The Czech-born model said that once women 'can no longer procreate' they are sentenced to become 'pillow shaped baking and knitting automatons' who no longer feel or express sexual desire. Porizkova, who has two sons from her previous marriage to The Cars singer Ric Ocasek, said the 'least sexy' she's ever felt was when she was a young mother because her body felt as though it didn't belong to her. 'Second runner up was being with men I thought I loved, who entertained themselves with finding my flaws,' she wrote. The model and unapologetic champion for women told followers that she has a 'newly acquired knowledge that sex can get better with age.' The model compared satisfying physical desires to 'a twelve course dinner with flavours you have never tried, and combinations that blow your mind.' Porizkova continued, 'Knowing what to order is a part of being older. As is the willingness to try something new, and not feeling obliged to finish if you don't like it. And taking your time with pleasure. It's there for YOU, rather than the other way around. And no, you don't need a steady partner, just a desire to explore.' Women's sexual health is a topic that's often shrouded in secrecy —especially when it comes to menopause. Feb. 10-16 is Sexual Health Week, which helps promote public conversations around sexual wellness. Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, a family physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, is determined to change the narrative surrounding menopause by raising awareness about the sexual changes they may experience and providing expert advice on how to navigate it with confidence. "As individuals transition through perimenopause into menopause, they experience just a myriad of changes that can significantly impact their sexual function that really, is multifactorial," Wijayasinghe said in a previous interview with Yahoo Canada. Wijayasinghe explained that these changes are rooted in hormonal fluctuations, primarily involving estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. While loss of libido and vaginal dryness are two primary issues that impact women's sexual health during menopause, they're also two of the most challenging things to address with a healthcare professional due to stigma. "It's not something that patients will necessarily bring up as a first comment. But I'll notice it when I'm about to prepare to do a pap test," Wijayasinghe said, adding that vaginal dryness is one of the "key symptoms" she manages at her primary care office. Vaginal dryness is one of the vaginal health symptoms included in genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), an umbrella term that can also include burning and stinging (dysuria), frequent urge to urinate reccurring urinary tract infections. Some people actually notice when they transition through to menopause, an increase in Sheila Wijayasinghe Wijayasinghe explained how vaginal dryness can "make sexual activity uncomfortable and painful" and can not only impact someone's quality of life, but also the quality of relationships. In terms of libido, she says that while many people might notice a decrease in libido due to lower levels of estrogen and testosterone, others may experience the opposite; a sexual awakening. "Some people actually notice when they transition through to menopause, an increase in libido and increase in arousal because they actually feel more confident in themselves, they are free from periods, they're not worried about getting pregnant," Wijayasinghe said. Wijayasinghe said "communication is lubrication" when it comes to sexual health. Acknowledging that there are changes happening and then communicating them with your partner can "foster intimacy and lead to a better understanding of each other's needs." Candid communication with your healthcare provider is also important in finding the best course of action in treating menopausal symptoms. "It can be really scary to discuss this, but there are solutions that are available that can help improve your overall well being, your quality of life, and your sexual health," Wijayasinghe said. Wijayasinghe said lifestyle factors can also have an impact on sexual health during menopause, and urged women to add exploring new forms of intimacy to the list of ways they practice self-care. "...Exercise, proper sleep, mindfulness, relaxation techniques can all help manage stress, improve our mood, improve our self-esteem, our physical health and enhance sexual well-being," she said. "Perhaps considering exploring new avenues of intimacy, where you have a little bit of fun with it, experiment with different ways to connect sexually and emotionally." When treating GSM, Wijayasinghe outlined several treatment strategies, beginning with the simplest: Lubrication. For more targeted treatment, Wijayasinghe recommended over-the-counter water-based lubricant. "Water-based lubrications are compatible with condoms a little bit more, and they lack irritants," she noted. An alternative to drugstore lubricants are vaginal moisturizes, specifically ones that contain hyaluronic acid. "You can use every couple of days, every two to three days, which can also improve vaginal moisture and elasticity," she advised. One of the "mainstay" treatment options for, Wijayasinghe put her stamp of approval on for vaginal dryness is topical estrogen therapy. "This is a form of menopause hormonal therapy — local estrogen therapy for the vagina," she said. "The treatment is delivered directly to the vagina in the form of creams, rings, or tablets that is very effective. "It helps to replenish estrogen levels locally, it feeds the vaginal tissue, and improves vaginal health." Other treatment options include systemic menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT), which is available in the form of a patch or oral mediation and can alleviate hot flashes, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. Wijayasinghe said it can also help with vaginal elasticity and lubrication, to make sexual activity more "comfortable and enjoyable." "It does carry risks, including a slightly increased risk of breast cancer and stroke,"Wijayasinghe cautioned. "Systemic hormonal therapy is really made on an individual basis, considering your personal health history and the severity of your symptoms." Many individuals may need to combine MHT with topical estrogen therapy to see the best results. In addition to medications and MHT, Wijayasinghe suggested visiting a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic health. "Even investing in one or two sessions can be very helpful," she said. "Pelvic floor physios are a wealth of knowledge around the pelvic floor and pelvic floor dysfunction, and they can provide exercises and techniques to relax and strengthen pelvic floor muscles that can help reduce pain." Sex therapy or counselling may be helpful for those who are being psychologically impacted by their physical changes. "If sex hurts, it can be really something that can continue in a cycle and make it difficult to engage because your body's expecting it to get hurt," she said, adding that speaking with a counsellor or therapist can help manage anxiety.
