Latest news with #Holst
Chicago Tribune
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Libertyville's Chase Lockwood is reminded he can ‘come through' at bat. Then he realizes he'll pitch at state.
Junior right-hander Chase Lockwood's pitching has been instrumental in Libertyville winning a program-record 34 games this season. Not always as effective in the batter's box, Lockwood rose to the occasion during the Class 4A Schaumburg Supersectional at Wintrust Field on Monday night. 'I haven't had my strongest year at the plate, but being able to come up in that big spot for my guys is all that matters,' he said. 'All year, I feel like I've been trying to do a little too much, which has hurt me, and in that moment I was able to stay within myself and come through. 'It was an awesome feeling, and it helped with the momentum shift in the game.' Indeed, Lockwood's two-run double was part of a five-run third inning that erased Maine South's early lead. He went 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBIs as Libertyville rolled to a 13-4 victory. With the win, the Wildcats (34-4) earned their first berth in the state semifinals since they finished second in 4A in 2013, which caused a wild celebration on the field. It was around that time when Lockwood realized he will get the start against Normal Community (36-4) at Slammers Stadium in Joliet at 4 p.m. Friday. 'It came into my mind right after the dogpile,' Lockwood said. 'I'll focus on just doing my thing. I know that if I do me on the mound and keep doing what I've been doing all year, we'll be in a good spot to win.' That has been the case for the Wildcats all season. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Lockwood is 8-0 with a 0.95 in 51 2/3 innings. At the plate, he's batting .264 with nine doubles, a triple, a home run and 23 RBIs. His double against Maine South came only hours after he requested an extra round of batting practice. 'Having him go helped a lot and inspired everybody else to hit too,' Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. 'He maybe hasn't hit as well as he planned or we thought he might, but we keep emphasizing with him, 'You've got a great swing, and you're a good hitter.' That's all I keep telling him, to trust himself, and obviously he did that tonight because that was a big hit.' As Lockwood's big hit awoke the Wildcats' bats, Joshua Holst found his rhythm on the mound. The senior left-hander didn't retire any of the first five batters, who reached base on three walks and two infield singles as Maine South (23-17) took a 2-0 lead. But Holst cruised through the next three innings and didn't issue another walk in a complete game. 'I definitely felt the nerves because I've never pitched in a game like this in front of this many people,' he said. 'I knew I just needed to take some deep breaths. I knew I could outmatch them with my stuff and that if I got out of that inning with less than three runs that we were going to come back and win it.' Holst helped himself at the plate with three hits and two RBIs. After the supersectional, perhaps Lockwood can do the same thing Friday. There's no doubt he'll be ready to pitch. 'I like to attack, get that first-pitch strike,' he said. 'I have confidence in every pitch I throw and can throw any pitch at any count. I've got a great catcher and a great defense backing me up. I just want to keep finding weak contact.' Lockwood is aware of the stakes. Libertyville has played in two state championship games but hasn't won one. 'The job's not finished,' he said. 'We have to go out and win this thing. It's special to be a part of it, and I can't wait to go out there and compete.'
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Brutal rental market' sees spike in number of Victorian tenants evicted because they can't make payments
The number of Victorian renters receiving eviction notices because they have not paid the rent is five times higher than in 2021, a report has found, underscoring tenants' increasing struggles to keep up with the cost of living. The report from the state's commissioner for residential tenancies, released on Tuesday, also found that 58% of rental households had received a rent increase in the 12 months to September 2023, up from 29.8% in the previous 12 months. The findings led Tenants Victoria to call for a 'rental fairness formula' to curtail excessive rises in rents, and for more support for renters facing 'brutal rental market conditions'. Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Commissioner Heather Holst's report used data from the census, government and welfare agencies, and community legal services including Tenants Victoria, to identify continuing and worsening trends in the state's rental market. Significantly more renters were receiving notices to vacate than in 2021, with an average of nearly 2,000 notices to vacate issued every week in the 2023-2024 financial year. Nonpayment of rent made up 95% of at-fault notices – with a fivefold increase in notices issued for this reason – while the landlord selling was the primary reason for more than half of the no-fault notices. Affordability is at its lowest point in more than decade, having consistently declined in metropolitan and regional areas over the past two years, the report found. Almost all rentals remained unaffordable for jobseekers and others on government support payments. The market had also tightened over the past couple of years, with a 2% vacancy rate in greater Melbourne – a rate comparable to five years ago – after spiking at more than 6% in the metropolitan areas during the pandemic, the report showed. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion While the Victorian government passed laws in 2020 prohibiting landlords from refusing renters' requests to keep a pet, the Lost Dog's Home reported the second most common reason for pets being surrendered was due to landlord restrictions, and that this had increased 47% since 2021. While there was no data on renter pet ownership available, the commissioner's report said, many renters felt having a pet reduced their chances of securing a rental property. Historically low vacancy rates and rapidly escalating rents were a continuing issue for renters in the private market, and consequently there were 'consistent reports' of substandard properties for rent. Holst said she was 'heartened', however, by the Victorian government's recent establishment of a rental taskforce to investigate substandard dwellings. Jennifer Beveridge, chief executive of Tenants Victoria, said demand for advocacy and advice from services such as theirs had increased but funding constraints meant they could only answer one in five calls for help. 'Renters are really feeling the financial strain. They tell us about the dreadful choices that they have to make: going without food, without heating, kids' supplies, haircuts, and shoes. The constant need to make these choices makes it tough,' Beveridge said. The Victorian government had 'done a lot to improve renting in Victoria' but 'much more attention is needed to address the worst housing crisis in living memory', Beveridge said. 'It's clear that we need a rental fairness formula to guide the setting of reasonable rent increases. We don't want to ever again see the runaway rent increases of the past few years.' The Victorian government was contacted for comment.
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Forbes
The World's 50 Best Beaches For 2025, According To A New Report
Walking on Fteri Beach on the island of Kefalonia in Greece. Looking for the best beaches to visit in 2025? The hotly anticipated World's 50 Best Beaches has just announced its annual list—and the results will spark serious wanderlust. Unlike many other crowd-sourced rankings, this list is determined by votes from more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers who know the world's coastlines best. Beaches were evaluated across eight criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, calm conditions, lack of overcrowding and consistency of idyllic settings. 'When searching for the best beaches in the world, we always have to consider what actually makes a beach great,' Tine Holst, cofounder of The World's 50 Best Beaches, told me in an interview. 'For our ambassadors, judges and the Beaches team, the answer often comes down to natural beauty, a sense of tranquility and places that spark an almost emotional response. ' Topping the 2025 list is Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia, Italy, a stunning stretch of coastline framed by soaring limestone cliffs. 'Cala Goloritzé feels like more than just a beach—its raw beauty has a way of touching you emotionally the moment you lay eyes on it,' wrote the editors of the report. Cala Goloritzé is perfectly preserved—it was named a natural monument in the 1990s, and it's not easy to reach. You have to hike here (a limited number of tickets are sold each day) or arrive by swimming from a boat moored 656 feet away. 'Our winner this year, Cala Goloritzé, stands out because important steps have been taken to limit daily visitors, and there is a clear sense of local pride in protecting its natural beauty,' says Holst. In fact, environmental conservation was a major factor in creating the report. 'With global tourism at an all-time high, it's also clear that beaches where meaningful steps have been taken to preserve the environment tend to stand out,' says Holst. 'Efforts to avoid overcrowding and over-commercialization truly make a difference, and that's reflected in how our community votes.' Cala Gabbiani beach in Sardinia, Italy—the world's best beach for 2025. In second place is Entalula Beach, a secret slice of paradise in the Palawan region of the Philippines that's accessible only by boat. 'This beach is less frequented than others in the area, offering visitors a chance to escape the usual tourist spots and truly immerse themselves in nature,' wrote the editors. Coming in at number three: Bang Bao Beach on Thailand's Koh Kood island, which feels worlds away from the country's other bustling islands. Adding to its charm is a nearby fishing village where visitors can stroll along a wooden pier and dine on fresh-caught seafood. 'Bang Bao Beach has all the elements of a perfect Thai beach, framed by lush jungle and very clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming,' noted the report. Greece's Fteri Beach—a secluded cove on the island of Kefalonia—takes the number four slot. It's accessible only by boat or a steep hike. Crystal clear lagoon waters on the atoll of Fakarava, French Polynesia. PK9 Beach—an untouched paradise within the UNESCO-protected Fakarava atoll in French Polynesia—rounds out the top five. It's known for its 'simple, serene beach perfection' and coral reefs loaded with tropical fish. Only one U.S. beach made the 50 best list this year: Siesta Beach on Siesta Key in the Florida Keys, which ranked at number 42. The editors called out its family-friendly vibe, lack of large-scale development and powdery sand. Made up of 99% pure quartz, the sand stays cool even in the summer heat. 'Often dubbed the 'world's finest, whitest sand,' Siesta Beach is a standout thanks to its gentle slope, calm waters and pristine surroundings,' wrote the editors. Siesta Key, Florida—the best beach in the U.S. Some beaches stood out not just for beauty, but for their sheer uniqueness. At number 13 is Pink Beach in Indonesia's Komodo National Park, where the sand takes on a striking blush color thanks to crushed red coral mixing with the white grains. The Caribbean region had a strong showing this year, with nearly a dozen beaches across the area making the list. Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic ranked as the top beach in the region—and number six overall. The authors of the report called this beach set on Saona island 'one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets.' Meanwhile, perennial favorite Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos claimed the number 10 spot. 'It remains a textbook example of Caribbean beauty,' the report noted. Stretching for miles along the coast of Providenciales, the beach has soft, powdery white sand and vivid turquoise waters, protected by a coral reef about a mile offshore. The countries with the most beaches on the list this year were Greece and Australia, with three beaches each. Several new destinations broke onto the list this year, including Madagascar, Yemen, Antigua & Barbuda, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Tanzania, France, Ireland and the Maldives, as well as overseas territories American Samoa, the British Virgin Islands and Bonaire. 'We're incredibly excited to have so many new and truly unique destinations featured on this year's list. This is the highest number of new countries we have included in a release so far,' says Holst. Holst says there were some surprises, too. 'We are surprised with how many unique and lesser-known beaches beat out some beaches which have been included regularly on our lists in the past—like Tulum in the Riviera Maya, Iceland''s beaches, as well as Hawaii not having a beach included this year,' she says. And if you want to see the best of all time, you can check out the hall of fame with winners from past lists, including Trunk Bay in St. John (USVI), Cala Mariolu in Italy, Lucky Bay in Australia, Navagio Beach in Greece, Whitehaven Beach in Australia, Maya Bay in Thailand, Hidden Beach in the Philippines and Honolu Beach in Hawaii. Read on for the full list—and pack your swimsuit. A new report ranks the best beaches in the world for 2025. Pictured here: Koh Kood in Thailand.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Bites on gladiator bones first evidence of combat with lion
Bite marks found on the skeleton of a Roman gladiator are the first archaeological evidence of combat between a human and a lion, experts remains were discovered during a 2004 dig at Driffield Terrace, in York, a site now thought to be the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator examination of the skeleton of one young man has revealed that holes and bite marks on his pelvis were most likely caused by a Tim Thompson, the forensic expert who led the study, said this was the first "physical evidence" of gladiators fighting big cats. "For years our understanding of Roman gladiatorial combat and animal spectacles has relied heavily on historical texts and artistic depictions," he said."This discovery provides the first direct, physical evidence that such events took place in this period, reshaping our perception of Roman entertainment culture in the region." Experts used new forensic techniques to analyse the wounds, including 3D scans which showed the animal had grabbed the man by the Thompson, from Maynooth University, in Ireland, said: "We could tell that the bites happened at around the time of death."So this wasn't an animal scavenging after the individual died - it was associated with his death."As well as scanning the wound, scientists compared its size and shape to sample bites from large cats at London Zoo. "The bite marks in this particular individual match those of a lion," Prof Thompson told BBC News. The location of the bites gave researchers with even more information about the circumstances of the gladiator's pelvis, Prof Thompson explained, "is not where lions normally attack, so we think this gladiator was fighting in some sort of spectacle and was incapacitated, and that the lion bit him and dragged him away by his hip." The skeleton, a male aged between 26 and 35, had been buried in a grave with two others and overlaid with horse analysis of the bones pointed to him being a Bestiarius - a gladiator that was sent into combat with Holst, a Senior Lecturer in Osteoarchaeology at the University of York, said in 30 years of analysing skeletons she had "never seen anything like these bite marks".Additionally, she said the man's remains revealed the story of a "short and somewhat brutal life". His bones were shaped by large, powerful muscles and there was evidence of injuries to his shoulder and spine, which were associated with hard physical work and Holst, who is also managing director of York Osteoarchaeology, added: "This is a hugely exciting find because we can now start to build a better image of what these gladiators were like in life." The findings, which have been published in the Journal of Science and Medical Research PLoS One, also confirmed the "presence of large cats and potentially other exotic animals in arenas in cities such as York, and how they too had to defend themselves from the threat of death", she said. Experts said the discovery added weight to the suggestion an amphitheatre, although not yet found, likely existed in Roman York and would have staged fighting gladiators as a form of entertainment. The presence of distinguished Roman leaders in York would have meant they required a lavish lifestyle, experts said, so it was no surprise to see evidence of gladiatorial events, which served as a display of wealth. David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeology, said: "We may never know what brought this man to the arena where we believe he may have been fighting for the entertainment of others, but it is remarkable that the first osteoarchaeological evidence for this kind of gladiatorial combat has been found so far from the Colosseum of Rome, which would have been the classical world's Wembley Stadium of combat."
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
$3 million prize goes to developers of Ozempic-style drugs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Five scientists who helped develop Ozempic-style drugs have been awarded a $3 million prize nicknamed the "Oscars of Science." The Breakthrough Prizes are annual awards that aim to recognize "the world's top scientists working in the fundamental sciences," according to the official website for the prizes. Six awards are given, in total, covering accomplishments in fundamental physics, mathematics and the life sciences. This year, Dr. Jens Holst, Dr. Daniel Drucker, Dr. Joel Habener, Lotte Knudsen and Svetiana Mojsov have been announced as joint winners of one of three Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences for 2025. "When something [like this award] drops in completely unexpected, that's nice, that's wonderful," Holst, a professor of medical physiology at the University of Copenhagen, told Live Science. Related: Scientists behind tech in mRNA vaccines snag 2nd prestigious prize — is a Nobel next? Holst and his colleagues received one of the life-science awards this year "for the discovery and characterization of glucagon-like peptide 1 and revealing its physiology and potential in treating diabetes and obesity," read an official statement. Glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, is a hormone that the gut secretes after eating. The hormone stimulates the release of insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels, and it also slows down digestion, making people feel full. It's a key player in how the brain regulates appetite. Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are examples of "GLP-1 receptor agonists" — they mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone in the body to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively. These drugs have garnered significant popularity over the past decade, and they are now being investigated as potential treatments for many other health conditions, ranging from substance-use disorders to Alzheimer's disease. In 2024, Wegovy also got regulatory approval in the United States to treat heart disease, although questions remain regarding how it actually treats the condition. However, despite their success, GLP-1 receptor agonists have also faced considerable scrutiny. For instance, there have been reports of some patients experiencing nasty side effects, such as persistent vomiting and stomach paralysis. Additionally, a large study published in 2025 revealed that these drugs may reduce the risk of developing 42 health conditions but may increase the chances of experiencing 19 others, including abdominal pain, low blood pressure and arthritis. This study was correlational, so it's unknown if GLP-1 agonists are actually driving these conditions, but it still raises questions about the drugs' long-term effects. Even with these concerns, though, many believe these drugs have revolutionized the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders. In the U.S., 1 in 8 adults have reported using a GLP-1 drug at some point in their lives. Holst and colleagues originally discovered the GLP-1 hormone back in the 1980s. Piece by piece, they gathered data showing that the hormone stimulated insulin secretion, and that it inhibited food intake and the emptying of the stomach after a meal, Holst said. Over the years, the researchers further examined these physiological effects within the context of diabetes and obesity, which eventually led to the development of the widely used drugs that are household names today. There is likely a huge interest around these drugs because they offer an alternative, and very effective, route to weight loss for people with obesity who might not have found success with other interventions, Holst said. However, as a doctor, he is more interested in their ability to treat the knock-on health concerns tied to obesity, such as certain cancers and atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary artery disease, he added. "What we know is that obesity is associated with a hell of [a lot of] complications," he said. "The important thing is that with these compounds, you can prevent that." Holst and colleagues are now investigating how the body regulates its own GLP-1 hormone levels and whether this process can be manipulated. For instance, they want to see whether patients with obesity or diabetes could be given a drug that increases the secretion of their own GLP-1 hormone, rather than being given a drug that just mimics the action of GLP-1, Holst said. RELATED STORIES —4 biologists awarded Germany's most prestigious scientific award, worth 2.5 million euros —2 scientists win $3 million 'Breakthrough Prize' for mRNA tech behind COVID-19 vaccines —2 scientists snag Nobel in medicine for discovering 'microRNAs' In addition to the prize awarded to GLP-1's developers, the other two life sciences awards this year went to Dr. Stephen Hauser and Dr. Alberto Ascherio, for their work on multiple sclerosis, and David Liu for developing two common gene editing technologies known as "base editing" and "prime editing." This year's winners will receive their awards at a ceremony in Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.
