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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares 6 eye care tips to protect your vision during latest COVID-19 surge: ‘Avoid unnecessary touching'
India is witnessing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, with over 1,009 active infections reported across the country and states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi seeing a sharp uptick, including cases linked to the emerging NB.1.8.1 variant. As the virus stages a quiet comeback, new scientific evidence sheds light on a lesser-known but serious consequence: its impact on eye health. A groundbreaking study by Northwestern Medicine, published in the Journal of Imaging, has found that individuals with long COVID show a marked decrease in the density of blood vessels at the back of the eye, a potential warning sign of lasting visual damage. (Also read: Dentist reveals 5 most common brushing mistakes that could be ruining your oral health: 'Don't forget your tongue' ) As COVID resurfaces, Dr. Jay Goyal, an Eye Surgeon and Director at Surya Eye Hospital, Mumbai, shared with HT Lifestyle how the virus affects our eyes and what steps we can take to protect our vision during an outbreak. Ocular tissues can serve as a reservoir for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which can not only cause conjunctivitis but also serve as a source of infection transmission to others. Additionally, the eye and its tear drainage apparatus can track the SARS-CoV-2 from the eye into the respiratory tract of the patient. The potential ocular presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in the eye of a patient can target ACE2 receptors in the endothelium of the conjunctival vessels and use the lacrimal sac as a potential space to evade immune detection and clinical isolation. A literature search in this area gave preliminary evidence for ACE2 expression in corneal and conjunctival cells. Still, most of the other receptors to which coronaviruses bind appear to be found under the epithelia of the ocular surface. Evidence from animal studies is limited, with a single study suggesting viral particles on the eye can travel to the lung, resulting in a very mild infection. Coronavirus infection is rarely associated with conjunctivitis, with occasional cases reported in patients with confirmed Covid-19, along with isolated cases of conjunctivitis as a presenting sign. Ultimately, self-limiting conjunctivitis and conjunctival hyperemia are the most frequently reported ocular findings; several rarer entities may warrant targeted topical therapies. Despite the overall low risk of ocular transmission, eye protection is advisable in high-risk scenarios. Dr. Jay further shared some tips to protect eyes from the latest outbreak of the COVID-19 virus: 1. Practice frequent handwashing 2. Avoid unnecessary touching of the eyes while in a public place 3. If you are a working professional, screen time-related dry eye syndrome can be an aggravating factor. Make sure to take frequent screen breaks 4. If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, consult your ophthalmologist at the earliest. 5. Flu-like illness, redness, eye discharge, and eye pain could be signs of COVID, which should not be overlooked or treated with over-the-counter medications. Seek your doctor's opinion on the best treatment approach for you. 6. Wear masks covering the nose and mouth in overcrowded and confined spaces, especially for elderly citizens or individuals with a history of kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory and other chronic diseases. "As COVID-19 cases once again begin to climb, the spotlight must expand beyond respiratory symptoms to include its hidden effects, especially on eye health. From conjunctivitis and dry eyes to potentially long-term damage to retinal blood vessels, the virus can silently affect vision in both the short and long term," says Dr Goyal. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
Weekly horoscope: May 25, 2025- May 31, 2025: Astrological prediction for all sun signs
Lifestyle Desk ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Plans previously delayed due to work or public issues can now resume slowly. Full clarity may come next month, so proceed patiently and stay focused on your responsibilities. Source: Canva
The Mainichi
19-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Why is Japan's earthquake alert chime scary? Composer shares sound's science
TOKYO -- When an earthquake measuring a lower 5 or stronger on the 7-point Japanese seismic intensity scale is predicted, public broadcaster NHK airs an emergency earthquake alert chime on TV and radio, known for its distinctive melody. Even in noisy environments, this sound is clear and can evoke a sense of fear. But why is that? The chime was created by Tohru Ifukube, 79, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo who specializes in welfare engineering. He is also the nephew of the late Akira Ifukube, renowned for composing the main theme of the movie "Godzilla." According to Ifukube, the alert chime uses a melody where the pitch changes rapidly in a short period. Sound travels as vibrations, which are converted into electrical signals in the inner ear and sent to the brain. This process allows the brain to extract changes in sound, making the chime easy to hear even amid background noise or when hearing ability is diminished. Such sounds with rapid frequency modulation are known as "FM sounds," and natural examples include babies' cries and the calls female monkeys use to attract males. "Among mammals, FM sounds act as stimuli to signal danger," Ifukube explains. NHK commissioned Ifukube to create the chime in 2007, with the core requirements being that the listener feel a sense of urgency, that it wouldn't induce discomfort or anxiety, that it be audible in noisy environments, and even by those with mild hearing impairments. Searching for a melody that met these criteria, he hit upon his graduate research on FM sounds. "Rather than a buzzer sound, I want music that carries a message," Ifukube thought. His attention then turned to the first chord of the third movement of his uncle Akira's symphony "Sinfonia Tapkaara." By changing the key, the chord's notes became "C, E, G, B-flat, D-sharp." The D-sharp added tension, so he decided to make this chord the base of the chime. The final selection was narrowed down to five candidates, and an evaluation experiment was conducted with 19 participants, including those with congenital severe hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, children and adults. The current chime, which includes dissonance, was chosen. "Tapkaara" in the Ainu language means "stand up and dance." Ifukube remarked, "Stand up and evacuate. It was a perfect fit for the chime," (Japanese original by Mai Suganuma, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)
Los Angeles Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Review: Jack of all trades, a master of none: 'Alter Ego' by Lisa
Lalisa Manobal , widely known by her stage name Lisa, has always been considered the boldest and most energetic Blackpink member. Known for her sharp dance moves and magnetic presence, the star is one of the most loved K-pop idols worldwide. On Feb. 28, 2025, Lisa kick-started her solo career by releasing her debut album, 'Alter Ego,' with her own record label, LLoud. The album's premise is exploring five of Lisa's alter egos —named Roxi, Kiki, Vixi, Sunni and Speedi. According to the rapper herself, the debut album is a product of her experimenting with different styles. The concept of various personas initially intrigued me, hoping to see new sides of Lisa that had been suppressed by the limitations of YG Entertainment, her previous music label. However, the album doesn't commit to a cohesive direction in terms of music style and narration, failing to capture Lisa's artistry to its fullest extent. Pop-rap tracks such as 'Rockstar' and 'Lifestyle' contain catchy beats and lyrics about confidence and success. The 80s-inspired opener 'Born Again' and disco-pop track 'Moonlit Floor,' sampling a 90's classic, 'Kiss Me,' by Sixpence None The Richer , take the listener back in time while also exploring more sentimental topics. Lastly, synth-pop tracks such as 'New Woman' and 'Chill' explore a completely different sound compared to the other songs in the album. 'Alter Ego' is packed with guest appearances, including Raye , Doja Cat , Rosalía , Future , Tyla and Megan Thee Stallion , which does more harm than good. These household names in the music industry showcase distinct music genres, outshining Lisa who only adapts to her co-singers' styles. For instance, 'When I'm With You,' sounds like a track from Tyla's discography with Lisa as a feature, not the other way around. This is because Tyla has been known for creatively mixing South African music and dance with R&B and pop, but Lisa has never been associated with such style before. British singer-songwriter Raye and American rapper Doja Cat also steal the stage with their outstanding vocal performance in the powerful electropop opener 'Born Again.' The song sets a high initial expectation for the following tracks because of its heartfelt lyrics and addictive melody, which makes the rest of 'Alter Ego' underwhelming for listeners. The bigger issue of this debut, however, lies in its lyricism. Some lines, such as ''Lisa, can you teach me Japanese?'' in her lead single, 'Rockstar,' simply lack intent and are out of place in the song. In other cases, Lisa repeatedly name-checks brands and flexes her wealth. For example, she sings, 'With five bad girls in the Honda Civic (Honda Civic)' in 'BADGRRRL' and 'Lo-lo-lo-lovin' it, these checks be comin' in / These checks be doublin'' in 'Lifestyle.' Having a couple of songs with such lyrics have the potential to be engaging, but the recycling of the same shallow topics makes the album repetitive and takes away from the listening experience. While Lisa sings about love and heartbreak in her softer songs such as 'Moonlit Floor' and 'Dream,' the restriction on the topics Lisa covers in her rap verses makes her album fall under a blunt category: ballads are for emotions and rap is for aggression. The album did not present a nuanced theme or a coherent personal narrative, which was the ultimate deal-breaker for me. Despite its shortcomings, some tracks of the album demonstrate Lisa's strengths as a vocalist and rapper. One of the highlights of the album is 'Born Again,' one of the strongest works from Lisa's discography thus far, with rejuvenating lyrics about heartbreak, self-discovery and reinventing oneself. Another standout song is track 11, 'Lifestyle,' which quickly became a fan favorite upon release. The upbeat, heavy bass track was hailed as an empowering anthem, as many of Lisa and Blackpink's songs are. On the other hand, track 12 of the album, 'Chill,' showed a new and distinct side of Lisa and demonstrated her strengths vocally. The synth-pop track was the perfect blend of chill vibes and danceable beats, embodying the rapper's confident, swaggy personality through a refreshing style. The song became an instant favorite of mine because of how it highlighted Lisa's voice and complemented her artistic persona while also exploring something new. In my opinion, 'Chill' was the only song that truly achieved the goals that Lisa appeared to have when creating her debut album. The primary issue of 'Alter Ego' is its lack of originality. With an incoherent theme, repetitive lyrics and unnecessary features, the album fails to take its listener through a unique journey. However, its versatility in terms of genres and sounds allows fans to see new sides of Lisa, highlighting her potential for growth. Even though 'Alter Ego' fails to showcase Lisa's unique identity, it is still a huge milestone for her career as an independent soloist. Related
Fox News
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
Are your REAL ID documents held up in mail? Plus, friend wants to hog kitchen
Recommended Videos Published May 6, 2025 1:24pm EDT 'REAL' TALK: Americans are scrambling as the REAL ID deadline looms. Travelers experiencing mail delays can use passport alternatives. 'HISTORICAL TREASURES': A specialist spoke to Fox News Digital about a recently discovered skull that she believes belonged to a medieval king. KITCHEN NIGHTMARE: A Reddit user says a friend's request to use the kitchen for a week so she could cook her own meals made him uneasy. MORE IN LIFESTYLE MOTHER'S DAY DEALS – Go big this Mother's Day with these unique, splurge-worthy gift ideas that will make any mom on your list feel special this holiday. Continue reading… CALLING ALL CROSSWORD PUZZLE LOVERS! – Play our Fox News daily crossword puzzle for free here! And not just one — check out the multiple offerings. See the puzzles... FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Autos Fox News Health DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox News Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE Fox News Go STREAM FOX NATION Fox Nation
