Latest news with #TimaMiroshnichenko
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
The secret to men's glowing skin: is simplicity the key to skincare success?
Social media is abuzz with the 'wash your face like a man' trend, a hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels Let's face it, skincare can feel unfair. Women often spend countless hours (and thousands of rands) perfecting 10-step routines, only to battle persistent breakouts, dryness and frustration. Meanwhile, men slap on a bar of soap meant for their face, their body and their hair and somehow walk away with glowing skin. The absurdity of this imbalance has sparked a viral conversation online, with millions of users poking fun at the simplicity of male grooming habits and questioning how this 'one-bar miracle' even works. Now, a viral trend: 'Wash your face like a man' has social media is abuzz with hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. It all started when Instagram creator Martha shared a video demonstrating how men aggressively scrub their faces with just soap and water and still manage to have clear skin. The video, now boasting over 4.3 million views, resonated deeply as women everywhere chimed in with disbelief and humour. Here are some of the responses to the viral video: 'Men treat their face like a car windshield and still have perfect skin.' 'My man uses dish soap and has the nerve to glow.' 'Why do they wash their eyeballs so aggressively?' While the trend delivers plenty of laughs, it also raises a serious question: why does this low-maintenance routine work for some and is it actually healthy for your skin? The truth about soap and skin According to dermatologists, the soap-and-go lifestyle isn't as universally effective as it appears. What works for one person's skin might wreak havoc on another's. 1. Soap strips natural oils Speaking to the "Hindustan Times", Dr Anil KV Minz, a senior dermatologist at Marengo Asia Hospitals, explained that regular soap can strip the skin of its natural oils. 'While some people with normal skin may get away with using soap, it can cause dryness and irritation, particularly in sensitive areas like the beard, ears and eyebrows,' he said. For individuals with dry skin, eczema or allergies, soap can aggravate existing issues. Even those with oily skin might experience dryness and irritation if soap is overused. 2. Soap disrupts your skin's pH balance Most soaps are alkaline, while our skin naturally prefers a slightly acidic pH of 5.5. When you use soap on your face, it can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance. This disruption can weaken the skin's protective barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, redness, or even more breakouts over time. Differently, facial cleansers are specifically formulated to be gentle, maintaining the skin's natural pH while still removing dirt and oil. The viral trend might make it seem like men's minimalism is the secret to flawless skin but dermatologists agree: that skincare isn't one-size-fits-all. Some men with naturally oily or resilient skin might be able to handle soap without issue, especially in hot and humid climates. But for most people especially those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin soap alone can cause long-term damage. The key is tailoring your skincare to your skin type and lifestyle. A simple routine doesn't have to involve 10 steps or need to break the bank. Even adding a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser can make a world of difference. Why some men's skin 'glows' effortlessly So, why do men often seem to have better skin despite their low-effort routines? Martha demonstrating how men aggressively scrub their faces with just soap and water and still manage to have clear skin. Image: Screenshot/instagram Experts suggest a few reasons: 1. Thicker skin: Men's skin is about 25% thicker than women's, thanks to testosterone. This makes it more resilient to environmental damage. 2. Higher oil production: Men's sebaceous glands produce more oil, which naturally moisturises the skin and helps maintain its glow. 3. Simple routines: Minimalism might actually help. Using fewer products means fewer chances of irritation from harsh ingredients or over-exfoliation. The humour of the 'wash your face like a man' trend underscores an important point: skincare is deeply personal. While men's low-maintenance routines might work for them, many people especially women need more care to keep their skin healthy and comfortable. Social media is abuzz with the 'wash your face like a man' trend, a hilarious and relatable commentary on men's minimalist hygiene. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels
UPI
25-05-2025
- Health
- UPI
New blood test screens for thousands of rare inherited diseases at once
A new "proteomic" blood test can accurately screen a newborn's DNA for thousands of rare, inherited diseases by analyzing just a single-milliliter sample, according to a study to be presented Monday. Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/ Pexels ST. PAUL, Minn., May 25 (UPI) -- A new rapid blood test for newborns could potentially detect genetic mutations linked to thousands of rare diseases all at once, greatly improving on current inefficient detection methods, according to a study to be presented Monday. The new test developed by Australian scientists has proven highly accurate in identifying gene mutations associated with many rare, inherited diseases, all from just a minimally invasive blood sample taken from infants and children, the authors say. The study, being unveiled at the European Human Genetics Conference in Milan, Italy, demonstrated that a single, untargeted test capable of analyzing 8,000 human proteins at once was able to correctly identify 83% of people with confirmed rare, inherited diseases. The "proteomics" test was also able to differentiate between parental carriers of the mutations, who only have one copy of the defective gene, and the affected child, who carries two copies. Those encouraging results are raising hopes for a new era in which screening infants and children for suspected inherited rare diseases can be accomplished quickly and efficiently for the first time, and that testing can be extended to many more of the estimated 300 million people worldwide affected by these genetic mutations. Testing for suspected inherited diseases has traditionally been a time-consuming, costly and sometimes painful process that required different procedures for different suspected mutations. But that paradigm could be about to change, the study's lead author says. Daniella Hock, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the University of Melbourne, told UPI that if the test is implemented in clinical labs, "it can potentially replace multiple functional tests. This can potentially reduce the diagnostic time for patients and families and healthcare costs. "The test only requires only 1 milliliter of blood from infants, and results can be achieved in less than three days for urgent cases," she said. One area in which the new proteomics test could have immediate benefits is in the battle against mitochondrial diseases, which are defined by the Cleveland Clinic as a group of genetic conditions that affect how mitochondria in human cells produce energy. Mitochondrial diseases render cells unable to produce enough energy, which can lead to life-threatening complications. About 1 in 5,000 people worldwide have a mitochondrial disorder. Examples of such illnesses are Leigh's syndrome, which primarily affects the nervous system; Kearns-Sayre syndrome, which primarily affects the eyes and heart; and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, which can cause a sufferer to quickly and unexpectedly lose their vision. Hock said the current "gold standard" for screening for these rare maladies starts with genetic testing -- either whole exome or whole genome sequencing -- that currently provides a diagnosis to about half of patients. "The remaining half often endure years of functional testing trying to identify which genetic change, that is, genetic variant, is causing the disease," she said, adding that more than 7,000 types of disease caused by mutations exist in more than 5,000 known genes. Some of these current tests are invasive, requiring skeletal muscle or liver biopsies, and are often targeted to a single disease or a few diseases. "If we take the example of mitochondrial disease, which is a type of rare disease that can be caused by over 350 different genes, the current clinical test to confirm mitochondrial disease is called respiratory chain enzymology," she said. "This enzyme test typically requires a skeletal muscle or skin biopsy and has a turnaround time of a few weeks." The new proteomic test, which sequences proteins rather than genes, can reduce invasiveness and time to a diagnosis compared to other kinds of current clinical functional tests, its developers say. "For about half of the individuals where DNA sequencing results are inconclusive, typically due to the identification of variants of uncertain significance, this single test can potentially be used to provide functional evidence to these genetic variants," Hock said. Study co-author David Thorburn, one of Australia's foremost experts on genetics and co-group leader for brain and mitochondrial research at Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, said the current process for determining if a child has one of the many possible genetic variances is a daunting one. While there are many hundreds of different functional tests tailored to specific genes, "relatively few of these are available in clinical labs, so it is often a matter of contacting researchers who work on that gene, of which there may only be one or a handful internationally to see if they can assist," he told UPI in emailed comments. "That often requires paperwork like material transfer agreements to be put in place, shipping costs of hundreds or even thousands of dollars if dry ice shipment is needed and frequently a timeframe of months to multiple years depending on whether they have a student or staff to do testing in a research context, where the rigor of the test may be variable," he added. Thorburn said the new proteomics test, however, "provides a single pipeline that can potentially provide that evidence for about half the known rare disease genes and we are working hard to move it into a clinical test in Melbourne at our Victorian Clinical Genetics Services and working with expert clinical labs in the U.K., U.S.A. and elsewhere to support them doing that." Having the test available clinically "could allow hundreds of families each year in Australia alone to get confirmed genetic diagnoses, so potentially thousands per year in the U.S.," he said. "For urgent cases, [for example], kids in ICU this can be done in as few as three days from sample receipt." For those many thousands of patients, the new test could mean their "diagnostic odyssey is ended, unnecessary investigations are no longer needed, targeted therapies may be available, patients may qualify for a clinical trial and parents can be offered reproductive options," he said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workday Introduces Illuminate AI Agents to Revolutionize Workflows
On May 19, Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) unveiled Illuminate AI Agents, a new generation of AI-powered tools aimed at accelerating hiring, enhancing frontline worker experiences, and streamlining financial processes. Designed to boost productivity, these agents integrate Workday's responsible AI foundation and extensive HR and finance expertise. A man in black suit holding a tablet looks at stock market data on a monitor. Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels "The key to unlocking real business value with AI is to actively reshape the very core of how businesses operate," said Gerrit Kazmaier, Workday's President of Product and Technology. Built on a dataset of over 1 trillion annual transactions, these AI tools turn data into actionable intelligence, improving decision-making, compliance, and efficiency. Workday's new Illuminate AI Agents enhance various business functions, including hiring, legal workflows, finance, workforce management, and procurement. The Contingent Sourcing Agent speeds up temporary hiring, while the Contract Intelligence & Negotiation Agents streamline contract reviews and risk detection. The Document Driven Accounting Agent automates financial data extraction for billing and invoicing, and the Frontline Agent helps manage shifts and ensure compliance. The Self-Service Agent assists employees with inquiries and task automation, while the Supplier Contracts Agent optimizes procurement by analyzing agreements to align with contract terms. NetApp has reported millions in savings using Workday's AI, underscoring its real-world business impact. Workday's Agent System of Record enables seamless deployment, while Illuminate AI, powered by vast HR and financial datasets, ensures AI solutions align with real business needs. By focusing on practical AI applications, Workday reinforces its leadership in enterprise AI, delivering measurable value and driving business transformation. While we acknowledge the potential of Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WDAY and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the . READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None.
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Decluttering your space and mind
Our serotonin level goes up when we declutter, which makes us more mentally stable, more focused, and happier. — Photo from / Tima Miroshnichenko DO you ever feel stressed when your things are screaming at you from all around your house: 'Clean me! Organise me! Put me away!', especially when you are too busy to declutter them? Don't worry, I have felt that way many times before. Our cortisol level — also known as the 'stress hormone' — goes up when we are around a lot of mess that makes us think of all the things we need to do. In contrast, our serotonin — or the 'feel-good hormone' — level goes up when we declutter, which makes us more mentally stable, focused, and happier. For me, tidying up and cleaning are 'mindful' practices. They are not things I hate doing; instead they help me to try living in the present. While I vacuum my bedroom floor I don't think: 'I wish someone would do this for me', or 'I have too many things to do today, I don't have time for this.' Or at the very least, I do think about them but then go back to cleaning. As I clean my bedroom floor, I can see the dust and hair getting sucked into the vacuum. As I focus on the work at hand, I notice my jaw tense, so I relax it. I do the same thing as I do my laundry or organise my closet. This could be referred to as a practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as the practice of being aware of your body, mind, and feelings in the present moment, thought to create a feeling of calm. Instead of fretting about the same things over and over again, you want to de-stress and step back from your thoughts, and sometimes 'trying' is the exact opposite of what mindfulness is meant to do. It has been shown that mindfulness greatly elevates mood and lowers stress, which helps with just that. While there are many wonderful methods to cultivate mindfulness, I find that decluttering really helps. 'Let the thoughts come and go, just like the dust and unwanted items in my room,' is how I would describe it. Adding some mindfulness to when you are tidying your space could have a bigger impact than you would think. Clutter and disorder are in some respects associated with negative emotions like stress, irritability, and tension, while an organised environment fosters more positive feelings like calm and peace. Clutter is seen by the brain as incomplete tasks, and for some people, this lack of completion could be highly upsetting and stressful. Cleaning is not just chucking things away; the activity itself could enhance your mood, increase physical activity, sharpen your focus, and give your mind a repetitive task that can help you relax. Additionally, when you incorporate some mindfulness into the activity, it feels like a mini meditation session; you pay attention to the details of each object you pick up and notice its significance to you. However, the main reason why I think decluttering could improve your mental health is that it gives you more control over your surroundings. Cleaning could help you regain control over your life when you feel like you are battling with uncertainty or that your life is out of control. According to studies, people tend to engage in repetitive behaviours like cleaning when they are under a lot of stress because it helps them feel in control during a chaotic time. This is probably why I used to hear my coursemates go into a random cleaning frenzy at midnight the night before our big exams or while chasing deadlines for assignments. Does this sound familiar to you as well? Furthermore, clutter and disorder could be extremely distracting, making it difficult to concentrate or finish other tasks. So, if you experience the impulse to clean when you are under stress, your body and mind are likely searching for a way to restore control over your surroundings. In addition to cleaning, a recent hobby of mine that I really like and find to be quite relaxing is crocheting. By crocheting repeatedly while watching YouTube videos or anime in bed or on the couch, I am 'in the zone' and mentally focused. Nothing stressful comes to mind other than making the chain and concentrating on counting each loop as I go, and the calmness is evident. The practice of mindfulness could be enhanced by a variety of other wonderful activities, even if you are new to 'bringing awareness to the present moment'. I believe there is as much delight in practising mindfulness as there is in any other time in my life. Whether it is tidying my room, crocheting, journaling, stretching, or building a 'Gundam', I am thankful for the present I am in and enjoy every moment I spend doing these activities. * The writer is a psychology graduate who enjoys sharing about how the human mind views the world. For feedback, email to [email protected].
