Facial yoga has gained popularity recently, with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, and Gwyneth Paltrow endorsing it. It involves stretches and exercises to strengthen the facial, neck, and shoulder muscles, similar to full-body yoga.
Supporters claim that facial yoga can reduce tension and stress, as well as tone and lift areas that may have weakened over time. A pilot study in JAMA Dermatology found that participants aged 40-65 who did facial exercises for 30 minutes daily or every other day for 20 weeks saw improvements in cheek fullness and a decrease in apparent age.
Research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that facial muscle exercises can improve mood and reduce stress. Stretching and massage may also have positive effects on health, possibly even reducing the appearance of scars.
While there is promising evidence, more large-scale trials are needed before facial yoga can be considered a proven anti-aging technique.
4 face yoga exercises to try at home
Consult your healthcare professional before starting facial yoga. If you decide to give it a try, here are some exercises to begin with.
Cheek puff
Purse your lips, puff out your cheeks, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat for tightening cheek muscles.
Eye rejuvenator
Gently tap under your eyes, moving towards the inner and outer eye corners for lymphatic drainage and reduced dark circles.
Fish face
Purse your lips, suck in your cheeks, and hold for 30 seconds to target the jawline and cheek muscles.
Anti-frown agent
Press and release your fingers along the eyebrows for 5 seconds to prevent frowning.
This article was inspired by a question from Alex Maddox: “Should I do facial yoga?”
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A team of researchers from Fudan University and others has successfully generated the genome. Emperor Wu of China led by Xianbei (Emperor Wu) Northern Zhou Dynasty. The authors determined that Emperor Wu had a typical East Asian or Northeast Asian appearance and was susceptible to certain illnesses, such as stroke.
Reconstruction of the face (left) and portrait (right) of Emperor Wu of China's Northern Zhou Dynasty. Image credit: Du other., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.059.
For more than 2,000 years, Chinese emperors have been accorded symbolic importance and are considered “sons of heaven” endowed with a “heavenly mission” and enjoy what is seen as divinely ordained rule over the nation. was doing.
The title “emperor” first appeared in 221 BC. In Gencalls himself “First Emperor.''
This position continued until the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty abdicated. Aisin Geolo Puyirecorded a total of 2,132 years and 83 feudal dynasties.
Emperor Wu, known as Yuwenyong (543-578 CE), was a highly influential emperor who overthrew the Northern Qi dynasty, reformed the local military system, pacified the Turks, and unified northern China. was.
He was ethnically Xianbei, an ancient nomadic group that lived in what is today Mongolia and northern and northeastern China.
“Some scholars have said that the Xianbei people have an 'exotic' appearance, with thick beards, high noses, and yellow hair,” said Dr. Xiaoqing Wen, a researcher at Fudan University.
“Our analysis shows that Emperor Wu had typical East Asian or Northeast Asian facial features.”
In 1996, archaeologists discovered Emperor Wu's tomb in northwestern China and discovered his bones, including a nearly complete skull.
Thanks to recent advances in ancient DNA research, Dr. Wen and his colleagues have successfully recovered more than 1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from his DNA, some of which are associated with Emperor Wu's skin and hair color. information was included.
Researchers also succeeded in reconstructing the emperor's face in 3D.
They found that Emperor Wu had brown eyes, black hair, dark to medium skin, and facial features similar to those of modern North Asians and East Asians.
“Our work brought historical figures to life,” said Dr. Pianpian Wei, also from Fudan University.
“Previously, we had to rely on historical records and wall paintings to imagine what ancient peoples looked like.”
“We were able to directly reveal the true nature of the North Korean people.”
“Emperor Wu died at the age of 36, and his son also died young for no apparent reason,” the scientists said.
“Some archaeologists claim that Emperor Wu died of illness, while others claim that he was poisoned by his rivals.”
Analysis of Emperor Wu's DNA revealed that he was at increased risk of stroke.
This finding is consistent with historical records that describe the emperor as having aphasia, droopy eyelids, and an abnormal gait – potential symptoms of a stroke.
Genetic analysis shows that the Xianbei people intermarried with the Han Chinese when they migrated south to northern China.
“This is important information for understanding how ancient humans spread across Eurasia and how they integrated with local peoples,” Dr. Wen said.
of result Published in this week's magazine current biology.
_____
Panshin Du other. The ancient genome of Emperor Wu of northern China. current biology, published online March 28, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.059
In my family, we have developed a habit of ordering affordable DVDs whenever we discover a show or movie that we know we want to watch again (which is a trick in itself!).
Towards the end of 2020, when I relocated to a new apartment in another area of Seattle, I ended up disposing of a trash bag full of VHS tapes. While it was inevitable due to spatial constraints, I had a strong feeling that I might regret it. A sudden shift in the TV landscape where channels started charging viewers for access to old content (from Jaws to Airplanes to classic dramas) literally overnight caught us off guard. We hadn’t anticipated such a rapid change. mountain aspect
‘In the end, it will become a future landfill site.‘
I enjoy the concept of having a DVD collection and perusing its shelves like a rental store.
However, I can’t shake off the realization that most of the valuable possessions we accumulate will eventually end up in future landfills, left for future generations to grapple with. I am also keenly aware that at some point, I will either have to take on the responsibility of disposing of and redistributing my various interests, or pass the task on to a close relative. In that sense, the thought of owning even a modest DVD collection extensive enough to cover all bases fills me with dread. I think of my grandparents and the boxes they amassed over their lifetimes, destined for disposal in the dump, their parents’ attic, or the charity shop. TypeON negative
‘There’s a significant disparity in quality…‘
I may be considered a Luddite, but I’m not particularly captivated by this trend of streaming.
I recently watched a movie on Disney+. Newer movies often exhibit overly dark visuals (a complaint echoed by several acquaintances). Older films are frequently displayed in incorrect proportions or feature subpar soundtracks. My son has recently subscribed to Prime Video mainly for the TV shows but has yet to explore the movie offerings. For some reason, I harbor doubts about being able to find the movie I wish to watch.
Fortunately, we still have a local HMV store. Nothing beats the experience of strolling there, browsing around for an hour or so, and selecting a Blu-ray. The disparity in quality between watching movies via streaming and physical media is quite pronounced. “After Hours”, “Eraserhead”, “Boogie Nights”, “Naked”, “The Conversation”, “The Passengers”… While casual movie enthusiasts may indulge in a Netflix binge, more dedicated film fans prefer a shelf stocked with physical media. man without fear
A bustling video store in 2009. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
‘This current phase is the worst‘
Rental spaces will once again thrive, though it may take time, bringing a sense of nostalgia for some and a fresh experience for others. As mentioned in the article, there is a resurgence fueled by the revival of vinyl records. The more enthusiasts of the original content and the younger generation realize that they can’t access the authentic material, the more the market will adapt. However, this phase is undoubtedly the most challenging, especially with streaming services pulling titles in multiple directions. Mr username 2014
‘the hype is real‘
I recently canceled my streaming subscription and started collecting “final format” 4K Blu-rays.
The hype is justified. The quality is exceptional, with no discernible drop in visual and audio quality that can happen with streaming. Some discs are particularly well-optimized for the format. Oppenheimer is a prime example (using high-quality headphones and viewing on a 4K disc makes for a very satisfying 3-hour experience). The advent of Villeneuve is also commendable.
As a gamer, I rarely have time to dedicate to playing for more than 20 hours nowadays, so having a PS5 gives me something to engage with. blue jay 2011
‘Household finances are stretched‘
Speaking personally, I believe the streaming industry will eventually rue its efforts to lock in customers. Unfortunately, household budgets are tight, and the cost of subscribing to streaming services adds up. And it’s not just me – there are numerous services vying for attention, leading to decision fatigue.
When movies and similar content are sold on DVD or Blu-ray, the consumer is committing to a one-time purchase. As a result, these companies, and the film industry as a whole, may end up forfeiting a significant portion of their downstream revenue while also being under pressure to ensure customer satisfaction. As this discussion underscores, many of us still yearn for the ability to purchase movies in physical formats. buzz 2023
‘I have reverted‘
Honestly, I shifted to streaming platforms for movies and music for a while, but I found myself reverting back. Not only did the platform remove content I desired (movies and shows), but (especially when it came to music) changing platforms essentially meant I was “purchasing” music when I wasn’t truly owning it. I decided to change my approach. I lost money and didn’t actually possess my music. Because I had never truly bought the music in the first place, my wallet disagreed with the arrangement. That realization made me uneasy about the entire situation. Additionally, DVDs turn out to be much more cost-effective to own. Beacon of Hope Discount
‘very cluttered‘
It’s quite cluttered. I keep the CDs in a disc folder and discard the cases. While some may consider it sacrilege, it’s a satisfying compromise for me. Seven Highter
‘I’m not fixated on the format‘
Having films in digital format is too convenient for me to go back to physical formats. I do, however, continue to buy DVDs and Blu-rays of movies that aren’t digitized, but it’s a hassle to remove the DVD from its case, go to the DVD player, and start it up. …With digital media, you can initiate a movie in moments, regardless of your location. I’m not hooked on any particular format or medium. The main desire is to be able to watch our favorite movies whenever and wherever we want, and digital media is the best option for that. bf_Silver Town
‘I wasn’t intrigued until DVDs were introduced‘
Collecting movies was never as popular as amassing books or music (CDs, records, tapes). I had no inclination toward it until DVDs made their debut.
What I miss about the rise of physical media is the ability to visit someone’s home, peruse their collection of books, records, and DVDs, and discover their diverse interests. It’s a conversation starter. Jifujiji
DVDs on display in HMV stores in London. Photo: David Levin/The Guardian
‘Biggest film loss since the fires in the old studio vaults‘
We are witnessing the greatest loss of films since the fires that ravaged the old studio vaults. While some may argue that inaccessible films still exist somewhere, what if no one is able to view them?
Furthermore, digital formats are subject to frequent changes. Eventually, all digital copies of films will become obsolete. Will Disney or any other entity go to the lengths and expense of transferring all their popular movies to a new format? Possibly.
But will they undertake the arduous and costly task of migrating thousands of potentially forgotten films that haven’t seen the light of day in years and are buried in long-unused databases? Highly unlikely. son of the desert
‘I no longer live like an obsessive hoarder‘
Two years ago, I donated thousands of DVDs and Blu-rays to charity shops. I’ve abandoned the life of an obsessive hoarder and now find more peace of mind. With numerous old and new titles to watch, there are discs in my possession that I’ve never viewed in decades, some of which I’ve even given away while still in their original shrink wrap. Had streaming been available 30 years ago, it might have paid off my mortgage. R Gouveia
‘Film production courses‘
One of the reasons I’ve bought and continue to purchase numerous DVDs over the years is for the bonus content such as director commentaries, behind-the-scenes features, and interviews with cast and crew. While David Fincher’s “Seven” may be available on some random streaming service, the DVD’s commentary track alone is a treasure trove for film enthusiasts. sagarmatha 1953
‘DVDs are delicate and not everlasting‘
I still retain all my DVDs and am actively acquiring new ones. Many movies are not consistently available on streaming services, if at all, hence retaining them as physical media is crucial. The only challenge is that DVDs are susceptible to damage and cannot stand the test of time. The same can be said for DVD players. I’ve contemplated buying a new DVD player as a backup. While I do utilize a streaming service, it often has limited offerings and I struggle to find what I’m looking for, particularly when it comes to “older” movies from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1970s. Recently, I revisited the original “Ladykillers” – the remakes just don’t compare. about
‘It’s not an either-or situation‘
For me, it’s not about choosing one over the other. Streaming (via the usual platforms) has its place. It allows for discovering new movies or trying something different. Physical media, on the other hand, enables me to build my collection of movies that I can’t stream or that I prefer to own while watching them again. iron moog 007
IIt's a quiet morning in a London gallery studio voltaire And Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley invited me to prototype her latest artwork. It's a horror-inspired video game in which players fight to overcome the issues holding them back, from fear of failure to addiction. This is also the centerpiece of her first organized solo exhibition with the theme of change. I worked on the game, but by the fourth round I was still crap. Artificial screams echo around the empty gallery. “That must be super difficult!” laughs Brathwaite-Shirley. “It's all based on what I'm trying to overcome or have overcome. It didn’t take one turn, it took many.”
The Rebirthing Room is Brathwaite-Shirley's latest participatory work. The idea came to me after a conversation with a curator about the usefulness of Art Her Gallery. “We were talking about how we could do more with the space. What could we do with it other than just showcasing work?” she says. “That’s when I thought, “It would be great if you came to the gallery and left a different person.'
The 29-year-old started making interactive art in 2020 after misguided comments from visitors made her question the purpose of her work. At the time, her portfolio consisted of videos and animations documenting her London burlesque scenes and her black transgender peers. The work, rendered in what she describes as her “beautiful retro aesthetic,” created an alternate reality for community members. It is an unconventional archival method to fill in the blind spots in historical records. “Someone said to me, “I really like your work because it allows me to be visual and ignore what you're saying,'' Brathwaite-Shirley recalls. “I thought, “This is the best feedback of my life, because I can't do that anymore!''
Another history…”Thou shalt not accept” in 2023. Photo: Perttu Saksa/Courtesy of the artist and Helsinki Biennale
Since then, she has started incorporating choices made by the audience to advance the work. In 2022 she released her Get Home Safe, an arcade her-style game inspired by her own experiences wandering around Berlin at night. The player is tasked with guiding the protagonist safely through dark streets. Meanwhile, “I Can't Follow You Anymore,” released in browser-based last year, asks audiences to navigate a revolution and decide who will be saved or sacrificed. “In interactive work, you have to make an effort to see something,” she says. “What fascinates me is the choices people make and the feelings they leave behind. I think that's when the real works of art start to emerge.”
Keen to prioritize content over aesthetics, Brathwaite-Shirley's new work takes advantage of the rudimentary pre-rendered graphics of early computer games. It's intentionally lo-fi, built from 2D animation, iPad drawings, and old software, with a VHS-style finish. The forest grass on the screen is made from edited photographs of her hands, and the sounds are an extension of her archival project, developed from recordings of her screaming into her mobile phone. . “I never want to touch this super shiny stuff,” she says. “I like to make people's brains work a little bit more.”
With disorienting sound effects and low lighting, Rebirthing Room is a fully immersive experience. Surrounding the screen and handmade controllers operated by the audience are giant trees covered in cloth and rows of real corn, a reference to the horror movies she grew up watching.
“I don’t need this super shiny thing”…Screenshot of the playback room Photo: Image provided by the artist
“What I love about horror is that it makes you want to experience experiences and emotions that you would never experience in normal life,” she says. “If a movie is really good, there's something about it that sticks around. It's that perfect balance of being really scary, but also interesting enough to keep you watching.”
In addition to being a nifty device to “fool” viewers into their own values and beliefs, Brathwaite-Shirley's digital universe, full of demons, villains, and gore, is well-suited to the current climate. You can feel it when you are there. She says it's important to highlight not only the hostility from her outsider group, but all the “nasty nuances” that exist within her own self. She said: “I feel like we're in a very censored time; [where] Even speaking about views that your particular political group subscribes to feels dangerous because you feel like you have to say it the way they want to hear it. Therefore, for me, presenting a utopia in the environment we are currently in is a huge waste. ”
Challenging audiences is something she would like to see more of in the art world, but she feels it prioritizes too much of a fun, Instagram-friendly experience. Her purpose is not to make her people enjoy her own work. She finds the more visceral and emotional responses more interesting. She told me that when she finishes a show with nothing but praise, she feels like her work is of no use.
She is interested in how viewers will respond to Room of Rebirth. Will they play until they succeed? Or will they just give up like I did? only time will tell. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we can go even further next time,” she says.
When you look in the mirror, you may notice slight imbalances in your facial features, such as your nose crooked to the left, a wrinkle that only appears under one eye, or your ears slightly higher than the other. .
For centuries, this lack of perfect balance has been thought to detract from our beauty, and there are a number of services aimed at “fixing” it, from photo filters to cosmetic surgery. But asymmetry is built into the human body and brain, and for good reason. Moreover, new research suggests that it has little effect on your appeal to others.
First, lopsided arrangement of our internal organs. For most people, the heart, stomach, and spleen are all on the left side of the spinal cord, and the liver and gallbladder are on the right side. This makes more efficient use of thoracic and abdominal space compared to a structure that aligns all organs to the spine.
Why is the human brain asymmetrical?
What about your brain? Although her two hemispheres may appear to be reflective of each other, corresponding areas on each side have different responsibilities. You will notice the effect this has on your movements. If you're right-handed, it's because the left hemisphere of your brain, which is connected to the right side of your body, is slightly more specialized in controlling the fine muscles of your fingers, increasing your manual dexterity. .
You may be surprised to find that this “lateralization” is seen in many fields…
Black founders in the UK are also seeing the effects of winter on their ventures.
According to one study, black founders in the UK have raised just 0.95% of all venture funding allocated in the country so far this year (or just $165 million out of about $17.3 billion). new report Written by Extend Ventures. 2023 would then be a year in the making, compared to 2022, when such founders raised 1.02% of all domestic venture investments ($316 million out of $30.88 billion), and 2022, when such founders raised 1.13% ($40 billion) of all domestic venture investments. This will be later than in 2021, when $454 million of the $30 million was allocated.
There has been a clear and consistent decline since 2020, when George Floyd was murdered, and global support and pressure to support Black communities has increased. The downward trend in the proportion of investments allocated to black founders is likely due to the venture recession of the past two years.
George Windsor, a data and research strategist who worked on the report, said black people make up 2.5% of the UK population and being properly represented in the venture ecosystem means they receive at least 2.5% of funding. will go to black-led businesses, he said.
Still, the achievement rate is 0.95% compared to 10 years ago, showing that progress is being made.
For example, just 0.28% of black UK founders raised venture funding in 2019, 0.23% in 2018 and 0.38% in 2017. According to Extend Ventures, between 2009 and 2019, only 38 Black founders were able to raise venture funding. In Japan. That number is now 80.
Even black women are doing better. Between 2009 and 2019, Extend discovered only the following: One Black women have raised more than $1 million in venture funding. Between 2019 and 2023, eight women did so.
Windsor said this progress is due to a myriad of factors, including “the growing awareness of racism, discrimination and inequality sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement and the killing of George Floyd.”
Extend co-founder Tom Adeyoola told TechCrunch that it also helps that there is less backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the UK compared to the US.
“The UK values slow and steady reform, rather than consequential, hollow, haphazard action. The desire for change here is deep-rooted and focused on systemic action. ” he said. “That said, if you look for anti-DEI rhetoric, you can find it in discussions and newspaper headlines about removing these roles from the civil service. I don’t know if it’s getting the public’s attention as we continue to highlight how much loss of growth is hurting the economy due to bias.”
The Extend report also found that although women of color still face challenges entering the industry, there has been a 100% increase in the rate of people from minority backgrounds becoming investors. It was also revealed that
Earlier this year, the UK Treasury Select Committee acknowledged the lack of investment in minorities and women in technology and looked at ways to increase investment.
Maintaining this momentum will require new initiatives and strengthening of existing ones, Adeyola said. “The data shows that it is very important to track cohorts and understand which companies receive funding beyond the early stages,” he said. “We need to make sure that appropriate measures are in place at the level of following companies.”
I think most People would agree that 2023 was a difficult time for startups. Many layoffs occurred as companies struggled to move from growth to profitability. On the other hand, sales cycles were becoming longer and many startups were struggling to grow at a decent pace.
As we start to see that the economic indicators are starting to improve a little bit. calming inflation, cost of money You might think 2024 might be a better year if currencies weaken and headwinds for most currencies subside.
necessarily.
We’re entering a new era, one in which money won’t flow as freely, and according to the experts we spoke to, it won’t be coming back anytime soon. This means startups that don’t have enough capital now may continue to struggle in 2024, and flipping the calendar won’t change that.
What does that mean for startups heading into 2024? It means they need to prove their worth more than ever. This means you need enough cash to survive long sales cycles. That means he will have to fight for a piece of the corporate budget, and perhaps 2024 could be a year much like his 2023.
Budget outlook
A good starting point for budget discussions is what the proposed budget looks like. Analyst firms like IDC and Gartner forecast IT spending each year, but they typically adjust throughout the year as reality becomes clearer.
IDC predicts growth of 6.8%, up from 5% last year. This figure covers hardware, software, and services, but excludes communications spending. Gartner, on the other hand, predicts a slightly higher rate of 8.2%.
The overall upward trend should be good news for startups looking to corporate buyers to lift their business. But his Gartner analyst John-David Lovelock, who tracks IT budgets, says that while 2023 was a year of increased efficiency, it won’t just end in the new year.
The in-vehicle technology used by Ford, GM and others to ensure drivers pay attention to the road has come a long way. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is still not enough to prevent or reduce the harm caused by drunk driving.
This assessment is included throughout the agency’s new 99-page Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. released Tuesday was a pit stop of sorts on the way to enacting regulations that would require in-vehicle technology to recognize when a driver has been drinking.
NHTSA is currently seeking assistance in determining what technology should be incorporated into vehicles to completely reduce or prevent this problem, in part because NHTSA has no commercially available options. states that it does not exist. After the notice is published in the Federal Register, the public has 60 days to submit comments.
NHTSA says it evaluated 331 driver monitoring systems and found no commercially available systems that adequately handle the identification of alcohol impairment. The magazine noted that there are three DMS systems that claim to detect alcohol-induced impairment, but said they are still in the research and development stage. (We did not reveal the names of those systems.)
However, driver monitoring is not the only option at NHTSA’s disposal. NHTSA embarked on this mission after President Biden ordered the agency to find a solution in 2021 with bipartisan infrastructure legislation. The act charged NHTSA with developing federal motor vehicle safety standards that could determine whether a driver is impaired by passively monitoring the driver. Or it could be by passively (and accurately) detecting whether the blood alcohol concentration is too high, or a combination of both.
Accuracy is key, and NHTSA findings suggest that blood alcohol detection technology is a more viable solution in the short term. After all, dozens of states already require breathalyzer-based alcohol ignition interlocks for repeat offenders or high-BAC offenders. However, this technology is considered ‘active’, meaning that drivers must actively engage with it, which is contrary to the law’s passive requirement.
There may be another option.
Since 2008, NHTSA has been working with the Alliance for Automobile Traffic Safety (ACTS) on a public-private partnership called Driver Alcohol Sensing Systems for Safety (DADSS). As part of that program, DADSS has developed both breath-based and contact-based methods to detect driver impairment. Breath-based methods are also considered active and therefore non-starters, while touch sensors are designed to be embedded in something the driver needs to touch to operate the vehicle (such as a push-start button). NHTSA has “preliminarily determined that such touch sensors may be considered passive.”
ACTS CEO Robert Strassberger said he believes touch sensors may be the best option in the short term, given the technology’s limitations in being passive. He wants to know what the public thinks.
“That’s going to be one of the areas of interest for me when I read the comments that are ultimately submitted. How do people feel about it? Will it ultimately be accepted by consumers? It depends,” he says. “I think one of the things we definitely want to avoid doing is asking drivers to learn a new way of interacting with their cars.”
Timing is critical. Not only does drunk driving kill thousands of people each year and cost the country billions of dollars, final regulations need to be standardized by November 2024.
Judging by the number of questions NHTSA raises in its notice, achieving this goal may be difficult. The agency is raising all sorts of thorny questions, as well as seeking further comment on driver monitoring and the definition of “passive.” For example, if the start/stop button has a touch sensor, how does it know that the driver is pressing it? If the system determines that the driver is too drunk to start the car, Should you prevent your car from starting? What if the driver is trying to escape a wildfire?
“This is very complex rulemaking,” Strassberger said. “There are a lot of details that the agency needs to get right.”
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