Daily Archives: 28/09/2017

The US And Russia Sign Agreement To Build A New Space Station Around The Moon

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NASA has signed an agreement with the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos to partner in building a brand-new space station around the Moon.

There are no design plans or budgets as yet, however Roscosmos have said that work could start on the lunar station in the 2020s.

NASA

The agreement to build a space station together is part of NASA’s wider Deep Space Gateway project.

This was a plan put together by NASA that would see the building of a lunar space station, not only as a testing site for further deep space exploration but then also as a staging ground for spacecraft looking to extend beyond the realms of Earth’s orbit.

Speaking about the historic agreement, Robert Lightfoot, NASA’s acting administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington said: “While the deep space gateway is still in concept formulation, NASA is pleased to see growing international interest in moving into cislunar space as the next step for advancing human space exploration,”

NASA

NASA will initially start with a number of manned and unmanned missions to the Moon.

Using the lessons they’ve learned from the International Space Station, the next step would be to lay concrete plans around building a new lunar space station.

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Part of this enormous task will be making sure that everything is universally standardised.

Thanks to Russia’s continued track record of sending crew to the ISS, it has already been agreed that a universal docking system will be agreed upon using Russia’s designs.

It’s believed that the major components that make up the new station will be lifted into orbit using Russia’s Proton-M heavy lift vehicle and NASA’s own newly developed SLS rocket.

Sergei Savostyanov via Getty Images

A Proton-M rocket carrying ExoMars 2016 spacecraft blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

NASA has said on numerous occasions that it wants to send humans to Mars by 2030 and this space station will almost certainly be a major step in that direction.

Initially NASA had said that it would send an astronaut to an asteroid as part of its roadmap to the red planet, however it looks as though the Moon will now replace that mission as one of the key staging grounds.

7 Incredible Discoveries By Cassini

  • Cassini has been getting up close to Saturn’s planet-sized moon, Titan. Taking incredible photographs and learning more about its dunes, mountains and seas of pure liquid methane (definitely not for swimming). Not to mention the 95% nitrogen atmosphere. 

  • Just like our home planet, Saturn has powerful magnetic fields at its poles that create shimmering auroras, and for the first time Cassini was able to capture these incredible (and pretty intimidating) images of the glowing-pink Southern lights. 

  • Not only are Saturn’s poles decorated with beautiful auroras, they also have violent swirling storms with an (unusual) six-sided jet stream that creates these hexagonal weather patterns. But you don’t want to get too close, as NASA found the eye of hurricanes on Saturn are 50 times wider than those on Earth.

  • Hyperion is the largest of Saturn’s “potato-shaped” moons and is likely to be the result of a violent collision that shattered a larger object into pieces. The sponge-like appearance means it has an unusually low density for such a large object — about half that of water – and any material that comes into contact with it gets blown off, never to return.

  • Pre-Cassini, scientists didn’t understand why Encleadus was the brightest world in the solar system. But Cassini found it has a huge ocean of salty liquid water hidden beneath a surface of ice with exploding hydrothermal vents that send sporadic plumes of water shooting out into space. It is also one of the most promising locations for extra terrestrial life…

  • Saturn’s two-toned moon, Lapetus, is surrounded in a cloud of reddish dust that gets swept around in orbit giving it a hellish colour. But that’s not the strangest find, for the first time Cassini photographed a topographic ridge that runs along the equator. No one knows yet whether this is a mountain or a crack in the surface. 

  • Cassini’s final mission has required getting closer to Saturn than ever before, dropping from a normal altitude of 1,000,000km above to just 120,000km. Although this did require Cassini to enter a “death plunge” and sacrifice itself, it has also resulted in the most intricate images of Saturn’s B rings ever recorded, clearly showing the spiral density waves.

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CoverGirl’s Newest Face Is 69-Year-Old Maye Musk

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CoverGirl keeps on getting better with age, adding new members to its roster of awesome faces. The same can be said of its newest star, 69-year-old model, dietician and entrepreneur Maye Musk.

Musk, who is also the mother of Tesla founder Elon Musk, filmmaker Tosca Musk and The Kitchen Community founder Kimbal Musk, has two master’s degrees and has been modeling since she was 15.

“Maye Musk is not only a timeless beauty, but a visionary who has always follower her own path, creating new opportunities and paving the way for so many others who might not meet the industry standard of ‘model’ but are truly beautiful in every regard,” said Unkowa Ojo, senior vice president of CoverGirl said in a press release. 

The news comes just a few weeks after the global brand named Issa Rae as a CoverGirl and just days after it tapped Ayesha Curry, too. 

“Who knew, after many years of admiring the gorgeous CoverGirl models, that I would be one at 69 years of age?” Musk wrote on Instagram. “It just shows, never give up. Thank you CoverGirl, for including me in your tribe of diversity. Beauty truly is for women of all ages, and I can’t wait to take you all along this amazing journey with me!” 

Despite Musk’s long modeling career, it’s just recently that she emerged as the star of multiple magazine covers and campaigns. In an interview with The New York Times, she said aging has been good for her.

“You develop confidence, you’re able to handle the knocks a little easier,” she said. “I model for my age. I’m not trying to hide it and say I’m 50. I’m so proud that I’m going be 70.”

This news serves as further proof that the fashion and beauty industries are adjusting their dated standards of beauty. More models over 50 walked in more shows during Fashion Week in March 2017 than ever before, for example. 

 Easy, breezy, beautiful and right on the money. Big ups, CoverGirl. 

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Our iPhone Obsession Has Created A Hidden Economy That’s Good For Everyone

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Unless you’ve been living on a remote island for the past few weeks, you’ll have noticed that Apple recently revealed the latest models of the iPhone. Cue near-mass hysteria. The unveiling is a now annual event, and this year coincided with the famous handset’s tenth birthday.

At eBay UK, we know that Brits love the iPhone. After all, we’ve collectively spent over £1 billion on various models of the device on eBay over the last ten years, and it remains our number one most searched for product.

But the fervour that greeted this year’s big reveal by Apple was huge, even by the standards of the iPhone fandom, prompting us to take a deeper look at our love affair with this titan of the tech world. So, we’ve delved into a decade of data to bring you the untold story of the iconic device.


Shining a light on a hidden economy

Each and every Apple launch sees Brits trading in their old models to fund their latest upgrade, in what experts have dubbed ‘the circular economy’. This involves consumers trading in their old goods for money rather than throwing them away, putting the proceeds towards an upgrade or new purchase – a major new trend in retail.

Small businesses are then refurbishing these older products, selling the nearly-new technology to consumers who want the hottest brands at more affordable prices. On average, we’ve seen Brits save around 45% on the latest tech this way – a product of savvy buyers and sellers.

The iOutlet is one such seller. Originally launched back in 2012 by friends Matt Green and Liam James to repair cracked screens, the pair spotted an opportunity to repair premium smartphones for those who didn’t want to pay full whack for a brand-new products. Fast forward five years and today, their business employs 15 people and turns over more than £8 million.

Co-founder Matt Green captures the growing opportunity for small businesses across Britain:

“I think that the refurb market will continue to grow, with so many new phone models being released each year there will always be a demand to keep up and offer people the option to purchase decent phones at a reasonable price.”

Is this just another example of out-of-control consumerism? Far from it, I’d argue. The circular economy of the iPhone isn’t just good for your wallet or for the sales of British businesses – the planet is benefiting too. We’ve calculated that the amount of waste avoided through preowned phone sales in the U.S. and U.K. in 2016 sat at a whopping 424 tonnes.

So the next time you’re thinking about the latest Apple model (and we know you will, because Brits have already spent a whopping 730 million minutes searching iPhones on eBay this year!) remember: you’re contributing to a hidden economy that’s changing the face of retail in the UK, benefiting small businesses, buyers and the environment alike.

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Health24.com | Postpartum depression likely in subsequent pregnancies

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Between 10 and 30% of all mothers suffer from postpartum depression. It can happen any time after the baby is born, not only in the first few weeks after the birth. It can be mild or severe.

A new Danish study shows that women who have suffered from postpartum depression are more likely to go through it again after subsequent pregnancies.

Cushioning the blow

Postpartum depression occurs 27 to 46 times more frequently during subsequent pregnancies for mothers who experienced it after their first birth, researchers report.

These results show that women who have had postpartum depression in the past should prepare themselves if they get pregnant again, said lead researcher Marie-Louise Rasmussen, an epidemiologist with Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen.

Antidepressants or psychotherapy could help cushion the blow or even head off postpartum depression, Rasmussen said.

“In theory, psychotherapy is preferred but not always sufficient and not always available. Often, the general practitioner has to add antidepressant medication,” Rasmussen said. “Social support from the spouse and surroundings is also very important.”

Resolved within a year

In most cases, women can expect to shake off their postpartum depression within a year, the researchers found.

“Based on this data, we would think for most women who receive treatment, their depression should be treated and resolved in six months or less,” said Dr James Murrough. He’s director of the mood and anxiety disorders program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Postpartum depression generally takes hold of a new mother within days of delivery, although sometimes depression develops during pregnancy, according to the US National Institute of Mental Health.

Why does it occur?

Brain chemistry changes caused by post-delivery hormone fluctuations are a contributing cause of postpartum depression, along with the sleep deprivation experienced by most new parents, NIMH says.

Signs of postpartum depression can include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, frequent crying, anxiety or moodiness, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, difficulty with concentration, anger or rage, and loss of interest in activities that are usually enjoyable, according to the mental health institute.

A new mother with postpartum depression also might withdraw from friends or family and have difficulty forming an emotional attachment to her baby.

A bolt out of the blue

Rasmussen and her colleagues undertook this study to provide women facing pregnancy with better estimates of their overall risk of postpartum depression.

“Postpartum depression is a disease depriving families of a time period that should be filled with affinity, love and bonding,” Rasmussen said. “Especially for women with no prior experience with psychiatric disease, this must come as a bolt out of the blue.”

The researchers analysed data from Danish national registries on more than 457 000 women who delivered their first child between 1996 and 2013 and had no prior medical history of depression.

They reviewed medical records for signs of postpartum depression – specifically whether these women filled an antidepressant prescription or sought treatment for depression within six months after giving birth.

About 1 in every 200 women experienced postpartum depression, the researchers found.

But within a year of seeking care, only 28% of these women were still being treated for depression, the results showed. And four years later, that number was 5%. This new study was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

Why treatment is important

The risk of postpartum depression in subsequent births was 15% for women who took antidepressants following their first birth and 21% for women who sought depression treatment at a hospital. That amounts to a 27 and 46 times higher risk than for women who didn’t experience depression during their first pregnancy, the researchers said.

“The episodes were characterised by a relatively short treatment duration, yet a notably higher rate of later depression and recurrent episodes of postpartum depression,” Rasmussen said.

The higher risk for women who’ve already experienced postpartum depression “suggests that there’s some underlying vulnerability to develop depression in these particular individuals,” Murrough said. “Basically, it’s not random. If you had it before, you could have it again.”

Murrough and Rasmussen urged pregnant women to discuss the risk of postpartum depression with their doctor, particularly if they suffered it before.

Tips on coping

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) gives the following tips on how to manage postpartum depression:

  • Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
  • Be realistic about your expectations for you and the baby.
  • Follow a healthy diet and get some exercise.
  • Make time for your partner and family members.

Image credit: iStock

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Health24.com | How to help a loved one with binge eating disorder

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Binge eating disorder (BED) is a recognised eating disorder, often disregarded because of our mistaken belief that if someone’s eating and not underweight, they’re not suffering from an eating disorder. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

BED is defined as the consumption of an abnormally large quantity of food over a discrete period of time, according to a previous Health24 article.

It can be as serious as anorexia or bulimia and have far-reaching effects on one’s body and overall health.

According to Eating Disorder Hope, exact statistics on eating disorders in South Africa are scant since there has been little research on the topic – and there is also not much awareness about binge eating.

Secretive behaviour

Binge eating disorders are often misunderstood as nothing more than a lack of willpower or discipline. This misconception may prevent many children and adults from seeking proper help for this disorder. It can also be fairly hard to diagnose binge eating disorder due to the secretive behaviour of people who suffer – they may deny binge episodes and hide food or evidence of a binge.

Not all people suffering from binge eating disorder will necessarily be overweight – some of them will purge afterwards or exercise excessively to keep the weight off.

How do you know if a loved one is suffering?

There is a difference between overeating and binge eating. While one can occasionally overindulge, binge eating is a regular pattern. According to dietitian Dr Ingrid van Heerden, three or more of these symptoms will be present in a binge eater:

  • Two or more binge episodes per week over a period of six months
  • Poor control over eating habits
  • Eating faster than normal
  • Preferring to eat alone, or lying about eating to avoid embarrassment
  • Going to great lengths to hide the evidence of a binge like hiding wrappers, containers and till slips
  • Eating up to the point of discomfort
  • Feeling guilty, depressed or disgusted after eating
  • Exercising or purging after eating 

How you can help

1. Educate yourself

The first step towards any treatment plan is to inform yourself about binge eating disorder and to get rid of misconceptions. According to research, parents and family members are often more willing to help when they understand the psychological factors behind binge eating.

doing research online

2. Avoid the topic of food or weight

It might be difficult to avoid these topics, but it’s important to help your family member, child or friend focus on things other than food. The subjects of food and weight can trigger the emotions that may cause the person to binge.

parent talking to her daughter

3. Understand the triggers

The emotional triggers that can cause a binge eating episode differ from person to person. For some people it might be stressful situations or anxiety, for others it might be depression or feelings of despair or worthlessness. Try to help the person understand why a binge episode occurs and what emotions are triggers.

woman stress-eating at her desk

4. Focus on things other than food

Encourage activities that have nothing to do with food or kilojoules. Instead of going to the gym, choose fun outdoor activities that still involve exercise, but without the obsession to burn off food. Encourage exercise for enjoyment and not as a punishment for eating. Choose things like going to an art gallery or a museum instead of eating out.

mother and daughter walking

5. Encourage the person to get professional help

Encourage a binge eater to see a therapist or find a treatment programme. Sites such as Eating Disorders South Africa (EDSA) or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) offer valuable resources and contact numbers. 

therapy

Image credits: iStock

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Health24.com | 9 ways to boost your kidney health

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Our kidneys work extremely hard to dispose of all the excess salt and water we consume.

During this process, they also eliminate toxins that would otherwise accumulate and negatively affect our bodies.

In addition, our kidneys control blood acidity and blood pressure levels.

“When kidneys fail, the body is literally overwhelmed by excess water, salt and toxins, which defeat every other organ and body system,” says Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) spokesperson and dietitian Abby Courtenay.

“The job of the kidneys may not be glamorous or poetic, like the heart, but it is every bit as important.”

kidney health, pullout quote

Here nine ways to boost your kidney health:

1. Eat more antioxidants

Cecile Verseput, dietitian and ADSA spokesperson, says that researchers are discovering more links between chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the role foods play by forming free radicals or protecting against chronic inflammation through antioxidants.

“Chronic inflammation results in permanent damage, for instance in blood vessels in the heart and kidneys, that causes damage,” she explains. “Antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables can be seen as the ‘firemen putting out the harmful flames’ of inflammation caused by these free radicals.”

All fresh fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants.

2. Cut back on fatty red meat and dairy

Do you regularly eat plenty of fatty red meat and full-cream dairy? Unfortunately, you’re putting your kidneys at risk – they have to work so much harder to get rid of the excessive waste generated from digesting these animal proteins, explains Verseput.

Swap fatty meats and full cream dairy firstly for legumes, tofu and nuts, or alternatively for fresh/unprocessed fish or poultry.

3. Lose the weight

When you carry a bit of extra weight, your kidneys have to work so much harder – they need to filter more blood than normal to avoid the risk of developing CKD in the long term.

In fact, people who are overweight or obese are seven times more likely to develop end-stage renal disease compared to those with normal weight.

If you have a family history of CKD or renal failure, this should raise a red flag that you need to focus on the health of your kidneys. If you are overweight, you need to find ways to lose it and cut back on the stress you’re placing on your kidneys says Courtenay. 

Woman weighing herself on a scale

4. Manage hypertension

The prime culprit in 64% of CKD cases in South Africa is undetected or uncontrolled hypertension.

Protect your kidney healthy by having your blood pressure tested regularly, following your treatment plan (if you’re on one) and making lifestyle changes to keep your blood pressure in check, Courtenay advises.

5. Eat more green

“Go green!” says Verseput. “Give preference to a plant-based eating pattern including lots of fresh, whole foods, fruits and vegetables. You can also swap red meat for plant-based proteins like legumes, nuts and tofu.”

Green fruits and vegetables

6. Get real

“Drop the high-salt, trans-fat takeaways and convenience foods like hot cakes,” says Courtenay. She suggests developing an interest and enjoyment in cooking from scratch with fresh, healthy ingredients – it also means you’ll know exactly what you’re eating, so you won’t be at risk for hidden salt and sugar.   

“It’s so much more delicious, and good for your kidneys.”

7. Be choosy about fats

Fats are not created equal and you need to be careful about the ones you choose to eat.  

“Go for extra-virgin olive oil and avocado oil rather than hard fats to protect the blood vessels in your kidneys,” says Courtenay.

8. Forget the convenient fads

Although convenient, sugar-sweetened drinks and treats, fast foods, processed and red meat are bad news for your kidneys.

“If your diet consists of processed, junk food, it could cause similar damage to type 2 diabetes,” says Verseput.

A study, published the Experimental Physiology journal, showed that regularly eating junk food, such as fizzy drinks, burgers, cakes, biscuits and fast food, causes similar blood sugar levels as type 2 diabetes.

“This causes an accumulation of sugar, or glucose, in the blood, which can have severe long-term consequences for organs, including the kidneys, where it can lead to diabetic kidney disease.”

Woman saying no to junk food

9. Go nuts

Nuts are a great way to provide healthy fats and fibre to your diet. Courtenay says you should boost your intake of both nuts and legumes. 

Image credits: iStock

Compiled by Mandy Freeman

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