View time: 2 min 23
Level : Advanced
Author: natixis-ezine
Celebs tout ice baths, but science on benefits is lukewarm
Read time : 3 mins
Level : Advanced
By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer
The coolest thing on social media these days may be celebrities and regular folks plunging into frigid water or taking ice baths.
The touted benefits include improved mood, more energy, weight loss and reduced inflammation, but the science supporting some of those claims is lukewarm.
Kim Kardashian posted her foray on Instagram. Harry Styles has tweeted about his dips. Kristen Bell says her plunges are “brutal” but mentally uplifting. And Lizzo claims ice plunges reduce inflammation and make her body feel better.
Here’s what medical evidence, experts and fans say about the practice, which dates back centuries.
THE MIND
You might call Dan O’Conor an amateur authority on cold water immersion. Since June 2020, the 55-year-old Chicago man has plunged into Lake Michigan almost daily, including on frigid winter mornings when he has to shovel through the ice. Continue reading
Robot Intervention: Will You Be Replaced by a Robot at Work?
Read time : 3 mins
Level : Intermediate
Michael Dinich | Wealth of Geeks undefined
According to a new study, nearly half of UK jobs are at risk of being taken over by a machine. 45% of roles were at medium to high risk of being replaced by AI (artificial intelligence), including taxi drivers, dental nurses, and sales and customer services staff.
Data analysts at NetVoucherCodes looked at over 400 jobs to assess their risk of being replaced by AI or automation in the coming decades. The data revealed that the lowest-paid jobs are most at risk of being replaced by robots.
Using the AI bot ChatGPT, the analysts looked at job roles using the ONS Employee earnings in the UK 2022 survey to find out how at risk they are from automation and AI.
High Risk of Replacement
According to the data, lower-paid jobs are at a higher risk of being replaced because many of these roles involve repetitive tasks that require little creativity or decision-making. Continue reading
Microsoft fusing AI chatbot into search engine
View time : 1 min 21
Level : Intermediate
Ghana program aims to help water polo’s diversity
View time: 2 min 33
Level : Advanced
Chill pervades China’s tech firms even as crackdown eases
Read time : 3 mins
Level : Advanced
By ZEN SOO AP Technology Writer
HONG KONG (AP) — A grinding crackdown that wiped billions of dollars of value off Chinese technology companies is easing, but the once-freewheeling industry is bracing for much slower growth ahead.
Analysts say China’s easing of restrictions on companies like e-commerce giant Alibaba and online games company Tencent and talk of support for the private sector reflects Beijing’s decision to refocus on growth after the economy was ravaged by the pandemic and restrictions imposed to fight COVID-19.
But controls on internet content remain firmly in place. And the crackdown has left a “chilling” effect on the industry, potentially slowing innovation, while U.S. restrictions against China’s computer chips industry are hindering progress in developing leading edge technology in 5G and artificial intelligence.
In January, a top official at China’s central bank said in an interview with state-owned media that the crackdown on technology companies was “basically” over, adding that companies would be encouraged to lead economic growth and create more jobs. That came just weeks after China dropped stringent entry restrictions and testing and quarantine requirements that were part of its “zero-COVID” strategy meant to quash the virus. Continue reading
Past US presidents, VPs asked to recheck for classified docs
Read time : 4 mins
Level : Intermediate
By COLLEEN LONG, JILL COLVIN and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives has asked former U.S. presidents and vice presidents to recheck their personal records for any classified documents following the news that President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence had such documents in their possession.
The Archives sent a letter Thursday to representatives of former presidents and vice presidents extending back to Ronald Reagan to ensure compliance with the Presidential Records Act, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. The act states that any records created or received by the president are the property of the U.S. government and will be managed by the Archives at the end of an administration.
The Archives sent the letter to representatives of former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, and former Vice Presidents Pence, Biden, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Dan Quayle. Continue reading
Irish female saint honoured with national holiday
View time : 1 min 38
Level : Intermediate
No tater tots? Schools offer farm-to-table meals
View time: 2 min 15
Level : Advanced
Unicorn Sports Tech Company Imposes $1,200 Fine for Disturbing Coworkers on Vacation
Read time : 3 mins
Level : Advanced
By Bobby Kania
The founders of Indian unicorn startup Dream Sports have a revolutionary vacation policy.
First reported by CNBC, the company’s unusual approach to employee morale has the business world reeling.
No, it’s not unlimited vacation days or a company-paid trip. Instead, the company removes the vacationing employee from its systems for an entire week and fines anyone who attempts to interrupt their holiday $1,200, allowing employees to fully “unplug.” No email, Slack, phone calls, etc.
The co-founders say the policy “has been effective so far.” The 1-week separation helps employees to stay disconnected and have an uninterrupted holiday. Employees come back refreshed from their week’s vacation, and the founders know if the company depends too much on one person for making decisions or is missing critical process documentation. Continue reading