If you suffer from varicose veins start doing these five things

By
Monica Pop
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0

For those who have experienced issues with varicose veins, it is more than obvious that they are far greater concern than a cosmetic annoyance. For millions of people out there, varicose veins mean constant source of throbbing pain, swelling, heaviness, and that annoying itching that simply won’t go away.

While they are not life-threatening all by themselves, varicose veins can definitely affect the quality of life and make even something as simple as walking feel like a chore if they are not handed properly.

The good thing is that varicose veins don’t need to be a permanent roadblock for those suffering from them because nowadays there are plenty of medical solutions that can help with the problem, as well as certain habits that can offer relief.

What are varicose veins?

Mayo Clinic explains that varicose veins are essentially a condition in which your veins get enlarged, twisted, and pop up right under the skin, usually on the legs. Essentially, varicose veins appear when the tiny one-way valves in your body that help the blood pump towards your heart begin to weaken and fail. As a result, the blood doesn’t circulate upwards properly but begins to collect, forcing the veins walls to stretch and enlarge.

The biggest impact is felt by the legs since walking and standing alone put massive pressure on the lower body. This is when you start noticing the dark purple or bluish cords bulging beneath the surface.

Spider veins, the thin red and blue lines, are a milder version of the same condition, but varicose veins are much larger and likely to come with issues such as constant itching, burning sensation, and swelling.

Anatomy of the problem

Think of your veins as a one-way street with little security gates that open to allow blood to flow towards your heart and close to prevent that blood from sliding back. When these gates become weak, they let the blood slide backwards, causing it to build up inside the veins. This constant stress is what makes the veins bulge and take that twisted, enlarged look.

Symptoms and early signs

Varicose veins don’t aren’t necessarily accompanied with pain. For many people, it’s an issue of pure cosmetology they notice when they look at their legs. However, when some of the common symptoms that come along with varicose veins do appear, they are hard to ignore.

As per the Mayo Clinic, those symptoms come in the form of persistent achy and heavy sensation in your legs, or burning, throbbing, and cramping sensation. You may also experience swelling in the lower legs and ankles, along with an itchy feeling right around the veins.

In most cases, pain is felt after you’ve been sitting or standing still for a longer period of time. Also,you may notice changes in the color, dryness, or irritation of the skin of the affected area.

Who’s at risk? Common causes and risk factors

1. Valve dysfunction and venous pressure

At the heart of the problem is a simple mechanical failure: the valves in your veins simply won’t do their job as they are supposed to. Normally, these tiny little gates open and shut to keep your blood engaged in the battle to defy gravity and flow toward your heart. When they weaken or become damaged, they no longer shut correctly.

And that’s where the trouble begins, quite literally. Your blood doesn’t flow upwards as it should, but instead flows backwards and starts to accumulate. This, of course, is called venous reflux. It’s as if your blood is stuck in a traffic jam from which there’s no escape. Eventually, the pressure of the accumulated blood causes the walls of the vein to balloon outward and stretch to accommodate it. This, of course, is the very reason why we see the telltale signs of varicose veins.

2. Age

As with other health conditions, age plays one of the biggest roles when it comes to varicose veins. As years add up, the veins go through natural wear and tear. The walls of the veins become less flexible, and the the one-way valve becomes “leaky,” having troubles fighting gravity as it once did.

As the circulation of blood begins to slow with age, the blood has a better chance of pooling in your ankles and legs. This is more common with middle-aged and older adults but as with anything else, younger population is not entirely immune to this.

3. Family history

Genetics is also a factor in whether or not you’ll deal with varicose veins at some point in your life. If one or both your parents have them, chances of you having them is higher. Varicose veins are basically a hereditary “hand me down,” as some people inherit weaker vein walls or valves that are more prone to giving out.

For most part, it comes down to inherited differences in connective tissue, which can make your veins more likely to stretch and “balloon” under pressure.

Although you cannot change your genetic makeup, knowing your family’s medical history is a way to get a head start on preventative measures before anything begins to appear on the surface.

4. Sex and hormones

Compared to men, women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins, research concludes, and this comes down to hormones. Both estrogen and progesterone cause the walls of the blood vessels to become more relaxed, which in turn allows the veins to become longer and the internal valves to begin malfunctioning.

Just think of all the hormonal changes women experience throughout their lives. There is puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as the medications they may take, such birth control pills or hormone therapies. All this adds to the issue of varicose veins.

5. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body needs to produce more blood in order to support the fetus, putting extra mileage on your circulatory system. The hormones also shift, the uterus grows bigger and presses on the pelvic veins, acting like a speed bump trying to climb back to your heart. While varicose veins that appear during pregnancy may eventually go away, they can also stick.

6. Obesity

Carrying extra weight puts heavy burden on your leg veins. Over time, it allows the valves to weaken. On top of that, obesity usually means less physical activity, which in turn slows down blood flow. Therefore, maintaining healthy weight can play significant role in vein health.

7. Prolonged sitting or standing

If your job requires prolonged sitting or standing, it leads to the blood flow in your legs to stall.

The problem here is that your calf muscles, which are normally functioning as a second heart to pump blood up towards your heart, are completely dormant when you’re still. When this “pump” isn’t functioning, blood begins to build up, increasing the pressure on your veins and causing them to stretch and bulge.

Can varicose veins be prevented?

While genetics, age, and hormonal changes are something that is out of our control, there are still evidence-based habits that can lower the likelihood of developing varicose veins or simply slow their progression.

Stay active

Physical activity involving walking, swimming, or cycling can be a real game-changer. These, and similar exercises, engage your “calf muscle pump” that pumps blood back to your heart.

Watch your weight

Maintaining a healthy weight eliminates the constant and heavy pressure on your veins, which helps relieve venous pressure considerably.

Elevate your legs

When you are resting or sleeping, raising your legs above the level of your heart is the best way to utilize the force of gravity in your favor.

Wear proper clothing and footwear

Forget the skin-tight pants, constricting waistbands, and high heels that can impede blood flow. Opt for comfortable, well-ventilated clothing and shoes that allow for unrestricted leg movement.

Take movement breaks

If your job requires you to be stuck on a chair or stand in place, make sure you take frequent movement breaks since changing positions and taking short walks prevents blood from slowing down.

Follow a vein-friendly diet

As with many other health conditions, minding your diet can help in prevention of varicose veins. While no diet is in fact a magic cure, make sure you include foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids like berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, as well as whole grains. These foods can strengthen your vascular walls and support overall circulation.

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Conclusion

If the change of your lifestyle and wearing compressing socks won’t do much for your problem with varicose veins, there are several medical treatments that can help depending on how serious your condition is.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the more popular go-to solutions for varicose veins is sclerotherapy, in which a solution is injected directly into the vein to shut it down. Another solution for varicose veins is endovenous thermal ablation, in which a laser or radiofrequency heat treatment is used to “spot weld” the vein shut.

For larger, more problematic veins, a microphlebectomy allows doctors to remove the veins through small nicks in the skin. In more serious cases, vein stripping may need to occur. According to the Mayo Clinic, varicose veins that are left untreated can cause a number of nasty side effects, including skin ulcers, color changes, and even blood clots, so it’s definitely worth looking into treatment as soon as possible.

*Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment of varicose veins or any medical condition.

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The amazing story of Katie Stubblefield: She became the youngest person to receive a face transplant

By
Monica Pop
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Katie Stubblefield was just 18 years old when she decided to take her own life following a dispute with her boyfriend.

Before that, she was an excellent student and a fun loving young lady who found love during her senior year at the church where their parents taught. One night, Katie learned that her boyfriend was chatting with another girl, and when she confronted him, he told her he didn’t want to be with her any longer.

Katie felt terrible and instead of going home, she rushed to her brother’s house. Robert, her brother, noticed that Katie was visibly disturbed. “I was like, ‘What are you doing home from school?’” he recalled asking her. “So, you know, I called my parents, like, ‘Hey, just so you know, she’s at my house right now.’”

Youtube/ClevelandClinic

Katie’s mom, Alesia, who knew her daughter experienced some hard time during the previous year when she needed to have both her appendix and her gallbladder removed, went to Robert’s house to comfort her daughter, but Katie refused to speak to her or anyone else.

Robert and Alesia then decided to get out of the house and give Katie some time to collect herself, but shortly after, they heard what resembled a door being slammed. They went inside and realized Katie was locked inside the bathroom and the place was filled with the smell of a gunpowder.

“I tried to open the door,” Alesia recalled. “I said, ‘Katie?’ And nothing. And then I said, ‘Katie.’ I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And about the third time I said, ‘Katie,’ that’s when my heart began to just palpitate.”

“At that point, I smelled gunpowder because it was, obviously, indoors, and you can smell it,” her brother Robert added. “And I knew exactly at that point what had happened.”

Katie shot herself in the face, but somehow, she managed to survive although she was completely disfigured.

Youtube/ClevelandClinic

“When she was in that ER … she said, ‘Tell my mom and dad I love her — love them. I’m sorry,’” her father told ABC. “It took a lot of strength.”

Katie lost parts of her forehead, nose, sinuses, and most of her mouth except the corners of her lips. The bones that made up the jaw and front of her face were also gone. Her eyes remained, but were severely damaged.

Doctors tried to reconstruct the severely disfigured face of Katie Stubblefield, and her family was told that the only option for a normal life was a face transplant.

“[The doctor] said, ‘This is the worst wound I’ve ever seen, and I think the only thing that will give her any kind of life again will be a face transplant,’” Katie’s father said. “That was the first time we’d ever heard that term.”

Katie herself spoke of the tragic decision to shot herself in the face and the possibility of transplantation. “I had no clue what a face transplant was,” she said. “When my parents helped explain everything to me, I was very excited to get a face again and to have function again.

“I never thought of doing that ever before, and so on hearing about it, I just didn’t know how to handle it,” she recalled. “I felt so guilty that I had put my family through such pain, I felt horrible.”

Youtube/ClevelandClinic

After a year, the family of a 31-year-old woman named Adrea Schneider who suddenly passed away decided to donate her face and Katie was given the chance for a new face. She had undergone a complex surgery which lasted 31 hours, making Katie the youngest ever face transplant

Katie’s procedure involved transplanting the scalp, forehead, upper and lower eyelids, eye sockets, nose, upper cheeks, upper jaw and half of lower jaw, upper teeth, lower teeth, partial facial nerves, muscles, and skin – effectively replacing her entire facial tissue, the clinic explained in a statement.

Cleveland Clinic

“To reach this point of recovery has often times been a difficult road to travel, but I’m thankful there’s been a road – and Cleveland Clinic has been the vehicle to help drive me along,” Katie said shortly after the surgery.

“I am forever grateful for the care this hospital has given me and continues to offer on my journey of recovery and healing. To call my surgeons, physicians, nurses and caregivers’ world class’ would be an understatement. And to my donor and her family – words cannot express the appreciation I have for this incredible gift. With a grateful heart, I say ‘thank you’ to all who have made this possible for me.”

Youtube/ClevelandClinic

The process of recovery took a lot of time and plenty of medications. And although she has received a new face, Katie’s speech is still not very recognizable and she’s using braille lessons twice or thrice a week and speech therapy four times a week.

Fourteen months after the face transplant, doctors have completed three major revision surgeries intended to slim her face, reduce scarring, and improve her eyelids.

“I am able to touch my face now, and it feels amazing,” Katie told CNN.

“You take it for granted, the different components of our faces – the bone, the tissue, the muscle, everything – but when it’s gone, you recognize the big need. Then when you receive a transplant, you’re so thankful.”

Katie has a lot of plans for the future. Among the rest, she wants to attend college and become a counselor and a motivational speaker.

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One of Nostradamus’ 2026 predictions has just ‘come true’

By
Monica Pop
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Nostradamus, the world’s most famous astrologer whose quatrains have been re-read and re-interpreted even half a millennium after his passing, made chilling predictions for the year 2026.

His book Les Prophéties, which is a collection of 942 poetic quatrains, includes predictions about the Great Fire of London, Hitler’s rise to power, both World Wars, and the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, among the rest. This is why many are convinced in his power to predict future events with incredible accuracy.

Four of his predictions about 2026 have been revisited, and many are afraid they paint a deeply unsettling picture of the year ahead.

Wikimedia

Seven months, great war

According to the Mirror, Nostradamus writes in one of his quatrains, “Seven months great war, people dead through evil/ Rouen, Evreux the King will not fail.” According to experts familiar with the French apothecary, physician, and reputed seer, this verse refers to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

What makes this prediction more unsettling is that it comes with a timeline. This isn’t described as a brief flare-up, but as months of hardship with no swift resolution. The mention of European cities has people wondering if the conflict could spread to other countries. To believers, this isn’t just a warning but a countdown to what may come in the years 2026.

A frightening swarm

One of the most alarming predictions linked to 2026 comes from passage I:26, which reads: “The great swarm of bees will arise… by night the ambush…”

This particular verse has become a focal point for intense speculation among interpreters.

While the image of swarm of bees looks surreal, people believe it has noting to do with actual insects. On the contrary, modern readings link this prophecy to new modes of warfare, especially drone operations and synchronized military attacks. The idea of an invisible force showing up unannounced finds echoes in modern fears about autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, and mass surveillance.

Wikipedia

Rivers running red

In a verse written in standard French, Nostradamus wrote: “Because of the favor the city will show… the Ticino will overflow with blood…”

The region of Ticino, set in southern Switzerland, is a place with quiet villages and alpine views. Nothing about it associates to any form of violence and that is what makes the prophecy so unsettling. Switzerland’s reputation for neutrality has long placed it outside the reach of conflict, which is why the idea of bloodshed there feels so shocking. Some interpreters see the verse as hinting at unrest in Europe, with Ticino’s proximity to northern Italy raising fears of trouble spilling across borders.

The death of a prominent figure

One of Nostradamus’ verses has attracted special interest for implying the death of a great man or celebrity. In Century I, Verse 26, Nostradamus is said to portray a “great man” struck down by a thunderbolt in the light of day, a line that has been emphasized in recent interpretations shared by The Sun.

Who this figure is meant to be remains unknown, with speculation ranging from royalty and politicians to global celebrities. The focus on daylight has only added to the unease, suggesting a sudden and very public moment.

Which prophecy appears to have come true?

For decades, historians and skeptics have been fascinated by Nostradamus’ prediction of rivers running with blood. In his prediction about the Ticino region, he had mentioned that “the region will overflow with blood.” Although Switzerland does not experience literal bloodshed as described in his prediction, the metaphorical experience is taking on a global dimension as natural events begin to mirror his dark imagery, creating a sense of dread and fascination in people, who are trying to understand if his 500-year-old predictions are taking on a subtle, yet discernible form.

This prophecy isn’t about literal blood but foretells of catastrophic floods. Modern weather patterns are producing some disquieting comparisons to the prophecy. Storms Ingrid and Chandra have recently ravaged the UK. Storm Ingrid hit Devon and Cornwall hard, devouring a Victorian pier in Teignmouth and destroying sea walls near critical rail links. The damage to sea walls in Torcross sounds like something out of Nostradamus’ prophecies, making one believe that the prophecies are indeed reflecting what is happening today.

Other than the isolated instances of storms, the global floods are also on the rise. A report from Willis Towers Watson for the year 2026 has stated that the floods in Southeast Asia could rise ten times due to extreme weather conditions that will soon become the new norm. The economic loss is estimated to be above $10 billion, compared to the previous loss of just $1 to $2 billion.

The statistics are alarming. The cyclones that struck from Sri Lanka to Indonesia last year claimed over 1,300 lives and caused a loss of $20 billion. Further, the rise in the temperature of the ocean is causing these storms to become supercharged. Even the slightest rise in temperature is rendering the previous weather patterns obsolete.

Rain transforms Iranian beach into striking red spectacle via The Guardian

The most jarring “fulfillment” of the prophecy was experienced in December when the waters around Iran’s Hormuz Island took on a deep, visceral red color, the Guardian reported. This was caused by rains that washed iron-rich soils into the Persian Gulf. It was a scene reminiscent of a plague from the Bible. Scientists explain that the reaction between the rainwater and the iron oxide is natural; however, the sheer extent was a disquieting event. The island is known for being called “Rainbow Island” due to the mineral deposits; however, the extent of the event was eerie.

Similarly, the Sea of Galilee in Israel turned a reddish hue earlier this year due to an algae bloom that popped under the sun. Naturally, they immediately went about assuring everyone that it was harmless, but the recent string of “bloody” waters seen around the Middle East has certainly generated a lot of speculation. For those who believe Nostradamus’ prophecies, it certainly appears to be coming to pass.

The imagery holds enormous symbolic meaning. In the Bible, the waters of Nile turning to blood was the first plague sent upon Egypt, symbolizing judgement. At the same time, it is said in the Book of Revelation that seas turning red is a sign of apocalypse. Since these motifs are very common in the religious lore, the recent events are seen as eerie. According to many, they support support the belief that Nostradamus’ visions were not entirely figurative.

Of course, scientists find the cause of these recent events in mineral runoff and biological activity, but it is the timing of these incidents that leaves many concerned and gives then hard time so simply brush them off.

It is the combination of wild weather, environmental shifts, and striking visuals that create a perfect storm for debate on prophecy and our human tendency to find patterns in the chaos.

Some see these recent incidents as simple coincidences, while others see them as literal predictions. But no matter which group one belongs to, it’s certain they continue to breathe new life into the work and life of the great Nostradamus.

Honestly, it’s striking that there is still this strong connection between the visions of Nostradamus, which date back to the 16th century, and the present times that we live in. Every time a river runs red or a city floods, the line between ancient prophecy and observable science seems to get a little blurrier, a lot more compelling.

As the extreme weather events escalate and the red waters appear in a sporadic fashion all over the world, this remains one of the most discussed aspects of the legacy left by Nostradamus. Whether one believes in his prophecies or not, these images continue to prompt us to gaze at the waters and ponder how past and future meet.

A hint of hope

Despite the darkness of some of his predictions, Nostradamus also writes, “Shadows will fall, but the man of light will rise. And the stars will guide those who look within,” hinting at a glimmer of hope.

Many of Nostradamus’ verses paint bleak picture of impending doom, but these lines suggest that even the darkest of times see the light in the end of the tunnel, eventually.

History has proved times and again that when faced with the most severe challenges, such as war or natural calamity, the power of the human mind can certainly lessen the impact of the problem.

The lines of Nostradamus are a reminder to us all to remain vigilant, to remain informed, and to remain proactive. By keeping a watchful eye on the world around us, being prepared to face the challenges that may come our way, and being guided by the power of scientific knowledge as well as the power of the community around us, we can face the challenges of an uncertain future much more effectively. It is in this regard that true hope is not found by ignoring the challenges that may come our way, but by facing those challenges head-on. Even centuries later, the prophecies of Nostradamus remind us of the importance of being aware of the challenges that face us as well as the power of the human mind to face those challenges.

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Between the ages of 65 and 85: if you can still do these 5 things on your own, you’re stronger than you think

By
Monica Pop
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As people age, it’s not uncommon to run into comments that sound defeating. While most of those comments come as casual remarks, such as “you are too old for that,” and “maybe it’s just the time to slow down,” for those hearing them, they sound like judgements. And it’snot hard to see why. Hearing comments like these creates this false impression that getting older automatically mean losing your strength and independence.

The good thing is that the reality is way more inspiring.

I’ve met plenty of people in their 60s, 70’s, and even beyond, who are still strong, both mentally and physically. And this isn’t a rare occasion. When you take your time and take a closer look at the people around you, you’ll understand that there isn’t just one single way of aging. Why do I say this, you may wonder. Well, that’s because there are a lot of elderly people who are active, independent, and show no signs of slowing down. What’s more, they do manage to handle their daily lives with a lot of confidence.

When you think about it, strength at this point in life is not about some extraordinary achievements, but the small everyday moments that remind you you are still in charge of your independence, your resilience, and your sharp mind.

Take cooking dinner for yourself as an example. Or running your own errands, moving comfortably on your own, engaging into conversations with those around you; all this shows just how strong you are despite your advanced age.

Here are five easy signs that show your strength if you are 65 to 85 or beyond, even if you don’t actually realize it.

Pexels

1. Getting up and moving around without help

At first glance, standing up from a chair and walking around the house, or even climbing a few stairs, doesn’t seem like a big deal. We do it plenty of times throughout the day without a second thought. However, when you think about it, even something as simple as this requires a lot of effort. First, your muscles need to find the power to lift you up, and your joints need to move smoothly as well, while your brain needs to coordinate all this and keep your body balanced. Further, walking requires even more effort and more cooperation between your nerves, your muscles, and the balance system in your inner ear.

So, if you are between the age of 65 and 85 and you are still able to get out of chair and walk around your house, you need to know that it’s a huge sign of physical independence and definitely a sign that several key system are still running smoothly: muscle strength, joint mobility, balance and coordination, and neurological control.

When you are mobile at advanced age, that helps with the overall well-being. Among the rest, this helps with circulation, bone density, and keeping your energy levels high. And probably the most important aspect of staying mobile is that you get to look after yourself and go along with your daily routines while having the sense of freedom.

Unsplash

2. Going out to shop and run errands alone

Some of us enjoy running errands, while some find it annoying and demanding. Whatever it is, running errands calls upon a surprising number of mental and physical skills. Let’s think about all the things this activity actually consists of. First, there is a list of things we need to remember even before heading to the store, we then need to navigate through streets, talk to people we meet on the way, and make a bunch of tiny decisions along the way. it’s safe to say that running errands is a sort of mental exercise that involves various skills, and they include:

Orientation – knowing where we are and where we need to be.

Memory – remembering the list of things we need to get from the store.

Decision making – Deciding what exactly to buy and manage our money.

Attention – being aware of the surrounding and pay attention to what is going on around us.

Now when you thing about it, it doesn’t sound like a big deal, but for someone who has reached certain age, being capable to do so, it easily means their brain is still sharp and efficient.

When you manage to do your own errands, it speaks volumes of your cognitive abilities and self-reliance.

Pexels

3. Cooking or preparing your own food

Cooking is yet another seemingly simple task like the ones described above, but in reality, it involves a lot of moving.

When it comes to cooking your own food at the age of 80 and above, it’s not just about the food but about a workout of your mind and body. The process of preparing your own food asks for memory, coordination, focus, and a lot of planning. If you consider everything that’s going on in your mind while cooking, you’ll get to realize the following:

Your memory sharpens as you need to remember all of the ingredients for a specific meal, your coordination is in good shape if you still chop your own vegetables and use utensils, your focus is all good as you monitor the heat and the cooking time, and you keep on track with your planning skills, because we all know that making a dish involves managing a number of things all at the same time.

So, if you are between 65 and 85 and you are still making your own food, you should be proud of yourself, because it’s an obvious indicator that your memory, concentration, physical condition work just fine.

Of course, there’s also something else in play here. When you cook your own food, even the most simple dish out there, you are independent and show signs of self-care, something truly important at old age.

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4. Having conversations and learning new things

One of the most obvious signs of mental vitality is the ability to communicate with others, share ideas, and stay curious about the world around you.

I’ve never actually seen it that way, but conversation is far more complex that we think. When we talk to someone, our brain processes language at an enormous speed, we recall memories, articulate ideas, and respond in real time. For people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, the capacity to engage in conversation is a clear indication that the brain’s “gears” are still running smoothly.

This, however, is just one part of the story.

Many people who belong in this age group learn new things all the time. For example, they learn how to use the new technology, such as smartphones and tablets, in order to stay connected with friends and family. Others still read books, stay up on the news, and even take up new hobbies.

The fact is that learning at any age is great for keeping the brain stimulated and flexible, and even research confirms this. When we keep the brain actively engaged, we help brain function, support our memory and attention, and keep our problem-solving skills sharp.

At the heart of all this is curiosity. People who are curious about the world around them, ask questions, and seek new experiences, stay truly engaged with the world. Regardless of age, curiosity is one of the greatest strengths a person can possess.

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5. Maintaining relationships

While staying physically and mentally fit at older age is vital, possessing emotional strength is as important.

When we care about the relationships we have with others, socialize with friends and family, and enjoy good company, we are in fact emotionally healthy. Being social is not just a ‘nice to have,’ but a fundamental aspect of overall well-being. In fact, people who stay socially active at older age are generally more satisfied, more resilient, and have a much better quality of life.

Even small talks with neighbors, sharing a meal with a friend, and have a good laugh with someone can work wonders for your emotional balance.

At the same time, socializing is a good exercise for the brain. Every conversation you have will tap into your memory banks, refine your language skills, and enhance your emotional intelligence. And while all of that is good for the mind, it is relationships that bring flavor and meaning to our lives, that make us aware that we are part of a group, and that we belong.

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Conclusion

When people think of the word strength, the first thing that pops up is lifting weights, running a marathon, or competing in sports. However, as we age, the real meaning of the word “strength” starts to change.

When people past the age of 65, what strength means to them is the independence, the resilience, and the ability to maintain a fulfilling life.

So, aging doesn’t erase strength, it just reshapes it. It’s so easy to forget the significance of our day-to-day abilities because they’re considered something normal. But the truth is, these simple things are the result of years of resilience and learning how to adapt. Every time you take an independent step, every time you talk to someone, and every time you cook a meal is a reminder that the energy of life does not go away as the years go by.

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Lizzie was mocked for her looks her entire life, but she is fighting back with optimism

By
Monica Pop
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Born with a rare genetic condition that prevents her body from gaining weight, Lizzie Velasquez has been voted the world’s ugliest woman. She didn’t have it easy in life because she had experienced bullying by her peers and random people, and she got this “title” after she appeared on a TV show a couple of years ago. Mean and cruel people mocked her appearance by publishing her pictures online.

But Lizzie is an incredibly brave young woman who will never let her look define her as a person. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she stood against the world and fought back with incredible optimism.

Lizzie Velasquez

She is now a motivational speaker and a YouTuber who is known worldwide. The words of wisdom she shares with people who experience any kind of bullying or are facing tough times have the power to make them stand on their feet and move on.

Luckily, she was born in a home where she was given all the love. Her caring parents taught her to love herself fiercely because the real beauty is what’s inside. Her mom and dad have been very supportive and she is grateful for having them in her life.

Speaking to Today of her childhood, she recalled: “To my family, I was just Lizzie. It was a big slap of reality for a 5-year-old. The other kids were scared of me, pointing at me, not wanting to sit with me. I couldn’t process it. I wasn’t doing anything to them, so why was it happening to me? And I didn’t dare tell anyone.

“Finally, I told my parents and they said, ‘There is nothing wrong with you, you are just smaller than the other kids. You are beautiful and smart and can accomplish anything.’”

She is now known as an anti-bullying hero who makes impact in people’s life. Lizzie Velasquez, you are one-of-a-kind!

Below is one of her most powerful motivational speeches. You can follow her work by subscribing to her YouTube channel.

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A brief hug at the office sparked rumors — until the real reason behind it changed everyone’s perspective

By
Monica Pop
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The hospital where my father and I work doesn’t have an “off” switch. And I guess this goes for every hospital out there. All you hear in the hallways are footsteps of people rushing, phones ringing, and lots of hushed conversations. At the end of the day, hospitals are places where the best and the worst news happen in the same breath.

My dad has been working as a nurse in these halls for years now. He’s one of those people everyone looks to. Over the years, he learnt how to stay grounded even when things are spiraling. I don’t know how he manages it, but he always moves through the chaos with confidence that makes everyone, both patients and staff alike, feel like things are going to turn out okay.

Me? I work in a different part of the hospital. I’m in social services, and my job is not about medical procedures but about helping patients and their families deal with the weight of being here. I’m the one who guides them through all the red tape, intervenes in crisis situations, or simply lends an ear to a patient who’s overwhelmed by the diagnosis.

My job and my dad’s job are worlds apart, but we do bump into each other in the hallways, in the elevators, or over quick coffee at the cafeteria. During those moments, I always feel like there is this unspoken bond between us; both of us get what it’s like working in a place where the stakes are always high.

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To me, working alongside my father has felt like a gift. I don’t know why exactly, but I feel it’s nice to have someone close to you where you work, because they are the people who truly get the job and know just how it feels like to constantly run on fumes.

It was during an afternoon, after what felt like one of the worst mornings in my job, that I ran into my dad in the hallway between our departments. Both of us had been running on empty, having had to deal with a dozen of cases. Without really thinking we are at work, we hugged each other, just a little pick-me-up. It was something we’ve done a thousand of times before.

To us, it was nothing. Just a father and daughter leaning on each other during a tough day at work, but those around us, our hug seemed, well, strange.

Just as my dad and I let each other go, one of the new nurses happened to be passing down the hallway. She had no idea we were related and the kind of morning we both have, so our hug probably seemed too personal to her, almost inappropriate. And just like that, a tiny misunderstanding started to take a life on its own.

What I didn’t know up until that point was that hospitals were places were news travel faster than the code blue. And yes, I learned that the hard way.

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The following day, rumors already started circulating. Someone mentioned seeing two members of the staff hugging, and the next person who heard it just added their own spin. Before we knew, the hug my dad and I shared turned into some sort of a big scandal. Whenever we would walk into the cafeteria, there were these strange looks and nudges between the rest of the staff that we couldn’t quite figure out.

And yes, it didn’t take long before my dad and I were both hauled into HR. This was the moment when we both realized just how far that simple misunderstanding has gone.

When we went into the office, the environment wasn’t exactly hostile, but it wasn’t friendly either. The rep kept it professional and told us that there had been a “concern” about a situation involving two co-workers and that they “just needed to clear the air.”

A minute later, the nurse that had spotted us in the hallway came into the office. She looked pretty nervous, and you could tell she was starting to second-guess herself. My dad and I looked at each other, and then I finally spoke up.

“We are family,” I said. “He’s my father.”

You could have literally heard a pin drop. Then, you could practically see the lightbulbs going off in their heads. The whole rumor that had been floating around had just gone up in smoke.

The nurse apologized on the spot. She looked mortified that her assumption had gotten out of hand. She said she had jumped to a conclusion without having any of the facts. The HR rep gave as this whole “direct communication” speech. But honestly? We were glad those weird looks were now over.

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The incident left both me and my father with a sharper sense of how easily people get the wrong idea about things. We are more careful now when we know that even the small things can feel wrong to people who don’t know the whole story. For some reason, this also showed us how to be even more understanding with the people we work with and the people who visit the hospital because of one reason or another.

And when you think about it, it’s astounding how gossip really works. I’m totally aware that it is in the human’s nature to gossip a bit, or a lot when it comes to some people, but letting assumptions run wild can destroy relationships, both at work and at home. And I don’t think this is something people think about as much as they should.

Why don’t we just give people the benefit of the doubt and try to understand the context of a situation before we jump into conclusions?

In a place as high-pressure as a hospital, this won’t be just a nice sentiment, but the only way to build trust and respect.

Of course, after a while, everything settled down, the rumors faded away, and things turned to normal again. But for me and my dad, it was really a case of “you don’t forget something like that.”

It hit home just how much patience and understanding matter. There will be crossed wires in any hospital, and that’s just the way it is. But that’s also an opportunity to lead by way of empathy. A simple question or chat can put the kibosh on a situation before it becomes an explosion.

Most people think of a hospital as a sterile, clinical box that’s all about the charts, the jargon, and the procedures. But if you actually live your life inside a hospital like I do, you know it’s a heck of a lot more personal than that. Behind all those machines and those files are actual people: patients, families, us—and we’re all just trying to deal with our fears, exhaustion, and hopes in whatever way we can.

And for those of us who are clocking in every day, empathy isn’t just a policy but a lifeline.

It’s us who are there to calm a worried spouse or a co-worker who’s just hit a wall mid-shift. To be honest, it’s in those little moments that we learn some of the biggest lessons: a quick hug down the hallway, grabbing a cup of coffee together, or simply asking a co-worker if they’re really okay. In a place where the stakes are always through the roof, it’s those little moments that remind us we’re a team.

A lot of times, the best training doesn’t come from a textbook; it comes from a total mess-up. That rumor that tore through our halls was pretty mortifying at the time, but it ended up being a real wake-up call. We saw firsthand how fast things spiral when people don’t have the full story. It was a blunt reminder that being open, kind, and actually looking out for each other matters just as much as the way we treat our patients.

What I learned is that hospitals will always be chaotic and unpredictable environments, but even in the midst of all that noise, a bit of genuine understanding can go a long way. And honestly, the same goes for every work environment out there where working with humans is involved.

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Bored Daddy

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Major US Airline can now remove passengers for ‘barebeating’

By
Monica Pop
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If you had your fair share of traveling by plane, you know all too well that it can be tiring, to say the least. Well, according to many, it can also be annoying, especially if you are seated next to someone who wouldn’t stop talking, listening to loud music, or scrolling through reels with the volume on.

It turns out that there is a name for this habit of people playing music, videos, or games out loud on their phones while on the plane. It’s called “barebeating,” and it turns out many people do it. When they do listen to whatever they prefer with their headphones on, it wouldn’t bother anyone, but when others are forced to listen to whatever they are listening, well, it’s then when it becomes an issue.

Since a lot of passengers are complaining of people “barebeating,” one US airline is making it clear that they won’t be tolerating it any longer.

United Airlines has quietly updated its Refusal of Transport Section, the specific policy detailing when the airline can “refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis,” or use the “right to remove from the aircraft at any point.”

The update introduces a new form of disruptive behavior that could get you booted, “Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”

This rule appears alongside other forms of disruptive behavior including boarding the plane intoxicated, and interfering with the flight attendants among the rest.

To help keep the peace at 35,000 feet, United Airlines now gives flight attendants clear authority to step in when noise becomes disturbance for the rest of the passengers.

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According to the NBC News, the expectation already existed, but this time United Airlines just decided to make it more explicit.

“We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content – and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” United said in a statement.“With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”

High-speed services such as Starlink are expected to boost in-flight internet, thus allow passengers to stream content without interruptions.

People on the social media praised United Airline’s updated policy, saying that using headphones when listening to music, watching videos, or playing games in shared spaces is simply a matter of common curtesy.

“Imagine needing an airline to tell you to use headphones and have basic courtesy and respect for other people in public,” a person posted on Reddit. Another person wrote, “It’s sad as a society this even needs to happen to begin with.” A third added, “I totally agree, no sense hearing a Private conversation or any other Noise. When you are flying you need to be able to Hear any instruction and Pay attention. It could save your life.”

Another commenter, who called themselves a former “Delta loyalist” said the issue of barebeating has become so common that they are now considering switching airlines.

“My last few flights the ‘trash’ factor went way up. Maybe I was just unlucky, but the flight attendants shouldn’t leave it to me to address. I’m happy to, but I don’t want to risk being removed from my flight. I’ll try United next trip if they take the responsibility off of me.”

A flight attendant also spoke of the issue, highlighting just how often it comes up during flights. “As a flight attendant; we have to tell people literally every flight. It makes our jobs harder when we’re stuck policing common courtesy instead of just focusing on service & safety.”

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But it’s not just the adults. It often happens that young children watch videos and cartoons without their headphones on, and their parents don’t see it as an issue as along their kids are entertained during flying.

“I was just on a delta flight where a woman with a toddler was positively screeching ‘he’s just a baby you expect him to wear headphones?!’ over and over again until the flight attendant left. The child watched the same video playlist over a two-hour flight,” one person said.

“Ugh. Took my toddler on a flight with my spouse and she was just fine with headphones,” another person added.

According to another airline employee, announcements about using headphones are made before take off, but for some reason, a bunch of parents mean their kids are an exception to the rule. “So, we almost have to say that this rule applies to all devices and guests of all ages. It’s a shame how parents think their children can do whatever they want.”

Travel experts say the problem of barebeating has become more noticeable in recent years as smartphones and tablets have become main source of entertainment during flights. While a number of passengers do use their headphones, other rely on their device’s speakers, forgetting that it may bother those around them.

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Airplane cabins are already packed with a bunch of background noise from the engines and the air circulation systems, which makes some passengers turn the volume on their devices up even louder. And when this happens, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that those around them, who try to sleep, read, or simply relax during the flight, get frustrated.

This makes things hard for the flight attendants too because they are constantly forced to walk the fine line of serving customers and keep thigs under control within a very confined space. Unlike other places, where people can simply move in order to get away from a person listening to music or videos on their devices without headphones on, on an airplane this is not an option, and that’s the reason why airplane companies put an emphasis on cooperation and basic courtesy.

Further, extended exposure to loud audio on a plane can cause stress and fatigue for those already facing issues such as lack of space, loud noises from the engines, and jet lag. According to experts, even moderate exposure to noises in a confined space can cause difficulty in relaxing, sleeping, or concentrating. So, airlines urge passengers to use their headphones not only as a matter of courtesy but also for the sake of the comfort of the rest of their passengers.

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This isn’t the first change airplane companies make when it comes to the passengers’ behavior.

Recently, Turkish Airlines decided to put a price on passengers being impatient to get off the plane the moment it touches down.

The country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), led by Kemal Yüksek, has issued a directive to cabin crews: Passengers who ignore disembarkation rules by standing before the plane has fully stopped, opening overhead compartments, crowding the aisle, or moving before it’s their row’s turn, will now face official fines.

According to The Washington Post, airline staff have been directed to report any passenger who stands before the seatbelt sign is activated. Under Turkish aviation regulation, anyone who fails to comply with the rules could face administrative fines of up to 2,603 Turkish Lira, which is the equivalent of around $67.

“Please do not unfasten your seatbelt, stand up, or open the overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign has been switched off,” the notice said.

“Passengers who do not comply with the rules will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report, and an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with the applicable legal regulations,” the airline now announced, according to The Sun.

The decision came as a result of the increased number of complaints from passengers who actually respect the rules.

Some other etiquette rules passengers on flight should follow is keep their feet out of sight, respect other passengers’ personal space, leave room in the bin for other passengers’ stuff, drink in moderation, and stay in your seat until the aircraft has come to a complete stop.

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Bored Daddy

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Woman’s inoperable tumor shrinks within five days following breakthrough cancer treatment

By
Monica Pop
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Glioblastoma, a fast growing type of brain tumour that belongs to a group of gliomas, stands as one of the most aggressive and most challenging cancers the medicine has ever faced. For decades, the medical community has tried hard to find effective ways to battle against this devastating disease. While standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can help slow the disease down, they rarely offer a permanent solution.

Recently, however, a new approach using CAR-T immunotherapy has produced some truly astonishing results. In a small US clinical trial, patients with recurrent glioblastoma saw their tumors shrink dramatically mere days after they began treatment. While it’s still early, this breakthrough has given both the patients facing this form of cancer and the medical community a fresh sense of hope that this deadly disease may one day be treatable.

Understanding glioblastoma

Glioblastoma, often called glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, is the most aggressive and most common malignant brain tumor in adults. It starts in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord, whose function is to support and protect our neurons. When these cells turn cancerous, they start growing incredibly fast and integrate into the surrounding brain tissue.

Unlike most other tumors that form as organized masses, glioblastoma spreads into the nearby areas, which makes it nearly impossible for surgeons to remove it entirely from the body during surgery. Even in those cases when surgeons believe they managed to remove the tumor completely, microscopic cells are often left behind, which cause the cancer to return again.

While glioblastoma can affect people of any age, it is usually present at older adults. According to the National Cancer Institute, some of the most common symptoms people with glioblastoma experience are persistent headache, seizures, nausea, blurred vision, and issues with their memory and speech. Because most of this symptoms are common for a number of other neurological conditions, glioblastoma is other diagnoses in its later stages.

The extent of this disease is staggering. As per the charity Brain Tumour Research, about 3,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the UK alone.

Even after decades of research, the sad reality is that the prognosis for patients battling glioblastoma is grim. The standard “triple threat” of treatment, which involves surgery followed radiation and chemotherapy treatment with drugs such as temozolomide can ease the symptoms and slow things down, but they rarely help get rid of the disease for good. For patients diagnosed with this type of cancer, the average survival time following diagnosis is usually 15 months, which speaks volumes of the urgency with which researchers and medical professionals should search for new ways to approach the disease for better outcomes.

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The challenge of treating solid tumors

What is challenging about glioblastoma is the very nature of solid tumors. While blood cancers travel through the system, a tumor is essentially a clump of cells with its own internal environment.

In fact, even within a tumor of glioblastoma cells, there may be several different kinds of cancer cells with different genetic mutations. This is called tumor heterogeneity, and it is a major obstacle to treating glioblastoma. It is what makes it so difficult to get rid of all of the cancer cells at once. It is what makes it so that a treatment may appear to be working at first, only to have the cancer recur later as the resistant cells continue to grow.

The brain itself adds its own layer of defence. While it is wonderful that our brains have this blood-brain barrier that keeps it protected from toxins, it also blocks medications from reaching the tumor cells effectively. All these challenges have forced experts and researchers from exploring new ways of approaching the processes of treating glioblastoma.

What is CAR-T therapy?

One of the most promising breakthroughs in cancer treatment lately is CAR-T therapy. CAR stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy, and is essentially a form of personalized immunotherapy that utilizes the power of our own immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells in our body.

The process of CAR-T therapy, according to the American Cancer Society, begins with collecting T cells from the patient or from a suitable donor. T cells are specific immune cells that identify and fight against harmful invaders in our body. Next, these T cells are sent to the laboratory where they are genetically altered to recognize specific proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. Once they are re-engineered, the T cells are injected back into the body. When they are in the bloodstream, T cells target their mission and eliminate cancer cells.

So far, CAR-T therapy has shown incredible results in treating blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. In fact, there have been remarkable examples of patients with leukemia and lymphoma who have run out of treatment options and underwent CAR-T therapy, which led to long-term remission.

However, the difficulty has been in using this this therapy to treat solid cancers, including glioblastoma.

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A new approach to CAR-T therapy

Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center, part of Mass General Brigham healthcare system in Boston, have reported promising data on a new CAR-T therapy specifically targeting glioblastoma.

This was reported in March 2024 and has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, which is considered one of the top medical journals in the world.

According to Mass General Brigham, this study tested a new approach that pairs CAR-T cells with special kinds of antibodies called T-cell-engaging antibody molecules (TEAMs).

This combination has been designed to defeat one of the biggest hurdles in the treatment of glioblastoma, which is the genetic diversity of the tumor. Instead of targeting one specific cancer marker, the therapy has been engineered to target many kinds of tumor cells at the same time.

Dr. Bryan Choi, a neurosurgeon and associate director of the Center for Brain Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy at Mass General Cancer Center, explained the importance of the therapy.

“The CAR-T platform has revolutionized how we think about treating patients with cancer, but solid tumors like glioblastoma have remained challenging to treat because not all cancer cells are exactly alike and cells within the tumor vary,” Choi said.

Further, Dr. Choi stated that by combining two forms of therapy, researchers are now able to treat glioblastoma in a broader and potentially more effective way.

The first clinical trial involved three patients who had recurring glioblastoma after undergoing conventional treatment, which included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Each of the patients was given a single infusion of the modified CAR-T cells, and the results were striking.

According to the study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, one patient experienced a tumor reduction of 18.5 percent just two days after receiving the treatment. By day 69, imaging scans showed that the tumor had shrunk by 60.7 percent, and the response lasted for more than six months.

Another patient’s tumor was also said to have regressed quickly.

The most impressive case was that of a 57-year-old woman, who, according to Mass General Brigham, had shown near complete regression of her tumor just five days after receiving a single infusion of this therapy, as shown in her MRI scan.

For a disease known for being hard to treat, this is quite rare.

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Safety and side effects

However, though the results were encouraging, it is to be noted that there were temporary side effects with the treatment.

According to the researchers, almost all of the patients suffered from fever and temporary neurological symptoms such as confusion or altered mental status shortly after receiving the infusion. Such side effects of CAR-T therapy are common, as the immune system is highly activated to attack cancer cells.

The patients were closely monitored during their stay at the hospital before they were discharged.

Progress but not yet a cure

The results at the three patients whose tumors shrunk have been dubbed remarkable, but still, researchers state that this is not yet considered a cure for glioblastoma.

After some time, the tumors at all three patients started growing again, and according to scientists, this is probably due to the limited presence of T cells inside their bodies.

According to Mass General Brigham, scientists are working on finding a way to make the durability of the treatment more lasting at patients who are battling glioblastoma, including repeated CAR-T infusions or combining the therapy with chemotherapy to strengthen the immune reaction.

Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner, a neuro-oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-author of the study, highlights the importance of further research despite the progress presented with the recent findings.

“We report a dramatic and rapid response in these three patients,” Gerstner said. “Our work to date shows signs that we are making progress, but there is more to do.”

At the time being, the CAR-T therapy represents one of the most personalized approaches to treating cancer.

By using the body’s own immune cells, scientists are able to create treatments tailored to the specific needs of each individual cancer patient.

Future research may validate these early results, and CAR-T therapy may lead to new avenues of treatment for not only glioblastoma, but many other types of cancer as well.

As Dr. Marcela Maus, director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Mass General Cancer Center, explained in the Mass General Brigham report, the ultimate goal remains ambitious.

“We haven’t cured patients yet, but that is our audacious goal.”

*Medical disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. The treatment described is still under investigation in clinical trials, and further research is needed before it becomes widely available. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding medical conditions or treatment options.

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