Romantic relationships and neighborhood quality are both important predictors of mental and emotional well-being. But the larger societal context also influences how these factors affect individuals. A new study from the University of Illinois looks at the intersection of relationships, neighborhood, and mental health for Black Americans.
COVID-19 is no longer an official emergency: Is that the right call?
The COVID-19 emergency is over. After three years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the virus “no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.” Many countries have decided the same.
Vast majority of tweets about obesity are negative, study finds
New research to be presented at next week’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Dublin, Ireland (May 17-20), has found that tweets about obesity are predominantly negative.
Study shows traffic-related air pollution in Irvine weakens brain function
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution in Irvine led to memory loss and cognitive decline and triggered neurological pathways associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Michigan doctors express hesitancy to authorize medical cannabis use in new study
Although the drug is legal in Michigan, doctors in the state are hesitant to authorize their patients to use cannabis, while struggling to manage other influences on their patients’ health care decisions, says a University of Michigan researcher.
STOP HOOLIGANISM!
THAT was hooliganism at its worst.
The behaviour of the Ministry of Information Director and spokesperson, Mr Thabo Kawana to storm a radio station and force himself on a programme must be condemned.
Mr Kawana, as a senior government official ought to understand the protocols involved for one to feature on a radio or television programme.
It is not just something you do on an impulse – particularly when it involves political players as was the case yesterday.
His behaviour was uncouth and we hope his employers, the Ministry of Information and Media will take disciplinary action against him.
The ministry, especially its senior officers must be the first ones to appreciate what press freedom and freedom of expression entails.
We do not think his position at the ministry gives him special rights to enter any radio station and interfere with its programmes.
Patriotic Front aspiring presidential candidate Emmanuel Mwamba says the action by Mr Kawana to storm a live radio programme was illegal most especially that he was a senior government officer.
Mr Mwamba has every right to be annoyed by the callous behaviour of Mr Kawana.
Mr Mwamba was featuring on Lusaka Music Radio’s Talk of the City programme when Mr Kawana, who was not invited, stormed the programme to challenge him.
Mr Mwamba said Mr Kawana was offside for interfering in a programme to which he was not invited. Moreover, the radio station is privately-owned and not part of the state-owned ZNBC.
That makes Mr Kawana’s forced entry as criminal trespass as Mr Mwamba noted, and that is something he cannot defend.
The new dawn administration boasts about enhancing press freedom since coming into power that it does not interfere in the operations of media houses. That is now questionable.
Mr Kawana’s behaviour might explain the tendency by UPND cadres of storming and assaulting staff at radio stations featuring figures from the opposition parties.
There must be tacit approval from way up the UPND hierarchy that makes them behave in such a manner, knowing that they are “untouchable.”
In Mr Kawana’s case, one wonders whether he went to the radio station as a civil servant or a spokesperson for the UPND Alliance.
But even if he disagreed with what Mr Mwamba was saying on the radio programme, he should learn to be tolerant of divergent views.
One famous politician in history once said of his opponent: “I might not agree with what you are saying, but I respect your right to voice your opinion.”
That ought to be the guiding principle amongst the country’s politicians across the political divide – they must learn to be good listeners for that is leadership.
Hooligans on the other hand want to silence you – even physically.
Zambians must say no to hooliganism.
Expansion of cell-to-cell communication drives early development of pancreatic cancer, finds new research
Discussions of cancer often stress the genetic mutations that drive disease by altering the normal function of cellular proteins. KRAS, for example, normally acts as an on/off switch for cellular proliferation, but mutations to the gene—common in lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer—cause that switch to stay on.
New blood donation rules allow more gay men to give in US
Gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can give blood in the U.S. without abstaining from sex under updated federal health guidelines that focus on donors’ behavior, not their sexual orientation.
Having dementia and reduction in social participation are associated with increased depression and anxiety
An increased risk of depression and anxiety among US older adults with dementia and poor activity participation has been demonstrated through an analysis of data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative population-based study.
Urban residents have smaller risk of mortality from critical limb ischemia
A new study using data from millions of patients hospitalized across the United States has determined whether population density and associated urban vs. suburban vs. rural environments predispose patients with peripheral vascular disease for chronic poor blood flow in their lower extremities. The findings will be presented at the SCAI 2023 Scientific Sessions on May 19, 2023 in Phoenix.