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Yesterday, 3:14 am
Smell of women's tears may reduce aggression in men – study
Fred Schwaller
15 hours ago

Exposure to women's tears can reduce aggressive behaviors in men and alter aggression-related brain circuits.

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A new study shows that women's tears contain a chemical that lowers aggression in men
Image: Marilla Sicilia/Zuma/IMAGO

Have you ever wondered why someone crying can make the room still? A new study shows that the smell of women's tears can reduce aggression in men.

Researchers found that male aggression reduced by 44% after they smelled women's tears. The study, published in PLOS Biology,

found the tears changed brain activity in parts of the brain that connect olfaction and aggression.

The study provides at least one explanation for the long-standing evolutionary puzzle of why we cry — it may serve as a calming mechanism among groups.
Tears contain social signaling chemicals

Studies in mammalian species have shown that tears contain chemicals which serve as social signals, and the effects are very strong.

Male rodent tears contain a chemical that makes females more receptive to sex, or cause pregnant mice to miscarry, if the male's tears are not the father's.

Rodent tears also influence aggression behavior. Blind mole rats cover themselves in tears to reduce dominant male aggression towards them, while female mice tears contain chemicals that stops male mice fighting. Infant rats also contain chemicals in their tears that reduce aggression towards them — their only line of defense.

What was less clear is how strongly tears can affect aggression in humans. The study authors had previously shown that when men sniffed women's emotional tears it reduced their testosteronelevels and resulted in diminished sexual arousal.

Emotional tears reduced aggression by 44%

This study aimed to test the calming ability of tears. The authors collected "emotional" tears from six female donors, which they exposed to men while they played a video game designed to provoke aggression. In another experiment, the men played the game while in a magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) scanner, which measured their brain activity.

The men displayed 43.7% fewer aggressive behaviors after smelling the women's tears compared to men who smelled a control solution. The brain imaging experiments found that sniffing tears reduced brain activity in regions related to aggression.

"We've shown that tears activate olfactory receptors and that they alter aggression-related brain circuits, significantly reducing aggressive behavior," lead author Joam Sobel, Weizmann's brain sciences department, US, said in a statement.

The authors say the findings mean that tears are a "chemical blanket offering protection against aggression — and that this effect is common to rodents and humans, and perhaps to other mammals as well," Sobel said in a statement

The authors suggest the effect of tears could play an important role in non-verbal communication, for instance in babies.

"Infants can't talk, so for them relying on chemical signals to protect themselves against aggression can be critical," the authors said in a statement.
Gender differences in aggression

The study contributes to a large body of evidence showing how sex and genderplay an important role in human aggression. Sex differences is "one of the most robust and oldest findings in psychology," according to the 2015

international encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences.

The study shows how aggressive behaviors can be changed by innate biological cues like the chemicals in tears, at least in men.

The authors aim to extend the research to include women. "We knew that sniffing tears lowers testosterone, and that lowering testosterone has a greater effect on aggression in men than in women.... Now, however, we must extend this research to include women to obtain a fuller picture of this impact," the authors wrote.

https://www.dw.com/en/smell-of-womens-t ... a-67851016
Yesterday, 3:14 am
Yesterday, 3:29 am
New Year’s Eve beverage could go extinct due to climate change, AI company predicts

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Bye-bye, bubbly?

Champagne may be in short supply rather soon, according to ClimateAI, a climate resilience platform based in San Francisco.

The company said the changing global climate could threaten the popular celebratory beverage.

ClimateAI’s artificial intelligence-driven data has suggested that hundreds of grape varieties could be on the brink of extinction, including champagne-making grapes like pinot noir, chardonnay and merlot.

Will Kletter, ClimateAI’s vice president of operations and strategy, told Fox News Digital in an interview that champagne and wine drinkers may be at a loss by the year 2050.

“If you are a consumer who has a very particular preference for a bottle of wine from a certain region, then I would encourage you to enjoy that now,” he said.

Champagne’s “delicious” taste comes from a cross-over of warm, sunny days for rich flavor and cool nights for an acidic, crisp feeling, Kletter said.

But as the climate warms, the expert warned that those cool nights could “start to go away.”

Using AI technology, ClimateAI works with clients to forecast and ensure food crop resiliency for up to 50 years into the future.

“That puts growers in a very difficult position,” he said. “They can decide to harvest early to prevent what’s called overripening — too much booze, too much flavor in the grape — or let it sit on the vine and risk that over-ripening, but maybe get that acidity.”

“So fundamentally, there will be a trade-off required to get the flavors we’re expecting.”

In light of a changing climate, Kletter said some growers will be forced to move their production north to capture some colder weather.

There has been a “significant” uptick in investment in sparkling products produced in the UK, for example, where there are warm, sunny days with cool nights, he pointed out.

ClimateAI data suggests that hundreds of grapes are at risk of being discontinued due to climate change.

As companies start to move to different locations, Kletter predicted the economy will shift as well.

Champagne currently comes from one region of France.

French wine accounts for $9.6 billion in exports, equaling 16% of all global wine sales, according to ClimateAI.

In 2021, champagne growers saw their smallest harvest since 1957 due to extreme weather events, ClimateAI reported.

“Sparkling wine can be made anywhere, but champagne can only be made in Champagne, [France],” he said. “This is critical for the French economy.”

French wine accounts for $9.6 billion in exports, equaling 16% of all global wine sales, according to ClimateAI.

Half a million champagne industry employees, as well as 24 million tourists who travel to the region each year, could be impacted by the changing climate, Kletter told Fox News Digital.

“Decades, if not centuries, of tradition and culture are built around champagne in that region,” he said.

“They’re going to face a lot of challenges with preserving the economy and culture as that ideal zone moves away from them.”

Kletter predicted that a “very significant economic shift” will occur as crops change, especially in Italian regions where the production of certain wines is at risk.

In 2021, champagne growers saw their smallest harvest since 1957 due to extreme weather events, ClimateAI reported.

“You already see Italy kind of dethroned as the world leader [of wine production] due to a number of factors, but climate is certainly an important one,” he said. “So it will represent a rebalancing.”

Using AI technology, ClimateAI works with clients to forecast and ensure food crop resiliency for up to 50 years into the future.

Its platform, called ClimateLens, combines AI, advanced learning and data points from various sources to come up with climate outlooks and forecasts for specific locations, according to the company’s website.

“Our customers can get this data as actionable insights specific to their locations, crops and varieties,” Kletter said.

That may influence which varieties they cultivate — as well as where and when they plant, he noted.

This information could guide customers to make “more strategic decisions” about where to grow over the long term, Kletter said.

To adapt, Kletter encouraged growers to blend different grapes to create new versions of popular wine selections.

For example, in Bordeaux and Burgundy, that might mean using new grapes to make Bordeaux wine.

Growers can switch up their timing and use certain methods to protect grapes from the sun, Kletter also mentioned.

Twenty-four million tourists travel to the Champagne region to experience the home of champagne every year, ClimateAI reported.

“It starts with an understanding of the risk exposure,” he said. “And then our customers can move from that longer-term insight to our seasonal offering.”

“Despite being in the business of climate risk … we like to think of ourselves as being optimistic, because we provide tools to folks all over the world who are tackling these challenges head-on.”

Extinction not a ‘credible conclusion’

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia University climate scientist Dr. Benjamin Cook reacted to ClimateAI’s claims in an exchange with Fox News Digital.

The New York-based scientist reiterated that extinction isn’t a credible conclusion, since grapes like chardonnay and pinot noir are grown in many regions.

“It is likely, however, that the climate in the Champagne region will become less suitable for these grapes, which means the champagne produced will be different, and possibly lower quality,” he said.

“At the same time, it is likely that areas further north will become more suitable for these grapes, opening up the potential for improved production in these other regions.”

Cook agreed that climate change will have “significant impacts” on viticulture, which will present a “major challenge to the industry moving forward, especially for high-value wines.”

“This will require some degree of adaptation, which might include changing varietals and the wines produced in different regions, moving production to new areas with more suitable climates, or changing management strategies within regions affected by climate change,” he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to several champagne and wine producers, including Veuve Cliquot, Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon, for comment.

Kletter shared his expectations for the continued growth of AI as a tool to improve forecasting accuracy.

“Whether it’s a year that has warmer nights … or some untimely precipitation, better forecasting allows producers to get ahead of these risks,” he said.

“You can’t resolve every problem, but you can make decisions around harvest timing, herbicides or pesticides, or pruning practices, so you can be better prepared for the season based on AI.”

“We’re at a moment when this technology is not only becoming more powerful, but more available,” Kletter added.

“I think the democratization of these types of innovations will be key to long-term climate adaptation.”

https://nypost.com/2023/12/30/lifestyle ... -predicts/
Yesterday, 3:29 am
Yesterday, 4:07 am
Road Traffic Deaths Have Fallen by Up to 50% Across the Globe Since 2010


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Photo by Isaac N.

The tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction—downwards.

The new 2023 World Health Organization report on road safety shows that, since 2010, road traffic deaths have fallen by 5%—and that would translate into a 16% drop if the rise in global population was accounted for.

108 countries reported a drop in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021.

Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%: Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

35 more countries made notable progress, reducing deaths by 30% to 50%.

Low income countries are at much higher risk: Asia and Africa reported the bulk of the deaths, followed by 12% in the Americas, 11% in the Eastern Mediterranean, and 5% in the Europe.

Over half of all road traffic fatalities include pedestrians (23%), motorcycles (21%); cyclists (6%); and scooters (3%).

The report covering a decade of progress was produced with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies which has committed $500 million to support road safety interventions in low- and middle-income countries and cities across the world.

“Our mission at Bloomberg Philanthropies is to save and improve as many lives as possible, and one of the best ways to do that is to make more of the world’s roads safe for all,” said Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, the WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, who also wrote a foreword for the report.

“For more than a decade now, we’ve made encouraging progress together with the World Health Organization and our partners. Still, as this new report makes clear, road safety demands stronger commitments from governments worldwide—and we’ll continue to urge more leaders to take lifesaving action.”
Yesterday, 4:07 am
Yesterday, 6:09 am
"Korolev crater" on Mars has a 50-mile-wide sheet of solid ice that is one-mile thick

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Imagine a vast expanse of untouched snow — an idyllic scene for winter enthusiasts. Now, picture this wintry dream not on Earth, but on Mars. This is what the Korolev crater offers.

This immense Martian crater is a breathtaking feature on the Red Planet, captured in stunning detail by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express mission.

Launched on June 2, 2003, Mars Express embarked on a six-month voyage to Mars, culminating in a successful orbital entry on Christmas Day of the same year.

This December marks the 20-year anniversary of its orbit insertion and the commencement of its groundbreaking science program.

Spectacular view of Korolev crater

Celebrating this milestone, the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) provides us with a remarkable view of the Korolev crater.

This image is a composite of five different ‘strips’, each collected over separate orbits, seamlessly merged to present this stunning vista.

Additionally, the crater is showcased in perspective, context, and topographic views, offering a comprehensive understanding of its terrain.

Spanning 51 miles (82km) in diameter, Korolev crater lies in Mars’s northern lowlands, south of the dune-filled Olympia Undae that encircles part of the northern polar cap.

Unlike an ordinary crater, Korolev is unique. It’s not filled with snow but with a thick layer of ice, approximately 1.2 miles (1.8km) deep, that persists throughout the year.

Science behind the permanent ice

This perpetual ice cover is attributed to a fascinating phenomenon known as a ‘cold trap’. The crater’s depth, around two kilometers below its rim, plays a pivotal role.

The deepest parts, holding the ice, create a natural cold trap. The air cooled by the ice sinks, forming a protective layer of cold air directly above it.

This layer acts as a shield, maintaining the ice’s stability and preventing it from melting. Air’s poor heat conductivity enhances this effect, ensuring the crater remains permanently icy.

Tribute to a space pioneer

Korolev crater honors Sergei Korolev, the chief rocket engineer and spacecraft designer, often referred to as the father of Soviet space technology.

Korolev’s legacy includes the pioneering Sputnik program, the Vostok and Voskhod human space exploration programs, and the first interplanetary missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus.

He was instrumental in the development of the Soyuz launcher, a key component of the Russian space program, utilized for both crewed and robotic flights.

Korolev crater offers a new perspective

Korolev crater has also piqued the interest of other missions, such as ESA’s ExoMars program, which seeks to determine if life ever existed on Mars.

The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter captured a fascinating 25 mile (40km) segment of the crater’s northern rim.

This imagery, taken soon after its operational commencement in April 2018, highlighted the crater’s intriguing shape and structure, along with its bright icy deposits.

In summary, these images from Mars Express and ExoMars offer incredible scientific data while providing a new perspective on our neighboring planet, unveiling its beauty and continuing to feed our curiosity about the universe.

The Korolev crater, with its year-round ice, is a stark reminder of the dynamic and diverse environments that exist beyond our world. As we celebrate the 20-year journey of Mars Express, we look forward to many more discoveries and a deeper understanding of Mars.

More about Mars Express

As mentioned above, the Mars Express mission, an ambitious endeavor by the European Space Agency (ESA), stands as a landmark in space exploration.

Launched on June 2, 2003, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, this mission marks Europe’s first independent venture to another planet. The spacecraft, propelled by a Soyuz-Fregat rocket, embarked on a six-month journey to Mars, arriving in December 2003.

At the heart of the mission lies the Mars Express Orbiter, equipped with high-resolution cameras and scientific instruments designed to scrutinize the Martian surface and atmosphere.

These tools have captured unprecedented images and data, offering insights into the planet’s geology, mineral composition, and climate history.

Notably, the mission’s OMEGA instrument detected signs of water ice and carbon dioxide ice at the Martian poles, bolstering theories about Mars’ potential to host life in the past.

Beagle 2 lander

Accompanying the orbiter was the Beagle 2 lander, named after the HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his historic voyage.

Unfortunately, after its deployment from the orbiter, Beagle 2 lost contact with Earth, leading to speculation about its fate.

In 2015, images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed that Beagle 2 had successfully landed but failed to fully deploy its solar panels, impeding communication.

Despite this setback, the Mars Express Orbiter continues to exceed expectations. Its extended missions have allowed continuous observation of Mars, contributing to our understanding of the planet’s atmosphere, surface, and potential for habitability.

The mission has fostered international collaboration, with instruments provided by ESA member states and NASA.

In summary, the Mars Express mission, ongoing and dynamic, exemplifies human curiosity and technological prowess. As it continues to orbit Mars, it sends back a wealth of data, fueling scientific discovery and inspiring future missions to unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet.
Yesterday, 6:09 am
Yesterday, 1:09 pm
Most Money for Endangered Species Goes to a Small Number of Creatures, Leaving Others in Limbo
Since passage of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago, more than 1,700 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the U.S. have been listed as threatened or endangered with extinction

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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Since passage of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago, more than 1,700 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the U.S. have been listed as threatened or endangered with extinction. Yet federal government data reveals striking disparities in how much money is allocated to save various biological kingdoms.

Of the roughly $1.2 billion a year spent on endangered and threatened species, about half goes toward recovery of just two types of fish: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast. Tens of millions of dollars go to other widely known animals including manatees, right whales, grizzly bears and spotted owls.

But the large sums directed toward a handful of species means others have gone neglected, in some cases for decades, as they teeter on potential extinction.

At the bottom of the spending list is the tiny Virginia fringed mountain snail, which had $100 spent on its behalf in 2020, according to the most recent data available. The underground-dwelling snail has been seen only once in the past 35 years, according to government records, yet it remains a step ahead of more than 200 imperiled plants, animals, fish and other creatures that had nothing spent on their behalf.

With climate change increasing threats to organisms around the planet and adding to the number that qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act, government officials are struggling in many cases to execute recovery actions required under the law.
Yesterday, 1:09 pm
Yesterday, 1:33 pm
'My nephew put ham in my son's PS5 and now it's broken - my sister needs to get him a new one'
PlayStation's are expensive games consoles that some lucky children receive as gifts for Christmas - but when one woman's nephew broke her son's, she was furious

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A woman was left horrified when she bought a PlayStation for her son, only for her sister's child to ruin it in a matter of hours after he received it.

The mum was left demanding her sister purchase a new games console for her son after she didn't keep a proper eye on her child while over at her house, and he put a slice of ham into the disc compartment of the 10-year-old's cherished device. The angered mum even told her sister that unless she replaced it, she wouldn't be having them around at her house again, as she didn't trust her, or her son, not to do something similar again.

She fumed on Reddit: "My 10-year-old son got a PlayStation for Christmas. My four-year-old nephew stuck a piece of ham in the disc part and tried to turn it on. He also dropped a controller on the hard floor damaging it very slightly.

"The PlayStation is okay but I rather my sister buy my son a new one and take this one. My sister said I was being ridiculous and that one is still fine. I told my sister unless she buys it I'm not having them over again."

A debate kicked off in the comments section, with some believing the woman was being too harsh on her sister, and others believing she should've been keeping a closer eye on her son. One wrote: "Not the a**hole. Sony won't honour the warranty if something goes wrong in two weeks and they open it up and see ham juice leaked somewhere in there. Your sister should have been supervising her child. When my kid was that age, I watched him like a hawk, because 4-year-olds do 4-year-old things and I knew it was my responsibility to replace anything he damaged.

"All of that being said, you shouldn't be telling your sister the nephew can't come back until the PS5 is replaced. You should be telling her the nephew can't come back until she will keep an eye on him enough to ensure he isn't damaging things in your home. The kid was unattended long enough to get some ham, take it to the console, get the console open, insert the ham, push some buttons, and then wing a controller. That's not an accidental spill, that's your sister ignoring her kid who then voided the warranty on a $500 (£392) console."

Others said the mum should be watching the four-year-old like a "hawk", and should take "responsibility" for her child's actions, as she hadn't stopped them. But some said that the console works fine at the moment, so it wasn't as big of an issue as she was making it out to be. One fumed: "Your sister absolutely deserves to be banished because 1) she let her son damage an expensive gift and 2) your son needs to know that you'll be there to protect his interests." "She should either pay for repairs or get a new one", someone else added.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/my-nephew-put-ham-sons-31779086
Yesterday, 1:33 pm

Book request - The Mad Patagonian by Javier Pedro Zabala [25000 WRZ$] Reward!
https://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=5412023
Yesterday, 2:55 pm
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I sometimes get REALLY DEPRESSED reviewing the news these days.
It's always about a global pandemic threatening life as we know it,
protests around the world, stupid politicians, natural disasters,
or some other really bad story.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Welcome to The mobi weekly news magazine
IN OTHER NEWS
MONDAY JANUARY 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR

What is it?
Here is your chance to become an "ACE REPORTER" for our weekly news magazine.
It is your job to fine weird, funny or "good feel" stories from around the world and share them with our readers in our weekly magazine

How do you play?
Just post a story that you have come across that made you smile, laugh, feel good...
BUT NOTHING DEPRESSING :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

EXAMPLE POST
Naked sunbather chases wild boar through park after it steals his laptop bag
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A naked sunbather was seen chasing wild boar through a park after it stole his laptop bag.
Amusing photographs from Germany show the man running after the animal to try and claim the plastic bag back.
But the cheeky boar and its two piglets appear to be too quick for the sunbather, who can't keep up with their speedy little trotters.
As the incident unfolds, groups of friends and family sat on the grass watch on and laugh.
Heads are seen turning in surprise and amusement in the hilarious photographs.
The incident happened at Teufelssee Lake - a bathing spot in the Grunwell Forest in Berlin, Germany.

Rules:
Each Edition of IN OTHER NEWS will be open for 7 days...
You can post as many stories as you like, but you will only get paid for One Story in any 24 hour period
So in other words, you can only earn WRZ$ once a day.
Each news day will start when I post announcing it
OR at:
9:00 AM CHICAGO TIME (UTC -6)
3:00 PM GMT (UTC -0)

on those days I space out and forget to post or can't due to Real Life :lol:
Stories may be accompanied with images - but No big images, please! 800x800 pixels wide maximum
Videos are allowed, but please keep them short, and post a short summary for those that don't like to click on videos
No Duplicate stories - Where a post has been edited resulting in duplicates, then the last one in time gets disallowed.
And please limit this to reasonably family friendly stories :lol: :lol: :lol:

Reward:
Each news story posted that I feel is acceptable (must be a real story, too few words or simply a headline are not considered acceptable) will earn you 50 WRZ$
If you post multiple stories on any given day, you will only earn 50 WRZ$ for the first story of the Day
All payments will be made at THE END of the weekly news cycle.
Special Bonus - Each week I will award "The Pulitzer Prize" for the best story of the week
The weekly winner of the "The Pulitzer Prize" will receive a 100 WRZ$ bonus
It's just my personal opinion, so my judgement is final

So help bring GOOD news to the members of mobi, and join our reporting team...

IN OTHER NEWS


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NOTE: THE RECAP AND REWARDS WILL BE DONE LATER
Yesterday, 2:55 pm

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Online
Yesterday, 3:23 pm
UK steakhouse's 4,500 calorie challenge smashed - but restaurant refused to pay out

A no-nonsense steakhouse has been blasted for ruling a man failed its 4,500-calorie mixed grill challenge and missed out on £50 - as he didn't eat the salad.

Cattlemans Steakhouse, in Paignton, Devon, has been wrapped in controversy after posting about customer "salad hating" Dan's impressive attempt to devour the monster meal in under an hour.

Its belly-busting 3.2kg Mega Mixed Grill includes a 20oz rump steak, 12oz of gammon, four sausages, three chicken wings, a chicken breast and a 6oz cheeseburger. The steakhouse's post shows a snap of Dan facing a packed silver platter followed by a second with only the side salad and mushrooms remaining uneaten on Saturday November 25.

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Dan gobbled up everything except the salad - and so failed the challenge

Dan can be seen frowning with his thumb down as the caption reads "so close...he didn't tell us he didn't like salad" - while the venue claims he'd announced he hates salad.

Annoyed TikTok users were quick to hail Dan as a winner, with some claiming the steakhouse was "taking the p**s" and the salad "shouldn't be there".

However some users questioned why Dan couldn't "grow up" and stomach the salad to pocket the £50 prize and avoid paying the hefty sum for failing.

Owner Gary King, who opened the steakhouse seven years ago, has defended his team's decision to deny Dan his prize and charge him by simply declaring "the challenge is to eat everything".

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The 4,500-calorie mixed grill includes a 20oz rump steak, 12oz of gammon and a 6oz cheeseburger

However the restaurant's own most recent breakdown of what the challenge includes fails to mention any salad. He admits he did feel sorry for the stuffed customer but claims he should have asked to swap the salad for more chips or onion rings before the challenge began, but he didn't.

The no-nonsense owner claims the mixed grill's success rate is just 10 per cent despite around 80 people attempting it since it debuted on his menu 10 months ago.

Gary said: "It's simple. It's a challenge and the challenge is to eat and clear everything, otherwise it wouldn't be a challenge. Had he said to us that he didn't want any salad then we'd have put a few more chips or onion rings on. He didn't say anything at the start or while he was eating it. His exact words were 'I know it's stupid but I'm not going to eat that salad. Not even for £50 because I don't eat salad'.

"I felt sorry when I saw the pictures because if I'd have spoken to him beforehand then he may well have said he didn't want salad. Once it's on that table, that's it. there's no point in telling us afterwards because we're not going to strip the salad off and give him a bowl of chips and a bowl of onion rings, are we?

"We got a hammering for putting a baguette on our 5kg roast dinner but I did it because it's a challenge. A lot of people think that we don't want to complete it, but what we find is that for every person that does complete it ten mates are going to come and try it because they think they can do it."

Gary says the record time for completing the mega mixed grill challenge is 15 minutes and 42 seconds and hopefuls from Asia and America have travelled to attempt it.

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Dan is said to have told bosses at Cattlemans Steakhouse in Devon he 'wasn't going to eat the salad'

The owner believes his steakhouse's hardest challenge is the 5kg roast dinner while the "easiest", with around one in 15 hopefuls completing it, is the burger challenge with two 24oz patties.

His tips for completing food challenges include regularly drinking water, taking breaks around every ten minutes to stretch out, not leaving the chips until last and not rushing.

The steakhouse's post has been viewed more than half a million times. One commented: "He won for me. Salad is taking the p**s." Another said: "Salad should not be there. Dan is my GOAT [greatest of all time]."

A third added: "Naaa he finished that." Others agreed and said, 'he won it' and 'I think he won to be honest'. However some users lacked sympathy for Dan and believed he should have eaten the salad to win £50.

One said: "What? So you're telling me he munched all of that but when it got the salad he tapped out. Yeah, get a grip."
Yesterday, 3:23 pm

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Yesterday, 4:31 pm
Archeologists Confirm Oldest Viking Ship Burial in All Scandinavia–Could Rewrite the Viking Age

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County archaeologists have recently dated the remains of a Viking ship burial on a small island called Leka and found it to be the oldest one in all of Scandinavia.

In fact, it dates back so far, there’s a technical question about whether or not one can even call it a Viking ship burial, because funerary activities pre-date the Viking Age, when the term Viking began to be used for a Scandinavian mariner who spent some time trading and some time raiding.

The Herlaugshaugen burial mound in Leka is located in an archaeologically rich area called Namdalen. Here, there is a very unusually high concentration of burial mounds, but while most are unsurveyed and unexcavated, Herlaugshaugen had been excavated at three different times.

Records from the 18th and 19th centuries show that the mound contained construction materials like nails, a bronze cauldron, animal bones, and a seated skeleton with a sword. These have long since disappeared and interest in Herlaugshaugen for Norway’s recent ancestors concluded.

Now, a team of archaeologists and a professional metal detective went to survey the mound as part of a collaboration with the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Trøndelag County Authority.

They found iron nails and other evidence to suggest that the mound was the site of a ship burial, in which a man was interred around 700 CE, decades before the generally accepted start points of the Viking Age.

Furthermore, the ship was very large. Historians often credit the boat-building methods developed by the Scandinavians as one of several trends and forces that launched the Viking Age, but here, the appearance of a large sea-worthy vessel means that the technology and the will, capabilities, and commercial interests all existed to use it even before the 700 CE date.

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“This dating is really exciting because it pushes the whole tradition of ship burials quite far back in time,” Geir Grønnesby, an archaeologist at the NTNU University Museum, told Phys.org.

Viking raids may have been ongoing within Scandinavia at earlier periods, but the first outward acts of aggression by medieval Scandinavians are recorded as happening within the final quarter of the 8th century.

The other side of the Viking identity—that of the trader—may have already been fully developed at much earlier dates, such as the Merovingian Period, during which this burial was constructed.

“I think that the location along the shipping route plays a key role in understanding why Herlaugshaugen burial mound is located at Leka,” said archaeologist Lars Forseth from Trøndelag County Authority. “We know that whetstones have been traded from Trøndelag to the continent from the mid-700s onwards, and goods transport along the route is key to understanding the Viking Age and developments in ship design before the Viking Age.”

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Ships would have been great signs of status, as they provided an economic link from the continent to these disparate Norwegian fjords and inlets. Anyone who owned one would have stood to make a lot of money, and the presence of the ship burial and the other mounds in Namdalen suggests to archaeologists like Forseth that the area of Namdalen may have played host to an elite merchant society.

Namdalen’s various valleys contain 10% of all the recorded burial mounds in Norway, but most haven’t been surveyed, so the idea has no legs as of yet.
Yesterday, 4:31 pm

Twitter: Fatima99@fatima99_mobi
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Yesterday, 5:38 pm
The Bristol run club where 'no one is left behind'

A fast-growing run club where "no one is left behind" is being praised for prioritising the mental health of its members.

Jay Medway set up Left Handed Giant (LHG) Run Club in Bristol in 2019, as an alternative to some of the more competitive and "intimidating" clubs.

Each runner is applauded as they finish and talking is encouraged.

"If you can't talk while you run, you're running too fast," said Ms Medway.

The founder said she wanted to provide a supportive community where everyone is equal.

Runner Robert Taylor said the free sessions had given people, such as the LGBTQ+ community, a "safe space to express yourself".

"Especially in the dark at this time of year, it can be quite daunting to be on your own," he said.

"So it's nice to have a community around you that's inclusive and they can help you out if any problems occur."

LHG Run Club launched with just 17 members, but now it is so popular that up to 160 people will turn up to one session.

The club meets twice a week at one of the Left Handed Giant pubs in Bristol, which give it its name, to run a loop round the city centre.

There are "no egos" and everybody must be clapped in, right until the last runner returns, said Ms Medway.

"Nobody's left behind, we're all in it together and it's more about talking to the person rather than the pace," she added.

She explained that when people are running and not face-to-face they are "more open to talk to people".

Cat Hicks said as a female runner she feels "protected" being part of the club, and the social element of the group also helped her make friends when she first moved to Bristol.

"It's just a really inclusive run club and because you're running it's not really awkward," she said.

"I've probably been put off joining other [run clubs] just because of the competitive side of them", said Marie Dixon.

"I've just felt that I would never be fast enough or quick enough to be in them."

"This club for me, personally, is really important to make sure that I'm exercising my brain as well as my body," she added.

Even in bad weather large numbers still turn up each week, something even Ms Medway is surprised by.

"I didn't think I'd ever get this big, but it's great," she said.

She now hopes to be able to give other runners the tools to start up similar clubs to help encourage more people to exercise without pressure.
Yesterday, 5:38 pm

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Yesterday, 5:46 pm
Ghanaian woman sings for 126 hours and 52 minutes

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https://youtu.be/Sev0uK2BA_Y

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A Ghanaian woman attempted to break a Guinness World Record by singing for 126 hours and 52 minutes.

Afua Asantewaa, an entrepreneur and former beauty queen, started singing through a repertoire of 125 songs on Christmas Eve and ended her attempt five days later.

Asantewaa was allowed a 5-minute break each hour or a 20-minute break every four hours under Guinness World Records rules.

She attempted to break the record of 105 hours, which was set by Indian musician Sunil Waghmare in 2012.

Evidence from Asantewaa's attempt is now being submitted to Guinness World Records.
Yesterday, 5:46 pm

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Yesterday, 5:54 pm
Arkansas Man Finds Largest Colorless Diamond in State Park’s Recent History

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A man in Arkansas visited a famous state park with his girlfriend and ended up walking out with a 4.87-carat diamond—the largest colorless diamond found in the park this decade.

At Crater of Diamonds State Park, anyone, foreigner or citizen, can come and comb through the hills and ditches for diamonds, which is exactly what Jerry Evans from Lepanto was doing in spring of 2023.

Within ten minutes of entry, Evans saw what he thought was a piece of glass on top of a plowed ridge, picked it up, and stuffed it in his pocket.

“I thought it might be a piece of glass, it was so clear. I really didn’t know,” Evans said. “We were picking up everything thinking it was a diamond.”

He later sent the stone to the Gemological Institute of America for identification on the hunch that it was something more than just broken glass.

A few weeks later, he heard back that it was a near-colorless diamond.

“When they called and told me it was real, I was tickled to death!”

“While I get many emails from people wanting me to identify something they’ve found here, to my recollection, this is the first time someone has contacted me after they’ve had a diamond identified by the GIA,” said Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox. “I’m glad that Mr. Evans was able to bring his historic diamond back to the park to have it officially registered.”

Over 75,000 diamonds have been found at Crater of Diamonds State Park, and this is the largest colorless stone found in some time, and the largest overall since Labor Day of 2020 when a brown diamond twice its size was uncovered.

125 carats worth of diamonds were registered at the park this year, which was the site of a volcanic event long ago that created the necessary conditions of heat, pressure, and elements to make the diamonds which people find today.

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Yesterday, 5:54 pm

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Yesterday, 6:12 pm
Miracle Drink Promises to Cut Blood Alcohol Level in Half in Just 30 Minutes
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Safety Shot, a new blood alcohol detox drink set to launch later this year, promises to reduce blood alcohol content in less than an hour after consumption and make hangovers a thing of the past.

The global market for hangover cures is growing faster than ever, with experts predicting that it will exceed $6 billion by 2030. A fast-growing market usually means cutthroat competition, and that is certainly the case here, with hundreds of startups fighting to establish themselves as major players. One of the most promising companies in the field is Safety Shot (formerly Jupiter Wellness), whose upcoming product, set to launch in Q4 of 2023, has been described as “the biggest disruption in the drink market” to date and “the epitome of beverage innovation”. Its patented formula is said to be able to slash a person’s blood alcohol content in half in just 30 minutes, giving them a general feeling of well-being and reducing the risk of alcohol poisoning and even hangovers.

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Created using scientifically proven ingredients, Safety Shot is said to work by enhancing metabolic pathways that break down blood alcohol levels and creating a protective layer around the stomach to prevent residual alcohol absorption into the body. Featuring a “tailored selection of all-natural vitamins and minerals and nootropics,” Safety Shot lowers blood alcohol levels faster than any other hangover cure while enhancing mental clarity.

According to the company, Safety Shot will become available in the United States in December of this year, with other markets expected to follow in the near future. The miraculous concoction will be available in a 12-ounce can, selling for $4.99 per can, or as a 4-pack for $19.99. The drink will initially be available in pharmacies across the US.

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Companies have been trying to promote the ultimate hangover cure for years now, from Zbiotic, the world’s first genetically modified probiotic, to Morning Recovery, or the beer that doesn’t give you hangovers. Could Safety Shot be the last one we’ll ever need? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Yesterday, 6:12 pm

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Yesterday, 6:29 pm
Animal rights: 3 stories that made headlines in 2023

I read a lot of animal news stories to find which ones to cover for CBC Kids News. This year, I noticed many of those stories focused on animal rights. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines animal rights as “the right of animals to be free from abuse or exploitation by humans.” How animal rights are protected varies in different countries. People don’t always agree on whether animals’ rights should be prioritized above peoples’ cultural traditions. In 2023, three new laws from around the world were introduced that will shape how animal rights are upheld in those countries in the future.

Here’s a year-end wrap of some of the big stories that made the news.

1. Canada restricts elephant ivory and rhino horn trade
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On Nov. 20, 2023, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced new measures to protect rhinos and elephants. These animals, native to several African countries, are often hunted for their horns and tusks. According to the government of Canada, the number of elephants in Africa has dropped about 70 per cent since 1980. Rhinoceros populations also face threats to their survival. Canada’s new restrictions make it difficult for people to buy, sell or own objects containing rhino horns or elephant ivory. The goal is to discourage people from hunting these animals. The new restrictions also require that people have permits for household items that include elephant ivory or rhino horn. The response from conservationists has been very positive. “Our country is doing our part to ensure these majestic animals have a future,” said Kelly Butler, wildlife campaign manager for the Canadian branch of Humane Society International, in a news release.

2. South Korea moves to ban dog meat by 2027
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In November, South Korea announced its plan to ban eating dog meat by 2027. The bill was introduced by the ruling party and would make it illegal to breed and sell dogs for meat. Eating dogs has been a South Korean custom for centuries, but polls show that today the majority of people in that country oppose eating dogs. The bill offers three years for dog breeders and restaurant owners to transition out of the business before it would take effect. It also promises financial support while they find new work. Dog meat farmers heavily oppose the bill, saying they weren’t involved in making the decision and that the government support isn’t enough compensation. “It’s really unreasonable … I’ve been in this business for 30 years,” Nam Sung-Gue, the owner of a dog meat restaurant, told Reuters in Korean.

3. Spain's new animal welfare law excludes bullfighting
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Cultural traditions and animal rights collided again in Spain, with protests for and against bullfighting throughout 2023. Bullfighting, also called “la corrida,” is a Spanish cultural tradition consisting of a ceremonial fight between a person and a bull. It typically ends with the bullfighter killing the bull. It’s often a slow and painful death, according to Humane Society International. Animal rights activists say that it’s cruel to kill an animal for sport, while supporters of bullfighting argue that cultural traditions should be preserved. In Spain, a law came into effect on Sept. 29 that makes it illegal to use animals for entertainment if that entertainment causes them harm. The bulls used for bullfighting were excluded from this protection.

Click play to see the animals at the centre of animal rights protests in 2023!
Yesterday, 6:29 pm

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Yesterday, 9:55 pm
In Boston, 'polar' swimmers mark New Year with icy plunge

Scores of people hurled themselves into the icy waters of Boston Harbor Monday as part of the city's 120-year-old tradition of the New Years Day Polar Plunge.

Braving water temperatures of 44 degrees Fahrenheit (six degrees Celsius) and air temperatures just above freezing, the swimmers dived in as bagpipes played and people held up pictures of loved ones they had lost in the past year and who had participated in the freezing festival in the past.

Some of the swimmers from the sports-mad city wore hockey masks or the shirts of their favorite teams, while others donned festive outfits like Santa Claus's red suit. One family even dressed as bees to honor their late father.

"To start off the new New Year this way, I feel like I get out of the water and I feel reborn. I really do. I mean, I'm freezing my ass off but I feel really good," 65-year-old Ruth Tannert, from Roslindale in Massachusetts, told AFP.

"Just having that as a way to kind of kickstart your new year, I can't think of any other way I'd rather spend it."

There are a number of such cold-water swim clubs in America, but Boston's so-called L Street Brownies claim to be one of the oldest, with their tradition dating back to 1904.
Yesterday, 9:55 pm