Topic Reading-Vol.4183-10/7/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

'Shrinkflation' isn't a trend – it's a permanent hit to your wallet

Do you always pay attention to the quantity of the product you buy regularly? For example, if the price of your favorite 12-pack candy bar increases by 10%, you’ll most likely notice the price hike. But if the same product becomes a 10-pack at the same price, you may not realize the shrinkage right away. Then, which do you feel is more painful or tolerable, a 10% rise in price or a 10% reduction in quantity for the same product? As inflation becomes rampant, consumers become more sensitive to price increases and budget-conscious. So, some manufacturers are shrinking packages to keep the price, instead of or in addition to raising the price. Some call it Shrink-flation. While prices could fluctuate depending on the market and competition, the package size or per-package quantities don’t change so often. So, once downsized, it usually doesn’t rebound easily unless it is repackaged with “jumbo” or “now only” labels at a higher price. Indeed, Shrink-flation helps our budget in the short term but not in the long term.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about this new type of inflation.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230922-shrinkflation-isnt-a-trend-its-a-permanent-hit-to-your-wallet

Topic Reading-Vol.4182-10/6/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

The five best things to do in Turkistan

Turkistan is a city in the Turkistan Region of Kazakhstan, a landlocked country in Central Asia. The ancient city holds great historical and cultural significance as it served as an important center along the ancient Silk Road trade route. In 2021, Turkistan was proclaimed by the Organization of Turkic States as "Spiritual Capital of the Turkic World". Turkistan's most prominent historical and cultural asset is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The unfinished architecture was constructed in the late 14^th century and showcases over six centuries of Muslim heritage. Also, just like other former Soviet states like Uzbekistan, some of the major railway stations were constructed and influenced by 20^th-century Soviet constructivist architecture that was integrated with local heritage. There are bazaars in and around the city that are full of local food, fruits, and vegetables. To get to this amazing town, there is an international airport about 15 kilometers from the city center. Turkistan is a city that showcases the historical, archeological, and cultural heritage of the Silk Road and Turkic peoples.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about a historic town in Central Asia.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230925-the-five-best-things-to-do-in-turkistan

Topic Reading-Vol.4181-10/5/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

1 in 4 people who eat healthy meals blow it on snacks, study says

Over 70% of American adults are either overweight, a BMI of 25 to 29.9, or obese, BMI of 30 or higher, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even though more people are trying to eat healthy meals, the fat ratio is on the rise among not only adults but also children. Why so? According to a study, over 90% of American adults eat one or more snacks on any given day. The most popular snacks in the US are cookies, chips, crackers, pretzels, and candies, such as Oreo cookies, M&M, Snickers, and Doritos chips only to name a few. These tasty and satisfying snacks are convenient, portable, and affordable. In the meanwhile, these snacks are highly processed and sugary, not ideal for your health and weight. So, if you can live with healthy meals, try healthy snacks, too such as nuts and fruits to maximize the benefits of the meals. What matters to your health is not just what you eat on the table but also at your desk.

Enjoy reading the article and review what and how much you eat a day.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/15/health/snacking-healthy-eating-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4180-10/4/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Rucking is an easy way to fitness

Rucking is a walking exercise with a loaded backpack or rucksack. It comes from infantry training and operations known as forced marching. It requires more muscles and endurance than just walking without any extra weight. So, if you do rucking instead of just walking, you’ll burn more calories, develop muscles, and boost cardiovascular health. It is an easy, low-impact, all-body exercise that doesn’t require extra time or any special equipment. All you need is a backpack, or rucksack, that has wide, padded shoulder straps with a waist strap. As for the weight, avoid a heavy or sharp object but use something flexible like sand, which fits steadily near your lower back. Also, don’t put too much weight from the beginning but start light and add weight as your body and muscles get accustomed to the weight. Mind your own weight and figure out a proper weight to start. If you weigh 60 kilograms, 6 kilograms is 10% of your weight. Imagine how much more calories, energy, and muscles are needed to move something 10% heavier.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about this easy and healthy way to exercise more.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/16/health/rucking-cardio-strength-workout-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4179-10/3/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Long Covid: MRI scans reveal new clues to symptoms

Those who experienced severe and long-term Covid-19 illness, be warned. Researchers in the UK studied 259 patients, who had been hospitalized because of Covid-19, five months after they were discharged from their hospitals. They found through MRI scans that there were noticeable abnormalities in the major organs such as the lungs, brain, and kidneys compared with those who had never had Covid-19. The abnormalities were seen in more than just one organ among the patients. Also, some of the damages in organs matched up with symptoms, but not all. So, if you feel something wrong with your body or mind after a Covid-19 infection, such as feeling tired easily or having difficulty focusing on tasks, you’d better consult with your physician or other healthcare professional. Indeed, Covid-19 is still an ongoing threat to our health.

Read the article and learn about how Covid-19 affects our health in the long term.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66890505

Topic Reading-Vol.4178-10/2/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant startup, set to begin human trials
Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk, Neuralink is a neurotechnology company that is developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which could allow people to control computers and other devices with their minds. The BCI is also designed to treat a variety of neurological disorders, such as blindness, depression, and paralysis. Now, the company is recruiting paralysis patients for its first human clinical trial. Trial patients will be surgically placed a chip by a robot in the part of the brain that controls the intention to move. If successful, the patient may be able to control a computer cursor or keyboard only with their thoughts. If you saw the experiment, you might think it is done by telekinesis. And if Neuralink is connected to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet constellation, you might be able to operate a computer or machine with your mind from a hospital room or prison cell on the other side of the Earth.
Enjoy reading the article and learn about another “link” approach by Elon Musk.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/20/tech/musk-neuralink-human-trials/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4177-10/1/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

This world-class airport will soon go passport-free

Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) is one of the world’s busiest yet highly-reputed airports. It is a major aviation hub in Southeast Asia and accommodates over 100 airlines to and from 400 cities around the world. It is known for its wide range of amenities and services, including unique attractions like a 40-meter-tall indoor waterfall, a suspended canopy park, an interactive museum, and various gardens. The airport is also known for its high-tech services and experiences for passengers, including self-service kiosks for check-ins and facial recognition technology to streamline the check-in process. Starting next year, the airport will introduce a biometrics authentication system that allows departing passengers to pass the immigration checkpoints and boarding without showing their passports. So, once you check in at one of the kiosks, you can put your passport in the bag safely. Of course, you need to carry your passport as all the departing flights are for international destinations. But someday in the future, our faces or other biometric information might present required personal information for international travel.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/changi-airport-singapore-passport-free-travel-intl-hnk/index.html