home prices in gta up by 23 per cent -...

Home prices in GTA up by 23 per cent

ALIA BHATT SONAM KAPOORSONAKSHI SINHAPOOJA HEDGE VAANI KAPOOR PICS: IANS

The new BMW M4 Coupe

ALIA BHATT, KARAN JOHAR AND HIS MOTHER AT THE PRE-WEDDING BASH OF AMBANI'S NIECE ISHETA.

MUNICH: Almost four weeks have passed since BMW works driverMarco Wittmann won his second driver's title in the final of the DTMracing season at the Hockenheimring. On Friday the 18th of Novem-ber, he was a guest in Munich where he collected his new and veryspecial company car - the BMW M4 Coupe equipped with a comprehensivepackage of BMW M Performance Parts. During the morning at the workshop,the trained coachbuilder Wittmann was given a detailed first-hand descrip-tion of the fitted components before receiving the key of his Java GreenBMW M4 Coupe at the BMW Welt in the afternoon. During the course ofthe day, he also gained his first impressions behind the wheel of his newM automobile.The highlights selected by Wittmann himself from the broad range ofBMW M Performance Parts include a carbon rear diffuser, a rear spoiler,front grille slats in high-gloss black and side panel attachments. In theinterior, a carbon gear selector trim, pedal pads and LED illuminated doorsills provide that special something. The current BMW M Performanceaccessory range was developed incorporating motorsport know-how, isperfectly aligned to each respective model and can be combined to suit individualpreferences. BMW is now supplementing the offer in this product range with retrofitoptions for the BMW 5 Series. Fur thermore, model-specific BMW MPerformance Par ts are also available for BMW M automobiles and all mod-els of the BMW brand. The retrofit components for the drive train, suspension,aerodynamics and cockpit, which were all designed in close cooperation with theBMW M GmbH and BMW Motorsport, ensure a noticeable increase in drivingdynamics and underscore the spor tive note of the car's exterior aswell as the interior ambience of each vehicle.

TORONTO - Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerquaannounced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS repor ted8,547 home sales through TREB's MLS System in November2016. This result represented a 16.5 per cent increasecompared to November 2015. For the TREB market area as awhole, sales were up on a year-over-year basis for all majorhome types. The strongest annual rates of sales growth wereexperienced for the townhouse and condominium apar tmentsegments. "Home buying activity remained strong across allmarket segments in November. However, many would-behome buyers continued to be frustrated by the lack of listings,as annual sales growth once again outstripped growth in newlistings. Seller's market conditions translated into robustrates of price growth," said Cerqua. The MLS Home PriceIndex (HPI) Composite Benchmark was up by 20.3 per centcompared to November 2015. The average selling price at$776,684 was up by 22.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis."Recent policy initiatives seeking to address strong homeprice growth have focused on demand. Going forward, moreemphasis needs to be placed on solutions to alleviate thelack of inventory for all home types, especially in the low-rise market segments," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director ofMarket Analysis.In January 2017, TREB will be releasing its second annualMarket Year in Review & Outlook Repor t. This repor t will

contain a more in-depth discussion on the current state andfuture direction of the housing market in the Greater GoldenHorseshoe. Detailed findings from Member and consumersurveys conducted by Ipsos will be released, including con-sumer intentions, buyer profiles and foreign buying activity.The results of a TREB-commissioned study on transpor tationinfrastructure on housing affordability will also be presented.

SCIENTISTS SOLVE BLOOD CLOTDEATHS IN CANCER PATIENTSWELLINGTON, (IANS) New Zealand scientists have unlockedthe mystery of why so many cancer patients die of blood clotswhile undergoing chemotherapy in a study. Chemotherapy stimu-lates release of tiny bubbles from the surface of cancer cells,causing the potentially fatal clots, said the study by Universityof Otago researchers that came out on Wednesday, Xinhua newsrepor ted. Most deaths from cancer were caused by uncontrolled growthof tumour in vital organs, but the second most common way that cancer killsis by triggering blood clotting resulting in thrombosis. The clots causeblockage of major blood vessels, preventing oxygen and nutri-ents to vital organs. Despite being life-prolonging, chemotherapyis thus associated with a six-to-seven fold increase in the risk ofthrombosis in cancer patients.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2016auto

MidWeek 27MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2012

MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2016 l i f e s t y l e

LUXURY VEHICLES: AUDI, BMW, MERCEDES, SPORTS CARS ANDCONVERTIBLE CARS. WE ALSO HAVE 7, 8, AND 9 PASSENGERS VEHICLES

AMY JACKSON AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE HEALTH & NUTRITION MAGAZINE COVER LAUNCH.

Must-haves in bag: Matte lipstick, kohl

ILEANA D'CRUZ GLOWINGTHIS WINTER, WHY?

NEW DELHI, (IANS) An after-work team par ty or an unplanned date -to combat these unexpected surprises, always carry a matte lipstickand a kohl pencil in your bag. Neetu Prasher, Head Training, AvonIndia, has shared a few tips:* Matte lipstick: It's a secret weapon that's doing huge this season.There's a shade in matte for everyone irrespective of your skin tone.So, lay your hands on a berry shade and make heads turn this par tyseason. You can also play safe by keeping a red lippie in matte as itnot just helps update an outfit, but also brighten up a tired face in aninstant.* Kohl pencil: Kohl highlighted eyes are classic and can never gowrong even today. Also, you can apply it as an eyeliner to refreshyour look. Add a cool wing for that dramatic look.* Foundation: A foundation based moisturiser is your go-to when allyou need to do is minimise the look of pores and add some amount ofSPF protection to your skin. It's a must for a pre-par ty complexionenhancement.* Blush or tint: If a blusher is too much to carry, then remember that

your lip tint can also be used as a blush. Dab a little bit along thecheek bone and spread with your finger for those perfectly glowingcheeks.* Per fume: If you smell good, you automatically add to your killerlooks. And If you don't, then no amount of make-up can help. So, slipin a cool bottle of perfume in your bag and spread fragrance whereveryou set foot.

MUMBAI, (IANS) Bollywood actress Ileana D'Cruz says thatshe keeps her skin moisturised with a cold cream and neverskips applying sun block crème for a flawless look, when-ever she steps out. Ileana, also Pond's Brand Ambassador,has shared her winter skincare regime.* Moisturising is the most crucial step and it is number oneon my skincare list.* Don't forget the sun block, even when it is winter. We area tropical country where sunblock is a necessity all-roundthe year. Try something like an SPF enriched day cream orBB cream that will provide dual benefits.* I am calling it step three but it is a crucial step. A goodmoisturizer keeps our skin supple and nourished but wealso need to have lots of water to flush toxins from the body.Drinking at least two litres of water is what exper ts recom-mend and we should follow that.* A night skincare routine is also very impor tant. I like usinga gel based facewash that will not leave the skin dry andkeeps it hydrated even in the night.*I never leave home without my lip balm. It's something Ihave with me at all times. To wake up with soft moisturisedlips, try gently brushing your lips with a soft bristled tooth-brush or even some raw granulated sugar. Then wash offand apply a mild lip balm before going to bed.

'Soul mate' view of marriagelimits women's volunteer workNEW YORK, (IANS) Wives who have a romantic view of marriageare less likely to do volunteer work for the wider community, leadingtheir husbands to volunteer less as well, says a study. The researchersfocused on whether couples took a "soul mate" view of marriage,making it their top priority in life; or whether they held a moretraditional view, placing additional values on other functions ofmarriage such as raising children and fulfilling financial needs."Wives who take a more romantic view of marriage appear toseek (emotional) satisfaction primarily through husbands, whichmight take couples' time and energy away from their involve-ment in the community," the researchers wrote. But husbands' roman-tic view of marriage was associated with neither their own northeir wives' volunteering, the study found. For the study, Young-Il Kim from Baylor University and Jeffrey Dew from BrighamYoung University, both in the US, analysed data from the Surveyof Marital Generosity, a recent US national sample of 1,368married couples ages 18 to 45. Participants were asked about theirviews of marriage, how often they volunteered, how much time theyspent solely with each other and how often they attended religiousservices. The study, published in the journal Sociological Per-spectives, found that wives' view of the marriage as "soulmates" was associated with less volunteering of both wifeand husband, but a man's having a soul mate view of mar-riage was not associated with volunteering by either spouse.Time spent alone with one's spouse was positively associ-ated with husbands' repor ts of their own volunteering.

YOUR LOVE FOR COFFEE MAY PREVENTRISK OF ALZHEIMER'S, PARKINSON'S

LONDON, (IANS) If you drink 3-5cups of coffee a day, new re-search spells good news for you!A moderate intake of coffee mayprovide protection against age-related cognit ive decl ine andother neurodegenerat ive dis-eases such as Alzheimer's andParkinson's disease, says recent

research. The researchers, fromthe University of Coimbra (CNC)in Por tugal, suggested that regu-lar, long-term coffee drinking mayreduce the risk of Alzheimer's dis-ease by up to 27 per cent.The greatest protection againstcognitive decline can be seen atan intake of nearly 3-5 cups of

coffee per day, they said. "Mod-erate coffee consumption couldplay a significant role in reducingcognitive decline which wouldimpact heal th outcomes andhealthcare spending," said Pro-fessor Rodrigo A. Cunha, at theuniversity. Caffeine, anti-inflam-matory agents as well as antioxi-

dants such as caffeic acid - apolyphenol (antioxidant) found incoffee - may be associated withthe improved cognitive function,the researchers said.Intake of up to 400mg of caffeine- the equivalent of up to 5 cups ofcoffee per day - from all sourcesdo not raise any concerns forhealthy adults, suggested Euro-pean Food Safety Author i ty(EFSA) in its scientific opinion onthe safety of caffeine. The re-search was presented at ISIC'ssymposium held during the Euro-pean Union Geriatric MedicineSociety 's 2016 Congress inLisbon recently.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2016

As the year comes close and we head in the month of Decemberwe are all looking forward for the holidays. At last we will geta chance to be together as a family have decorations, food,

drink and late night. It is good to have a blast and enjoy at least oncea year. The lucky families who have furry members the awesomepets need special care.The pets can get into a lot of trouble if proper care and attention is notpaid. This could be a spoiler for the holidays. This ar ticle is to edu-cate and create awareness. We could avoid a visit to the veterinaryemergency. The foods which are to be careful about - the list is longbut these are some common ones:" Alcohol: During holidays, we have more par ties and tend toconsume more alcohol and related products. The pets can ingestalcohol by licking the bottles of beer and wine. This can cause de-pression to the Nervous system. Symptoms can be wobbly gait, lackof response. Can cause metabolic acidity and can be toxic." Chocolate: This is the time of the year when we tend to eatmore chocolate and related sweets. Chocolate contains an alkaloidcalled "theobromine". In dogs this can produce effects like diarrhea;vomiting; increased urination; muscle twitching; excessive panting;hyperactive behavior; whining; dehydration; digestive problems; sei-zures; and rapid hear t rate. High level can be fatal." Coffee: Coffee, tea, used tea bags, soda, energy drinks anddiet pills contain Caffeine and Theobromine. We should understandoften Pets will be sensitive to the effects of caffeine than humans.Within

1-2 hours of exposure: mild to severe hyperactivity, restlessness,vomiting, tachycardia (elevated hear t rate), hyper tension (elevatedblood pressure), abnormal hear t rhythms, tremors, hyper thermia (el-evated body temperature) seizures, and even collapse." Onion: Onion have strong odour so normally dogs will noteat them. But if it fried or dried or in food like meat. The dogs could betempted. The ingestion could cause Heinz body anemia decreasingthe oxygen carrying capacity of the RBC'S. The signs you see withonion toxicity are: signs of anemia and low oxygen such as lethargy,weakness, red urine, decreased stamina, and pale or bluish gums,especially with exercise.Other food items which can make your pets sick include:" Fatty food" Salt" Dough" Spoiled foodSome of the plants which can be toxic" Lilies - They can cause Kidney failure" Poinsettias - Can cause nausea and vomiting" Mistletoe - Linked to upset Stomach and can also causeCardio Vascular problems" Holly - Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhea and Lethargy

" We must keep pets safe from Hazards like" Christmas tree: which may contain fer tilizer, the tree if it notsecure can be knocked down by pets while playing" Electric Cords: can potentially cause electric shock" Ribbons or tinsels: can be ingested and become a foreignbody" Batteries: can be corrosive and cause ulcers in mouth, tongue" Glass ornaments: Can cut tissuesAntifreeze: In winter, we use antifreeze in cars and is used in refrig-erators. It has a very pleasant taste but a small amount of it can beserious. Even a tea spoon of it can potentially kill a cat and less than4 teaspoons can be toxic to a small dog.Ice melting products: The salt can cause burns on the skin and in themouth. The bottom line is being vigilant and if in doubt, call yourvet. Remain safe and enjoy your well-earned time. What to do ifyour pet gets into suspected toxic substances? Call your veteri-narian and explain the situation if needed please take your pet tothe clinic as soon as possible. A small delay could be fatal. Inholiday season, we are all busy so is may be the case of youranimal hospital. Sometimes arranging for a timely trip could bedifficult. So it is better to take precaution and prevent an emergencysituation.

HOLIDAY HAZARDS

SRI DEVI, BONNEY KAPOOR AND THEIR DAUGHTERS AT KARAN JOHAR'S GRAND BIRTHDAY BASH FOR DESIGNER MANISH MALHOTRA.

PAST GRUDGES CROP UP MORE OFTENIN INSECURE RELATIONSHIPS

Malaika Arora Khan with sister Amrita Arora at Karan Johar'sgrand birthday bash for designer Manish Malhotra.

TORONTO, (IANS) People with high attachment anxiety - those whoworry their par tners do not love and care for them - are especiallylikely to think of past grudges in new, unrelated contexts, leading tomore conflicts in the relationship, says a study.To them, past misdeeds tend to feel closer to the present than forthose who are more secure in their relationships, the study said."When memories feel closer to the present, those memories are con-strued as more relevant to the present and more representative of therelationship," said co-author of the study Kassandra Cor tes from theUniversity of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada."If one bad memory feels recent, a person will also be more likely toremember other past slights, and attach more impor tance to them,"Cor tes said. The researchers found that even if no one mentions the

transgressions during arguments, just thinking about them could beenough to have a detrimental effect on the relationship. A person mayfeel confused and frustrated if they do not understand why their par t-ner has become so upset over something so seemingly minor. Thestudy - published in the journal Personality and Social PsychologyBulletin - found that those who repor ted thinking about past trans-gressions during a recent conflict said they reacted to the currentconflict more destructively, repor ted having more frequent and in-tense conflicts with their par tners and felt worse about their relation-ships in general. "It may be useful for people to resolve an issue withtheir par tner when it occurs, rather than pretending to forgive theirpar tner or just letting it go when they are clearly upset. This way, theissue may be less likely to resurface in the future," the study said.

CAESAREAN BIRTHS MAY BE 'AFFECTING HUMAN EVOLUTION': STUDYLONDON, (IANS) Continuous usage of caesarean sections or c-section may be impacting human evolution as more mothers now needsurgery to deliver a baby due to their narrow pelvis size, scientists say. C-section is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incisionin the mother's abdomen and uterus. "Women with a very narrow pelvis pass on their genes encoding for a narrow pelvis to theirdaughters," Philipp Mitteroecker from the University of Vienna in Austria, was quoted as saying to bbc.com.Historically, these genes would not have been passed from mother to child as both would have died in labour.However, today the global rate of cases where the baby could not fit through the maternal bir th canal have increased from 30 in 1,000in the 1960s to 36 in 1,000 bir ths. That is about a 10-20 per cent increase of the original rate, due to the evolutionary effect.Although, the trend is likely to continue, but not to the extent that non-surgical bir ths will become obsolete, the researchers noted.The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

New immunotherapy shows hopein preventing leukemia relapseNEW YORK, (IANS) A new genetically engineered T-celltherapy may have the potential to prevent the relapse of a typeof cancer, US scientists have found.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer of the bloodand bone marrow that affects immature blood cell growth.The research showed that AML is in remission among patientswho received this experimental T-cell therapy after a bonemarrow transplant.Giving these cells when the disease is in remission after trans-plant "might actually be helping patients who have a high riskof relapsing to not relapse down the line", said Aude Chapuis,physician at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in theUS. Conversely, in transplant-only patients, the transplants pro-duced remissions, but more than a quar ter of them relapsedwithin just 10 months, the researchers said.For the trial, the team focussed on 12 AML patients who wereundergoing bone marrow transplant and had certain genetic ordisease characteristics that decreased the chance of long-term transplant success.

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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY


MAHESH BHATT AT LAUNCH OF MANOJ PANDEY'S BOOK SAANVRI IN MUMBAI.

PREVENT HYPERTENSION, DIABETES INMID-LIFE TO LOWER HEART FAILURE RISK

NEW YORK, (IANS) Preventingthe development of hypertension,obesity and diabetes in mid-life -between the age of 45 and 55years - can result in an 86 percent lower risk of hear t failurethroughout the remainder of life,says a research. Mi l l ions ofpeople worldwide currently suf-fer from hear t failure as well asface a significantly reduced qual-ity of life and higher mor talityrate.The study found that hyper ten-sion, obesity and diabetes - ma-jor risk factors as well as highlyprevalent in individuals - are pre-ventable risk factors for hear t fail-ure, the researchers said. Fur ther,people with diabetes were foundto have a par ticularly strong as-sociation with shor ter hear t fail-ure-free survival, as those with-out diabetes lived on average be-tween 8.6 and 10.6 years longerwithout hear t failure.Men at age 45 years without anyof the three risk factors lived an

average of 10.6 years longer freeof hear t failure, while women atage 45 without any of the threerisk factors lived an average of14.9 years longer without hear tfailure. "The study adds to theunderstanding of how individualand aggregate risk factor levels,specifically in middle age, affectincident hear t failure risk over theremaining lifespan," said John T.Wilkins from the Nor thwestern

University at Evanston, in Illinois,in the US.Prevention of hyper tension, obe-sity and diabetes by ages 45 and55 years may substantially pro-long hear t failure-free survival,decrease hear t fai lure-relatedmorbidity and reduce the publichealth impact of hear t failure, theresearchers noted. The study waspublished in the journal JACC:Hear t Failure.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2016l i f e s t y l e

RANVEER SINGH AND VAANI KAPOOR DURING THE PROMOTION OF FILM BEFIKRE ON THE SETS OF SONY TV REALITY SHOW SUPER DANCER.

YOUR WALK MAY PREDICT DECLINEIN MEMORY, THINKING

NEW YORK, (IANS) Individuals who suffer problems associated withwalking such as reduced speed, imbalance, among others, can be atan significant risk of developing decline in memory and thinking, astudy has found. Walking is part of the complex cognitive task knownas gait that includes everything from a person's stride length to theaccompanying swing of each arm.Previous studies have repor ted that slower gait speed might predictcognitive impairment and dementing illnesses, suppor ting the role ofgait speed as a possible subclinical marker of cognitive impairment.In the study, researchers from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US, used anon-invasive computerised gait analysis test that could identify pa-tients at high risk for cognitive decline and to target appropriate thera-pies. They measured gait parameters, such as stride length, ambula-tory time, gait speed, step count, cadence, stance time, arm swing oneach patients. The results showed that alterations in several of thegait parameters were associated with decline in memory, thinkingand language skills, and visual perception of the spatial relationshipof objects. "The presence of gait disturbances increases with ad-vancing age and affects the independence of daily living, especially

in the elderly," said lead author Rodolfo Savica, neurologist at MayoClinic. For the study, the researchers analysed 3,426 cognitivelynormal par ticipants who were between ages 70 to 89. The studywas published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Tobacco exposure upsbehavioural issues, dropoutrates in childrenTORONTO, (IANS) Children exposed to tobacco smoke inearly childhood adopt anti-social behaviour, engage in pro-active and reactive aggression, and face conduct problemsat school, even drop out at age 12, a research has showed.Exposure to tobacco smoke is toxic to the developing brainat a time when it is most vulnerable to environment input,the researchers said."Young children have little control over their exposure tohousehold tobacco smoke, which is considered toxic to thebrain at a time when its development is exponential," saidlead author and Profes-sor Linda Pagani fromthe Universi ty ofMontreal in Quebec,Canada. Parents whosmoke near their chil-dren often inadver tentlyexpose them to second-and third-hand smoke.Abnormal brain devel-opment can result fromchronic or transient ex-posure to toxic chemicals and gases in second-hand to-bacco smoke. These compounds eventually solidify and cre-ate third-hand smoke.In the study, the researchers found compelling evidence thatsuggests other dangers to developing brain systems thatgovern behavioural decisions, social and emotional life aswell as cognitive functioning. Anti-social behaviour ischaracterised by proactive intent to harm others, lackprosocial feelings, and violate social norms.Such behaviours include aggression, criminal offences, theft,refusal to comply with authority, destruction of proper ty andis also associated with academic problems in later child-hood. "These long-term associations should encouragepolicy-makers and public health professionals to raiseawareness among parents about the developmental risks ofsecond-hand smoke exposure," Pagani said. For the study,published in the journal Indoor Air, the team examined 1,035boys and girls born in 1997 and 1998. Their parents repor tedwhether anyone smoked at home when their children wereaged 1.5 to 7.5 years. At age 12, their children self-repor tedtheir anti-social behaviour and academic characteristics.



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY


80 PERTOSA DRIVE, UNIT 12,BRAMPTON ONT., L6X 5E9

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GROOMING TIPS THAT MEN CAN USENEW DELHI, (IANS) Taking care of hair and skin and feet is importantnot just for women but for men too. Facial hair should be groomedwhile getting a haircut, and it is necessary to moisturise your face,says an exper t. Dipali Mathur-Dayal, co-founder at Magnifique, shareda few tips on grooming:* Skin: Every skin type needs care and if you care about your skin, itcan make you look younger by as many as 20 years. However, it'simpor tant to understand the skin type - an exper t in a good salon canhelp you in identifying your skin type and only use products recom-mended by the exper ts.* Hair: A well-defined haircut straightaway gives impression of beingwell groomed. It's recommended that you visit your salon every 2-4weeks depending on your hair style. Wash your hair every two daysand use recommended hair grooming products in a right quantity (ifyou are not able to define the right quantity, ask your exper t, when-ever you visit for a haircut).* Eyebrows: No one in this world looks good with a unibrow but menalso don't look good with too-groomed eyebrows. Men should lookmanly, a thicker but trimmed eyebrow is the best way. Trimmingeyebrows is an ar t and you would cer tainly need an ar tist (exper t)who has the required competence.* Face: If you think men are tough and body soap is okay. No, it's not

okay because body soaps havechemicals that are strong for yourface. They will dry out your faceand may irritate in some cases.A good face cleanser will leaveyour skin clean and fresh. Afterthe face is cleansed, it needs agood moisturiser, a moisturisedface always looks good ratherthan a dry face. Do ensure thatyour facewash and moisturiserhave right ingredients includingSPF (in the moisturiser) - anexper t's advice is recommended.* Facial Hair: Facial hair are themost evident par t of men's per-sonal i ty. L ike haircut, wel l-groomed facial hair gives an im-pression of a well-groomed man.Depending on your facial hairstyle, you must visit your salonaccordingly. Facial hair should begroomed along with the haircutand then you can fol low thetimeline for next trimming or shav-ing given by your stylist.* Fingers and feet: Grooming offingers and nails has an aspectof hygiene, so it becomes ex-tremely impor tant that you scoreperfect on these basic groominghabits. Feet says a lot about theawareness of a man about hisbody. If you have been ignoringyour feet till date, you need tochange it, get a pedicure done atleast after an interval of threemonths.



MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY


SHABANA AZAMI, WAHEEDA REHMAN AND RAVEENA TANDON GRACE ANJALI CHHABRIA'S BOOK LAUNCH IN MUMBAI.

GAINED MORE WEIGHT AFTER DIETING?

BLAME GUT BACTERIALONDON, (IANS) In a study that could lead to development ofnew treatment for "recurrent" or "yo-yo" obesity, researchershave found that intestinal microbes - collectively termed the gutmicrobiome - play an impor tant role in post-dieting weight gain.Following a successful diet, many people are dismayed to findtheir weight rebounding. Worse still, the vast majority ofrecurrently obese individuals not only rebound to their pre-dieting weight but also gain more weight with each dietingcycle.In experiments with mice, the researchers at WeizmannInstitute of Science in Israel found that after a cycle of gainingand losing weight, all the mice's body systems fully rever ted tonormal - except the microbiome. "We've shown in obese micethat following successful dieting and weight loss, themicrobiome retains a 'memory' of previous obesity," saidresearcher Eran Elinav. For about six months af ter losingweight, post-obese mice retained an abnormal "obese"microbiome, repor ted the study published in the journal Nature."This persistent microbiome accelerated the regaining of weightwhen the mice were put back on a high-calorie diet or ateregular food in excessive amounts," one of the researchers EranSegal said. "By conducting a detailed functional analysis of themicrobiome, we've developed potential therapeutic approachesto alleviating its impact on weight regain," Segal noted. By

combining genomic and metabolic approaches, the researchersidentified two molecules driving the impact of the microbiomeon regaining weight.These molecules - belonging to the class of organic chemicalscalled flavonoids that are obtained through eating cer tainvegetables - are rapidly degraded by the "post-dieting"microbiome, so that the levels of these molecules in post-dieting mice are significantly lower than those in mice with nohistory of obesity. The researchers found that under normalcircumstances, these two flavonoids promote energy expendi-ture during fat metabolism. Low levels of these flavonoids inweight cycling prevented this fat-derived energy release,causing the post-dieting mice to accumulate extra fat when theywere returned to a high-calorie diet.Finally, the researchers used these insights to develop newproof-of-concept treatments for recurrent obesity. They supple-mented post-dieting mice with flavonoids added to theirdrinking water. This brought their flavonoid levels, and thustheir energy expenditure, back to normal levels. As a result,even on return to a high-calorie diet, the mice did not experi-ence accelerated weight gain. "If the results of our mousestudies are found to be applicable to humans, they may helpdiagnose and treat recurrent obesity, and this, in turn, may helpalleviate the obesity epidemic," Elinav said.

SIX WAYS MUSTARD OIL CANIMPROVE YOUR LOOKSNEW DELHI, (IANS) It acts as a natural cleanser and helps towhiten teeth as well. Reach out for mustard oil to look your best, saysan expert. Dermatologist Pragya Gupta, who is a specialist advisor forP Mark Mustard Oil, shares a few benefits of the oil:* It works wonders on the skin as a natural cleanser. It can be used asa make-up remover as well, making sure that it doesn't clog pores.This helps the skin to get cleansed naturally within minutes.* Mustard oil is considered one of the best natural ingredients forbrushing and when applied with lemon drops and a bit of salt, it makesyour teeth shine and become stronger.* Think about the condition of your hair after you get them styled usingchemical based hair products. The adverse effects on one's hair afterthose curls and buns can be managed well with a massage of hotmustard oil. It provides adequate nutrients to the hair and preventssituations like frizziness and hair fall.* In case of acne and rashes, apply a few drops of mustard oil for 10-15 minutes daily. It keeps the skin healthy and glowing.* Massaging mustard oil on your face regularly can help reduce tanand lighten dark spots and pigmentation. Make a face mask by mixingmustard oil with besan or gram flour, one teaspoon of curd and a fewdrops of lemon juice. Mix the ingredients well and apply it on your faceand neck. Wash your face after 10 to 15 minutes and try applying theface mask at least thrice a week for best results.* Dry patchy skin is a common problem that we all face during harshwinter season. One can apply a few drops of mustard oil and rubit along the face. Let it remain for a few minutes before washingit in water. The skin becomes smooth.

DIABETES MAY HAVE A NEWCURE IN PLATYPUS VENOMSYDNEY, (IANS) A hormone produced in the venom of platypus- an egg-laying mammal native to Australia - can pave the wayfor potential new treatments for Type 2 diabetes in humans,researchers have found. The study found that platypus pro-duces hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) - normally secreted inthe gut of both humans and animals for stimulating the release of insulin tolower blood glucose, but insufficient to maintain proper blood sugar bal-ance. "Our research has discovered that platypus have evolved changesin the hormone GLP-1 that make it resistant to the rapid degradationnormally seen in humans," said Professor Frank Grutzner of the Universityof Adelaide in Australia. The GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut of theplatypus, which helps regulate blood glucose, is also produced in theirvenom to fend off other platypus males during breeding season, the re-searchers said. "This tug of war between the different functions has re-sulted in dramatic changes in the GLP-1 system. The function in venomhas most likely triggered the evolution of a stable form of GLP-1 inmonotremes. "Stable GLP-1 molecules are highly desirable as potentialType 2 diabetes treatments," added Briony Forbes, Associate Professor atFlinders University. In addition, GLP-1 has also been discovered in thevenom of echidnas - another egg-laying mammal.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2016l i f e s t y l e

AAMIR KHAN AT THE LAUNCH OF INOX'S LASERPLEX INSIGNIA IN MUMBAI.

EPILEPSY DRUGS MAY INCREASEBIRTH DEFECT RISK

CREATION OF DESIGNER SWEET TOUCH DURING THE 13TH BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN.

LONDON, (IANS) Exposure to cer tain anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) dur-ing pregnancy may put women at higher risk of having a child with amalformation, or bir th defect, says a study. The study based on sys-tematic review of 50 published studies found that exposure in thewomb to the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate was associatedwith a 10 per cent chance of the child having a significant bir th defectand this rose as the dose of the drug increased.The types of bir th defect that were increased were skeletal and limbdefects, cardiac defects, craniofacial defects and neural tube defects,said the joint study conducted by researchers from the universities ofLiverpool and Manchester. "This is a really impor tant review thatinforms complex discussions during consultations about epilepsytreatment choices for women of childbearing potential, who repre-sent around a third of people with epilepsy worldwide," said TonyMarson from the University of Liverpool's Institute of TranslationalMedicine. As majority of women with epilepsy are required to con-tinue anti-epileptic drug treatment during a pregnancy, the research-ers wanted to explore the links between anti-epileptic drugs and bir thdefects. Children exposed to drugs carbamazepine, topiramate orphenytoin were at an increased risk of having a significant bir th de-fect but the exact types of defects were not clear and children ex-posed to phenobarbital were found to be at an increased risk of car-diac defects, according to the study published in the journal Cochrane

Database of Systematic Reviews. The review also found that childrenexposed to lamotrigine or levetiracetam were not found to be at anincreased risk of significant bir th defects in comparison to controlchildren and had lower risks when directly compared to the children exposedto carbamazepine, phenytoin or topiramate. "Based on current evidence,levetiracetam and lamotrigine appear to be the AEDs associated withthe lowest level of risk, but more data are needed, par ticularly con-cerning individual types of malformation," Marson said.

Young smokers at more than 8-foldrisk of heart attack: Study

LONDON, (IANS) If you are under the age of 50 and a regular smoker,you may be more than eight times at risk of suffering a major hear tattack as compared to non-smokers or people who quit smoking,researchers have warned. The study showed that smokers of all age-group were more than three times likely to have a STEMI than ex- andnon-smokers combined.But the highest risk was among the under-50s who were nearly 8.5times as likely to do so as former and non-smokers of the same age.According to researchers, this risk, however, fell with increasing age,dropping to a five-fold difference among 50-65 year olds, and a three-fold difference among the over 65s. A STEMI, or ST-segment eleva-tion myocardial infarction, refers to the typical pattern seen on anelectrocardiogram (ECG), indicating that a large por tion of the hear tmuscle is dying.

In the study, current smokers tended to be 10-11 years younger thanex- or non-smokers when they had their STEMI. And, along with ex-smokers, were twice as likely to have had previous episodes of coro-nary ar tery disease. They were also three times likely to have periph-eral vascular disease - a condition in which a build-up of fatty depos-its in the blood vessels restricts blood supply to the legs, the re-searchers said. "All current smokers must be encouraged into smok-ing cessation therapy to reduce their risk of acute STEMI, with a focuson the youngest smokers whose increased risk is often unrecognised,"said Ever D Grech from the Nor thern General Hospital in Britain. Forthe study, published online in the journal Heart, the team drew on datafor 1,727 adults among which almost half (48.5 per cent) were currentsmokers, with roughly a quar ter (just over 27 per cent) former smok-ers, and a quar ter (just over 24 per cent) non-smokers.

Fungal treatment of artificial voice box may improve speechLONDON, (IANS) Treating fungal infection inside the ar tificial voice box may improve speech quality and help people with throat cancerwho lose their larynx, a study has found. Throat cancer refers to cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords, and other par ts of the throat,such as the tonsils and the oropharynx. During a total laryngectomy, the entire voice box (larynx) is removed and the windpipe(trachea) and food pipe (oesophagus) are separated from each other.This operation creates an opening between the food pipe and the windpipe, where the voice prosthesis - an ar tificial silicone device -is inser ted to help the laryngectomised patients to speak. However, these replaced voice boxes often get infected with Candidaalbicans - a fungal infection - that causes the devices to fail, said researchers from University of Kent in Britain. By dealing with thefungal infection, the scientists were for the first time able to extend the life of the replacement voice box.It means patients may be able to carry on using silicone voice prosthesis for much longer, enabling them to still speak and reduce therisk of dangerous secondary chest infections. The study would enable people who lose their larynx to maintain speech and enjoy aimproved quality of life, said Senior Lecturer Campbell Gourlay at the University of Kent.

Why you should stop pressuringkids over gradesNEW YORK, (IANS) If you want your kids to become successfullater in life, better avoid pressuring them over grades, suggestsnew research. Parents should not obsess over grades and ex-tracurricular activities for young schoolchildren, especially ifsuch ambitions come at the expense of social skills and kind-ness, as doing so can work against helping kids become welladjusted and successful in life, the study said."When parents emphasise children's achievement much morethan their compassion and decency during the formative years,they are sowing the seeds of stress and poorer well-being,seen as early as sixth grade," said study co-author Suniya Luthar,Professor at Arizona State University in the US. "In order tofoster well-being and academic success during the critical yearssurrounding early adolescence, our findings suggest that par-ents should accentuate kindness and respect for others at leastas much as (or more than) stellar academic performance andextracurricular accolades," Luthar noted.The study focused on perceptions of parents' values among 506sixth grade students from an affluent community. Kids wereasked to rank the top three of six things their parents valued forthem. Three values were about personal successes such asgood grades and a successful later career, and the other threewere about kindness and decency towards others. The research-ers examined underlying patterns on scores based on children'sperceptions of their parents' achievement emphasis (relative tochildren's kindness to others).These patterns on perceived achievement emphasis were com-pared against the children's school performance and actionsas measured by grade point average and in-class behaviour.Results showed that mothers and fathers perceived emphasison achievement versus interpersonal kindness played a keyrole in the child's personal adjustment and academic perfor-mance, as did perceptions of parents' criticism.The best outcomes were among children who perceived theirmothers and fathers as each valuing kindness toward others asmuch as, or more than, achievements, Luthar said. Much pooreroutcomes were seen among children who perceived eithermothers or fathers valuing their achievements more highly thanthey valued being kind to others.The findings, published online in the Journal of Youth and Ado-lescence, demonstrate the value of being socially oriented,Luthar said. "It is beneficial for kids to be strongly connectedwith their social networks, whereas focusing too much on ex-ternal validations (such as grades, extra-curricular honours)for their sense of self-wor th can lead to greater insecurity, anxi-ety and overall distress," she added.

Electro-acupuncture may improvesleep in breast cancer patientsNEW YORK, (IANS) Electro-acupuncture may be an effectivemethod in improving sleep quality in patients suffering frombreast cancer, a study has shown. Electro-acupuncture is aform of acupuncture where a small electric current is passedbetween pairs of acupuncture needles.Compared with women who undergo natural menopause, nearly30 to 40 per cent of women with breast cancer are at a greaterrisk of experiencing hot flashes, par tially as a result of thepremature menopause that results from chemotherapy and sur-gery, as well as estrogen deficiency caused by the use of breastcancer treatments such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.These nocturnal hot flashes are among the most problematicbecause they can contribute to poor sleep and increase levelsof pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety, the study said.In the study, the researchers from The Nor th American Meno-pause Society (NAMS) in Ohio, US, compared the benefits ofusing electro-acupuncture to prescribing gabapentin, an anti-seizure medication frequently prescribed to treat sleep distur-bances related to hot flashes in 58 breast cancer survivors. Thestudy showed electro-acupuncture to be better than gabapentinin helping to reduce hot flash severity and frequency and im-proving overall sleep quality, including falling asleep faster andfewer sleep disruptions."This study shows that, for women who need or choose to avoidmedications, electro-acupuncture may be an option because ithas minimal risks, but blinded controlled trials are needed,"said JoAnn Pinker ton, executive director at NAMS. Although theelectro-acupuncture produced significant sleep improvements,researchers noted that sleep quality for the par ticipants wasstill not as good as it should be, implying that more research isnecessary to explore possible combinations of pharmacologicand nonpharmacologic treatments, the researchers noted in thepaper published online in the journal Menopause.

Stylise your look with adupatta differentlyNEW DELHI, (IANS) Look different with your dupatta and standout from the crowd, says an exper t. Mandeep Nagi, DesignDirector at Shades of India, a textile brand, has shared someeasy ways to drape your dupatta:* Wrapping it over the head: One of the more ar tsy ways ofwearing a dupatta is to wrap it over and around your head.However, this style looks at its best if you are also wearing aprominent jewellery over your head.* Use it as an accessory: Instead of winding the dupatta con-ventionally over the hand, you can tie it around your hand anduse it as an added accessory to bring a modern touch to yourtraditional/conventional outfits.* Out at the front: Instead of putting the dupatta in the form of achoker neck, you can put it across the shoulders from both thesides and keep it at front. A casual, yet, sophisticated look thatnever fails to impress.* It is a traditional product yes, but who says traditional is notmeant for par ties? Style the dupatta around your neck for a chicand classy look that can go well with your casual outfits too.* Keeping it traditional: If you do not want to complicate thingsand prefer keeping it all simple, then opt for the traditional way.This style has never faded away, nor will it ever!



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