Mapped: The World’s Best Restaurants in 2024

Source : Statista

Physical Activity in Nature Helps Prevent Several Diseases, Including Depression and Type 2 Diabetes

Tom Seymourwrote . . . . . . . . .

Physical activity in natural environments prevent almost 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases a year in England and save treatment costs of more than £100m, new research from the University of Exeter has found.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the most common non-communicable diseases – including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease – cause 74 percent of global mortality. Non communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person and deaths attributed to these diseases are increasing in most countries.

Physical inactivity is associated with a range of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, cancers, and mental health outcomes. In their Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022, the WHO estimated 500 million new cases will occur globally between 2020 and 2030 should physical activity remain at today’s levels, incurring more than £21b a year in treatment costs.

Natural environments support recreational physical activity, with this new study focusing particularly on places such as beaches and coast, countryside, and open spaces in towns and cities like parks. Using data including a representative cross-sectional survey of the English population, researchers at the University of Exeter have estimated how many cases of six non-communicable diseases – major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer – are prevented through nature-based recreational physical activity.

Speaking about the findings, published in Environment International, Dr James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “We believe this is the first time an assessment like this has been conducted on a national scale and we’ve almost certainly underestimated the true value of nature-based physical activity in terms of disease prevention. Although we have focused on six of the most common non-communicable diseases, there are several less common diseases that can be prevented by physical activity, including other types of cancer and mental ill health. It’s important to note that our estimates represent annual costs. Since chronic diseases can affect people for many years, the overall value of physical activity at preventing each case is certainly much higher.”

Increasing population levels of physical activity is an increasingly important strategic goal for public health institutions globally. The WHO recommends that adults aged 18 to 64 should do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity (or at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity) per week to maintain good health. However, globally 27.5 percent of adults do not meet these recommendations.

In 2019, 22-million adults in England aged 16 years or older visited natural environments at least once a week. At reported volumes of nature-based physical activity, Exeter researchers estimate this prevented 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases, creating annual healthcare savings of £108.7m.

Population-representative data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey were used to estimate the weekly volume of nature-based recreational physical activity by adults in England in 2019. Researchers used epidemiological dose–response data to calculate incident cases of six non-communicable diseases prevented through nature-based physical activity, and estimated associated savings using published costs of healthcare, informal care, and productivity losses. It’s estimated the healthcare cost of physical inactivity in England in 2019 is approximately £1b.

Dr James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “For people without the access, desire, or confidence to take part in organised sports or fitness activities, nature-based physical activity is a far more widely available and informal option. We believe that our study should motivate decision-makers seeking to increase physical activity in the local population to invest in natural spaces, such as parks, to make it easier for people to be physically active.”

Source: University of Exeter

 

 

 

 

Summer Sweets of Godiva Japan

 

 

 

 

AI Tools to Detect Dementia under Development in Japan

Efforts are underway in Japan to develop artificial intelligence-based tools that will help detect dementia at an early stage, including one that analyzes how people walk.

Those tools are expected to lower risks of elderly people failing to notice that they have the condition and see a doctor early or roaming around, easing concerns of those people and their families.

Since February, Ridgelinez Ltd., a Fujitsu Ltd. unit that offers consulting services, has been working with the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center and AI startup Noel Inc. to develop a system that will detect characteristics seen in the way people with dementia walk.

Using AI-based posture recognition technology adopted in Fujitsu’s judging support system for artistic gymnastics competitions, the tool will find signs of dementia like small steps from video footage taken at cameras in public facilities, allowing people around those with such symptoms to talk to them about the possible problem.

The three entities involved in the development of the tool will work on information management rules for privacy protection and conduct analysis in cooperation with nursing care facilities, to put it into practical use in fiscal 2027.

Source : Nippon

 

 

 

 

Summer Berry Cupcakes

Ingredients

175 g butter, softened
200 g caster/granulated sugar
2 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
225 g plain/all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda/baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk

Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

200 g caster/granulated sugar
3 egg whites
250 g unsalted butter, softened and cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons sieved/strained strawberry jam/jelly

To Decorate

assorted summer berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and redcurrants icing/confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing well between each addition and scraping down the side of the mixing bowl from time to time. Add the vanilla.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda/baking soda and add to the mixture in alternate batches with the buttermilk. Mix until smooth.
4. Divide the cake batter between the cupcake cases, filling them two-thirds full, and bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cupcakes comes out clean. Leave to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To make the meringue buttercream, put the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until it reaches at least 60°C (140°F) on the sugar thermometer. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use an electric hand whisk and mixing bowl). Beat until the mixture has doubled in volume, cooled and will stand in stiff, glossy peaks – this will take about 3 minutes.
6. Gradually add the butter to the cooled meringue mix, beating constantly, until the frosting is smooth, then fold in the vanilla and the strawberry jam/jelly.
7. Spread the meringue buttercream over the cold cupcakes and arrange the berries on top of each one in a lovely cascade. Dust with icing/confectioners’ sugar, to finish.

Makes 12 to 16 pieces.

Source: French Fancies

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