Tokyo govt launches AI dating app to match couples, boost births
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THE Tokyo government has launched a new dating app for smartphones that uses artificial intelligence to match people who are serious about marriage based on their values.
Tokyo Enmusubi, meaning Tokyo matchmaking, is available for people over 18 who live in or commute to the Japanese capital. Users undergo an online interview upon registration, and they must also submit photo identification and documents proving their income and that they are legally single to ensure security on the platform.
The move is part of broader efforts to boost Japan’s declining birthrate, and the Tokyo metropolitan government aims to provide support to singles and families at various stages in their lives from the initial meeting to marriage, childbirth and child-rearing.
Users can download the app onto their smartphone or access the platform’s website via computer. Registration costs 11,000 yen ($77), and membership is valid for two years. —Kyodo
A village in the middle part of Myanmar has become famous for its children who preserve the traditional San-yit-wine hairstyle (a style of hairdo with a top knot and a circular fringe). Children in this village, both boys and girls, traditionally keep this hairstyle.The village is called Yepotegyi, located in Pwintbyu township of Magway Region. It is about a 20-minute drive, although the transportation was in bad condition in the past. When a person hears Yepotegyi village, they automatically know the San-yit-wine hairstyle. There are about 700 people who wear that hairstyle. All the children, both boys and girls, wear that hairstyle, and the hairstyle for girls is called San-yit-wine and the Yaung-pay-sue for boys, said the villagers.“ In our village, the infants have a hairstyle called Usunphoke on their heads. This hairstyle symbolizes that the child is still at an age when they shelter in their mother’s arms. When the children reach the age of three or four, they wear a Kyet-taung-see hairstyle that proves that they have grown from the breastfeeding stage, and are now old enough to walk and play on their own,” said Ma Pyone Pyone Yi, the leader of women in the village.“When they are nine or ten years old, the Kyet-taung-see hair becomes long and girls make a hair knot on their heads, while the boys make a Yaung-pay-sue hairstyle. It shows that they are old enough to go to school.”“When the girls are 15 or 16 years old, they wear a Japanese Hsahtauk hairstyle. Such a hairstyle shows that the girls have passed their childhood stage and entered their virginity, and it can also distinguish between the virgins and married ones,” she added.“When they are 17 or 18, they change to keep hairstyle of curving hair. It means the girls reach the age of puberty, and anyone can make a proposal to her. Such a hairstyle symbolizes the words that they do not want to say in person. The married women remove the San-yit-wine, and it means they are married and no one can propose to them. My grandmother told me like that,” she said.She continued, “When I visited the other villages, some teased me like I was wearing chicken litter or cow litter on my head. Therefore, I don’t want to have such a hairstyle. I also told my parents that I did not want to have such a hairstyle anymore. At that time, my grandmother told me that it was our traditional San-yit-wine conserved since your ancestors. Then, I understand it well.”Therefore, valuing the traditional culture is a sign of love for people. Loving people is for the country, and so all should conserve the tradition and culture for the youths, the country and the races. — Zeyar Naing (Shwe Kan Myay)/KTZHSource: The Global New Light of Myanmar
KEY POINTSThe research highlights the urgent need for global action to reduce UPF intake through regulatory and fiscal policies that promote healthier dietary environments.Lead investigator Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson emphasizes that UPFs, which are largely devoid of whole foods and rich in harmful additives, pose a serious health risk linked to various diseases and should be prioritized in public nutrition strategies.A STUDY analyzing data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality data from eight countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Kingdom, and United States) shows that premature deaths attributable to consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) increase significantly according to their share in individuals’ total energy intake.The new study, appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, reinforces the call for global action to reduce UPF consumption, supported by regulatory and fiscal policies that foster healthier environments.UPFs are ready-to-eat-or-heat industrial formulations that are made with ingredients extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories, with little or no whole foods in their composition.These have gradually been replacing traditional foods and meals made from fresh and minimally processed ingredients. Lead investigator of the study, Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, DSc, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil, says, “UPFs affect health beyond the individual impact of high content of critical nutrients (sodium, trans fats, and sugar) because of the changes in the foods during industrial processing and the use of artificial ingredients, including colorants, artificial flavors and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids, so assessing deaths from all-causes associated with UPF consumption allows an overall estimate of the effect of industrial food processing on health.” ANISource: The Global New Light of Myanmar
Some foods can be incorporated into your diet every day to help you stay healthyRegistered dietician Reda Elmardi recommended adding berries to your dietHe also suggested adding yogurt for the sake of your gut health One of the most frustrating parts of being an adult is figuring out what to feed yourself everyday. And while you may be tempted to opt for a microwavable pizza every night, health experts want to make sure that you're incorporating nutritional foods into your diet.One way to do this is to try and put some key, healthy foods into your everyday diet. Luckily, most of the foods that nutritionists recommend eating on a daily basis are super common, and most likely already on your grocery list. Now, some dieticians and health experts warn against eating the same foods every day, but this typically applies to full meals. Registered dietician and nutritionist Shelley Balls told DailyMail.com, 'It limits variety which is crucial for overall health, especially gut health.' But that doesn't mean you can't take some really important foods and find ways to include them in your daily meals. In fact, there are a few foods that nutritionists themselves recommend eating everyday. Oats 'Oats are an excellent source of whole grains and contain plenty of fiber and nutrients that make them a healthy meal or snack, registered dietician Trisha Best told DailyMail.com.She said that these benefits can sometimes be overshadowed when people decide to add excessive sugar or calorie-dense toppings.But, when made with mix-ins like nuts, cinnamon, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas, they can be great options. 'The fiber in oatmeal keeps you feeling full for longer, which can prevent overeating throughout the morning. The whole grains keep your blood sugar stabilized, preventing spikes and dips that are associated with increased weight gain,' Best said.Basil Seeds You might assume 'chia seeds' if any seeds would be included in this list, but registered dietician Stacy-Roberts Davis said basil seeds are the way to go.'It's high in fiber, protein, iron and potassium. It's a better choice than chia seeds,' she said.She also explained that just two tablespoons of basil seeds has 15 grams of fiber in it - more than half of what your daily intake should be! Spinach You probably already know that you want to incorporate leafy greens into your diet, but did you know that spinach in specific is a great choice to eat every day? 'Spinach is packed with magnesium, iron and antioxidants, helping reduce inflammation, supporting muscle recovery and promoting relaxation - all of which aid in better sleep,' nutritionist and registered dietician Amy Shapiro said. Plus, spinach is a non-greasy vegetable - meaning that it won't cause you any stomach issues. Yogurt Registered dietician Reda Elmardi emphasized the importance of gut-healthy foods. 'Most people don’t realize that digestion impacts everything - mood, immunity, weight,' he said. That's why yogurt is on Elmardi's list of foods to eat every day. Yogurt is rich in probiotics, calcium, and protein. 'Trust me, your gut will thank you,' Elmardi said. Berries Whether you're more of a strawberry person or have an inclination toward blueberries, it doesn't matter. 'Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries - they fight inflammation, boost brain function, and keep blood sugar in check. Bonus: they taste amazing,' Elmardi said. He explained that adding berries to your everyday diet will help you age better and keep your heart healthy. Source: Mail Online
LIFESTYLE and health factors that are linked with heart disease appear to have a greater impact on cardiovascular risk in women than men, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session.While diet, exercise, smoking, and blood pressure have long been associated with heart disease risk, the new study is the first to indicate that these correlations are higher in women than in males.According to the researchers, the findings indicate that sex-specific screening or risk assessment methodologies could provide a more realistic picture of cardiovascular risk and better drive people to adopt heart-healthy habits.“For the same level of health, our study shows that the increase in risk [related to each factor] is higher in women than in men–it’s not one-size-fits-all,” said Maneesh Sud, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the department of medicine, interventional cardiologist and clinician scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and the study’s lead author. “This is novel and something that hasn’t been seen in other studies.”The study focused on eight factors associated with heart disease: diet, sleep, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure.Overall, the results showed that women were more likely to have fewer negative risk factors and more positive ones compared with men. However, women with more negative risk factors faced a more pronounced increase in their chance of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event compared to men with a similar risk factor profile.“We found that women tend to have better health than men, but the impact on outcomes is different,” Sud said. “The combination of these factors has a bigger impact in women than it does in men.”The researchers analyzed data from over 175,000 Canadian adults who enrolled in the Ontario Health Study between 2009-2017. None of the participants had heart disease at baseline and about 60 per cent were women. Each participant was classified as having ideal or poor health in terms of each of the eight risk factors, and these scores were combined to calculate an overall risk factor profile as poor (fewer than five positive factors or more than three negative factors), intermediate (five to seven positive factors) or ideal (ideal across all eight factors). During a median follow-up period of just over 11 years, researchers tracked the incidence of seven heart disease outcomes–heart attack, stroke, unstable angina (chest pain that results from restricted blood flow to the heart), peripheral arterial disease (narrowed blood vessels in the arms or legs), heart failure, coronary revascularization (procedures to open blocked arteries) and cardiovascular death–among participants in each of the three groupings.- ANISource: The Global New Light of Myanmar
ONCE deemed overshadowed by Japanese anime and US animation, Chinese animation is now experiencing a surge in popularity, especially among younger audiences.With improved storytelling, advanced visual effects, and a seamless integration of traditional Chinese culture, the industry is rapidly gaining recognition at home and abroad.A recent survey conducted by China Youth Daily among 7,232 university students revealed that 40.64 per cent actively follow popular domestic animation films and series, while 30.35 per cent check for new releases on a weekly basis.This growing interest is reflected in the success of major box office hits, including “Ne Zha 2,” which grossed over 15.08 billion yuan (about US$2.1 billion) in box office revenue and stormed into the global box office top 5, cementing Chinese animation’s place in the global animation industry.Most respondents attribute this rise to the ability of Chinese animated works to blend traditional cultural elements with modern cinematic techniques, which 81.1 per cent of surveyed students identified as a key factor in their interest.Nearly 45 per cent believed that the technology used in Chinese animation is on par with international standards.Recalling the release of “Chang An” and “Deep Sea”, both widely acclaimed Chinese animated films, Huang Ziyi, a student at Wuhan University, felt as if the poems from her textbooks had come to life. “The adaptations based on history were well-executed and felt authentic, bringing the audience closer to the stories.”In recent years, driven by both technological advancements and a focus on Chinese cultural storytelling, the quality of Chinese animation has improved significantly. According to the survey, 67.78 per cent of university students shared this view.“For instance, the movie ‘Chang An’ used AI to recreate the texture of Tang Dynasty architecture, providing a visual representation of poetic imagination. Meanwhile, ‘Ne Zha 2’ reinterpreted a classic myth through the lens of modern family dynamics, proving that technology should ultimately serve cultural expression,” said Chen Yanyu, a Jiangxi University of Technology student.“I believe Chinese animation can carve out its own space in the industry,” Huang remarked. She noted that while Japanese anime often focuses on youthful romance and American animation emphasizes individual heroism, China has a vast pool of untapped storytelling potential. — XinhuaSource: The Global New Light of Myanmar
NEARLY 60 per cent of all adults and a third of all children in the world will be overweight or obese by 2050 unless governments take action, a large new study said Tuesday.The research published in the Lancet medical journal used data from 204 countries to paint a grim picture of what it described as one of the great health challenges of the century.“The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” lead author Emmanuela Gakidou, from the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), said in a statement.The number of overweight or obese people worldwide rose from 929 million in 1990 to 2.6 billion in 2021, the study found.Without a serious change, the researchers estimate that 3.8 billion adults will be overweight or obese in 15 years — — or around60 per cent of the global adult population in 2050.The world’s health systems will come under crippling pressure, the researchers warned, with around a quarter of the world’s obese expected to be aged over 65 by that time.They also predicted a 121-percent increase in obesity among children and adolescents around the world. A third of all obese young people will be living in two regions -- North Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean -- by 2050, the researchers warned.But it is not too late to act, said study co-author Jessica Kerr from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia. “Much stronger political commitment is needed to transform diets within sustainable global food systems,” she said.That commitment was also needed for strategies “that improve people’s nutrition, physical activity and living environments, whether it’s too much processed food or not enough parks,” Kerr said.Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
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