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Even Very Slow Running Can Benefit The Brain, Study Suggests

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A 10-minute jog at a pace barely faster than walking may still be enough to give the brain a short-term boost, according to new research examining how very slow running affects mood and cognitive function.

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan found that even running at extremely low speeds was associated with improved mood, faster performance on a test of attention and self-control, and increased activity in parts of the brain’s prefrontal cortex. The findings were published in Imaging Neuroscience.

The researchers recruited 24 healthy young adults and had each participant spend 10 minutes running on a treadmill at a slow pace of roughly 1.9 to 3.7 miles per hour (3 to 6 kilometers per hour).

During the treadmill sessions, average heart rates among both male and female participants ranged from 104 to 107 beats per minute. The researchers compared those sessions with separate days when participants spent 10 minutes sitting still.

Following the slow-running sessions, participants reported significant improvements in mood, including feeling more alert and more pleasant than they did after sitting.

They also performed better on a cognitive test measuring attention and self-control, responding more quickly after running than after sitting still.

During the tests, participants wore headsets that monitored changes in oxygenated hemoglobin near the surface of the brain.

Although the technique is less precise than an MRI, it can provide a general indication of which areas of the brain become more active during certain tasks.

After participants ran, the headsets detected a stronger oxygen-rich blood signal in two areas of the left prefrontal cortex while they completed the cognitive tests. The region plays an important role in both cognition and mood.

Some of the same researchers had previously found that 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running could increase activation in the prefrontal cortex. The new experiment suggests that those effects may also appear at much lower running intensities.

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There are several limitations to the findings. The study involved only 24 healthy young adults, so the results may not apply to people of different ages or health backgrounds.

It also examined only the immediate effects of a single 10-minute session, rather than the long-term effects of regularly running at a slow pace.

And because the researchers compared running with sitting rather than walking, the experiment cannot determine whether very slow running produces benefits that similarly gentle walking would not.

What causes the observed changes remains uncertain. One possibility is that running activates neural networks that project into the prefrontal cortex. Another involves the rhythmic movement of the head during a run.

Animal experiments have suggested that repeated up-and-down head movement may mechanically stimulate the brain, raising the possibility that head acceleration itself could contribute to some of the effects.

“This is a new and challenging hypothesis, and the exact neural circuitry involved in the positive effect of head acceleration on mood has not been identified and needs further investigation.”

The researchers found that, among participants in the study, greater head acceleration during very slow running was associated with higher levels of exercise-induced pleasure. Head acceleration accounted for about 17 percent of the variation in improved mood scores between participants.

“This discovery of the positive relationship between head acceleration and improved mood may be one of the underlying mechanisms through which very slow running promotes mental health.”

Previous studies examining low-intensity exercise and cognition have often focused on cycling, in part because researchers can more easily control the exercise intensity.

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But cycling may not produce the same degree of rhythmic head movement as jogging, which could matter if head acceleration contributes to the effects observed in the new study.

The findings also raise a broader question about running’s role in human evolution.

Humans evolved to run long distances while upright on two legs, and endurance rather than speed may have helped early humans survive by allowing them to pursue large prey across the savannah.

The researchers suggest that the evolutionary importance of running could also be connected to the development of the human brain.

“It is interesting to hypothesize that human upright bipedal running is also strongly tied to the evolutionary expansion of the Homo sapiens’ frontal lobes and higher cognitive functions. Against this background, running may be viewed not simply as another exercise modality, but as a biologically foundational form of human movement with particular relevance to brain function.”

That evolutionary connection remains speculative, and the current experiment cannot establish that running played a role in the development of human cognition. Nor can the study determine the exact mechanism responsible for the changes researchers observed after exercise.

But the findings suggest that a run does not necessarily have to be fast or demanding to produce measurable short-term changes in mood, cognitive performance, and brain activity.

So on days when a run feels more like an awkward shuffle than a workout, it may still be doing something useful.

practical magic

Sequels Can Be Healing: How ‘Practical Magic 2’ Gave Sandra Bullock And Nicole Kidman A Magical Experience 

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Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have returned to the big screen together as the witchy Owen sisters in the sequel to their cult classic, “Practical Magic.” During their press run, the two powerhouse actors exuded so much love for each other and the connection they made 28-years-ago.

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Test Scores Are Dropping Around The World As Families Lose Interest In Their Kids’ Education 

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According to newly released standardized test results taken by 15-year-olds around the world, test scores are continuing to plunge, while families’ interest in their kids’ education is also decreasing in many high-income countries. 

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) was taken by more than 760,000 teenagers in dozens of countries last year. The results were released this week and showed that the average scores in math, reading, and science are at their lowest point in PISA history among the nations with some of the most developed economies. 

The US specifically has seen a continuous decline in their reading and math scores. China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea scored the highest marks on the test with Estonia, the UK, and New Zealand also scoring high, according to reports from the Associated Press. 

There are a multitude of reasons as to why test scores are falling so much around the world, and thanks to an accompanying survey taken by the students, we have a greater insight into why this is happening. 

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When compared to the 2022 PISA results, almost every nation saw a decline in family support for their kids’ education, which was measured by questions about how often parents talk to their kids about their schoolwork, classes, projects, and learning in general.

“Parents see themselves more as a client of the school, not as someone who takes personal interest,” said Andreas Schleicher, director for education and skills for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which runs the PISA test.

The results showed that students who claimed a family member asked them at least weekly about what they did in school that day scored around 35 points higher on the PISA science test, compared with students whose family took less interest. 

One of the other factors is the distraction of technology. Over 25% of students in high-income countries complained that their classmates got distracted by digital devices in most or every science class. Countries that have strong policies controlling the use of cellphones in schools, distraction rates were found to be lower. 

“There’s undoubtedly a strong association between students using digital devices for leisure and lower test scores,” Schleicher said.

When technology is used in the classroom for educational purposes, the results do differ. In Asia, for example, technology is being used in a way to benefit student learning. Fewer than 10% of the students tested in Japan, Korea, and mainland China complained about digital distraction in school. 

Asia also had some of the strongest schools in the world. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Chinese provinces ranked among the top 10 regions for math, science, and reading. 

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Close to 100% of children in the Chinese provinces scored at, or above, baseline for both math and reading. For comparison, in the US only 65% scores at the baseline in math and 74% in reading. 

“To win a technological race, you need the people with the science and the technology and the reading capabilities,” said Tracey Burns, chief of global strategy and research at the National Center for Education and the Economy.

The US scores for math were equal to the average among the nations that administered the test, with the nation being in the top 15 in the world for science, reading, and their new category computational problem-solving. 

US students reading and math scores, however, reached the lowest point since the early 2000s, when the PISA test was first administered. Overall, researchers said that the US’s results should be “taken with a grain of salt” due to the fact that they didn’t meet the standards for having a large enough sample of schools and students to participate in the test. 

One of the biggest issues education systems all over the world are also tackling is the use of artificial intelligence, which has been linked to lower test scores. Students who stated that they never used chatbots performed better than students who did, with almost half of the students in developed economies claiming that they use AI chatbots to help them learn at least once a week.

Schleicher said that China, Japan, Singapore, and Estonia as nations that have succeeded in using AI to “support learning without overusing it.” 

He said that in Asia specifically teachers are more empowered to take the lead in designing AI systems for the classroom. 

“In the United States, teachers largely implement lessons. In Asia, teachers have a very strong role.” 

He also recalled a classroom in China where elementary schoolers were practicing calligraphy with ink and brushes, and then teachers would scan their work using AI to analyze how their handwriting could improve.

dolly parton

Dolly Parton’s Legacy Will Remain Alive In Dollywood, Park President Guarantees 

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This week, the world lost musical legend and cultural icon Dolly Parton. As the world mourns this great loss, the president of Dollywood is reassuring everyone that loved Parton that her legacy will remain alive and well within the park.

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Taking the Stairs May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease and Early Death

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Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator may be one of the simplest ways to work more heart-healthy movement into your day, according to new research from the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

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Eating Less Protein May Support Healthy Aging, Review Finds

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Despite the popularity of high-protein diets and protein-fortified foods, many adults may not know how much of the nutrient they actually need.

A major scientific review suggests that healthy adults who already consume adequate protein may gain little from eating more. Some evidence suggests that moderately reducing protein intake, or limiting certain amino acids that make up protein, could support metabolic health and biological processes associated with aging. In some organisms, lower protein intake has also been associated with a longer lifespan, even when total calorie consumption remained unchanged.

The review was led by pathologist and biomedical researcher Dudley Lamming, who studies aging at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. It analyzed more than 350 studies involving people, mice, insects, yeast and other organisms. It was published in the journal Cell Press Blue.

Scientists have long studied calorie restriction as a possible way to extend lifespan and lower the risk of age-related illnesses, including cancer. But maintaining a reduced-calorie diet over long periods can be difficult, leading researchers to investigate whether limiting protein could produce some similar effects without requiring people to eat substantially less food.

“It’s absolutely crystal clear that there are benefits of protein to muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals. But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences.”

The amount a person needs varies according to age, body size, activity level, pregnancy status and overall health. For a generally healthy adult, the recommended daily amount is about 0.36 grams per pound. A person weighing 140 pounds would need approximately 50 grams a day under that guideline.

The review comes amid a broader debate over protein guidance in the United States. Updated recommendations cited by the researchers call for some adults to consume between 1.2 and 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 0.5 to 0.7 grams per pound, nearly twice the longstanding minimum recommendation.

Many American adults already exceed that amount.

An analysis of national health data found that adults who met exercise recommendations consumed about 82 grams of protein each day. Those who did not meet the exercise guidelines still averaged about 79 grams.

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A single meal can provide a substantial portion of the daily recommendation. A 3- to 6-ounce serving of meat, chicken or fish often contains 20 to 30 grams of protein.

“It’s probably safe to say that for sedentary individuals, maybe [follow] the original [recommended daily amount of] 0.8 grams per kilogram,” said Lamming.

Manufacturers now add protein to coffee drinks, breakfast cereals, chips, ramen and other products that were not traditionally promoted as major protein sources. Packaging and advertising often suggest that a higher protein content makes a product healthier.

Consumer interest has grown alongside that marketing. A 2025 survey from the International Food Information Council found that 70% of U.S. adults said they “try” to eat protein. High-protein diets were the most popular diet pattern for the third year in a row.

At the same time, many survey respondents said they were unsure how much protein they should consume.

Physically active people may need more protein to support muscle repair, growth and recovery. Pregnant people and those recovering from surgery, injury or illness may also have higher requirements.

Protein can also be important during weight loss. People who are reducing calories may need adequate protein to help preserve muscle while losing body fat. Older adults may have different needs as well.

That does not mean inactive adults should immediately cut back on protein intake. The findings instead suggest that people who already consume enough may not need to keep seeking additional sources. For sedentary adults, increasing physical activity could have a greater effect on health than adding more protein to meals and snacks.

“These studies show that the amount of protein sedentary people are eating today may have negative health consequences, at least at the population level.”

The review also examined what may happen inside the body when protein intake is reduced. One potential effect involves FGF21, a hormone that helps regulate energy use and metabolism.

“There’s an increase in a hormone called FGF21 that promotes energy expenditure [when protein intake is reduced]. It essentially increases thermogenesis in your adipose tissue, so you don’t just store fat, but actually burn it as fuel.”

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That mechanism may help explain why some studies have linked lower-protein diets to reduced body fat, improved blood sugar control and healthier metabolic function.

Recent human clinical trials reviewed by the researchers found that participants who reduced protein lost weight and body fat and improved their fasting blood sugar levels, even though some consumed more calories overall.

FGF21 has also been associated with lower inflammation. In mouse studies, animals with elevated levels of the hormone lived longer than typical mice, although the effect was greater in males than in females. Researchers have also observed that reducing protein raises FGF21 levels in people.

Lower protein intake may also alter signals that tell cells when to grow, repair damage or break down and reuse old cellular components. Those maintenance processes are believed to play a role in the aging process.

Some studies reviewed by Lamming also found potential benefits from reducing individual amino acids rather than lowering all dietary protein.

The evidence does not support protein deficiency, researchers said. Protein restriction in scientific studies is not the same as depriving the body of a nutrient it needs.

Aging is associated with sarcopenia, a gradual loss of muscle mass, strength and physical function. Eating enough protein and participating in strength or resistance exercise may help slow that decline.

The evidence on weight management and aging is not entirely one-sided. Other studies have found that higher-protein diets can support weight loss and help older adults maintain muscle, particularly when protein intake is paired with regular exercise.

People with kidney disease, liver disease and other medical conditions may also require individualized guidance. In some cases, they may be advised to limit their protein intake. In others, maintaining sufficient intake may be especially important.

Anyone considering a substantial change in protein consumption should consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

The review leaves several questions unresolved. The studies included in the analysis differed in their protein levels, dietary patterns, duration and design. Those differences make it difficult to determine exactly how much protein should be reduced or for how long a lower-protein diet should be followed.

Many of the studies were also conducted in animals, insects, yeast or other organisms. Findings from those experiments can help scientists identify biological mechanisms, but they do not always translate directly to people.

More long-term human research is needed to determine which adults could benefit from lower protein intake and whether reducing specific amino acids has the same effects as reducing total protein intake.

Researchers also continue to study whether the source of protein changes its health effects. Protein from beans, lentils, nuts and other plant foods may affect the body differently than protein from processed meats or fortified snack foods.

For now, the findings do not dispute that protein is necessary. They question whether healthy adults who already get enough need to add it to every meal, snack and beverage.

calvin klein

Calvin Klein Set To Open Largest ‘One-Of-A-Kind’ Lifestyle Store In Tokyo 

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Designer brand Calvin Klein Inc. is once again expanding their global presence by opening its largest “one-of-a-kind” lifestyle store in Tokyo, Japan. 

The new global flagship store will be opening on August 29th and is located at 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, in the heart of Harajuku, Tokyo. The store will be 14,160-square-feet and have three floors. 

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The store is being described as a  “cultural and commercial destination” and will be “not only as an elevated retail experience but as a platform for community engagement,” according to Fashion United. 

Calvin Klein representatives told the publication that the retail location will offer the “ultimate brand experience” as they continue to solidify their elevated lifestyle offering to Japan. This marks the “next chapter in the brand’s global retail expansion in major markets around the world,” following their opening in Paris in 2024. 

They also will be opening a new store in SoHo, New York later this year. 

Global brand president at Calvin Klein, David Savman, said in a statement: “

The Tokyo flagship marks a pivotal milestone in the global retail strategy for the Calvin Klein brand. Calvin Klein has always stood at the intersection of fashion and culture, creating products and consumer experiences that resonate and inspire, and our stores are where this element of our iconic DNA is the most fully realized.”

“We are excited to expand our footprint in one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals and deliver an elevated consumer experience where the Calvin Klein way of living meets the culture of fashion.”

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The new store in Tokyo is meant to merge Calvin Klein’s modern minimalism with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. 

Danielle Wightman-Stone for Fashion United reported that the store is finished with custom elements that are designed to “showcase a fusion of heritage and modernity.” Artists Wataru Hatano and Rikuo Takata provided art pieces with stonework that was locally sourced as well. 

The Japanese craftsmanship is also exuded through vintage traditional decor to simultaneously offset and blend with the modern lines and structures of Calvin Klein. 

The first and second floors of the store are dedicated to women’s and men’s assortments including the brand’s full lifestyle apparel, underwear, and accessories. As a means of also honoring the significance of denim in Japanese culture, there is a major focus on the material throughout the whole store as well. 

The third level will work as a “flexible event and gallery space,” with a separate VIP area for the brand’s 2025 Calvin Klein collection. 

The store is housing a limited-edition capsule collection as well to celebrate its opening, and the collection will only be available at the flagship. This particular collection is said to be “rooted in denim” with a custom color palette and CK Tokyo branding. There will only be 100 individually numbered pieces per style in the collection as well.

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Africa Secures $900 Million In Financial Commitments For Clean Cooking Technologies 

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African nations have secured $900 million in new financial commitments to expand access to clean cooking technologies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) made the announcement last week that these technologies will be replacing polluting fuels with cleaner alternatives. 

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This new commitment adds onto the $2.2 billion pledge that was announced at the inaugural Africa Clean Cooking Summit in Paris in 2024, bringing the total commitments to over $3.1 billion. All of the money will be used to expand access to cleaner cooking fuels, stoves, and other infrastructure across Africa. 

The funding was announced during a virtual meeting on clean cooking in Africa convened by IEA and Kenya. Leaders also looked back at the progress they made last summit and outlined their upcoming priorities before another gathering later this year. 

About 1 billion people across Africa lack access to clean cooking, and typically rely on charcoal, firewood, and other polluting fuels that the IEA says contribute to an estimated 850,000 premature deaths annually. 

Kenyan President William Ruto, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, African Union commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Mataboge, and IEA executive director Fatih Birol were some of the leaders that attended the meeting. 

Clean cooking in general refers to the use of low-emission fuels and technologies. For example, tools and techniques that use ethanol, biogas, and electricity instead of traditional fuels. Cleaner options reduce air pollution and improve health outcomes for millions of households in Africa. 

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“Access to clean cooking is one of the most impactful yet overlooked challenges of our time,” said US Energy Secretary Wright, who also emphasized that it directly affects the lives of billions of people, “particularly women and children.”

President Ruto said that financing remained the biggest obstacle to achieving universal access to clean cooking technologies across Africa. 

“Ambition alone is not enough. It must be backed by investment.”

IEA executive director Birol stated that the IEA’s latest reports show that $740 million has already been deployed across 22 African countries, which accounts for about one-third of the commitments initially announced in Paris. 

“The additional $900 million in commitments demonstrates growing momentum, with more expected before the next summit,” Birol said. 

The IEA also released a report that showed governments have introduced 121 new clean cooking policies across over 30 African countries since the Paris summit. Those nations account for around 80% of Africans without access to clean cooking.

The agency will also be working with the African Union to help strengthen clean cooking policies and enact a more widespread continent-wide strategy.

Quenlin Blackwell On Creating Her Internet Empire And Remaining Authentic 

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If you’ve been a frequent internet/social media user within the past decade, you know who Quenlin Blackwell is. Initially rising to fame a decade ago as a teenager while living in Texas on Vine, Blackwell has been extremely intentional with how she’s grown and changed along with the internet.

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Barack Obama’s Presidential Museum To Officially Open On Juneteenth 

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Former President Barack Obama’s legacy and impact on America is now cemented in the Obama Presidential Center, a new presidential museum opening to the general public on Juneteenth in Chicago’s South Side.

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