Saturday 4th May 2024

Do you really need 10,000 steps a day? Here's what the science says. - National Geographic Premium (No paywall)

Past research had shown that higher step counts are linked to better heart health and a longer life, and a separate body of research has shown the increased risks of cardiovascular disease and death associated with more sedentary time. But this study brought those bodies of research together to learn whether extra daily steps could offset the risks of sedentary behavior even in those who spend much of the day seated.

Ahmadi’s team chose 10.5 hours per day as the threshold for “highly sedentary” because their data found the risks of sitting for more hours than that per day begin increasing exponentially. They compared the cardiovascular and mortality risks of different daily step counts to those of 2,200 daily steps—which is the daily maximum for 5 percent of the study population.

Continued here

The big idea that our Universe is a hologram

Have you ever wondered whether there’s more to reality than what we can see, perceive, detect, or otherwise observe? One of the most intriguing but speculative ideas of 20th and 21st century physics is the notion that our Universe, which seems to consist of three spatial and one temporal dimension, might possess additional, extra dimensions beyond the ones we can see. Originally thought up independently by Theodr Kaluza and Oskar Klein in an attempt to unify Einstein’s general relativity with Maxwell’s electromagnetism, the idea lives on in the modern context of quantum field theory and a specific extension of its ideas: string theory.

But for all of its mathematical beauty and elegance, does it have anything to do with our physical Universe? That’s what our Patreon supporter Benhead, who was thinking about this recent New York Times piece, wrote to inquire about:

Continued here

What are the chances of YOU existing? A biologist explains

Compare coverage and stay informed on breaking news by subscribing through my link https://ground.news/bigthink to receive 40% off unlimited access through the Vantage subscription.

When an asteroid landed on the Yucatan peninsula 66 million years ago, it turned our planet into a debris field of chemicals that, eventually, fostered human life. Sean B. Carroll, author and esteemed biologist, unpacks the consequences of this collision, and claims we, as a species, should feel fortunate that we’re on this planet at all. 

Continued here

The masculinity crisis, explained

Young men are increasingly finding themselves single and struggling to meet traditional expectations. Journalist Christine Emba breaks down the masculinity crisis and what can be done to fix it. 

The rise of “manfluencers” like Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan reflects a new type of masculinity that both challenges and redefines what it means to be a man today. While these influencers often offer empathy and simple life advice, their viewpoints tend to escalate into misogyny, resulting in even more societal isolation for men down the road. 

Continued here

Everyday Philosophy: "Is it OK to date someone your friend likes?"

Is it OK to accept an opportunity presented to you, like dating someone, that a close friend has been loudly wishing for?– Anna, US

A short and classic problem. It’s the tale that launched a thousand ships and brought down ancient dynasties. It’s as old as recorded history and as fresh as a viral TikTok video. Is it okay to date someone a friend also likes? Anna’s question is broadly about “opportunities,” but I will focus on dating to make it a bit easier. I do enjoy the extra information about Anna’s friend “loudly wishing” for this date. I imagine a Romantic poet draped over a table in the pub, drunkenly lamenting her unrequited love. Meanwhile, Anna sneaks out the back and heads out on a date.

Continued here

Don't buy the lazy nutrition science on artificial sweeteners

In 2023, the ostensibly authoritative World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that non-sugar sweeteners “not be used as a means of achieving weight control or reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases.” Non-sugar sweeteners are found in diet sodas, yogurts, and snack bars, and many other foods.

The guideline came as a surprise. After all, the very purpose of non-sugar sweeteners — which contain little to no calories — is to help consumers control their weight and reduce their risk of disease by replacing sugar. Excess sugar consumption greatly contributes to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, and a variety of other health problems.

Continued here

Could meat taxes help to curb over-consumption of beef?

From the ancient feasts of kings to the modern-day fast-food frenzy, meat has long been a global dietary centerpiece. As a critical source of protein and nutrients, meat (particularly beef) is a necessary staple of diets worldwide. Yet, how it and other ruminant meats such as mutton and goat are produced and consumed, particularly in relation to the looming environmental crises, begs humanity to reevaluate the actual costs of our carnivorous traditions.

While recent decades have witnessed a surge in vegetarianism and plant-based alternatives, some scholars argue that we need more substantial incentives, including meat taxes on consumers, to tackle overconsumption in the West. Research indicates that the uptake of plant-based diets would significantly lower emissions, particularly from the reduction of tropical deforestation (as most of the world’s beef is produced in Brazil, and Amazonian regions are being actively deforested to make room for more grazing land). The vegetarianization of the global diet is projected to have apparent knock-on effects, writes Erick Stokstad, such as the reduced cost of grain and soybeans—essential food staples in some developing countries—since there will be less need for cattle feed. As Daniel J. A. Johansson and Fredrik Hedenus explain, a changed diet would also reduce land prices in high-producing countries, making land more available for ecosystem recovery and sustainable urban development. But should meat taxes even be on the menu?

Continued here

Baltimore Bridge Replacement Price Tag Could Hit $1.9 Billion

The Maryland Department of Transportation said the state's "planning level cost estimate is between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion" which "is in line with similar projects of this scale and complexity."

The Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people. Lawmakers in Congress are working on legislation that would waive the current requirement that the state pay 10% of the rebuilding costs and ensure there is enough money in a federal rebuilding fund.


Continued here

Florida Just Became the First State to Ban Lab-Grown Meat

In signing the bill, DeSantis characterized cultivated meat as a product designed by "elites" that threatens the state's $546 million cattle industry. "What we're protecting here is the industry against acts of man, against an ideological agenda that wants to finger agriculture as the problem, that views things like raising cattle as destroying our climate," he said, according to the Florida Phoenix.

Under the new law, anyone who makes, sells, or distributes cultivated meat--which is also known as lab-grown or cultured meat--in Florida could face up to 60 days in jail. Several states are considering similar regulations, including Alabama, Arizona, Tennessee, and Texas. Italy banned lab-grown meat last year.


Continued here

Should Peloton Bring Back Founder John Foley?

Peloton's latest CEO is pedaling off into the sunset. On Thursday, the New York City-based exercise bike company said it would lay off 400 workers, and that CEO Barry McCarthy was stepping down, a little over two years after he took over the top spot from co-founder and CEO John Foley.

Peloton rolled out its first bike in 2014, which sold for about $2,000. By the time the company listed on Nasdaq in September 2019, the bikes were a hit, instructors were minor celebrities, and subscriptions for on-demand classes provided a steady source of recurring revenue.


Continued here