This year, a professional photographer opted to forgo using a big DSLR camera and fancy lens to capture the White House’s Christmas decorations, and instead used an iPhone 6 Plus. As Apple loves to mention at each year’s unveiling of a new iPhone, the company’s smartphone has become the most popular camera in use today, even finding use in situations … Continue reading
When Apple quietly killed off the iPod Classic earlier this year, there was a small outcry from Apple loyalists with sizeable music collections. And if current prices are anything to go buy, it looks like some people haven’t given up on the dream of owning one.
Last weekend, those of us who weren’t fighting tooth-and-nail for cheap plasma TVs in Walmart were probably relaxing back at our childhood homes. And by relaxing, of course, I mean fixing the Wi-Fi router, updating iTunes, and explaining for the eighth time what ‘the cloud’ is.
That was fast. Just half a day after CBS yanked its programming from Dish Network in some large cities, the two companies have reached a deal that puts those channels back in action. They’re not revealing the financial side of things, but it’s appare…
I love to discover a thread between the real world and the movies. Particularly if that connection pushes humanity to do better and accommodates my ongoing personal agenda to heal and unite, while watching one inspiring film at a time.
Here in Doha, where the Ajyal Youth Film Festival has been taking place for the past week, it’s easy for me to get emotional. Everywhere I go, I stumble onto culture being celebrated, and at every screening, every press conference and junket, I hear those magical words I’ve always wanted to hear. Like Salma Hayek-Pinault saying she felt they had “the world coming together to make this film,” about Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, the project she’s produced and which will close the festival. Or the film’s director Roger Allers stating confidently that “it’s often peacemakers who run into the most trouble,” or Amber Fares, director of the documentary Speed Sisters which opened the festival, confirming that the “sharing of stories brings about more understanding.”
Score one for the human race in Doha.
After watching Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, a wondrous masterpiece of humanity finding common ground for once, I was amazed to come face to face with the mask from the segment animated by Tomm Moore “On Love”. Within this stunning illustrator’s ode to art and passion, I could initially see references to Gustav Klimt, along with courageous scenes tinted in passionate strokes of Spanish red. But once I entered the top floor galleries of the Museum of Islamic Art, I found this iconic Turkish war mask, reminiscent of the one that had stayed in my thoughts since the film. There it was, hanging hauntingly, within the splendor of the atmospherically lit galleries, in this incredible feat of architecture designed by I. M. Pei. Even though Moore probably never saw this particular mask, in Doha… Magical.
From the outside, in the fading light of dusk, the Museum of Islamic Art reminds the visitor of the culture of the region. Viewed from the right angle, in the perfect light, it looks like an elegant ode to the “batoola”, the face mask that is sometimes worn by women in the region. Inside, the MIA is all wonder and style, unveiling the wonder of Islamic art from the four corners of the globe. From Spain to Iran, from India to Turkey, the collection inspired me deeply and the still darkness of the exhibition halls added to my love for this part of the world. Then the delicious saffron and date cheesecake enjoyed with a backdrop of the sea at the museum coffee shop added the sweet touch needed. Perfection.
In the evening it was time for more culture, cinematic of course, in the form of the “Made in Qatar” program of short films showcasing in Katara’s Drama Theater. The support of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attending the screening raised the bar even higher for these pioneering filmmakers, who represent the powerful beginning steps of an industry in the making, one the Doha Film Institute has been single-handedly responsible for creating.
H.E. Sheikha Mayassa is also the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and the innovator who envisioned and established the Doha Film Institute just five short years ago. I found it personally inspiring to see her in the audience.
Fatma Al Remaihi, along with Hala Al Khalifa, Mohammed Saeed Harib and Saad Borshid, the jury for “Made in Qatar”
Before the films Fatma Al Remaihi, acting CEO of the Doha Film Institute and Director of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival, announced a new Qatari Film Fund for Qatari directors and writers to build on history of education, development and financial support from the Doha Film Institute. Up to four feature films and eight short films to be supported, inclusion is open by invitation, and at least one feature film will be selected from the Fund for production in 2016.
Of the “Made in Qatar” films that stood out for me were Ali Ali Ali’s New Day, about illness and new beginnings, He Will Steal It by Abdulaziz Al-Saadi, a young boy’s journey to doing the right thing, T Boy by Maryam Al Sahli — co-written and starring Zakie Khan — which highlights the compromises we need to make to survive sometimes, Public Phone co-directed by Leena Al-Musalmani and Ethar Ahmed Hassaan, which brings together four stories about four Qatari residents from different walks of life through a phone booth, and 10% by Yousef Almodhadi, which ended up winning the “Made in Qatar Award” because of “the simplicity of its central idea coupled with its excellent techniques in cinematography, direction and presentation,” in the words of the jury. 10% is a truly humorous but poignant story about one Qatari man’s obsession with his cellphone.
The jury for the awards comprised of Hala Al Khalifa, Mohammed Saeed Harib and Saad Borshid, three prominent Gulf art professionals. Harib also happens to be one of the nine illustrators on Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
Seems an evening in Doha isn’t complete without the hospitality, friendship and flavor of a group dinner. I’ve been pampered and fed well here, spoiled by the warmth of the people, and all around made to feel so at home that I may never want to leave. Alas when I finally do, I will take with me the memories of our night at the Souk Waqif, first eating hamour biryani al fresco on the roof of Al Bandar restaurant, and then wandering back to our transportation while cutting through a Qatari music concert, complete with dancing and the ever-welcomed scent of cardamom.
Images and videos courtesy of the Doha Film Institute, used with permission. Mask photo by E. Nina Rothe.
By Alex Orlov for Life by DailyBurn
Do dark, chilly days make your mood cloud over this time each year? You’re not alone: Roughly 10 to 20 percent of Americans report feeling tired or sad when there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter months. With bone-chilling temperatures and blustery winds, it’s easy to give in to laziness and snooze just a little longer instead of dragging yourself to that early Spinning class — or, make a date with Netflix instead of bundling up and getting dinner with friends.
While many people can still function even if they’re feeling a bit melancholy, for some, winter brings a clinical form of depression called seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. According to Kelly Rohan, Ph.D, professor and director of clinical training at University of Vermont, at least 2 percent of the population suffers from the psychiatric condition, but that percentage tends to increase in regions with shorter hours of sunlight. Researchers estimate that up to 10 percent of Alaskans experience SAD symptoms such as fatigue, overeating, loss of interest in activities and difficulty concentrating.
Another SAD factor? Genetics. Just like depression, your likelihood of experiencing seasonal affective disorder can increase if your family has a history of mood disorders. And surprisingly, gender may also play a role in your bleak winter outlook. Studies show seasonal affective disorder is four times more common in women than men. Though researchers have struggled to understand exactly what contributes to this gender difference, Rohan has one hypothesis. “Women [stereotypically] ruminate on feelings more than men,” she says, and brooding on those sad sentiments can lead to more severe depression in some cases.
Beat The Blues
What causes this wintertime down-in-the-dumps attitude? Research published in the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology this October reveals that it’s a biochemical imbalance that’s at play. Come winter, people with SAD experience a significant dip in serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood, appetite, sleep, memory and libido.
“When someone notices significant distress or problems functioning in everyday activities, like performing at work and maintaining healthy relationships, that’s the time to consult a professional for an evaluation,” says Rohan.
But even if you don’t suffer from full-blown seasonal depression, you may feel less social and more pessimistic come winter. “As the season changes, our circadian rhythms get impacted because the sunlight pattern has changed,” says Ani Kalayjian, Ph.D, professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University. “If you know that you get less joyous in winter months, you have to start a preventative approach.” After all, you prepare your home, car, garden and other things for the seasonal change, so why not your body? Kalayjian suggests evaluating the severity of your symptoms (energy level, appetite, desire to be social) and then exploring forms of treatment.
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to boost your mood if you’re experiencing an energy dip this winter. Here are some of the best expert-backed strategies.
1. Soak up morning sunshine.
According to Kalayjian, winter blues will be worst in the mornings when you’re rousing yourself from bed. She tells clients to open curtains as much as possible to get exposure to natural light right when the body is waking up.
2. Maintain your routine.
“The most helpful thing is to try to keep up everyday activities,” says Rohan. Once daylight savings time occurs, don’t neglect your favorite hobbies just because winter spurs an impulse to hibernate. You’ll feel better knowing you’re still making it to your weekly book club, basketball game or brunch with friends.
3. Work it out.
During a killer gym session, the brain works hard to override the temporary feelings of discomfort by telling the body to keep pushing. You’ll naturally release endorphins, which will make you feel happier and even euphoric. A meta-review published in the American College of Sports Medicine Journal in 2013 suggested that, for some individuals, exercise might be comparable to therapy or anti-depressants as an effective treatment for depression.
4. Flip a switch.
Research suggests that light boxes can help up to 50 percent of people who suffer from SAD. The bright light emitted from these devices helps the body awaken in the morning and decreases the hormone melatonin that keeps us asleep at night. And for those seeking a quick fix: Studies show that light therapy can spur a mood lift in just several days. “Based on the literature, [light therapy] is a very effective treatment,” says Rohan. However, since the FDA does not regulate light boxes, she recommends consumers pursue light therapy under the supervision of a professional. “It takes some trial and error to get it just right,” she says, emphasizing that timing, positioning and potential side effects should all be discussed with an expert before you begin treatment.
5. Ditch the sugar.
It’s common knowledge that too much of the sugary stuff will make us gain weight and puts us at risk for developing diabetes and certain cancers. And research shows that sugar has a sour effect on mental health, too. Countries that consume the most sugar have higher rates of depression, and scientists hypothesize that it hinders the body’s ability to cope with stress and can worsen anxiety. Many people crave sweet and starchy foods in the wintertime because they provide a temporary energy boost, but these treats will ultimately leave you just as sluggish as before. Instead, opt for eating complete meals with good sources of protein and fiber.
6. Get outside.
Both Rohan and Kalayjian recommend breathing in some fresh air each day. Studies confirm that spending time outside can relieve stress, so bundle up and brave the cold for at least five minutes to lift your spirits. “It turns out that going for a walk in the morning after sunrise can be especially effective,” says Rohan. “It gets light to the retina, but it’s also physical activity.” Two birds, one stone!
7. Develop wintertime interests.
Bummed that you can’t play beach volleyball every weekend? Rohan recommends finding substitutes for the mood-enhancing activities you enjoy in the summer. “Having fun is central to having a good mood,” she says. “What are things to do in winter that are fun to do?” Strap on some snowshoes, check out a new fitness class, take a spin on an ice rink or step up your game in the kitchen — you just might find a new passion.
8. Practice relaxation.
Some down dog could help you get out of the dumps. Practicing yoga, studies show, can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Plus, preliminary research on meditation reveals that breathing exercises and mindfulness exercises can actually change neural networks and decrease stress. Kalayjian also recommends progressive relaxation, a technique that promotes body awareness by tensing and relaxing muscle groups throughout the body.
9. Book a trip.
Prepare for takeoff, because quality vacation time will certainly boost your mood. Those that suffer from seasonal depression will benefit from additional sunshine if they head south, but taking a break from work is important for anyone’s mental health. Studies show that people even experience pleasure from anticipating trips. “Across the board, SAD patients will tell you they feel better [after vacation],” says Rohan. But she cautions against depending on getaways for happiness. “I think it’s important to learn to tolerate the place where you live instead of jumping on a plane.” While you count down the days ’til your beach holiday, find ways to get joyous about the winter wonderland in your own backyard.
If you struggle with serious and continuous depressive symptoms, be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your condition. For additional information on seasonal depression, head to the National Institute of Mental Health.
More from Life by DailyBurn:
15 Gadgets for a Better Night’s Sleep
19 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Becoming a Morning Person
The 7 Best Foods to Fight Colds and Flu
What’s striking about this month’s top 10 list is the quantity of pop songs it contains by folks who aren’t archetypal pop stars. In the place of Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, or Beyonce, you’ll find contemporary doo wop from Meghan Trainor, a sunny single from Dutch rapper Mr. Probz, and a confessional club cut from Mary Lambert. Even when Top 40 favorites do appear, they seem slightly transformed — in the case of Taylor Swift’s electro pop experiment or OneRepublic’s dance floor makeover.
In terms of working out, nothing in the list below tops 140 beats per minute (BPM). However, what the songs lack in speed, they make up in dynamism. If you find yourself hitting a wall mid-routine, check out the huge chorus on Imagine Dragon’s latest, the army of horns surrounding Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, or the blistering remix from Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj.
On the whole, this month’s picks mix breakthrough acts who know how to write a hook, pop chart regulars who are trying something new, and a string of hits that have been amped up and re-imagined. Taken together, this combination makes for the best kind of playlist to keep you moving — one that sounds both fresh and familiar at the same time.
Here’s the full list, according to a poll on Run Hundred — the web’s most popular workout music blog.
[not available on Spotify]
Check out this month’s top 10 workout songs on Run Hundred: www.RunHundred.com.
For more by Chris Lawhorn, click here.
For more from HuffPost Workouts, click here.
By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe, Contributing Writer
Published: 12/04/2014 10:34 AM EST on LiveScience
The amount of time people spend sleeping is linked with two regions of their DNA, a new study suggests.
In the study, researchers examined data from more than 47,000 people of European ancestry who were participating in ongoing studies in Europe, the United States and Australia, and nearly 5,000 African-Americans. The researchers compared people’s genetic information with how long they reported sleeping on an average night.
The results revealed two regions of DNA that might be related to how long a person usually sleeps.
The first of the two regions was associated with longer-than-average sleeping times, the new study showed. In previous research, this region has also been linked with better glucose metabolism and a lower likelihood of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The other region was associated with shorter-than-average sleeping times, and previous studies had linked it with an increased risk of depression and schizophrenia.
“Sleep patterns are influenced by genetic differences,” said study author Dr. Daniel Gottlieb, the director of the Sleep Disorders Center at VA Boston Healthcare System. “This study is one of the first to begin identifying these genetic differences, and will hopefully help us better understand the causes of sleep disorders and their relation to other important conditions, such as diabetes and psychiatric disorders.” [5 Things You Must Know About Sleep]
Previous research has linked both sleeping too much and sleeping too little with health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, psychiatric illness and even premature mortality, according to the study. For example, in a 2013 study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that the risk of type 2 diabetes was 30 percent higher in people who slept less than six hours per night, compared with the risk in people who slept seven hours.
In an October 2013 study, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that sleeping either less than six hours or more than 10 hours per night was linked with a great risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and obesity, compared with getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night. And, in a study published in February 2013 in the journal Sleep, researchers found that people who got less than six hours of sleep per night had an increased risk of dying prematurely.
The researchers do not know what underlying mechanisms may explain the observed association between sleep duration and the two genetic regions identified in the new study, Gottlieb said. “This will require more detailed study of these regions of DNA,” he said.
However, the researchers speculated that the first gene region identified in the study (the one associated with longer sleep duration) may influence sleep patterns by regulating thyroid hormone levels. The DNA region is located close to a gene called PAX8, which is involved in thyroid development and function. Moreover, people with hypothyroidism — a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones — are prone to excessive sleepiness, whereas those with hyperthyroidism (in which the thyroid makes too much of the hormone) may have insomnia, the researchers wrote in the study.
However, because the timing and duration of sleep are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as work schedule and other social demands, “large numbers of individuals must be studied in order to separate out genetic influences,” Gottlieb said.
The new study was published today (Dec. 2) in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Follow Agata Blaszczak-Boxe on Twitter. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Originally published on Live Science.
Copyright 2014 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By Regina Boyle Wheeler for Everyday Health
If you believe that more people die by suicide over the holidays, you’re buying into a long-perpetuated myth. Suicide rates are actually the lowest in December and rise in the spring and fall, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Myths like this can create an almost self-fulfilling prophecy that the holidays are supposed to be a hard time,” says Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D., a psychology professor at California State University, Los Angeles, with a private practice in Santa Monica. The myth is dangerous “because suggestibility can contribute to people acting out or, at a minimum, normalizing sadness during the holidays,” she says.
The Origins Of The Holiday Suicide Myth
How did this myth get started in the first place? “We really don’t know, but we have speculated that the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ which has been shown over and over during the holidays, may have triggered the association between the stress of the holidays and thoughts of suicide, even in otherwise happy people,” says Dan Romer, Ph.D., director of the Adolescent Communication Institute of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Romer also speculates that the holiday blues that some people experience may play into the belief that there’s a greater risk during the holidays, especially for those who are alone or have lost loved ones during the past year.
Further aggravating the situation, he notes, is that the myth is perpetuated in the media year after year. Romer and his team began tracking press reports about the holidays and suicide in 1999. On average, they found more stories repeating the myth than debunking it. During the 2012-2013 holiday period for instance, almost three quarters of the newspaper articles that mentioned suicide during the holidays repeated the myth.
Suicide Warning Signs And Prevention At The Holidays And Beyond
Still, suicides do happen in the winter months. People who are not socially connected are of particular concern during the holidays, says Lisa Firestone, Ph.D., the director of research and education at the Glendon Association in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a lecturer on suicide prevention.
“One of the things that drive suicidal behavior is the feeling that you don’t belong and even feeling like you’re a burden to the people closest to you,” Firestone says. “I think when people are suicidal, they see things through the filter of their negative thoughts. And so their family and friends may care about them a lot, but they are feeling like they don’t belong and are a burden.”
Worsening depression is often a warning sign of an increased risk for suicide, says Victor Schwartz, M.D., a psychiatrist and medical director of the Jed Foundation, a New York nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention among college students. Signs of deepening depression include worsening self-care, withdrawal from usual connections with family and friends or activities usually considered pleasurable, increased irritability, increased use of alcohol or other substances and worsening sleep, Schwartz says.
More immediate warning signs to watch for, he says, include:
“These last items would suggest a more immediate and potentially emergency situation,” he says. Don’t leave the person alone and remove any item that could be used in a suicide attempt. Call 911 or take the person to the emergency room.
If you or a loved one is nearing a crisis point, reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline staffs a hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
“It is important to recognize that there are ways to get help for depression and substance abuse problems,” Schwartz says. “It is better to get help sooner — before problems get too serious or reach a crisis level. Treatment helps and can saves lives. There are people, clinics, clinicians, and organizations out there that are working to support those having mental health challenges. If you are worried about yourself or a friend, reach out for help.”
More from Everyday Health:
How Social Pain Affects Your Mind And Body
How Generosity Can Improve Your Health
How Difficult Times Lead To Our Greatest Personal Breakthroughs
Debunking The Holiday Suicide Myth originally appeared on Everyday Health.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Saturday he authorized the attempt to rescue American Luke Somers in Yemen because the U.S. had information that the American photojournalist’s life was in imminent danger.
Shortly before the White House statement, Yemen’s national security chief said militants had planned to kill Somers on Saturday. On Thursday, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula posted a video online threatening to kill the American. Authorities said Somers, who was kidnapped in September 2013, and a South African teacher, Pierre Korkie, died in the rescue operation that Obama said was conducted by U.S. forces in partnership with Yemen’s government.
The president said he “strongly condemns the barbaric murder of Luke Somers at the hands of al-Qaida terrorists” and reaffirmed that the U.S. “will spare no effort to use all its military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located.”
Obama said terrorists “who seek to harm out citizens will feel the long arm of American justice.”
A mysterious U.S. raid last month had tried to rescue Somers but he was not at the site, the Pentagon’s spokesman acknowledged Thursday.
Obama cited the captors’ video threatening to kill Somers within 72 hours and said “other information also indicated that Luke’s life was in imminent danger.”
“Based on this assessment, and as soon as there was reliable intelligence and an operational plan, I authorized a rescue attempt yesterday,” Obama said in the White House statement.
Secretary of State John Kerry also cited “a compelling indication that Luke’s life was in immediate danger” and said “we recommended that the president authorize an attempt to rescue Luke.”
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said during a news conference in Afghanistan that the rescue operation was “extremely well executed,” and was complicated and risky.
Obama said Somers wanted to use his photographic images to convey the lives of Yemenis to outsiders, and had come to the country “in peace and was held against his will and threatened by a despicable terrorist organization. The callous disregard for Luke’s life is more proof of the depths of AQAP’s depravity, and further reason why the world must never cease in seeking to defeat their evil ideology.”
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