LAS VEGAS — So much of the technology showcased at CES includes gadgets made to improve consumers’ lives — whether by leveraging AI to make devices that help people become more efficient, by creating companions to cure loneliness or by providing tools that help people with mental and physical health.
But not all innovation is good, according to a panel of self-described dystopia experts that has judged some products as “Worst in Show.” The award that no company wants to win calls out the “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products on display.”
“We’re seeing more and more of these things that have basically surveillance technology built into them, and it enables some cool things,” Liz Chamberlain, director of sustainability at the e-commerce site iFixit told The Associated Press. “But it also means that now we’ve got microphones and cameras in our washing machines, refrigerators and that really is an industry-wide problem.”
The fourth annual contest announced its decisions Thursday.
Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, awarded the Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart Ring the title of “least repairable.”
The rings, which come in colors like dune and desert sand, cost $2,200. Wiens said the jewelry “looks sleek but hides a major flaw: its battery only lasts 500 charges.” Worse, he said, is the fact that replacing the battery is impossible without destroying the device entirely.
“Luxury items may be fleeting, but two years of use for $2,200 is a new low,” he said.
Bosch’s “Revol” crib uses sensors, cameras and AI that the company says can help monitor vital signs like how an infant is sleeping, their heart and respiratory rates and more. The crib can also rock gently if the baby needs help falling asleep and signal to parents if a blanket or other object is interfering with breathing.
The company says users can how and where their data is stored. Bosch also says the crib can be transformed into a desk as children get older.
But EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn said the crib preys on parents’ fears and “collects excessive data about babies via a camera, microphone, and even a radar sensor.”
“Parents expect safety and comfort — not surveillance and privacy risks — in their children’s cribs,” she said in the report.
Although AI is everywhere at CES, Stacey Higginbotham, a policy Fellow at Consumer Reports, felt that SoundHound AI’s In-Car Commerce Ecosystem, powered by its Automotive AI, pushes it to unnecessary extremes.
The feature “increases energy consumption, encourages wasteful takeout consumption and distracts drivers—all while adding little value,” Higginbotham said. That landed the in-car system as “least sustainable” on the list.
TP-Link’s Archer BE900 router won for “least secure” of CES. The company is a top-selling router brand in the U.S. But its products are vulnerable to hacking, said Paul Roberts, founder of The Security Ledger.
“By Chinese law, TP-Link must report security flaws to the government before alerting the public, creating a significant national security risk,” he said. “Yet TP-Link showcased its Archer BE900 router at CES without addressing these vulnerabilities.”
The awards also feature a category called “who asked for this?” Top of that list was Samsung’s Bespoke AI Washing Machine, which Nathan Proctor, senior director of U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, said is filled “with features no one needs,” including the ability to make phone calls.
“These add-ons only make the appliance more expensive, fragile, and harder to repair,” he said.
Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association called the LG “AI Home Inside 2.0 Refrigerator with ThinkQ” the worst product overall. The fridge adds “flashy features,” Gordon-Byrne said, including a screen and internet connection.
“But these come at a cost,” Gordon-Byrne said. “Shorter software support, higher energy consumption, and expensive repairs reduce the fridge’s practical lifespan, leaving consumers with an expensive, wasteful gadget.”
NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — CES, the annual trade show of all things tech, is upon us.
The multi-day event, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, kicks off this week in Las Vegas — where swaths of the latest gadgets and advances across industries like personal tech, transportation, health care, sustainability and more are set to be on display. And, like last year, artificial intelligence is everywhere you look.
CES 2024 saw more than 138,000 attendees, according to the CTA, and organizers expect to see at least that amount again for this year’s show. Over 4,500 exhibitors, including 1,400 startups, are also anticipated across 2.5 million net square feet of floor space this week.
“These are the people getting together, focusing on solving some of the world’s biggest problems — and magic occurs.” Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair of the CTA, told The Associated Press ahead of this week’s show.
Formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, CES brings attendees and exhibitors from around the globe, with Shapiro noting that organizers expect some 50,000 attendees to come from outside the U.S. Beyond an array of startups, big-name companies set to make appearances this year include Nvidia, Delta Air Lines, Honda, Volvo, Panasonic and L’Oréal.
There may be some increased security this year. CES 2025 arrives less than one week after a highly decorated Army soldier fatally shot himself in a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives before it burst into flames outside of President-elect Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas — not far from much of the trade show’s planned event space. Shapiro said that organizers regularly work with officials for event safety and that “modest” changes were made in response to recent events, but couldn’t go into further detail.
The AP spoke with Shapiro about what to expect for CES 2025. The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
CES 2025 will be an exceptional leap forward in terms of innovation and technology, with a focus on a variety of themes important to the future of humanity. Over 4,000 companies will be here, on literally miles and miles of exhibit space. And they’ll be showing solutions to fundamental human problems — like access to food, clean air, clean water and mobility, as well as health care technology.
We also have newer categories. We’re seeing more technology for the disability community, for example. Products that can serve people with disabilities had a large presence last year, and we expect that to be even bigger this year. Overall, the show is serving humanity and using technology and innovation to fill in gaps where we need a lot more work.
Generative AI is affecting virtually every area. Just about every major exhibitor will be talking about AI in one form or another at CES this week. For businesses, the focus is more on enterprise and productivity. But for individuals, it’s about personalization.
We’ll see exhibitors, such as PC companies, focusing on personalization in new products for the PC and laptop marketplace. And then there’s AI being used in mobility — and not just in features for cars and self-driving. It’s for all sorts of vehicles, including agricultural products from companies like Caterpillar in Deere.
The industry representing the companies involved welcomes government regulation. The government’s job is to say this is what is unsafe. And so the companies know what is legal and what is not. At the same time, a big challenge is if government stops innovation — so the question is for every country is finding that balance.
We expect the Trump administration to take a much more pro-business approach that favors innovation, including a focus on all sorts of energy sources, which is very important important. But tariffs are taxes. And we know that they are inflationary and paid for by consumers.
If we go forward with the proposals that the President-elect has indicated he may put in place, there would be severe impacts on the prosperity of the U.S. It depends on how exactly these tariffs are adopted but under some of the proposals, we estimate a range of a 30 to 50% price increases for basic products like PCs, cell phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches and all sorts of different products that consumers get a great value on today. That means that fewer people will be able to access these products. And, of course, other countries may then retaliate against U.S. exports. We don’t want to go in that direction.
CES has always focused on safety. There’s a lot of things we can’t talk about, but suffice it to say, we work with federal, state, local and facility officials for lots of planning. We’ve made some modest changes given the recent events, but we’re always trying to do it better.
I think companies are excited to come here. And any requests we’ve gotten have been extremely isolated.
Having top executives here, especially after COVID, is very special. People are focused on coming to Las Vegas and having this opportunity to meet face-to-face and finding the serendipity and discovery that happens when you’re making these business connections in person. That’s why trade shows like CES and others are such important events for the world.
The holiday season is at its peak, with Christmas just around the corner. However, before the big day arrives, there’s another very special day to celebrate – Christmas Eve. While the entire month of December brims with festive cheer, Christmas festivities are marked not just on December 25 but also on Christmas Eve, which falls on December 24 every year. According to legend, Lord Jesus was born at the stroke of midnight on December 25, making the eve of His birth-Christmas Eve-exceptionally special.
It’s a day filled with wonder and hope, welcoming baby Jesus into our hearts. The evening of December 24 is often spent in family gatherings and attending midnight mass at church. Carol singing forms a big part of midnight masses on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas feast is significant, and so is the Christmas Eve spread. You can keep it simple or indulge in extravagant dishes. Here are some Christmas-special recipes to help you plan your Christmas Eve dinner. Enjoy!
Here Are 7 Yummy Christmas-Eve Special Recipes For You:
1. Christmas Gluhwein
Photo: iStock
Gluhwein, or German mulled wine, is a warm and comforting beverage perfect for a chilly winter evening. The name “gluhwein” translates to “glow wine” because of the cosy glow it brings after sipping it. Click here to learn how to make this simple and delicious Christmas gluhwein at home.
2. Caramel Shake
If you’re looking for non-alcoholic options, try this delectable caramel shake. Made with milk, caramel, oats, chopped apples, and flaxseed powder, it’s a dreamy addition to your Christmas Eve dinner. Besides being delicious, it’s also quite healthy. Here’s the full recipe.
3. Roast Turkey
This simple roast turkey with gravy is a mouthwatering dish ideal for a Christmas dinner. You can enjoy it on Christmas Eve or prepare it in advance for the next day. Check out the step-by-step recipe here.
4. Christmas Tree Pizza
Photo: iStock
If you love pizza, why not include it in your Christmas celebrations? This fun and delicious Christmas tree pizza is made with just a few simple ingredients. Topped with veggie ornaments, it’s a perfect holiday treat, especially for kids. Check out the full recipe here.
5. Mince Pie
Photo: iStock
Mince pie is a sweet British pastry filled with a mix of dried fruits, apples, and brandy. End your hearty Christmas Eve dinner with this buttery, crumbly dessert. Click here to try this flavorful recipe for your holiday dinners.
6. Flambeed Chocolate Cake
Christmas Eve calls for a special cake! Presenting the flambeed chocolate cake-a whiskey-soaked dessert that’s set aflame for a glowing, boozy treat. Want to learn how to make this delightful dessert? Here’s the recipe.
7. Christmas Special Kulkuls
Kulkuls are a traditional East Indian treat made by Catholic communities in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka during Christmas. Made with flour and coconut milk, these sweet delights are deep-fried until golden brown. Click here for the recipe.
Do you have a traditional must-have recipe for Christmas Eve? Share it with us in the comments section! Merry Christmas!
So it proved but, on the evidence of these entertaining derbies and particularly last weekend’s, there are some other clear and obvious advantages Auckland FC are enjoying right now:
Their passing, particularly their short passing, was superior in accuracy and speed. They are following the sometimes-vexing modern habit of passing out from the back, but do so pretty well with few mistakes. That’s not easy – just ask Southampton and Tottenham in the English Premier League.
Their press when the opposition have the ball is energetic and effective. When they stopped doing so, seeking to protect a 2-0 lead (why do football teams do that instead of continuing to play in the manner that produced the goals?), it was the only time the Phoenix threatened.
They have a better defence and better goalkeeper (albeit one who came from the Phoenix) and in fullback Hiroki Sakai (created both goals), central defender Nando Pijnaker and midfielder Louis Verstraete, they have three other players who right now would stroll into an A-League First XI, chosen from all 13 clubs.
If there is a criticism to be made, it is that Auckland didn’t create that much – but they are good at taking their chances, a handy skill if you can maintain it. Ask Nottingham Forest, 3-2 winners over Manchester United last weekend; only three chances in the entire match and three goals, one from the prolific Kiwi Chris Wood.
That leads into the broader point to be made around Auckland FC and, yes, the Phoenix. For decades, football fans and writers have been howling at the moon about football being the world’s dominant sport, longing forlornly for the day when it overtakes rugby in this strange little outpost at the foot of the world.
The reality has been that both rugby and football have given ground to basketball in recent years – certainly as a grassroots/youth sport.
Rugby has been declining in popularity since 2011’s World Cup win by all accounts and one recent measure – the sale of basketballs, footballs and rugby balls – shows rugby ball sales down about 50% since 2011.
In the same period, basketball recorded about 200% growth in ball sales, with footballs dropping about 30%.
However, the advent of Auckland FC and intense derbies with the Phoenix and Australian clubs may change that. Football in this country now has an active, enjoyable and regular focus – with Kiwi teams sitting first and fifth on the A-League ladder. Add to that the sight of 26,000 people at Mt Smart thoroughly enjoying themselves making the most amount of noise from any New Zealand crowd of that size I can remember – even the Warriors. It is a genuine Auckland-Wellington rivalry, bringing strong evidence football is having a kind of new dawn.
Steven Adams effect
It needed a stage for this regional competitiveness. That dawn was never going to come from the All Whites or the Football Ferns – they simply don’t play enough games. Now, however, we have the sight of Wood creating records in the EPL, the third-highest goal scorer so far this season.
It’s the Steven Adams effect – the sight of a national basketball hero on TV inspiring others. With Wood, Auckland FC and the Phoenix similarly on full view, football is promoting itself in the best possible way; Italiano’s “lucky” jibe, too, played a role.
Quality has improved. For someone who has followed the EPL since childhood, New Zealand football (with a little f) always seemed slow, less skilled and full of irritating errors like giving the ball away cheaply.
The A-League has helped fix that and Auckland FC are shining a new light on things, so far anyway.
It must also be said the EPL is heavily populated by players who fling themselves to the ground as if shot by a sniper after the slightest touch – long an irritation and frustration.
The latest piece of chicanery, in these days of head injury safeguards, is to go down clutching your head – in the knowledge the ref must stop the game. Yet the Auckland-Phoenix match was still robust physically, a New Zealand hallmark, and the referee let it be so. Good stuff.
It’s a long season, going through May with the grand final on June 1 and, like any sport, football is full of twists and turns – but if Auckland FC or the Phoenix prevail, that new dawn could be even sunnier than anticipated.
Anyone with even a faint interest in the Premier League or soccer as a whole has very likely seen and heard both on television as central parts of the sport’s coverage on the biggest outlets.
Gary Neville (L.), Rebecca Lowe (C.) and Jamie Carragher on the “It’s Called Soccer” set. Courtesy of It’s Called Soccer
But now they want to be heard in a different way.
Viewed through a different lens.
Connected with fans through a different medium.
And, most notably, to bring the beautiful game to a newer, growing audience.
So Neville and Lowe, along with Jamie Carragher, have teamed up for “It’s Called Soccer,” a new digital show about the sport designed for American fans.
“What we do here, I just think it’s a case of: press record, let us speak and press stop. It’s really simple,” Neville told The Post in a wide-ranging sit-down interview along with Lowe at the Spotify studios in downtown Manhattan. “And I love the simplicity of what we do. Sometimes, when you’re on television, you’re waiting around for three hours for the game to start. You’re in very restricted timeframes — you have three minutes to speak or you have two minutes to speak. You’re kind of quite compartmentalized. I love the freedom of being able to press record, everything is recorded, and press stop. And then it goes out.
“I like the idea that we can just have a conversation about the sport that we love. It takes it back to, in England, the old adage was that you went down to the pub with your mates, you talk about football, you have a conversation, you have a debate, you have an argument — ‘who should we play, should we sack him?’ And that’s what it is. That’s what football is. I just love that idea.”
Gary Neville (L.), Rebecca Lowe (C.) and Jamie Carragher on the “It’s Called Soccer” set. Courtesy of It’s Called Soccer
That the trio want to expand into America is significant.
Neville is a Manchester United and England legend.
He spent his entire 20-year career with Manchester United, winning eight Premier League titles and two Champions league titles with the club.
He served as captain for five years.
Neville was also the starting right back for England for over 10 years, playing at two World Cups and three European Championships.
Carragher is a Liverpool legend who spent his entire 17-year career with the team, winning a Champions league title.
He represented England at two World Cups and a European Championship.
Both Neville and Carragher have since become two of the sport’s top on-air analysts and personalities since retiring.
And Lowe is central to NBC’s Premier League coverage in the United States as the network’s studio host.
All three help frame how millions of fans around the world consume soccer.
And they see America as the sport’s next frontier.
Gary Neville (R.) and David Beckham pose with the Premier League trophy on May 11, 2003. Manchester United via Getty ImagJamie Carragher spent his entire 17-year career with Liverpool. AFP via Getty Images
The show (co-produced and distributed by Buzz16 and Wave Sports And Entertainment) is part of Neville’s media channel The Overlap’s venture into the United States.
“I think it was time,” Lowe said. “The World Cup is coming. Also, the Premier League now has gotten to a point which I didn’t think I would see 10 years ago. It was like ‘hang on a second, there’s a market there. It’s not being served enough.’ There’s space for more.
“With the world of social media, everything is more reachable. Mo Salah is more reachable through social media. He doesn’t look like this figure in a far-off country that you can’t have any affiliation with. And the product does the work for us. It’s just the most incredible league. If it was a rubbish league, it wouldn’t be catching on. The content and the product itself does the job, which attracts the people.”
Rebecca Lowe is the studio host for NBC’s Premier League coverage. Visionhaus/Getty Images
They believe this platform allows them to be their true, authentic selves.
Neville wishes that television cameras would pick up what the crew says off-air, because “it’s the most interesting stuff.”
This show, he hopes, is as close to that dynamic as possible.
And viewers, they stress, are better off for it.
Gary Neville (L.) and Jamie Carragher (R.) have become two of soccer’s top media personalities since retiring as players. Getty Images
“It feels like less of a performance,” Neville said. “Whereas when you go on television you have to think about what you wear, you have to have your makeup on, you have to have your hair done, you got this big production around you. You have to come in at a certain time to speak, then you get told to stop. All that formality is gone. I think I’ve become less formal as I’ve sort of moved through my career. I feel like I’m liking the informal approach.”
“I think we as humans try to create the next best thing, try to overcomplicate things,” Lowe added. “But when I sit and listen to podcasts, sometimes I catch myself thinking ‘I’m listening to two women just having a chat like they’d have on the phone. Why am I loving this so much?’ And I think it’s because of simplicity, it’s connection – you want normal. Especially in an age of social media when a lot of people don’t appear normal, they appear to have an amazing life, you just want to hear normality. I think we try to press record, talk about football, press stop. As long as you’re normal within those boundaries and you touch on interesting things, it works.”
Just 12 episodes in, the American focus is noticeable.
Already, they’ve had former USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann, current USMNT star Antonee Robinson, former USWNT legend Brandi Chastain, longtime NFL star Josh Norman and current USWNT manager Emma Hayes on the show.
Still in its infancy, if they have one goal for the show, what would it be?
“To still be going in five years,” Neville said. “If something lasts, that’s the ultimate test. Longevity is underestimated.”
Suga Lifestyle’s 7th Annual Christmas Connection Trade Show returns this weekend at The Jamaica Pegasus, running Saturday, December 7, to Sunday, December 8, from 10 am to 8 pm.
The event promises a “Sip, Taste, and Shop Experience,” featuring over 40 Jamaican artisans and MSME businesses showcasing unique handcrafted and locally designed products to celebrate and promote Brand Jamaica.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby are expected to make an appearance. Meanwhile, renowned Poet, Amina Blackwood Meeks will open Christmas Connection Saturday with Ananse and Jonkonnu!
Christmas Connection looks to continue being your one-stop Christmas Shop for the best Apparel and Accessories for Man, Woman, Child & Fur babies, Plush Toys, Games, Literature, Stationery, Home Décor & Accents, Personal Care, Small Bites, Pastries and Beverages.
Vendors are hand-picked to inspire innovation, and to provide a platform for wider market opportunities, business growth and expansion.
There will be specially discounted Household Cleaning items from Sponsor, Manpower & Maintenance Services Sales and Distribution Ltd. as well as exclusive prices from other vendors.
Christmas Connection will be premiering new products from vendors, including a home accent from Personal Care Guru, Antoinette Davis of Ettenio. Ettenio’s eco-lifestyle and beauty products are distributed islandwide and she is excited to launch her new, innovative product with Suga Lifestyle this weekend.
The event caters for both adults and children and Suga Lifestyle has expanded their offerings for the Kids area this year. There will be visits from Santa (2 pm to 8 pm) on both days and Barbie of Joy Story Saturday (2 pm to 3 pm) and Sunday (2 pm to 4 pm). The event will also feature a reading and colouring corner with special visits from local authors at 12 pm to 2 pm on Saturday in addition to Face Painting, Snow Cones, Popcorn and Cotton Candy that will be available all weekend.
Guest Performers, Stephanie Hazle Lyle with Ken Ellis, Geo SAX and Suga Lifestyle giveaways, Hosted by Suga and Alex G. Hanson.
Adults are free to indulge in beverages provided by JABLUM Coffee, Port of Call Duty-Free with AU Trading Co. and Bottega Jamaica, CPJ Beverages, Monymusk Rums and more!
The outside of the Legacy Suite will be filled with desserts and tasty bites as they last from Sweet Encounters Ltd., Shelldung Kitchen Seasonings, Mahgord’s and more plus succulent Christmas Ham on the Sunday as it lasts from Award-Winning Executive Chef Mark Cole with his Award-Winning Blue Window Restaurant of the Jamaica Pegasus and Nations Choice Ltd.
Christmas Connection is sponsored by The Jamaica Pegasus, Gustazos Jamaica, JABLUM Coffee, Loop, Manpower & Maintenance Services Sales and Distribution Ltd., Port of Call Duty Free, AU Trading Co., Bottega Jamaica, SLEEK Jamaica, CPJ Beverages, Monymusk Rums, Creative Entatainment Network, JPS, Nations Choice Ltd., Chive Restaurant, Closet Cloud, National Bakery and Stush in the Bush.
Lead researcher Dr Richard Watts, an adjunct professor at the University of Canterbury’s Faculty of Health, says that challenges the accepted view there is little to distinguish between them, once individual variation in size is accounted for.
The structural contrasts were most apparent in regions of the brain strongly associated with mental health disorders, such as the thalamus, hippocampus and amygdala, which are involved in emotions, memory, learning and attention.
This suggests there may be a biological driver behind a marked gender gap in mental health.
Women are nearly twice as likely to develop anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, while autism, ADHD and antisocial behaviour are far more common in men. Women also tend to experience more side effects from drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.
The research, which was conducted in association with the University of California San Diego, has attracted international interest, including a story in Newsweek magazine and an interview with Watts on Finland’s public radio station.
“People would say it’s all socialisation and the environment that’s driving things,” he says.
“We were really surprised to find huge differences in the structures of grey matter deep within the brain, so you can look at an individual scan and, with reasonable accuracy, say, ‘This has come from a man’ or ‘This has come from a woman.’ Before, you just couldn’t separate them.”
The study, which has been published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, also found an association between the MRI measurements and self-reported psychiatric symptoms, although the numbers were small.
Further investigation will be required to confirm whether a biological mechanism is indeed at play, and both the cost and accessibility of MRI scans currently make their routine use prohibitive.
However, Watts says being able to identify pre-existing risk factors via brain imaging would be a breakthrough in the proactive treatment of mental health problems, potentially enabling early diagnosis, sex-specific interventions and a more personalised approach.
“Instead of just looking at your symptoms, we could look more closely and say, ‘Well, maybe this is why you have these symptoms and for you as an individual, this is the treatment that’s most likely to work.‘”
Registered child and adolescent clinical psychologist Sarah Watson says the results of the study confirm what she sees in her practice. Photo / Supplied
Registered child and adolescent clinical psychologist Sarah Watson, founder of the Totally Psyched private practice clinics, says the study aligns with her own professional experience.
“Clinically speaking, there’s always been a difference between genders. You’d have to be blind not to notice that,” she says. “So it doesn’t really surprise me, to be honest. I’m surprised it’s taken this long to figure out.
“But we’re not just one gender, as is signified in our transitioned youths, and we’re not just one culture. We’re made up of so many millions and millions of differences. Everything is a sliding scale. When we look at these things, I think we need to understand that.”
While the statistical divide in susceptibility to different mental health disorders has long been recognised, Watson says it can be difficult to differentiate whether those differences are based on gender or “gendered acculturation” – the socialising of females versus males.
“Especially around mental health and what socially we’re allowed to experience, men often feel they need to be more emotionally suppressed and females often feel their emotions are invalidated because they’re considered dramatic.
“So having this level of data based on physiological science is potentially very helpful to clarify a little more on the nature-nurture side.”
Neurology or neurosexism?
Research comparing male and female brains has been somewhat controversial, with feminist critics accusing scientists of “neurosexism” – an alleged bias in how cognitive data is presented, reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes that portray women as inferior or unsuitable for certain roles.
A 2015 study that was also published in the PNAS journal, but used less-advanced imaging technology, found minimal differences between male and female brains, describing a “unique mosaic” of features.
Daphna Joel, a psychology professor who led the research at Tel Aviv University, found the influence of biological sex on the brain was variable and could be highly masculine on one feature but highly feminine on another.
“We have to treat each person according to what he or she is and not according to the form of their genitals,” she said, at the time.
The hippocampus (shown in red) and amygdala (green) are among areas of the brain associated with mental health that show marked differences in cellular microstructure between men and women.
While much previous research has focused on fixed sex differences in the brain, the deep cellular structures involved in Watts’ study are not “hard-wired” but grey matter that can be modified.
Instead of the current trial and error process often involved in the treatment of mental health disorders, high-tech MRI scans could potentially be used to measure whether specific interventions – from medication to behavioural changes – are having a positive effect.
“You might have two patients who pretty much have the same symptoms, but the underlying cause could be different,” Watts says. “If there are multiple pathways to a disease and something biological is going on, maybe this is why some treatments work for some people and some don’t.”
The scan data used in the research was acquired from the Human Connectome Project, which is funded by the United States National Institutes of Health.
Participants were asked to self-report their gender as male or female. Watts says future work will try to uncover the extent to which brain differences relate to biological sex or gender, compared to other factors such as hormones, genetics and environmental influences, “such as how we are socialised to think and behave differently as a man or a woman in societies that have very different expectations of each gender”.
Watts is also involved in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which is following more than 10,000 American adolescents from the age of 9 or 10, conducting MRI scans every two years.
A previous paper Watts worked on used those scans to look at obesity in children, finding strong correlations between body mass index (BMI) and structures in the brain that are known to be involved in the reward circuitry.
As a result of this latest study, he’s interested in tracking sex differences in the brain as males and females go through puberty and into their teens and early 20s, when there’s an increased risk of developing mental health issues such as eating and alcohol disorders.
Until the past decade or so, typically only male animals were used in drug testing, to avoid greater hormone fluctuations in female animals confounding the results. However, when some therapies that had proved reasonably effective in animals were tested in human clinical trials, women didn’t respond as well or had completely different side effects.
Watts says physical variations between the brains of male and female animals have been well-recorded. “If you look down a microscope, you do see differences, and these differences have fairly large effect sizes, as well.”
Manipulating sex hormones in animals has been shown to influence behaviour, but other aspects are harder to explain. In one study, rhesus monkeys were given plush toys and toys with wheels: the males preferred the toys with wheels while the females played with both equally.
“That’s not because their mothers and fathers have been buying them plush toys or toys with wheels, so it’s difficult to attribute it to some environmental difference,” Watts says.
“I’m not saying the social effect [on humans or animals] is zero, but there must be some things that are biologically based.”
Watson shares his hope that objective data obtained from brain scans could be used in the future to aid more accurate diagnoses. Females are often better at masking symptoms of ADHD and autism, for example, which could be distorting the statistics.
“We also see people who have led incredibly complex lives with a number of different challenges, and then it can be really challenging for a professional to be able to get inside their experience and truly understand what is what. Is this autism or is this trauma?” she says.
Being able to identify a biological trigger would also help counter the prejudice and stigma that surrounds mental health problems, which are often simply dismissed as bad behaviour or blamed on poor parenting.
“We have people who are on the autism spectrum or suffer from anxiety and clearly have a really over-responsive amygdala. Their fight-or-flight response is on a hairpin trigger,” says Watson.
“How wonderful and validating would it be if there was a scan that says, ‘Yep, you’ve got a really overreactive amygdala response’ or something like that. You’re not being overly dramatic – all these things we say to put people down. Yes, you need to do something about it, but actually, it’s just the way your brain’s made.”
Joanna Wane is an award-winning senior feature writer in the New Zealand Herald’s Lifestyle Premium team, with a special interest in social issues and the arts.
Meghan Markle is all set to make a comeback in the public domain in 2025. The Duchess of Sussex was rarely spotted out and about in the city or on occasion as she was busy prepping up for her grand comeback with the New Year. According to Page Six reports, she will launch her “cooking, gardening and entertaining” based show on Netflix in “early 2025.” In addition, she will also draw curtains on her much-anticipated lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Meghan Markle is set for a public comeback in 2025 with the launch of a Netflix show and her own lifestyle brand, marking an exciting new chapter in her career. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)(AFP)
The news of her brand’s launch comes amid speculations that the developments of her new project were not very impressive. The brand promotions so far include sending baskets of homemade jams to Markle’s best friends such as Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen and Abigail Spencer. There were also questions about the team working on the brand as the jams were not made in collaboration with local factories or jam makers near her home in Southern California.
A Hollywood insider even told Page Six that they had heard rumours of the brand turning into a “sh** show”. However, another source told the news outlet, “She’s been keeping her cards close to her chest. But I can tell you that she is the CEO of American Riviera Orchard, so all these rumours about her having a hard time finding a CEO are false.”
To get the brand up and running, a source revealed, she has been working with people outside the Archwell Foundation but some staff workers are involved.
“As far as Meghan being quiet, she’s been in the background working on her entrepreneurial efforts,” said an industry insider, “both the Netflix project and her brand will come out within the same timeline in the New Year.”
The comparison draws between Markle and Martha Stewart
Markle is set to follow in Martha Stewart’s footsteps with her new Netflix show, which focuses on “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.” The series was filmed in California, including at the luxurious Montecito estate of philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, well-known figures in the local social scene. Promotional clips have featured Markle in the kitchen, showcasing her personal style and approach to lifestyle topics.
A close friend of Stewart shared her thoughts about Markle emerging as a potential competition, they told the news outlet, “We’ve joked that she doesn’t even think twice about Meghan Markle…she doesn’t even consider her to be on her radar!” Talking about Stewart’s hit Netflix documentary, titled Martha, the friend sniffed, “Martha’s documentary was celebrated, but what Meghan and Prince Harry do is mocked. They’re in two separate universes when it comes to public opinion.”
Similarly, former Snap Chat executive and writer of the Highly Flammable Trends newsletter, Rachel Richardson said, “Meghan should sit down and watch the Netflix doc ‘Martha’ and make notes, as it lays out the pitfalls and opportunities afforded to women who run lifestyle brands.”
She added, “What Martha has aced her whole career is understanding how to go viral and what platforms help her do that. TV, of course, is a powerful medium and the Netflix show will help her reach millions. But Meghan needs savvy strategies for social media.”
She continued that the Duchess should “eschew her buttoned-up vibe, If she is forward thinking then she’ll be strategizing about live streaming as that’s really having a moment.”
Meanwhile, Markle has been seeking guidance from influential friends like Claire Waight Keller, the former Givenchy designer behind her wedding dress, who recently secured a major deal with Uniqlo. She’s also been collaborating with Victoria Jackson, a QVC star and makeup entrepreneur, as she navigates her new projects and ventures.
Talking about Markle’s legal troubles, her brand has faced some trademark challenges. Her legal team recently requested an extension from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to finalize the trademark for the yet-to-launch brand. The request came after a luxury retailer, Harry & David, raised concerns that the brand name is too similar to its “Royal Riviera” line.
Additionally, the USPTO previously denied Markle’s trademark application in September, citing issues with geographical location names. Markle’s team is addressing these hurdles, and the process is expected to take more time.
Meanwhile, Markle will be attending the Paley Honors Fall Gala next week, while Prince Harry will be speaking at The New York Times DealBook Conference. There were rumours of trouble in paradise as Markle and Harry were not spotted together in a long time. However, a source with knowledge about the couple sighed as they told the news outlet, “They are going to be criticized no matter what. When they’re together, there’s headlines that Meghan is too controlling or trying to be the star of the show.”
The source continued, “The Duke and Duchess are a married couple and in a normal relationship, you don’t do every single thing together…they also have to raise a 5 and a 3-year-old and somebody has to remain in California while the other person is out of state.”
They added, “It also wouldn’t make sense for Meghan to be the focal point for Harry’s patronages, and the same goes for Meghan’s philanthropic efforts, for example if it’s something to do with women, which is near and dear to her heart. “But you do see an appropriate overlap — for example when they went to Columbia to further the work of their foundation, then you see them work as a unit.”
The couple’s Netflix documentary, Polo will stream on the platform on December 10.
NEW YORK — It’s time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we’ll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members.
And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it’s also a good time to teach and not just fix.
Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season:
Whether it’s Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family’s computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits.
Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.)
Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of “Why isn’t this app working?” type of questions from your relatives.
Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first.
There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps.
— Use the cloud to back up media: iPhone users can free up space occupied by songs and pictures by storing them on iCloud. Android users can use the Google Photos app to back up and store their photos on their user space.
— Clear browsing data: Each major browser has an option to clear its data cache — cookies, search and download histories, autofill forms, site settings, sign-in data and so on. Over time, these bits take up a significant amount of storage space on mobile devices and home computers. So cleaning caches out periodically helps free up space and, in some cases, improves system performance.
According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That’s a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that’s one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against.
Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They’re useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys.
As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online.
A quick way to remember what to do when you think you’re getting scammed is to think about the three S’s, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer
“Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected,” she said.
Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media.
Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they’ve paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they’re still rocking an aging modem and router.
BYU defenders tackle Kansas running back Devin Neal during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
BYU sophomore wide receiver Chase Roberts catches a pass during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
BYU and Kansas players line up for a play during the Big 12 game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
BYU senior running back Deion Smith gets tackled during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU defenders tackle Kansas running back Devin Neal during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Don’t expect BYU football players and coaches to have forgotten last year’s 38-27 loss at Kansas.
Now the Cougars want payback.
“We are excited because we know it didn’t go our way last year,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said earlier this week. “We know we can play better than what we did against them. We are excited for that opportunity to play them again at our house. A lot of their guys are back, so the matchup is going to be awesome.”
BYU faced the Jayhawks in its very first Big 12 game. The Cougars came in 3-0 record with a win at Arkansas, but struggled against the physicality of Kansas and couldn’t keep up.
But that was then and this is now, according to BYU senior receiver Darius Lassiter.
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU sophomore wide receiver Chase Roberts catches a pass during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
“I really think it’s that we can match the intensity of the Big 12 now,” Lassiter said. “Last year, our first game, just being [in Lawrence], we kind of came out flat. We know that if you do that in this league, that it can kind of get you behind and get you clawing from behind.
“That’s what you don’t want to do, because in this league there’s a lot of offenses that can score a lot of points, so you don’t want to play catch up. I feel like we just learned from our mistakes last year, and that kind of just put us in a position that we are in now.”
Cougar sophomore linebacker Harrison Taggart talked about how BYU realized last year just how competitive conference games would be and now they are prepared.
“Every single week is, in my opinion, a big game,” Taggart said. “The Big 12 is an amazing conference, and we’ve seen that. We’ve seen that last year. We’ve seen that this year. There’s tons of talent in the Big 12.”
He credited Kansas for giving the Cougars that “Big 12 awakening” and said that now gives BYU a “little bit of a chip on our shoulder.”
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU and Kansas players line up for a play during the Big 12 game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
The Cougars have applied the lessons from their first season in the league and turned it into a 9-0 record overall (6-0 in conference play) and a No. 6 ranking in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Kansas, on the other hand, came into 2024 with some high expectations, only to lose six games by a combined 30 points (five by six points or fewer).
But the Jayhawks are coming in off their most complete game of the season, a 45-36 win over then-No. 17-ranked Iowa State.
“Kansas has a lot to prove and had a great game last week,” Sitake said. “They have a ton of talent and are well-coached. Their football IQ is impressive. They are playing well right now. I have to get these guys ready to play this weekend.”
Leading the way has been the Kansas offense, which has scored at least 27 points in its last six games.
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU senior running back Deion Smith gets tackled during the Big 12 game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
“Their offense is really dynamic,” Taggart said. “They have a bunch of weapons, whether it’s through the quarterback, the receiver, their running back is really good as well. I think their O-line is really good as well. Overall, they’re a well put together team, and just shutting down their weapons, playing how we’ve been playing ball, and getting the ball back to our offense will be really important for this week.”
Leading the way is Jayhawk junior quarterback Jalon Daniels, a dual-threat athlete who can be a game-changer, but Sitake agreed that Kansas has a lot of weapons.
“He’s gifted,” Sitake said. “He can run and he can throw. He’s a veteran. It’s a difficult matchup. Their running back is back too. He is one of the premier running backs, and there are so many all over this conference. They don’t get enough credit for their defense either. We saw that last week. I am looking forward to the matchup. We want to play our best game of the year this weekend. We can be more efficient and it starts with today and today’s practice.”
In addition, BYU will once again be welcoming former offensive line and offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes back to Provo. Grimes is the offensive coordinator for the Jayhawks and is part of a solid staff that Kansas head coach Lance Leipold has assembled, according to Sitake.
“We have tons of respect for Kansas and their coaching staff,” Sitake said. “I have so much respect for Lance as a leader. He is an amazing man and coach. Just like they did last week, they can get up on you and beat a ranked team. Nothing is easy in this conference. We don’t anticipate it to be easy. In order for things to go our way, we have to play at our best no matter what game it is.”
BYU senior offensive lineman Connor Pay said the Cougars know this will be a test, but they have every reason to be confident as well.
“They’re good but on the flip side, we’re good too,” Pays said. “That’s what we’re focused on. A lot of the mistakes and challenges we’ve run into this season have been self-inflicted. If we make those mistakes, they’ll take advantage of it. So we’ve got to tighten up.”
No. 6 BYU vs. Kansas
TIME: 8:15 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN
WHERE: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo
THE WORD: This will be the third meeting between BYU and Kansas with the Jayhawks winning both previous meetings … Kansas won the last matchup, beating the Cougars 38-27 in Lawrence in 2023 … The two teams have never played in Provo, as the other meeting took in the 1992 Aloha Bowl in Hawai’i (a 23-20 Jayhawk win) … BYU leads the Big 12 and is No. 2 nationally in the ESPN Football Power Index strength of record metrics. The Cougars have wins over two teams currently ranked in the Top 25 and are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in the FBS.
