Ask a Vet: How do I know when it's time to say goodbye to my pet?
A: Choosing when to let go is one of the most difficult decisions pet owners face. The timing differs for every owner-animal relationship, depending on your pet's medical condition, the strength of your bond, your resources for caring for them at home, and your access to veterinary care. Ultimately the decision is yours, but your veterinarian, trusted friends and family, and licensed mental health professionals can help.
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Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Speed cams have cut speeding around Toronto schools nearly in half, new study finds
Automated speed cameras have reduced speeding around Toronto school zones by nearly half, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Injury Prevention and led by researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Metropolitan University, looked at the effect of automated speed enforcement cameras deployed across 250 school zones around Toronto from July 2020 to December 2022. Looking at speeding data in these areas before and after speed cameras were installed, it found that cameras have reduced the proportion of speeding vehicles in urban school zones by 45 per cent. "We had a very substantial reduction in the speed of the traffic, more than we were expecting to see," said the study's lead author, Dr. Andrew Howard, who is also head of orthopedic surgery for The Hospital for Sick Children. "And what was especially pleasing about that was that the faster the cars were going, the greater the reduction in speed." While the proportion of drivers going 10 km/h over the speed limits decreased by 74 per cent, the study found the proportion of drivers going 15 km/h over the limit decreased by 84 per cent. Drivers going 20 km/h or more over the limit fell by 88 per cent, the study found. The study used pneumatic tubes, which are laid across the road and sense passing cars, to measure speeds in school zones before cameras were said every kilometre per hour counts in a collision. "Little reductions in speed mean big reductions in kinetic energy. [That] can mean a difference, literally, between life and death at the type of urban speeds that we're looking at," he said. "So getting that dangerous kinetic energy out of school zones is very important, and this is very promising." The study noted that research was done in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, during "unprecedented disruptions" such as school closures, lockdowns and "significant changes in transportation patterns." "These factors may have affected vehicle speed and volume," read the study. "The observed results, however, strongly argue that [automated speed enforcement] was the primary factor in the speed reductions." Howard said he hopes reduced speeds in these zones will encourage more children to walk to school, helping to foster a habit of daily physical activity in their lives, which decreases many health risks in old age. "That's the single most important thing that you can do for this population of kids to make them healthier," he said. "And what we do know is that if you've got more cars going fast around schools, you will have less children walking." Speed cameras still prompting debate, vandalism Nearly three-quarters of Ontarians support the use of automated speed enforcement, according to a recent CAA study. It also found 76 per cent of respondents believe cameras deter speeding. Still, speed cameras in the city have been the source of much debate and backlash. Earlier this year, Toronto doubled the number of automated speed cameras it uses to 150. But there have been 25 cases of vandalism to speed cameras between 2024 and July 23, 2025, the city told CBC Toronto earlier this week. Eleven of the city's cameras were vandalized in the first week of July alone, including one on Parkside Drive that's been cut down six times in eight months. WATCH | Toronto speed cameras keep getting vandalized: Anthony Perruzza, city councillor for Humber River-Black Creek, has said the city's speed camera program should be put on hold until September, calling them "speed traps." He later said he would work with Mayor Olivia Chow on amendments to a city report to the infrastructure committee on Vision Zero, Toronto's road safety strategy. Council passed a motion last month to install larger, more visible signage around speed cameras, something Perruzza had been calling for. Later this year, a city committee will consider limiting how many tickets a driver can receive from a single camera before they get their first ticket in the mail. The installation of speed cameras in school zones is part of Toronto's Vision Zero strategy, created in 2016 to eliminate all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
Forbes
44 minutes ago
- Forbes
Jupiter Shampoo And Conditioner: A Dandruff Treatment I Can't Live Without
I've suffered from dry scalp intermittently since college, although early on it was restricted to the winter months. Over the last ten years, though, I've struggled with itchy scalp and dandruff year-round. I've tried various medicinal dandruff shampoos, changing my hair washing habits and I've even seen dermatologists for topical treatments. But it wasn't until I tried Jupiter's Balancing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner that I finally had dry scalp and dandruff relief. Jupiter's Balancing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner transformed my scalp from itchy and flaky to ... More healthy and clear. Molly Calhoun For Forbes Jupiter was founded in 2000, but I didn't learn about it until 2023 during a desperate internet search. I was discouraged by big-name brands and their stinky, ineffective formulas, and I was laser focused on protecting my financial—and emotional—investment in my color-treated hair. After all, what's the good in having no dandruff if you have faded, scraggly strands? I was looking for a modern, sexier dandruff shampoo because, let's be honest, if I'm succumbing to my vanity I'm going all in. Within just a couple of days of using Jupiter's Balancing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner, the itching on my head stopped, I had meaningfully less dandruff and still had bouncy, shiny hair. Jupiter Jupiter Balancing Shampoo And Nourishing Conditioner Those without dandruff don't fully understand the embarrassment that comes with it. I used to live in fear of accidentally scratching my head and giving away my secret. Dark clothes became a total liability since they put dry flakes on display for anyone standing behind me in a line. But using this shampoo and conditioner set took away that self-consciousness. It's made with 1% zinc pyrithione to combat fungal infections that cause dandruff and promote scalp health, and it has gentle surfactants and hydrating plant extracts and oils that work to condition the scalp. Glycolic acid exfoliates, while squalane and sugar kelp extract work to condition and moisturize to prevent flakes and itching. I work out five or so days a week, and I found that this formula effectively removes excess oil and sweat after runs or trips to the gym. It's free of all the things you don't want (sulfates, parabens, phthalates), and it's made with 100% natural fragrance, so it doesn't have a strong medicinal smell or a cloying synthetic scent that makes you nauseous throughout your day. It's minty with vague botanical undertones, but the scent is minimal when hair dries, so it doesn't compete with other fragrances. Jupiter's Balancing Shampoo has a thick consistency and a light, minty scent. Molly Calhoun For Forbes Admittedly, I spend a lot of money at the salon: I have dark hair that I color monthly, and I get a keratin treatment once or twice a year to smooth frizz. Most other dandruff shampoos aren't color-safe, so I wouldn't use them often for fear that they'd strip color from my hair. (Not shockingly, my dandruff would persist as a result.) Jupiter's shampoo and conditioner don't compromise my color so I can use them daily if I want to. The shampoo has a thick consistency—a little goes a long way—so when shampooing I add a lot of water to work it into a good lather. I let it sit on my scalp two to three minutes before rinsing to reap the benefits. I currently use the Balancing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner three to four times per week because I've found that's the frequency I need to keep dandruff at bay. While I've always had incredibly thick hair that I take pride in, I've noticed the first signs of thinning, and I think my scalp issues are largely to blame. But one additional—and surprising—benefit of this shampoo is that I've noticed less shedding when using it. This formula has also been proven to reduce hair breakage by more than 75 percent. While it may seem unimportant to some, I liked that the Jupiter shampoo and conditioner bottles ... More didn't slip out of my hands easily in the shower, and it was easy to squeeze out the product. Molly Calhoun For Forbes I've found that for the most part, when a conditioner comes with a shampoo as a set I'm typically underwhelmed by its effectiveness. Jupiter's formula is made with probiotics to normalize the scalp, calming oatmeal, vitamin E, safflower and argan oils to nourish, and pataua oil, which is known for bond-strengthening properties. Each bottle contains 14 ounces, so you get plenty of product. Molly Calhoun For Forbes When I first squeezed this formula out of the bottle, I was skeptical—its consistency wasn't as thick as some other formulas I love, although it had a very nice, subtle vanilla scent. I usually apply conditioner only from my ponytail to my ends, but the instructions said to apply it on hair and massage it onto my scalp. I reluctantly did so and let it absorb for about a minute before rinsing thoroughly. I was pleasantly surprised that it made my hair silky without weighing it down, and it completely eliminates any itchy feeling from my scalp. I'm able to execute a glossy, bouncy blowout that doesn't get prematurely greasy or flat, either.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Linked This Diet to a Lower Lung Cancer Risk
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD At this point, you've likely heard about the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet and the MIND diet. But there's one diet that might be new to you: the planetary health diet (PHD). The PHD was developed in 2019 by the EAT-Lancet Commission and focuses on promoting human health and environmental sustainability. The planetary health diet is primarily plant-based, focusing on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains and unsaturated fats. It includes small amounts of animal-based proteins, including seafood, poultry and dairy, but these are eaten in much smaller quantities, as most protein comes from plant protein. Added sugars, refined grains and processed meats are limited or avoided. Research regarding the planetary health diet has been mixed, so researchers from Austria and Switzerland wanted to see what they could find out about the relationship between the planetary health diet and mortality, cancer and heart disease. They published their results in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. How Was This Study Conducted? Researchers drew their data from the UK Biobank, a long-running study that collects demographic, health and medical data from over 500,000 UK citizens. Baseline data were gathered between 2006 and 2010, with the average age at baseline ranging from 40 to 69. Assessments were repeated every few years and collected data on lifestyle, health status and diet. Researchers also had access to medical records and death registries. For this current study, researchers used varying numbers of participants for three different analyses: almost 205,000 were used in the mortality risk analyses, over 200,000 for the cancer risk analyses, and over 196,000 for the cardiovascular disease risk analyses. Adherence to the planetary health diet eating pattern was scored based on the inclusion of 14 primary food components of the planetary health diet. Participants scored one point for each food or food group they included, with a possible high score of 14. Scores for this study ranged from 1 to 11 points, which represents low to medium diet adherence. What Did This Study Find? After running statistical analyses, including adjusting for potential confounding factors (factors that might influence or change results), researchers found that: Every 1-point increase in the PHD score was related to a 3% decrease in all-cause mortality (risk of dying from anything). Every 1-point increase in the PHD score was associated with a 9% lower lung cancer risk. When all factors were fully adjusted for, no relationship was found in this study between the PHD and cardiovascular disease risk. There were several limitations of this study. Because comparatively few people in the Biobank were following a planetary health diet eating pattern, the confidence of these results is lower than it would have been had there been more people following it. Also, out of the five possible Biobank 24-hour dietary recalls, about 40% of the participants completed just one of them. Again, less data means less confidence in the results. And since the Biobank includes mostly white adults from Europe, it is unknown if the results can be generalized to other groups. How Does This Apply to Real Life? The term 'plant-based diet' can mean different things to different people. While some equate it to a vegan, all-plant diet, others see it more as making plants the foundation of your diet, while still including small amounts of animal-based foods, like eggs, dairy, fish and poultry. The latter is what the planetary health diet is about. It also limits added sugar, refined grains and processed meats. Eating more plants has many benefits, including reduced disease risk. This is in part thanks to plants' antioxidants and their ability to create a healthy gut microbiome by providing food for your gut's beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut can help lower chronic inflammation, which helps reduce disease risk. And while you can add helpful bacteria to your gut with fermented plants—like sauerkraut or kimchi—many people find it easier to get them in yogurt or kefir, which is where the animal protein can come in. It's easy to get stuck in a rut with fruits and vegetables, or to always turn to bread for whole grains. But there are lots of creative ways to use whole grains—like rice, quinoa, farro and oats—that don't include bread. Grain bowls are a delicious way to eat more plants, and they can be tailored to your taste and preferences. They're also easy to meal-prep for lunches throughout the week. We also love salads as meals. You can pack every food group into a salad if you want to. You'll love our filling, satisfying High-Protein Pasta Salad, Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Beans or Salmon Salad with Crispy White Beans. If you want more guidance and are ready to go all in on increasing your plant intake, check out our 7-Day Plant-Based High-Protein Meal Plan for Beginners. It's loaded with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plant-based proteins, like peanut butter, edamame and beans, to keep you full and satisfied. Whether you use the plan as is or use it as inspiration, you'll find it fun and easy to get more plants into your meals and snacks. Our Expert Take This study suggests that eating more plants may reduce your risk of all-cause mortality and lung disease. While this study didn't show an association between eating a plant-based diet and reduced risk of heart disease, other studies have. Just remember that eating more plants doesn't have to be all or nothing. Start where you're at and be intentional with choosing plant-based foods more often. Snacks can be an easy way to start. Instead of reaching for your typical snack, try a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit, or dip fruit slices into nut butter or veggie sticks into guacamole or hummus. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
