Latest news with #JessicaCaldwell
CBS News
14-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
A custodian earns 4 degrees and a mailman adopts his best friend
CBS News contributor David Begnaud 's latest installment of Dear David features inspiring stories sent by viewers, including the story of a Texas custodian who earned four college degrees while working overnight and raising four kids, and a local mailman who adopted a dog from his old route after the pup's owner passed away. Custodian earns 4 degrees while working full-time Jessica Caldwell, a mother of four, has achieved what many would consider impossible: earning four college degrees while working full-time as a custodian and raising her children. For more than a decade, Caldwell cleaned classrooms overnight at A&M Central Texas University, walking more than 26,000 miles behind a custodian's cart. When her shift ended at 5 a.m., she would care for her children and attend college courses. "I was in charge of cleaning the classrooms and two of the buildings out of the three that we have at A&M Central Texas," Caldwell said. "A couple of them actually have computers in them. So I was actually able to work on my homework or my assignments during my lunch break." During the day, she sat in the very classrooms she cleaned at night. Her work schedule made completing a traditional teaching degree nearly impossible, but with help from the university and professors, she found a workaround. Caldwell has earned her bachelor's and master's degrees while working full-time as a custodian and is now one step away from earning her teaching credentials. "Just be persistent as far as continuing on something that you want to achieve," Caldwell said. "A lot of people that have a job that they think that they don't matter in, they actually do really matter." Postal worker adopts dog from former route A postal worker's bond with a dog on his delivery route led to an unexpected adoption when the canine needed a new home. Ian Burke, a postal worker, had developed a friendship with Pretty Boy Floyd, a border collie mix, during his regular mail route. When Burke's route changed more than a year ago, their regular visits ended. In May, Burke learned from another mail carrier that Floyd's owner, an elderly Vietnam veteran, had died and the dog was at the pound with nowhere to go. "I didn't want him in the shelter any longer than he needed to be," Burke said. "They opened up at 10 a.m. and I got there at 9:50 just to make sure that I was in line and that there was no other fans of Floyd ahead of me to get him." Burke successfully adopted Floyd, giving both of them a new daily routine together.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Ways to Protect Your Brain Health as You Age
pressureUA/Getty Images It's important for everyone to keep up with healthy habits as you get older. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being can help keep your body and joints functioning for longer, maintain bone health and muscle strength, reduce frailty, and even lessen the risk of certain health conditions, like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A little TLC can also protect your brain health—which, it turns out, is especially important for women. While women are at lower risk than men for many conditions like heart disease and lung cancer, they actually experience much higher rates of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). 'At this point, about two thirds of the people who have Alzheimer's disease are women,' Jessica Caldwell, PhD, director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention and Research Center at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, tells SELF. On top of that, research suggests that women with AD also tend to decline faster than men. Research into sex-related differences in the development of Alzheimer's is relatively new. But 'there's a growing consensus and understanding that for females, the risks associated with developing late-onset cognitive decline are certainly unique and different from their male counterparts,' Michael Rosenbloom, MD, a board-certified neurologist at the UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center and director of clinical trials at the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, tells SELF. We spoke to experts to learn the factors that put women at greater risk for Alzheimer's—and, most importantly, what you can start doing today to keep your brain healthy. Initially, doctors thought women were diagnosed with Alzheimer's more often simply because they lived longer on average than men—and perhaps were also more likely to see a doctor for their symptoms, Dr. Rosenbloom says. 'But now we know it's more than that, and that it's probably some combination of biological factors and cultural or social factors,' Elizabeth Bevins, MD, PhD, a neurologist at UC San Diego Health who focuses on memory disorders and neurodegenerative disease, tells SELF. 'We still don't fully understand it.' One big factor seems to be the fluctuations in estrogen that occur with perimenopause and menopause. While we often think of estrogen as simply a sex hormone, 'the fact is that estrogen is active throughout our body, as well as in our brain,' Dr. Caldwell says. Estrogen supports the health and longevity of brain cells, Dr. Caldwell says, as well as the development of new neural pathways—which is how we learn new things. There's also evidence that estrogen influences key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (which help regulate things like mood, motivation, and body functions), as well as improves connectivity between brain regions, Dr. Rosenbloom adds. And estrogen seems to be especially active in an area called the hippocampus, Dr. Caldwell says—the part of your brain most involved in memory. When women start menopause, their bodies and brains have to calibrate to the sharp drop in estrogen, Dr. Caldwell explains. 'For some women, that appears to be quite hard on memory.' Many people experience lapses in memory, brain fog, or trouble finding words, Dr. Rosenbloom says. Plus, the decline in estrogen can lead to issues like depression and insomnia, which can also impact your cognition, Dr. Bevins adds. Some research suggests that women who start menopause earlier and/or start menstruating later are at higher risk for Alzheimer's—presumably because they have less estrogen exposure over their lifetime, Dr. Caldwell says. 'But the literature isn't entirely consistent, so we've got to do some more work.' It's also unclear if hormone therapy (HT) is helpful, Dr. Bevins says. Some research suggests HT lowers the risk of AD, while other research shows the opposite. Other studies have found HT only lowers your AD risk when it's started earlier in menopause and taken without progestin, Dr. Bevins says. 'So it's very complicated.' Other biological and genetic differences might play a role too. For instance, one of the main disease drivers in Alzheimer's is something called neurofibrillary tangles—when strands of a protein, called tau, accumulate inside brain cells, Dr. Rosenbloom explains. 'There have been some studies that have found that women may have higher levels of tau in the brain, and that tau may spread more readily in a female brain.' And while Alzheimer's isn't entirely genetic, carrying a gene called APOE4 is linked to a higher likelihood of developing the disease—and the effect seems to be much stronger in women than men, Dr. Rosenbloom says. Then there are social factors. Getting less education earlier in life is a risk factor for AD, since learning is thought to build up the brain's resilience against cognitive decline in older age, Dr. Bevins explains. 'And historically, women have not had the same access to higher education as men,' or career opportunities. So the current aging population of women may have less of that protective effect. Meanwhile, many middle-aged women today are expected to do so much—act as the primary caretaker, work full-time, take care of aging parents—that they have less time to do things for themselves that can help reduce their risk of Alzheimer's, like working out and engaging in cognitively stimulating activities, Dr. Caldwell explains. (Research shows that women are, on average, less physically active than men.) The good news is, there's a ton you can do to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's (and dementia in general), starting now. A 2024 review of dementia research published in The Lancet estimates that about 45% of dementia cases are preventable. Your brain is malleable throughout your life, Dr. Bevins explains, meaning your current lifestyle habits can improve your brain health down the road. 'It's never too soon to start thinking about this,' Dr. Bevins says. 'The earlier the better.' So let's get into it. Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for dementia. In fact, the evidence shows that the number one thing you can do for your brain is move your body on the regular. 'If you have time for nothing else, exercise is where to start,' Dr. Caldwell says. Studies show that doing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and resistance training regularly causes physical and chemical changes in the brain that support memory and overall brain health—like protecting the volume of the hippocampus, per Dr. Rosenbloom, and supporting the growth of new brain cells and neural pathways, per Dr. Caldwell. And in people with AD, aerobic exercise has been shown to increase brain function by reducing the accumulation of tau proteins and amyloid plaques (a sign of dementia). Experts generally recommend people aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two 20- to 45-minute strength training sessions a week, according to Dr. Caldwell. If you're healthy and your doctor signs off on you exercising for longer or more intensely (like high-intensity interval training), go for it, Dr. Caldwell adds. Good nutrition and gut health are crucial for brain health, Dr. Caldwell says. The general guidance is to focus on whole plant foods and minimally processed foods. The best examples are the Mediterranean or MIND diets, Dr. Caldwell says, which are both rich in foods like veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, and fish. A 2023 study in Neurology found that people who followed either diet were less likely to show signs of dementia in their brain tissue after death. (Green leafy vegetables in particular were found to be beneficial.) And a recent review of 40 studies found that the MIND diet—which emphasizes foods like berries, leafy greens, and nuts while minimizing red meat, sweets, cheese, and butter—is linked to better cognition and lower dementia risk. Meanwhile, a study on almost 11,000 people found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is linked to cognitive decline. While there's more to learn, ultra-processed foods are 'probably bad for the brain,' Dr. Rosenbloom says. Smoking and heavy drinking are strongly linked with Alzheimer's, according to the Lancet report. 'I don't think the average woman realizes that just one drink a day qualifies as moderate drinking,' Dr. Caldwell says. 'If you drink more than seven drinks a week, you're a heavy drinker, and you're putting yourself at risk for dementia.' So don't smoke, and cap your alcohol consumption at less than seven drinks a week. Stress isn't known to be a direct risk factor for dementia, like heavy drinking. 'But we know that people who are stressed fare less well in the short term and the long term when it comes to brain health more generally,' Dr. Caldwell says. And chronic stress especially strains your brain's memory system. Dr. Caldwell recommends exercise and mindfulness meditation as two evidence-based practices for giving your brain a break from the cascade of negative effects that occur when you're stressed. (You can start with just five minutes a day, she notes.) And prioritize whatever stress-reducing activities work for you—whether that's a spiritual practice, spending time with friends, or simply being in nature. Keeping your brain stimulated in middle age can help build up that cognitive resiliency that protects your brain from Alzheimer's. One study found that playing games and engaging in social activities in midlife (and later life) is linked to a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. An analysis of 19 studies showed a link between engaging in stimulating cognitive leisure activities (like reading, writing, and playing music) and a lower risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. 'The key is it needs to be a challenge or a learning experience,' Dr. Caldwell says. 'You can be mentally busy, but you might just be on autopilot.' That could look like learning a new instrument or language, taking on a new role at work, or joining a nonfiction book club that involves intellectually interesting conversations, Dr. Caldwell says. Skimping on sleep is bad for your brain. While you sleep, a part of your brain called the glymphatic system filters waste out of the brain, Dr. Rosenbloom explains—including the amyloid plaques that play a role in Alzheimer's. Scientists think that not getting enough sleep could lead to a buildup of amyloid plaque, raising your risk of Alzheimer's. 'So getting a good night's sleep, seven to nine hours, is highly recommended,' Dr. Rosenbloom says. Among older people, social isolation is linked to as much as a 50% higher risk of dementia, according to research. 'So staying socially active is something that we really recommend,' Dr. Rosenbloom says. And prioritizing social connections now sets you up for a more robust social life down the road. Spending quality time with friends and loved ones has the dual benefit of providing mental stimulation and a mood boost, Dr. Rosenbloom says. 'When you socialize, a lot of times that overlaps with cognitive activity,' like playing games and having interesting conversations. Plus, social connection can help prevent depression, Dr. Rosenbloom points out—another risk factor for dementia. While all of these tips are pretty basic healthy habits, 'that doesn't mean they're easy,' Dr. Bevins says. Often, the biggest challenge is just finding the time to put yourself first, Dr. Caldwell adds. 'But it's okay to prioritize your own health.' Related: What to Expect From Alzheimer's Treatment, According to Experts Meet the New Drugs That Can Slow Down Early Alzheimer's I'm a Neurologist. Here's the One Thing I Do Every Day for My Long-Term Brain Health Get more of SELF's great service journalism delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self
Auto Blog
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
This Type of Vehicle is Shockingly on the Rise in the U.S.
Once written off as relics of the past, family haulers are rebounding thanks to hybrids, refreshes, and price-conscious buyers. A surprising start to 2025 It's not often that the minivan earns a headline, but 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point. Sales of several top models, including the Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey, are up significantly through April, signaling a comeback few expected. While SUVs still dominate American driveways, minivans are quietly carving out more space on the sales charts. The Kia Carnival has been the biggest mover so far, up 60% year-to-date compared to the same period in 2024. A massive April helped fuel the surge, with Carnival sales jumping 87% over April of last year. Part of that momentum may be tied to the introduction of a new hybrid version, which removes a key disadvantage the Carnival had against rivals like the Sienna and Pacifica Hybrid. Minivans make a strong case for practicality According to Edmunds' head of insights, Jessica Caldwell, the current sales rally could be tied to both product improvements and market forces. 'Buyers in this segment are planners, and with tariffs in the conversation, some may be pulling the trigger early — helping fuel the Q1 sales surge,' Caldwell told Road & Track. 'Minivans might not stir the soul, but in 2025, they're making a strong case for themselves.' 2025 Kia Carnival — Source: Kia That case is being made with improved fuel efficiency, added tech features, and refreshed designs. The Toyota Sienna, which was refreshed for 2025, saw a 54% boost in sales through April. The Sienna's steady rise — from just over 6,400 sales in January to more than 10,000 in April — shows growing consumer interest in efficient and spacious family vehicles. Honda Odyssey keeps pace, Pacifica stays steady The Honda Odyssey isn't quite keeping up with the Carnival and Sienna, but it's still having a solid year. Sales are up 29% through April, totaling nearly 32,000 units. That's on pace with Toyota's numbers and shows that minivan shoppers are still loyal to the long-running Honda. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 Honda Odyssey — Source: Honda The Chrysler Pacifica, on the other hand, is the only mainstream minivan not riding the 2025 wave — at least not yet. First-quarter sales dropped slightly by 2% compared to Q1 2024, though total volume remained strong at more than 32,000 units. Chrysler reports sales quarterly, but assuming April followed the upward trend seen across the rest of the market, the Pacifica could still end up as the year's top-selling minivan. Final thoughts Despite the segment's surge, minivans aren't overtaking SUVs anytime soon. Three-row crossovers like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander continue to post strong sales, appealing to buyers who want the look and feel of an SUV with similar levels of interior space. What's changed in 2025, however, is that minivans are no longer the obvious second choice. 2025 Chrysler Pacifica — Source: Stellantis Thanks to new hybrid options, refreshed designs, and rising awareness around value and practicality, today's minivan is shedding some of its old stigma. For growing families, road-trippers, or anyone who just wants sliding doors and a ton of space, the current crop of vans is more appealing than it's been in years. If trends continue, 2025 could mark the start of a long-overdue minivan revival.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
This Type of Vehicle is Shockingly on the Rise in the U.S.
It's not often that the minivan earns a headline, but 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point. Sales of several top models, including the Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey, are up significantly through April, signaling a comeback few expected. While SUVs still dominate American driveways, minivans are quietly carving out more space on the sales charts. The Kia Carnival has been the biggest mover so far, up 60% year-to-date compared to the same period in 2024. A massive April helped fuel the surge, with Carnival sales jumping 87% over April of last year. Part of that momentum may be tied to the introduction of a new hybrid version, which removes a key disadvantage the Carnival had against rivals like the Sienna and Pacifica Hybrid. According to Edmunds' head of insights, Jessica Caldwell, the current sales rally could be tied to both product improvements and market forces. "Buyers in this segment are planners, and with tariffs in the conversation, some may be pulling the trigger early - helping fuel the Q1 sales surge," Caldwell told Road & Track. "Minivans might not stir the soul, but in 2025, they're making a strong case for themselves." That case is being made with improved fuel efficiency, added tech features, and refreshed designs. The Toyota Sienna, which was refreshed for 2025, saw a 54% boost in sales through April. The Sienna's steady rise - from just over 6,400 sales in January to more than 10,000 in April - shows growing consumer interest in efficient and spacious family vehicles. The Honda Odyssey isn't quite keeping up with the Carnival and Sienna, but it's still having a solid year. Sales are up 29% through April, totaling nearly 32,000 units. That's on pace with Toyota's numbers and shows that minivan shoppers are still loyal to the long-running Honda. The Chrysler Pacifica, on the other hand, is the only mainstream minivan not riding the 2025 wave - at least not yet. First-quarter sales dropped slightly by 2% compared to Q1 2024, though total volume remained strong at more than 32,000 units. Chrysler reports sales quarterly, but assuming April followed the upward trend seen across the rest of the market, the Pacifica could still end up as the year's top-selling minivan. Despite the segment's surge, minivans aren't overtaking SUVs anytime soon. Three-row crossovers like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander continue to post strong sales, appealing to buyers who want the look and feel of an SUV with similar levels of interior space. What's changed in 2025, however, is that minivans are no longer the obvious second choice. Thanks to new hybrid options, refreshed designs, and rising awareness around value and practicality, today's minivan is shedding some of its old stigma. For growing families, road-trippers, or anyone who just wants sliding doors and a ton of space, the current crop of vans is more appealing than it's been in years. If trends continue, 2025 could mark the start of a long-overdue minivan revival. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Wall Street Journal
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Wall Street Journal
Cars Were Already Unaffordable Before Tariffs
President Trump's auto tariffs are about to give another boost to car prices that have already surged over the past four years. That will be an additional burden on household budgets. One common but rough financial guideline is that the monthly payment on an auto loan should be no more than 10% of one's take-home pay. But even the average used-car payment is right around that threshold for an average American, and a new car payment is already beyond it. If tariffs raise car prices according to going estimates, a new car payment might eat up 15% of a monthly budget. The 25% tariffs, which start getting collected Thursday, apply to foreign-made vehicles. Trump also plans to extend the tariffs to cover car parts, which stands to drive up the cost of repairs and insurance as well. 'People are at the brink of affordability,' said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at Edmunds, an online car-shopping guide. Some car shoppers say the tariffs are complicating their decisions at the dealership. Atlanta resident Mike Petchenik, a 45-year-old media consultant, intensified his search for a midsize SUV under $50,000 after learning about potential tariffs. Looking to replace his aging 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, Petchenik and his wife spent recent weekends test-driving and negotiating with dealers. One salesperson texted him the day after he left a dealership, writing 'with the impending tariffs, we know prices will start to increase.' Despite the pressure, the Petcheniks are holding off as they wait for more clarity on what's to come. Other shoppers, meanwhile, have gone ahead with purchases to try to get ahead of potential price increases. 'Are there going to be 25% tariffs forever? Are there going to be 25% tariffs for three more weeks?' said Bronson Argyle, a finance professor at Brigham Young University. 'That kind of uncertainty makes it very difficult for households to move forward.' Argyle said big jumps in the cost of used cars in particular can affect many people's ability to satisfy basic needs such as getting to work. More borrowers also have been falling behind on loan payments for cars they purchased over the past few years. It is difficult to precisely predict the tariffs' future effects on household budgets. There is uncertainty around how long they will last and how automakers will distribute their costs. But ballpark calculations based on an approximation of an average American's income show that price increases would stretch the commonly recommended 10% budget threshold for monthly car payments. The average monthly payment on a used car was $552 in February, according to Edmunds. That works out to roughly 10% of the Bureau of Economic Analysis's February figure for annual per capita after-tax income, $65,285, divided by 12 months. The Budget Lab at Yale University estimates that Trump's auto tariffs will raise new and used vehicle prices by 13.5% on average. A jump of that size under similar loan terms would bring the average monthly payment to about $630, or approximately 11.5% of posttax income. For new vehicles, the tariffs would take that share from about 13.5% to just over 15%. Price increases might not materialize immediately, since dealers stock a couple months' supply of new cars. Although certain models are more vulnerable to tariffs based on where they and their parts are made, Caldwell said automakers would likely spread cost increases across their lineups. 'Someone buying a $25,000 car can't absorb the majority that they pass along of that tariff,' she said. 'Someone's buying an Escalade, that may look a little different.' Some 13% of new cars cost less than $30,000 in the first quarter of 2025, down from 37% five years earlier, according to online marketplace CarGurus. A surge in the prices of new cars would lead many drivers to look at used vehicles, Caldwell said, though they may not find as many options as usual. A chip shortage led to fewer leases of new cars in 2022, which in turn means fewer used cars coming out of three-year leases today. 'We're already at a pretty low used-vehicle supply, and you add on the additional pressure of people shifting to this market unnaturally,' said Caldwell. 'I would expect prices to go up.' If and when car prices rise, lenders may respond by extending the duration of their loans, economists said. Consumers tend to focus more on the amount of the monthly payment than the number of months they will have to pay it, often to their financial detriment, Argyle's research has found. Lengthening auto-loan terms keeps monthly payments down. Automakers will also likely try to absorb the costs of tariffs by raising interest rates through their subsidiaries that extend loans, said Kristine Hankins, a finance professor at the University of Kentucky. Trump's 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum led these captive lenders' interest rates to increase, according to a paper Hankins co-wrote. 'They're using the captive lending unit to transfer some of the costs to what we could call the less obvious price point of the financing costs,' Hankins said. Captive lenders issued about 48% of loans for new vehicles in the fourth quarter last year, according to the most recent data from credit bureau Experian. An interest rate from a captive lender may still turn out to be the lowest available, Hankins said, but she recommended shopping around for auto loans at banks and credit unions to get a point of comparison before heading to a dealership. Write to Joe Pinsker at and Veronica Dagher at
