Latest news with #Marquardt
India Today
07-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Why do some faces appear more attractive than others? Science has the answer
Ever noticed how, in a crowd, some faces instantly grab your attention? It's not just makeup, lighting, or Instagram filters. While beauty is deeply personal and culturally shaped, scientists say that our brains are hardwired to find certain proportions, patterns, and symmetries more attractive. And at the heart of it lies a number that's been called "divine"-1.618, also known as the Golden ancient mathematical principle has fascinated artists, architects, and now even plastic surgeons. But can something as mysterious as beauty really boil down to geometry? Let's break it GOLDEN RATIO: A QUICK REFRESHER Phi, pronounced "Fye," equals approximately ratio appears repeatedly in nature spirals of seashells, sunflower seed patterns, and yes, even the human face. A face is said to be closer to "ideal beauty" when the:Length of the face divided by its width 1.6Distance between the eyes and mouth, eyes and eyebrows, etc., reflect this ratioIt's no surprise then, that faces perceived as attractive often reflect this harmonious STUDIES THAT BACK IT UP1. The London University StudyIn 2009, researchers at Royal Free and University College Medical School in London studied facial attractiveness using measurements and symmetry. They found that faces adhering more closely to the Golden Ratio were consistently rated more attractive by participants.2. University of Toronto, 2006Another study, published in the journal Vision Research, revealed that people's brains process symmetrical faces more quickly and positively-suggesting we're neurologically inclined to prefer them.3. Dr. Stephen Marquardt's Beauty MaskA maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Marquardt created a "beauty mask" using the Golden Ratio to demonstrate ideal facial proportions. He tested this across ethnicities and cultures, and found that universally admired faces-from Angelina Jolie to classical sculptures-fit the pattern remarkably well. SYMMETRY: NATURE 'S SHORTCUT TO BEAUTY? While no human face is perfectly symmetrical, those with near symmetry are more likely to be perceived as attractive. That's because symmetry may act as a visual shorthand for genetic health and biological fitness.A 1997 study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that people with more symmetrical faces reported fewer illnesses, linking facial symmetry with perceived and actual IS ALSO CULTURAL (AND EVOLVING)advertisementOf course, mathematical ratios aren't the whole story. Cultural ideals of beauty shift over time-from the curvier figures of the Renaissance to today's diverse beauty standards that celebrate individuality, scars, freckles, and unconventional in East Asia, large eyes and pale skin have historically been considered beautiful, while in parts of Africa and the Middle East, facial tattoos or fuller features are admired. Even in the West, imperfections can become iconic. Think Benedict Cumberbatch's asymmetrical face or Cindy Crawford's mole. What they "lack" in symmetry, they more than make up for in character, charisma, and confidence-which, many argue, are just as IS BEAUTY REALLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER?In part, yes. But studies show that our brains are programmed to respond positively to certain mathematical and biological cues. Symmetry and the Golden Ratio offer a glimpse into the science of why we're drawn to some faces more than others-but that's only half the other half? It's shaped by culture, emotion, memory, and connection.- Ends
Sky News AU
25-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
July interest rate cut all but locked in after trimmed mean inflation plunges to 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to May
Inflation has fallen in the 12 months to May, effectively cementing an interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia next meets. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed headline inflation fell from 2.4 per cent to 2.1 per cent and exceeded expectations. Trimmed mean inflation – the middle 70 per cent of price changes core to the RBA's upcoming interest rate call – fell from 2.8 per cent to 2.4 per cent in May. This marks the lowest annual trimmed mean inflation since November 2021. Money markets were expecting headline inflation, which includes all items in the ABS' consumer price index, to come in at 2.3 per cent. The latest inflation data comes ahead of the central bank's upcoming cash rate call where it is tipped to deliver mortgage holders their third rate cut of the year. Prior to the release of Wednesday's inflation data, money markets were factoring in an 81.4 per cent chance of a cut. After the release of the data, the chances of a rate cut has grown to 85 per cent, while the chance of no cut has fall from 18 to 15 per cent. KPMG's chief economist Brendan Rynne said the latest data could provide comfort to the RBA at its next meeting. "From KPMG's perspective, a 0.25 per cent cut is warranted given the continued weakness in the private sector of the Australian economy," Mr Rynne said. "On top of that any increase in demand that comes about from a further drop in interest rates is unlikely to stoke the inflation genie in an unhelpful way." A rate cut in July will be the third from the RBA after it slashed rates in February and May. This followed the central bank holding the cash rate at 4.35 per cent for almost 18 months to stamp out post-pandemic inflation. The largest contributors to the annual price changes in May was food and non-alcoholic beverages (up 2.9 per cent), followed by housing (up two per cent) and alcohol and tobacco (up 5.9 per cent). The ABS' head of price statistics, Michelle Marquardt, noted that non-alcoholic beverages surged in May due to global factors impacting supply. 'Non-alcoholic beverage prices remain high, with coffee, tea and cocoa prices up by 8.3 per cent over the past 12 months,' Ms Marquardt said. 'Higher prices for coffee drove the rise with adverse weather conditions impacting major overseas coffee bean-growing areas.' Rents were up 4.5 per cent in the 12 months to May, marking the lowest annual growth in rental prices since December 2022, while new dwelling prices rose 0.8 per cent. Electricity prices fell 5.9 per cent in the 12 months to May. This was lower than the 6.5 per cent plunge electricity prices took in the 12 months to April due to the timing of government rebates. 'In Victoria, the impact of these rebates was lower in May than April due to the timing of payments,' Ms Marquardt said. 'Without the Commonwealth and State government rebates, electricity prices would have risen 2.0 per cent in the 12 months to May.'
The Advertiser
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Strong Like Jon' - American rallies to win Cairns tri
Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger. Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery". Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race. Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman . "He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be. "When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network." Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds. Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third. Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns. It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed. He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon. "The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said. "You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day. "Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama." Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title. After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday. Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third. "What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering. Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman. "I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said. The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii. The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth. "That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said. The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish. The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada. Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger. Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery". Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race. Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman . "He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be. "When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network." Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds. Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third. Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns. It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed. He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon. "The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said. "You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day. "Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama." Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title. After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday. Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third. "What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering. Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman. "I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said. The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii. The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth. "That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said. The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish. The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada. Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger. Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery". Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race. Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman . "He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be. "When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network." Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds. Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third. Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns. It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed. He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon. "The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said. "You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day. "Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama." Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title. After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday. Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third. "What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering. Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman. "I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said. The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii. The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth. "That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said. The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish. The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada.
Perth Now
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Strong Like Jon' - American rallies to win Cairns tri
Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger. Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery". Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race. Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman . "He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be. "When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network." Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds. Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third. Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns. It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed. He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon. "The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said. "You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day. "Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama." Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title. After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday. Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third. "What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering. Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman. "I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said. The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii. The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth. "That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said. The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish. The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Revolving Door Roundup: Alex Marquardt Departs CNN Following Defamation Suit Settlement
CNN farewells: Alex Marquardt announced on Monday via social media that he would be leaving CNN after eight years working for the network most recently as its chief national security correspondent. 'Tough to say goodbye, but it's been an honor to work among the very best in the business,' Marquardt wrote. 'Profound thank you to my comrades on the National Security team & the phenomenal teammates I've worked with in the US and abroad.' He did not provide a reason for his exit, but additional reporting from Status' Oliver Darcy revealed the reason was "editorial differences" between Marquardt and the network. Marquardt was involved in the costly defamation suit CNN settled in January, when a Florida jury found the network liable in a defamation case brought by Navy veteran Zachary Young. CNN stood by its story and Marquardt, despite the settlement. 'We remain proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, fearless, and fair-minded reporting at CNN, though we will, of course, take what useful lessons we can from this case,' the network told TVNewser at the time. Also departing CNN is Nick Valenica, who announced his departure via Instagram. After starting with the network 19 years ago as a teleprompter operator, he eventually worked his way up to reporting across the U.S. and Latin America. Most recently he served as a correspondent based at the network's headquarters in Atlanta. Valencia did not disclose his post-CNN plans. TVNewser reached out to CNN regarding both departures, but the network declined to comment. Meanwhile, in hiring news, CNN announced that Boer Deng is joining the network as a supervising editor for enterprise based out of the network's Washington, D.C., bureau. Deng was most recently with Radio Free Asia, where she launched the investigative unit and oversaw reporting across Asia, Europe, and North America that uncovered financial crimes, espionage operations, and corruption. Pentagon papers: One America News Network's Pentagon reporter, Gabrielle Cuccia, has been let go from the conservative-leaning network. According to the Associated Press, Cuccia believes she was relieved of her duties over due to opinions expressed in a Substack post about the new press restrictions being enforced at the Pentagon by defense secretary Pete Hegseth. 'When a reporter asks inconvenient questions about government overreach, the response should be accountability-not silence, and certainly not separation,' Cuccia said. International promotions: CBS News announced that Imtiaz Tyab and Debora Patta have been promoted to senior foreign correspondents. Tyab is based in London and has been with the network since 2019, while Patta is located in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has been part of CBS News since 2013. Cancer diagnosis: ESPN anchor Jay Harris made an appearance on Thursday's edition of ABC News' Good Morning America speaking to Michael Strahan about his recent prostate cancer diagnosis. 'I'm having surgery on Tuesday,' Harris said. 'I'll be away from SportsCenter for about a month to recover. Then I'm coming back better than ever.'
