Latest news with #McClintock
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Period Facts You Didn't Know You Needed
If you used to get a kick out of having your period the same week as your college roommate, you're not alone — syncing up with your friends probably felt like a rite of passage. But those cycles might not have been as aligned as you thought: As it turns out, there's actually no scientific evidence that cycle-syncing happens. Still, period myths like this one have stood the test of time, getting passed down like folklore from generation to generation. Whether you've had your period for decades or you're past menopause, you might be surprised to learn that some of the period 'facts' you thought you knew are actually fiction. That's why we spoke with Melisa Holmes, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn, and Trish Hutchison, MD, a board-certified pediatrician, to help clear up some of the most common period myths and misconceptions that are still making the rounds today. As the co-creators of Girlology, an app which provides an on-demand 'guide to girlhood' for girls and their caregivers, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Hutchison have a wealth of information on the old monthly visitor. So buckle up, because no matter how much you may think you know, there's always something surprising and new to learn about the magical world of menstruation. If you and your besties spent weeks in college bonding over shared period pain, you likely determined it was because your periods had 'synced up.' 'In 1971, a college research student named Martha McClintock reported that over time, her close friends and dorm-mates would eventually end up getting their periods on or around the same day as each other,' explains Dr. Holmes. In her study, McClintock concluded that when women spend a significant amount of time together, their menstrual cycles may become synchronized. But since this initial report, no other researcher has been able to reproduce McClintock's results or provide any additional evidence for her theory…and yet the myth of synchronized periods has endured for more than half a century. Dr. Holmes understands why there's an appeal to the idea: 'Any woman who menstruates regularly is going to have her period about 25 percent of the time, and since cycle lengths vary, there's inevitably going to be some overlap with other women,' she explains. When women are close, they tend to share details of their lives together, including commiserating over their periods. But as Dr. Holmes reasons, 'You're never going to approach a friend and say, 'I'm not having my period right now.' We're much more likely to look for similarities among people we spend a lot of time with, so this is a myth that's easy to believe.' As far as period myths go, this one is pretty harmless, so if you want to keep telling yourself you've synced up with your gal pals, you're not hurting anyone. If your period is frequently served with a side of tummy ache, it's no coincidence. 'Your period happens when the uterus contracts to shed the endometrial lining, a process which is triggered by a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin,' explains Dr. Hutchison. 'This is the reason why some women feel cramps in their abdomen and lower back, but fluctuating prostaglandin levels also affect the gastrointestinal tract and can cause stomach issues.' So if you have increased bowel movements, diarrhea, bloating, or even constipation during your period, you have prostaglandins to thank. If you've ever relied on this practice as a form of birth control, get ready for a rude awakening. 'Some people seem to think that if you have your period, you're not ovulating,' says Dr. Holmes. 'But we can only predict ovulation in retrospect, and even if you're diligently monitoring ovulation, it may vary by a few days.' So for some women, particularly those with a shorter menstrual cycle, ovulation may occur before the end of their period. 'There can absolutely be overlap in the time when menstruation happens and pregnancy can occur,' says Dr. Holmes. 'I've been a gynecologist for over 20 years, and I've seen plenty of pregnancies that occurred when somebody had sex on their period and didn't think they could get pregnant.' Or to be more specific, it should just smell like blood. 'I often have patients come in complaining about menstrual odors,' says Dr. Hutchison. 'But if there's a strong odor coming from your pad, it's not actually your period causing the smell: It's the bacteria from the sweat and oils in the groin area.' We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but the groin is just like any other area of the body where the skin naturally creases — when it gets warm, it starts to sweat, which can lead to body odor. Luckily the fix is pretty simple: Change your period product regularly, and regularly cleanse the vaginal area with water and gentle soap. When you're choosing a period product, rest assured that you can base your decision entirely on what is most comfortable for you. 'It's equally safe and equally sanitary to use a pad or a tampon, as long as you're changing them every four to eight hours,' says Dr. Hutchison. If you're a tampon user, you know they're available in various absorbencies, ranging from light to ultra, and you can switch things up depending on your flow. But if you think pads are a one-size-fits-all product, you might be one of the 60 percent of women wearing the wrong size pad. 'Most pad leaks happen because of sizing issues,' says Dr. Hutchison. Just like you would with a tampon, you should switch up the absorbency level of your pad depending on your flow. Always menstrual pads are available in five sizes, and they've even got a handy little chart to help you find the perfect pad to fit both your body and your absorption needs. Since pads are designed to fit in your underwear, Always offers pads that fit sizes XS to XL+ to help keep your days and nights leak-free while ensuring a comfy and seamless fit. Whether all of these tidbits were totally new to you or you're the reigning champion of Period Jeopardy, the most important thing to know about your period is when you should see a doctor. 'If you're missing periods, spotting between cycles, experiencing abnormally high flow, or frequently see large clots during your period, those are all warning signs that you should see a doctor,' says Dr. Hutchison. 'And we cannot stress this enough: Your period should not cause pain that stops you from doing your daily activities. For generations, women's period pain was dismissed as unimportant, but that is one myth we are finally putting to bed. Find a doctor who will listen to your concerns and take you seriously. I promise you, we're out here.' Sponsored by: The post The Period Facts You Didn't Know You Needed appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Belfast Telegraph
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Gary McClintock leads the way as Donemana get back on track against Eglinton
Skipper Gary McClintock ensured Donemana returned to winning ways in the North West Premiership with a convincing seven wickets victory over basement side Eglinton. McClintock hit an undefeated 109 from just 87 balls, winning the match with his sixth and seventh sixes, to go with 11 other boundaries as the champions chased down Eglinton's 222 with more than 17 overs to spare.
The Journal
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
A Dundalk woman is heading to the Arctic Circle to retrace the steps of Ireland's forgotten explorer
A SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR from Co Louth will tomorrow head off on an expedition to the Arctic Circle to retrace the steps of one of Ireland's overlooked explorers. Dr Niamh Shaw plans to retrace the steps of and research Dundalk man Leopold McClintock. McClintock, also known as Ireland's 'Arctic Fox', was born in Dundalk in 1819. He achieved fame as an Arctic explorer who discovered the fate of the failed 1845 expedition to the North American Arctic led by Sir John Franklin. McClintock's expedition discovered the only written record left behind by Franklin's team and was hailed as having solved the mystery of what had become of the veteran explorer. Despite this, he remains relatively unknown in comparison to other Irish explorers, such as Ernest Shackleton. Leopold McClintock, 1819 - 1907 Alamy Alamy Dr Niamh Shaw is to bring his story to life after her retracing of his journey in the Arctic Circle. In partnership with Louth County Council's Environment Office, Shaw will use her research and discoveries while on the expedition to develop an interactive walk in Louth to commemorate McClintock and his explorative achievements. The 16 day expedition kicks off on 7 July. Shaw, who has previously worked as an actor, a writer, an engineer and a performer, told The Journal that she has always had an interest in exploration and explorers. In school, she said, 'the only part of history that I loved was when we did the explorers: Vasco de Game, Pizarro – and the Antarctic was fascinating to me. Ernest Shackleton was kind of a science communicator who made the Antarctic really accessible, and he brought back stories. Advertisement 'I really got into it again around the 2000s and I just picked up loads of books about it. And I found this book about Leopold McClintock, started reading it, and realised he was from Dundalk, my hometown.' In the last five years in Dundalk there's been an art revival, Shaw said, leading to the commissioning and the painting of a mural of McClintock beside the town hall. In 2022, she applied to join the residency programme that sends a number of artists and communicators to the Arctic Circle each year, and in 2023 got a place, although she was unable to attend due to being in the Antarctic at that time. This year, however, she's looking forward to making the journey and bringing back her findings. Shaw is bringing with her a collection of postcards from locals which will be stamped in Svalbard Archipelago and brought back to Louth with her. She hopes to have the postcards serve as a 'passport' of sorts that tracks her future travels and allows this supporting her at home to feel involved in her journeys. The 'Forgotten Women' quilt. She will also be honouring Irish women of science whose stories have been forgotten by bringing the 'Forgotten Women' Quilt with her. The quilt has 12 panels commemorating Irish women in science. A Dundalk flag designed by the media department at Dundalk IT will also join her in the Arctic Circle. 'I'm going to be taking video footage and finding old footage from 100 years ago to show the difference in the size of glaciers, to show how much melt there has been up there,' Shaw said. As part of the interactive walk that will be set up by mid-October on her return, there will be a focus on the landmarks that relate to McClintock, 'but also some of the lovely nature parts'. QR codes set up along the walk will enable visitors to view some of Shaw's footage from the Arctic and other findings. Of McClintock, Shaw said that she hopes her work will draw more attention to his life and achievements. 'Everyone knows about [Ernest] Shackleton,' she said, 'but [McClintock] is largely unknown in Ireland. So I felt, 'Well, this guy's story needs to be told'. 'There's a mini exhibition about him in Dundalk County Museum, but I kind of wanted to make him more nationally known.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Congressman McClintock, restore staff and services at Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of California's most valuable public assets economically, ecologically, and culturally. Recent executive decisions have led to significant staff layoffs and service reductions, disrupting park operations and putting local communities at risk. These cuts impact more than just tourism. They affect jobs, small businesses, and regional stability, particularly in areas that rely on visitor traffic and park accessibility. In light of this, the lack of timely, proactive engagement from Congressman Tom McClintock is concerning. Strong leadership is critical when national resources and local economies are both on the line. It is the duty of elected officials to safeguard public lands and ensure they remain supported, accessible, and well-maintained for future generations. Constituents and concerned Californians should contact Rep. McClintock at (202) 225-2511 to demand swift, concrete action to restore staffing and services at Yosemite. Lauren Gonzalez-Perez, Lynwood Clovis residents need to question the actions lately taken by the Clovis City Council because of the main issues its members seem to fight for, like LGBTQ books at the Clovis Library, sanctuary and immigration laws, teenage trans athletes and other issues. Many Clovis resident seem to not know what is transpiring or not care. We see this when it is time to vote. I think the cty of Clovis has more pressing problems, like housing, school lunches, utility prices, Marjorie Center, overcrowding and the list goes on. What should the role of the City Council be? What concerns most Clovis residents? Are our streets safe for children walking or riding their bikes to school every day? There is no doubt Clovis a is one of the most desirable cities in California, but I think residents need to decide what kind of city they want and are the most important issues facing it today. Steven Trevino Jr., Clovis I'm not so old that I have forgotten the halcyon days when public officials, appointed and elected, at every level of government took their bribes behind closed doors in smoke-filled rooms. Now, it is perfectly acceptable to solicit and receive bribes in the open, in front of everyone. And no one seems to care. What a country. Jim Doyle, Fresno Did you know there are hundreds of clean energy projects slated to happen in the Central Valley from IRA investments? But if the Senate passes the reconciliation Bill without the clean energy tax credits, we stand to lose thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in the Valley alone. The investments spurred by clean energy tax credits will go a long way toward improving our air, controlling electricity rates and stabilizing our climate chaos. Cuts will hurt many of us if they become law. A rollback of tax credits for home upgrades like rooftop solar would also be a blow to all of us who've been using these tools to cut energy bills. Incentives have made it easier for homeowners to install solar panels, save money, and even help stabilize America's power grid. But those benefits — and the local businesses that depend on them — are in jeopardy if Congress moves forward with these cuts. Throughout the country, Republican-led districts are especially benefiting from investments in manufacturing, solar, wind, hydrogen fuel and battery storage projects. But there is pressure to vote along party lines. Call or email your senators. Ask them to work harder across the aisle to help constituents. Andrea Farber De Zubiria. Fresno Now I have to say I'm confused: Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her used artificial intelligence to make up some accusations against others. Is this a new skill FUSD will be teaching our children — how to use the plagiarism-generation machine to create fake documentation of crimes that never happened? How can we expect this woman to lead our children in their education when she cannot even follow the most basic instructions for writing in FUSD, which are 'Cite Your Sources' and 'Don't Plagiarize'? Why would we want to send our children to schools where the administration are purposefully and maliciously being defiant against the teachers they love and trust to teach them? Washington, D.C. may be a circus right now, it doesn't mean we have to follow suit. Shape up, FUSD — the parents and future teachers are watching you. Kathleen Osle Eugene. Fresno The longer and warmer days bring more traveling. Freedom comes with following laws. When I was 16 in 1992, I was hit by a drunken driver. Medical care and therapy in the Bay Area and Central Valley made up half of my teenage life. After three decades, I communicate with a deep tone, read lips, cannot drive and I walk unsteadily. Look at the results of the Independence Day weekend maximum enforcement period for 2023 and 2024: CHP made 1,224 DUI arrests in 2023 and 1,336 DUI arrests in 2024. Drivers, please make DUI arrests come down this year. Anyone's independence can be ruined if you drive drunk. Many holidays are coming. Memories of a crash, injuries or even death caused from drunken driving will haunt your future. Foods and drinks are part of the fun. Taking Highway 33 to head home from a festivity? Planning to drink? Go ahead, but don't forget to have a sober person drive you if you become drunk. This certainly shows your pride for freedom and people will admire your safety. Freedom and safety go hand in hand. Lori Martin, Tracy
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Warning: Fake Videos Targeting People With Type 2 Diabetes
The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) is warning people with type 2 diabetes to be cautious about health advice on social media, especially videos that appear to be from New Zealand doctors. Some of these videos are 'deepfakes' — fake videos created with artificial intelligence (AI) to make it look like a real doctor is speaking, when they are not. The AI uses real video footage to create a copy of someone's face and voice. 'Until recently, deepfakes mostly targeted celebrities. But now, some fake videos are pretending to be New Zealand doctors selling unproven and potentially unsafe treatments,' says NZSSD President Dr Jo McClintock. Be careful with medical advice on social media: Do not stop or change your medication based on social media advice — even if it looks like it is from a New Zealand doctor in a photo or video. Deepfake videos often make big claims, such as a new 'ground-breaking' treatment that 'works for everyone.' These are not trustworthy. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider before buying a diabetes or weight loss treatment online. Type 2 diabetes is different for each person. Treatment should always be personalised, taking into account other health conditions and medications. 'There is no single cure for type 2 diabetes,' explains Dr McClintock. 'Any changes to your treatment should only be made with advice from your healthcare team.' Get reliable information from trusted sources: Healthify NZ Diabets NZ If you're unsure about an ad you've seen online, check with the trusted sources above. If you are thinking about changing your medication, check with your doctor or diabetes nurse first. If you have paid for a product after seeing one of these ads, you can report it to the NZ Police by calling 105 or online.
