Latest news with #OCP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Could Your Birth Control Method Be Affecting Your Performance In The Gym? Here's What Experts Say
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Thanks to TikToks, sketchy health blogs, and Thanksgiving soapboxes courtesy of your toxic aunt, the rumor that birth control affects your ability to perform athletically has been spread far and wide for way too long. We get why it's confusing. Hormonal birth control methods such as contraceptive pills alter your hormones, which can affect…well, everything else, like your workouts. But, science hasn't exactly found that to be true. Plus, there are several kinds of birth control methods; some are more studied than others. We have some limited information on how oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) affect athletic performance in females. Other forms, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) with and without hormones, as well as implants, work differently and are even less studied. We consulted the experts to find out what we know, and what we don't, about how your birth control may affect your workouts. Meet the Experts: Jessica Shepherd, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn, author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause, and Women's Health advisory board member. Bailey McLagan is a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who specializes in women's performance research, including how birth control affects workouts. It's difficult to generalize these medications' effects since there are a bunch of different types, and they affect women differently. The most commonly used is oral contraceptives. These medications include synthetic hormones and generally work by "sending a signal to our brain to tell our body not to release an egg,' says Bailey McLagan, MS, a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who studies the role of female hormones in exercise and recovery. 'The goal is to prevent ovulation, thus preventing the possibility of getting pregnant.' They can cause a handful of side effects that may indirectly affect performance, such as mood changes, spotting, cramping, nausea, or headaches. Even though these side effects are possible, it's important to note that not everyone will experience them, McLagan notes. Beyond side effects, 'it's not clear what, if any, effect OCPs have on training,' McLagan says. 'This is because there are so many kinds that are often not recorded in research and because studies don't often differentiate between OCP users and non-users.' One 2022 study, for example, looked at hormonal oral birth control effects on strength training outcomes, including muscle thickness, muscle fiber size, and composition over a 12-week period. They found that factors were similar between women who did and did not use oral contraceptives, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, board-certified ob-gyn and Women's Health advisory board member. START YOUR STRENGTH TRANSFORMATION Another study looked at exercise performance factors such as workload, exhaustion, time to completion, mean peak outputs, rate of production, and maximal oxygen intake between oral contraception users and non-users. The study found a trivial reduction in performance factors in those using oral contraception. 'It's important to remember that performance is impacted by a lot of things, so a trivial reduction doesn't signify an advantage in one over the other,' McLagan says. Some studies have looked at the impact of hormonal birth control on VO2 max—a measure of how much oxygen you use during training, Dr. Shepherd says. When VO2 max is high, it means that your body is more efficient at delivering oxygen to the muscles, Dr. Shepherd says. One study found the use of oral contraceptives might lower VO2 max. As mentioned, oral contraceptives aren't the only form of birth control. Dr. Shepherd says hormonal IUDs have shown some positive results. In one study, it was found to be the best-tolerated contraceptive for female endurance athletes. It also had the highest percentage of users who perceived positive training and competition impacts. 'Overall, there should be better research that looks at a prospective, randomized design to assess the effects of all types of hormonal contraceptives on athletic performance in females,' Dr. Shepherd says. What we do know: Much more research needs to be done to determine the effects of different birth control methods on training performance. Ultimately, how your experience on how birth control affects your workouts will differ from others. Therefore, you might have to go through some level of trial and error to determine what works for you. If you're on a new form of birth control, your doctor might tell you to stay on it for more than a month to see if potential symptoms subside or not. Ultimately, you shouldn't have to choose between being on birth control and getting the workout results you want. There are a ton of reasons to stay on birth control beyond pregnancy prevention—and there are tons of options to choose from. So don't be afraid to advocate for yourself to find the one that gives you the best results in all aspects of your life. 'If a certain form of OCP is making you feel uncomfortable, it may be that you need a different formulation of hormones, a lower dose, or switch to a different birth control method altogether,' McLagan says. Keep an open line of communication with your doctor, and adjust as necessary until you find a path that works for you. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Coquitlam councillors vote to advance development, despite opposition
The debate over density has become a common theme in Metro Vancouver and now a group of Coquitlam residents have taken their fight to city hall. A development in a Coquitlam neighourhood straddling Burnaby is closer to moving ahead following a Monday night vote. Coquitlam city council voted unanimously to give first, second and third readings to a proposal to replace a dozen single-family homes with three buildings – one seven-storey building and two six-storey buildings –near Roy Stibbs Elementary school. One after another, councillors shared their reservations with the project proposed by the developer Anthem, but also expressed concern that if they voted 'no' on Monday, the developer could come back with something larger, which it would be entitled to do. For residents opposing the project, the fact they weren't able to voice their opposition through a public hearing isn't going down well. 'We've had individual councillors come into our neighbourhood, walk around, and us explain to them what our concerns are, and they're all sympathetic, but nobody seems to think there's anything they can do about it,' said Janet Krgovich with the Roy Stibbs Residents group. It's the latest example of frustrations in a municipality over rules imposed by the provincial government, which is aiming to speed up home construction amid record-breaking population growth. 'We need to have the government back off, let us do our own planning, and let us do it the way the community needs to grow, because we were doing a really good job before they stepped in and messed things up for us,' said Cheryl Andrichuk with the Roy Stibbs Residents group. Members of the group had a range of concerns, but insisted it's not about density, stating not enough of the units are intended for families. There are also environmental concerns, which include fears about mature trees being removed. 'The provincial government is talking about calling for transit-oriented development,' said Kathleen Wallace-Deering with the group Protect Coquitlam Urban Forests. 'And what these residents and what we're all saying, is have transit-oriented living. Livable neighbourhoods, healthy urban forest, tree canopy and the right kind of housing – affordable housing.' Ultimately the lack of a public hearing or the sense of meaningful consultation has rubbed the neighbourhood the wrong way. 'We talked to the city planners and they said, well, city council tells us what to do,' Andrichuk said. 'And then we talked to city councillors, and they said, well, the province makes the rules. So we keep going around and around and around in this circle, and we're shut out of this whole process.' On the topic of a public hearing, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says it's out of his control. 'About 90 per cent of our developments comply with the OCP, the Official Community Plan, and the province has said we're not allowed to hear from the public on those ones, because they believe it will speed [the process],' Stewart told CTV News on Monday. 'These residents have every right to be frustrated, that they don't perceive that council gets to listen – we don't get to listen.' The developer, Anthem, declined an interview but said in a statement it met with residents, even though it had no obligation to do so, noting its proposal was within the limits set out in the community plan. During a public question period session as the meeting stretched into early Tuesday morning, councillor Dennis Marsden responded to comments made by Andrichuk, saying he would send a video of her statement to the provincial government, and raise the issue in September when council hopes to meet with new Housing Minister Christine Boyle.
Business Wire
24-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Aviz ONE Center is Now an Official OCP Experience Center for SONiC and AI Networking
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aviz Networks today announced that its ONE Center Lab has been officially recognized by the Open Compute Project (OCP) as an OCP Experience Center. This lab is the launchpad for serious SONiC adopters—providing the infrastructure, platform diversity leveraging OCP-recognized network switches, and advanced automation needed to operationalize SONiC at scale. 'The ONE Center is a key part of the OCP ecosystem and a catalyst for global SONiC adoption,' said George Tchaparian, CEO of the Open Compute Project. Share The Aviz ONE Center offers a unified lab to test and validate all major SONiC distributions across industry-leading switch platforms — recognized by OCP community standards. 'The ONE Center is a key part of the OCP ecosystem and a catalyst for global SONiC adoption,' said George Tchaparian, CEO of the Open Compute Project. 'By providing a real-world, community-aligned environment for SONiC validation and automation leveraging OCP Accepted™ and OCP Inspired™ network switches, the ONE Center is enabling the next generation of open, disaggregated networking at scale.' 'As networks evolve toward an open and AI-first future, there's no better place to begin your SONiC journey than the OCP + Aviz ONE Center,' said Vishal Shukla, CEO of Aviz Networks. 'This is where next-generation networking starts — recognized by a global community of leading companies, supported by nearly every major vendor, and built to give customers access to the best work across the SONiC ecosystem. Whether you're comparing vendors, running POCs, calculating TCO, building migration recipes, identifying automation gaps, enabling AI, or preparing to scale — the ONE Center combines community-driven innovation with Aviz's enterprise-grade expertise to get you started with confidence.' What the ONE Center Provides — and Why It Matters Everything You Need to Reinvent Your Network - Switches, SONiC, Inter-Op, AI Customers can experience a broad range of open networking solutions in one place — in a collaborative, community-driven environment. The Aviz ONE Center brings together switches from leading vendors like Dell, Cisco, Edgecore, Celestica, Wistron, and more, supports both Broadcom Enterprise and Community SONiC editions, enables interoperability with Nexus-OS, EOS, and JunOS, and integrates with AI Fabric solutions like NVIDIA Spectrum-X running Cumulus. All of this is enhanced by community-built, LLM-powered AI tools for automation and insight. TCO & ROI Benchmarks Across SONiC Options Access detailed TCO and ROI reports tailored to your needs — comparing multiple SONiC solutions across vendors like Dell, Cisco, Edgecore, Celestica, and more. Mix and match platforms to see what best aligns with your cost and performance goals, backed by real-world lab data. No-Compromise Quality Validation + Lab Access Get a full quality and performance validation report based on your current configurations — so you never trade off reliability for openness. Plus, take a guided tour of the Aviz Lab (virtual or in-person) to see the testing and results firsthand. Migration Blueprint with NetOps Integration Receive a step-by-step migration guide customized for your environment, including how SONiC can integrate with your existing NetOps systems — with or without AI-powered automation. We bridge your current workflows with future-ready infrastructure. Flexible Support — From Open Source to Enterprise SLA Choose from a range of support options — from community-driven SONiC guidance to enterprise-grade SLAs as fast as 15 minutes. Backed by Aviz's experience supporting Fortune 100 networks across industries, we offer Day-0 to Day-2 coverage with references from real deployments. With growing momentum across the SONiC ecosystem and official backing from OCP, the ONE Center bridges the gap between open-source innovation and enterprise-grade reliability, helping teams move from experimentation to scalable, AI-ready networks. To learn more or schedule time at the ONE Center, visit About Aviz Networks Aviz's mission is to deliver Networks for AI and AI for networks. Aviz was founded to modernize and transform networking software solutions, addressing the evolving demands of data centers, edge, and GPU networks as they scale and integrate AI. By providing multi-vendor solutions, Aviz empowers enterprises with the flexibility of hardware choices, operational control, standardization, cost savings, and AI-powered tools to manage modern networks. Aviz investors include Cisco, Qualcomm, Alter Ventures, Moment Ventures, Celestica, Edgecore, Wistron and a few more, as well as a strong advisory board. Aviz's innovations have been successfully deployed by leading e-commerce platforms, telecommunications providers, retailers, GPU-as-a-service providers, cloud service providers, and diverse enterprise networks. For more information, visit us at
Korea Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
DIGITIMES ASIA: Meta-backed OCP pushes open alternative to closed AI hardware ecosystem
TAIPEI, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As surging demand threatens to fragment the supply chain into costly proprietary silos, the Open Compute Project, an nonprofit organization that has standardized data center hardware for tech giants like Meta and Microsoft, has positioned itself as the antidote to a looming crisis in AI infrastructure, with CEO George Tchaparian pointing out that open hardware standards will prevent market fragmentation as AI infrastructure demands explode. Tchaparian warned that AI's unique requirements are pushing the industry toward dangerous specialization. Without coordinated standards, he argued, the race to build ever-larger AI clusters could splinter the market and drive up costs for everyone. "AI workloads are different, much more so than other virtualized and cloud-native applications," Tchaparian said in a recent interview. "In the pursuit of greater performance, infrastructure specialization for some workload categories is burgeoning, but risks fracturing the supply chain into silos." The stakes are enormous. Current projections suggest AI and high-performance computing buildouts between 2024 and 2028 will push data center power consumption to "dangerously high levels," according to Tchaparian. Annual carbon emissions from these facilities are expected to grow exponentially, creating what he calls a concerning impact on humanity. The Chiplet Gambit OCP's answer lies in what Tchaparian calls the "Open Chiplet Economy" - a standardized marketplace where semiconductor components can be mixed and matched like Lego blocks. The organization has launched a dedicated marketplace section featuring over 25 chiplet suppliers, aiming to create the industry's first truly interoperable silicon ecosystem. "The next inflection point for the silicon supply chain is open," Tchaparian said. "Developing an open stand-alone chiplet silicon supply chain will require a rethink of the supply chain." The approach mirrors OCP's successful standardization of server hardware over the past decade, which helped hyperscalers slash costs and accelerate innovation. Now, with AI clusters demanding unprecedented compute density - including proposed 1-megawatt racks - the organization is betting that open standards can prevent the kind of vendor lock-in that has historically plagued enterprise technology. The strategy carries particular significance for the Asia-Pacific region, where Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing dominance intersects with surging AI infrastructure demand. OCP counts over 130 APAC members and is preparing for its 2025 summit in Taipei, designed to address regional supply chain challenges. "In APAC, a manufacturing hub, we're engaging through collaborations with local organizations such as ITRI and IOWN," Tchaparian said, referring to Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute and Japan's Innovative Optical and Wireless Network initiative. The timing appears strategic. As geopolitical tensions reshape global technology supply chains, OCP's open approach offers an alternative to the proprietary ecosystems that have dominated AI development. Major players, including Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, are participating in the organization's "Open Systems for AI" initiative, launched in January 2024. Beyond cost and compatibility, Tchaparian frames open standards as essential for addressing AI's environmental impact. OCP has established formal partnerships with organizations like iMasons to develop standardized methods for reporting carbon emissions in IT equipment production - information intended to influence purchasing decisions. "We must reduce the environmental impact of today's computational infrastructure," he said. The organization is even funding research into reducing concrete's carbon footprint, a major source of emissions in data center construction. For companies navigating this transformation, Tchaparian offers straightforward advice: "Eighty percent of success is just showing up." Even without formal membership, organizations can participate in OCP's collaborative development process, gaining access to cutting-edge designs and influence over future standards. The test will come as AI infrastructure demands continue their exponential growth. If OCP succeeds in creating truly interoperable standards, it could prevent the kind of market fragmentation that has historically driven up technology costs. If it fails, the AI boom may leave the industry more fractured - and expensive - than ever. The 2025 OCP APAC Summit will be held in Taipei, featuring discussions on next-generation data center infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Hamilton Spectator
23-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Port Moody Council advances revised OCP draft, aiming for public hearing by fall
Port Moody's new official community plan (OCP) took a significant step forward on July 15, after provincial housing legislation delayed the process for 18 months. On Tuesday, Port Moody council voted 5-1 to advance a revised version of the draft first presented to council in December 2023 , now incorporating Bills 44, 46 and 47, and more than 24 new council and staff-endorsed strategies. Staff described the document as 'a living plan' that has been shaped by five years of public engagement. The revised OCP is expected to return for bylaw readings in September ahead of a public hearing in the fall. Coun. Diana Dilworth said the delay, while unfortunate, has resulted in a much-improved OCP. She noted that more than 4,000 forms of public input shaped the process – quadruple the engagement seen during the last OCP update. 'This is an incredibly well-informed document,' said Coun. Diana Dilworth. 'I think it's really important what's new and different: greater importance in this version on housing action, climate action, and action on Truth and Reconciliation. 'Staff have been listening to our residents. Council has been listening.' Key changes from the 2023 draft The most significant updates were driven by Bills 44, 46, and 47, passed in late 2023, which required municipalities to permit small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH), meet minimum densities in transit-oriented areas (TOAs), and align land use plans with updated housing needs reports. In response, the OCP process was paused in 2024 and resumed with these legislative obligations incorporated throughout the document. As a result, the 2025 draft introduces new land use designations – including low-density residential, multi-residential three-storey and six-storey, and urban industrial. These additions replace the broader categories used in 2023 and clarify where new forms of housing will be permitted under provincial law. Public hearing requirements are also updated to reflect the new legislative framework. Notably, the Moody Centre and Inlet Centre neighbourhood plans have been restructured to reflect the province's new Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) designation. Height caps included in the 2023 draft were removed to avoid conflicting with the province's minimum density requirements. While the 2023 draft emphasized climate resilience, the 2025 version sharpened the focus. The OCP now sets a target to increase protected natural space from 38.5 percent to 48.7 percent – a metric previously absent. The plan also incorporates recent strategies such as the Urban Forest Management Strategy , with new policies requiring inventories of existing trees before development, and climate-adapted tree species in both public and private spaces. Wildlife policies now reference international lighting standards and the city's bat-friendly certification. The 2023 draft referenced the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, but the 2025 update integrates findings from several new studies, including the Rocky Point Park and Old Orchard Park master plans and the Parkland Strategy. Objectives are now organized under six policy areas, ranging from marine protection to inclusive park access. One new policy supports pursuing marine protected status for the city's mudflats. The 2025 draft places greater emphasis on Indigenous relations and accessibility. Truth and Reconciliation policies are now the first listed objective and include commitments to formalize engagement frameworks aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. New policies call for accessible design in both public and private spaces and discourage hostile architecture. Childcare is now identified as a priority for future developer fees, and food security policies have been updated to support the Tri-Cities Food Council. The 2025 draft introduces more detailed, hierarchical policy structures, particularly in Moody Centre and Inlet Centre. New special study areas signal future redevelopment zones, and provide clearer expectations for public amenities, mobility, and open space. One such study area is east of Balmoral Drive in Coronation Park, while another is south of St. Johns Street, the latter of which will include a future neighbourhood plan. The Murray Street Boulevard has been designated as an urban industrial zone. The Seaview neighbourhood plan also saw notable changes: eight areas are now proposed for rezoning to allow townhomes and six-storey apartments, alongside new commercial nodes and environmental protections. Disagreement over public vision While several councillors praised staff and the depth of public engagement, one councillor questioned whether the latest version truly reflects what residents want. Coun. Haven Lurbiecki, who cast the lone opposing vote, said the level of densification ultimately reflects council's vision. She argued the OCP had strayed from public sentiment expressed in past engagements . 'Residents of Port Moody do not want to see overdevelopment. Instead, they want to see moderate growth and the no wall of towers they were promised,' Lurbiecki said. 'Yet this OCP, if implemented, will result in extreme levels of growth, walls of towers, and such a dramatic change to our beloved city . . . it's honestly hard to comprehend.' She criticized the decision to consider first and second readings in the same meeting in September, and claimed the council had altered how OCP engagements have been conducted for decades. Mayor Meghan Lahti disagreed, arguing the OCP represents a thoughtful and well-balanced approach to growth that reflects both professional planning standards and community values. 'We need to understand that the document that is guiding this . . . was put together to make sure we are not creating a wall of towers,' she said. 'We are taking on growth – there's no question about it. It's how we do it that matters.' She acknowledged the importance of clearly communicating where building heights may increase but emphasized that the plan was about more than towers. 'This document reflects the community's goals around being a carbon-neutral community, a friendly, walkable, healthy, green community,' she said. Coun. Samantha Agtarap emphasized council had not given prior direction on the OCP's vision, pushing back on suggestions that it reflected predetermined political will. As the plan advances to bylaw form, council members expressed hope that more public feedback would come in. Coun. Kyla Knowles noted the city had already heard some over specific land parcels. 'This is just the beginning,' Knowles said. 'While OCPs can be changed and amended and are considered living documents, I think it's best if we can make everyone as happy as possible before the final version is approved.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
