Latest news with #Potsdam
Medical News Today
4 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Eating late in the evening could make blood sugar control harder for the body
Our bodies process food differently depending on the time of day, with metabolism generally more active in the late eating is linked to obesity and heart disease, its exact effects on glucose metabolism and the role of genetics are still unclear.A new twin study from Germany now offers fresh insight into how meal timing interacts with our internal clocks and overall circadian system is a complex 24-hour timekeeping system that controls behaviour and metabolism through a central clock in the brain and additional clocks in organs such as the liver and of this system, our metabolism responds differently depending on when we eat, resulting in daily variations in glucose processing and hormone release after intake itself serves as an important signal that helps align our internal at times that are out of sync with the natural light-dark cycle, for example, when working night shifts, can disrupt these internal clocks and lead to adverse metabolic at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) have recently investigated the link between blood sugar metabolism and evening eating times using data from a twin study conducted in 2009– findings are published in the journal do we calculate circadian rhythms?Earlier research has shown that consuming meals late at night is linked to a higher risk of obesity and heart we still do not fully understand how meal timing interacts with a person's individual circadian rhythm and affects glucose metabolism and diabetes addition, the specific mechanisms behind when and why people eat remain unclear, as eating habits are shaped by a mix of cultural, situational, genetic and other biological timing of food intake in relation to a person's biological daily rhythm can be assessed by looking at the gap between mealtime and the midpoint of sleep midpoint refers to the time exactly halfway between falling asleep and waking up, and it indicates a person's chronotype, that is, whether they tend to be an early bird or a night late-night eating affects insulin sensitivityThe NUGAT study was carried out between 2009 and 2010 at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE).To recruit participants, researchers used a twin registry (HealthTwiSt, Berlin, Germany) and public advertisements. In total, 92 individuals (46 pairs of identical and fraternal twins) took the twins completed two nutritional interventions during the study, these interventions were not relevant to the results discussed participants underwent comprehensive metabolic assessments, which included physical exams, medical history reviews, body measurements, and glucose tolerance tests. Their individual chronotypes were identified using a addition, each participant kept handwritten food diaries over 5 consecutive days (3 weekdays and 2 weekend days), recording the start and end times of each meal along with details on the type and quantity of food approach helped capture a realistic picture of their usual eating the analysis indicated that people who tended to have their final meal later in the day and closer to bedtime also had less effective glucose (blood sugar) metabolism at the end of the day, as they had lower insulin may suggest that better regulating our meal times may help maintain our metabolic you avoid eating late in the evening?Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD, registered dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching, not involved in this research, reviewed the study and spoke to Medical News Today about its findings.'In general, I'm skeptical about adjusting the timing of one's eating in the hopes of controlling weight or blood sugar unless you are diabetic,' Moody told us.'My colleague and I used to joke that your digestive system doesn't work in shifts, meaning it doesn't 'clock out' after a certain time of day and decide to start storing everything as fat,' she added.'While it's well known that eating timing and meal composition is critical for controlling blood sugar and insulin action in those with diabetes, this study was performed on healthy individuals with normal pancreatic function and no other metabolic disturbances. Even without diabetes, those with metabolic syndrome should be careful about their level of insulin resistance, but none of the subjects fell under this category either given their BMI and waist circumference. The average age of subjects was also 32, which is relatively young.'– Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD'As far as the genetic component of how eating timing influences insulin sensitivity, this is a mixed bag, [too]' Moody further noted. 'On the one hand, it's an interesting finding, but on the other hand, genetic factors are difficult to detect and control.''In general, blood sugar variations are a natural part of digestion and metabolism, and I would urge the public to refrain from stressing about the effects food may have on their blood sugar unless they have metabolic ailments like type 2 diabetes,' she she did emphasize that it is always important to pay attention to how much fiber we ingest, and how much of it comes from refined explained:'Foods with added sugars, that have been made with refined grains, and are generally low in fiber will raise blood sugar quickly and send it crashing back down due to a rebound effect. This tends to make people even hungrier and even cause fatigue, which is why you feel sleepy after having meals high in these types of carbs. Luckily, eating whole grains and high fibers fruits and vegetables along with lean protein can not only help mitigate this effect, but often results in a healthier diet overall that helps prevent the risk of chronic disease.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Listen to the terrifying sound of Earth's north and south poles 'flipping' 780,000 years ago - as experts warn another flip could be imminent
Every 200,000-300,000 years, Earth's magnetic poles do something extraordinary. They completely flip, meaning the North pole becomes the South, and vice-versa. The last full reversal took place approximately 780,000 years ago – leaving some experts to predict another flip is imminent. Now, researchers have created a terrifying soundscape to represent the chaos of this event. Using paleomagnetic data – the record of Earth's ancient magnetic field preserved in rocks – from around the globe, scientists have constructed a model of the magnetic field before, during and after this historic reversal. They also created a musical piece – a 'soundscape' – to represent the haunting sounds of the flip, called the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal. The team, from the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, used three violins and three cellos to create a 'disharmonic cacophony' that mirrors the complex dynamics of a flip. The clip starts off as melodic and makes for pleasant listening as it represents the poles while stable. However, it sounds more erratic and eerie as the magnetic fields begin to flux and change. Researchers have created a terrifying soundscape to represent the chaos of this event. The left part of the animation represents the magnetic field is a relatively stable state, however, the right represents it in a total state of flux, with the poles completely scrambled Earth is surrounded by a system of magnetic fields called the magnetosphere. This shields our home planet from harmful solar and cosmic particle radiation, but it can change shape in response to incoming space weather from the Sun. Pictured: an artist's impression Earth's magnetic field is generated by the roiling liquid metals deep beneath the crust. It extends from the Earth's interior into space, acting like a protective shield by diverting harmful charged particles from the Sun away from our planet. A flip doesn't happen overnight but takes place gradually, over centuries to thousands of years. If a magnetic flip were to happen again, some experts claim it could render parts of Earth 'uninhabitable' by knocking out power grids. Communication systems could be seriously disrupted, and compasses would point south – meaning Greenland would be in the southern hemisphere and Antarctica in the North. While it sounds terrifying, and would leave life on our planet exposed to higher amounts of solar radiation, it's unlikely to cause catastrophic events or mass extinctions. Last year, researchers also transformed readings of an epic upheaval of Earth's magnetic field that took place some 41,000 years ago. The Laschamp event saw our planet's magnetic North and South poles weaken, with the magnetic field tilting on its axis. What is Earth's magnetic field? Earth's magnetic field is a layer of electrical charge that surrounds our planet. The field protects life on Earth because it deflects charged particles fired from the sun known as 'solar wind'. Without this protective layer, these particles would likely strip away the Ozone layer, our only line of defence against harmful UV radiation. Scientists believe the Earth's core is responsible for creating its magnetic field. As molten iron in the Earth's outer core escapes it creates convection currents. These currents generate electric currents which create the magnetic field. The soundscape was captured using data from a constellation of European Space Agency satellites. Researchers mapped the movement of Earth's magnetic field lines during the event and produced a stereo sound version using natural noises including wood creaking and rocks falling. The noises in the video represent a time when the Earth's magnetic field was at just five per cent of its current strength. While the Earth's magnetic field did return to normal – over the course of around 2,000 years – its strength has decreased again by 10 per cent over the past 180 years, experts have found. However, a mysterious area in the South Atlantic has emerged where the geomagnetic field strength is decreasing even more rapidly. The area is called the South Atlantic Anomaly and has seen satellites malfunctioning over it several times due to exposure to highly charged particles from the sun. This has led to speculation that Earth is heading towards a magnetic pole flip. However, some experts have provide reassurance that the poles aren't going to flip anytime soon. Researchers previously pieced together data on Earth's geomagnetic field strength stretching back 9,000 years and say there's no evidence a reversal is on the cards. 'We have mapped changes in the Earth's magnetic field over the past 9,000 years, and anomalies like the one in the South Atlantic are probably recurring phenomena linked to corresponding variations in the strength of the Earth's magnetic field', said Andreas Nilsson, a geologist at Lund University. The team analysed burnt archaeological artefacts, volcanic samples and sediment drill cores – all of which carry information about Earth's magnetic field. Reassuringly, the team's model suggests that the South Atlantic Anomaly will recover of its own accord and is unlikely to trigger the reversal that some have anticipated. 'Based on similarities with the recreated anomalies, we predict that the South Atlantic Anomaly will probably disappear within the next 300 years, and that Earth is not heading towards a polarity reversal', Mr Nilsson said. The Earth's magnetic field is in a permanent state of change. Magnetic north drifts around and every few hundred thousand years the polarity flips so a compass would point south instead of north. The strength of the magnetic field also constantly changes and currently it is showing signs of significant weakening. Life has existed on the Earth for billions of years, during which there have been many reversals. There is no obvious correlation between animal extinctions and those reversals. Likewise, reversal patterns do not have any correlation with human development and evolution. It appears that some animals, such as whales and some birds use Earth's magnetic field for migration and direction finding. Since geomagnetic reversal takes a number of thousands of years, they could well adapt to the changing magnetic environment or develop different methods of navigation. Radiation at ground level would increase, however, with some estimates suggesting that overall exposure to cosmic radiation would double causing more deaths from cancer. 'But only slightly,' said Professor Richard Holme. 'And much less than lying on the beach in Florida for a day. So if it happened, the protection method would probably be to wear a big floppy hat.' The movement of the Earth's magnetic poles are shown in this animation at 10-year intervals from 1970 to 2020. The red and blue lines sjpw the difference between magnetic north and true north depending on where you are standing. On the green line, a compass would point to true north. Credit: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Electric grid collapse from severe solar storms is a major risk. As the magnetic field continues to weaken, scientists are highlighting the importance off-the grid energy systems using renewable energy sources to protect the Earth against a black out. 'The very highly charged particles can have a deleterious effect on the satellites and astronauts,' added Dr Mona Kessel, a Magnetosphere discipline scientist at Nasa. In one area, there is evidence that a flip is already occurring. 'The increasing strength of the South Atlantic anomaly, an area of weak field over Brazil, is already a problem,' said Professor Richard Holme. The Earth's climate could also change. A recent Danish study has found that the earth's weather has been significantly affected by the planet's magnetic field. They claimed that fluctuations in the number of cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere directly alter the amount of cloud covering the planet.
CBC
11-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
No, David Suzuki hasn't given up on the climate fight — but his battle plan is changing
Social Sharing Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki made headlines last week when he said in an interview with iPolitics that humanity has lost its fight against climate change. "We're in deep trouble," Suzuki told the outlet. "I've never said this before to the media, but it's too late." Though he made it clear that he hasn't entirely given up, Suzuki says that rather than getting caught up in trying to force change through legal, political and economic systems, we now need to focus on community action. 'We've passed too many boundaries' "I look at what the straight science says and that is that we've passed too many boundaries," said Suzuki in an interview with CBC News on Monday. "It's going to get hotter, there's going to be floods, and all kinds of other things that we can't predict at this point," he said. "As the temperature rises, even half a degree to a degree warmer, the repercussions ecologically are going to be immense." Suzuki says he goes by Johan Rockström's work with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research to define nine planetary boundaries, or safe limits for human pressure on certain critical processes. During an interview with CBC in June about deep-sea mining, Rockström discussed how humanity is approaching tipping points when it comes to climate change. "We have more and more scientific evidence that we are pushing these systems to the brink of potential collapse," he said. WATCH | What we can do to continue climate fight even as warnings grow dire: Continuing the climate change fight amid dire warnings 13 hours ago Duration 8:20 Environmentalists like David Suzuki say not enough has been done to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. But Seth Klein with the Climate Emergency Unit says a lot can still be done if people get politics out of the way of action and develop solutions around renewable energy, high-speed rail and retrofits in public infrastructure. Suzuki says that we passed the seventh boundary this year and are now in the extreme danger zone, noting that Rockström says we have five years to get out of it. According to Suzuki, it's not likely we'll be able to pull back on these boundaries within five years. "It's crystal clear, we're going to overshoot." For example, the 1.5 C target in global warming set by the 2015 Paris Agreement has now been surpassed. "And that was the level we were supposed to reach by 2100," said Suzuki, noting that we haven't capped emissions and they continue to climb. "At some point, you have to say, we're not going to do it." Why Suzuki has given up on politics Climate advocates have long said that one of the biggest things people can do to impact climate change is to vote, contact politicians and get involved. But now, Suzuki says he's changing his advice to environmental advocates. He says he hasn't given up on finding solutions, just on waiting for governments and institutions to take meaningful action. WATCH | Suzuki explains why he's given up on governments solving climate crisis: David Suzuki says we've chosen politics and economics over the environment 2 days ago Duration 12:42 In an interview on CBC's The Early Edition, environmental activist David Suzuki explained comments he made during an iPolitics interview, where he declared "humanity has lost the fight against climate change." Suzuki said elevating economics and politics over science for decades has brought the world to a critical point. "It's an unpredictable world that we're heading to, and so much of our efforts in the environmental movement have been spent on assuming that politicians are going to take the right steps," he said. As an example, he recalls approaching an MP at a fundraiser gala for his non-profit environmental foundation. Suzuki says he believed the MP understood the severity of the climate crisis and urged him to reach out across party lines to take action because climate change couldn't remain political. But he says the MP responded by saying he was worried about the next election. "And I said, 'Are you saying that you're not going to do what should have been done years ago that must be done immediately because of the political possibility that you'll lose the next election?' " Suzuki recalled. "And he said, 'Yeah, that's politics — politics prevents you from doing the right thing.' " Focus on community and resilience Having abandoned politics as a solution, Suzuki says he's turning to community. "Do we just give up? No," he said. "Get together with your local block or your series of blocks and start finding out who's going to need help in an emergency." Suzuki says the Kitsilano neighbourhood in Vancouver where he's lived for 50 years is having a block party next week that he hopes will help combat the isolation and loneliness he says will be major challenges for what lies ahead. There are other places in Canada that are also prioritizing community. The town of Lytton, B.C., is still rebuilding after a 2021 wildfire destroyed most of its homes and businesses. Part of their rebuilding plan includes a Community Hub project. "We're calling it a hub because we plan to have a number of services within that building … and an outdoor space like a covered festival, farmers market multi-purpose space as well," Lytton Mayor Denise O'Connor told CBC News. The community hub will be net zero and will also have climate resilience built in, with a swimming pool that can double as a water reservoir. Suzuki says this kind of community resilience will be key. "Mother Nature is going to come down so hard that we're going to have to face up to the big changes, but I'm saying to environmental groups now, 'focus on the local community, get them to be as self-sufficient and self-reliant as you can possibly be,' " he said. "The science says that we're done for, but I'm saying at least the time that we've got left, let's fight like mad to be as resilient as we can in the face of what's coming."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
German triple Olympic canoeing champion Brendel ends career
Multiple Olympic champion Sebastian Brendel is racing for the KC Potsdam at the 3rd Potsdam Canoe Sprint on the Alte Fahrt branch of the Havel. Triple Olympic canoeing champion Sebastian Brendel said on Saturday that he is ending his career. Michael Bahlo/dpa Triple Olympic canoeing champion Sebastian Brendel said on Saturday that he is ending his career. Brendel, 37, won the three golds 2012 and 2016, and also has a bronze from 2021. He has 13 world and 17 European titles for a career tally of 33 international gold medals. Advertisement "What a great time! I am unbelievably grateful for an outstanding time as an athlete. In 25 years of high performance sport I could experience many highs, but also lows, which I will remember for the rest of my life," Brendel said on Instagram. Brendel has said he will stay in the sport and work as a coach at his club KC Potsdam.
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Tourists leave potatoes on Frederick the Great's grave. They're perpetuating a German myth
POTSDAM, Germany (AP) — Generations of Germans believe Frederick the Great brought the beloved potato to Germany. The legend is this: King Frederick II of Prussia wanted his subjects to eat potatoes, introduced to Europe in the 16th century from South America. But the people of Prussia, which later became part of a united Germany, wouldn't touch the tuber. So the 18th-century monarch resorted to trickery. He placed royal guards and soldiers along the edge of his palace garden — thus creating the illusion that potatoes were a rare and valuable crop reserved for the royal family and its aristocratic friends. But the guards withdrew from their posts each night, creating an opportunity for enterprising locals to sneak in and 'steal' the spuds. Thus began Germany's love affair with the humble Kartoffel and Frederick's rebranding as Der Kartoffelkönig, the potato king. Except it's all fake. Bogus. Phony. Falsch! as the Germans would say. And debunking it is a royal pain for Jürgen Luh, historian of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation, even when history has receipts. Archives of royal menus show the king instead had a penchant for Italian food and French wine. 'He never ate it,' Luh said. 'Any potato. Not boiled, not fried.' The unexciting truth is that the potato has been cultivated in Germany's Bavarian region since 1647, Luh said. Frederick's great-grandfather, Elector Frederick William, introduced it to the Brandenburg area of Prussia in the 1650s, but only because he liked the aesthetics of the plant's leafy greens. By the time Frederick the Great took the throne in 1740, the potato was grown in gardens throughout Prussia but not on a large scale. The king did actually issue royal decrees promoting the farming and production of potatoes, but his people ignored them. Potatoes did not become widespread in Prussia, in central and eastern Europe, until after the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815, after Frederick II's death in 1786. The guarded garden story, Luh said, is nonsense. And Frederick was more of a wannabe potato king than an actual one. But the fable has deep roots, and the myth makes money. To this day, visitors to Frederick's summer home of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, outside Berlin, leave raw potatoes and paper crowns on the king's grave. The palace's gift shops sell potato merchandise, from postcards and children's books to a 35-euro ($40) apron proclaiming the wearer as a Kartoffelkönig. Luh used to correct tour guides and visitors to the palace, but he's largely given up. Besides, he said, at least it means people are coming to Sanssouci and experiencing its rich history. 'The fact is that the legend has beaten the truth and the legend is just too beautiful,' he added. Whatever its roots, the potato is undeniably part of the German cultural identity. At Biohof Schöneiche, an organic farm outside Berlin, workers will harvest roughly 2,500 metric tons (5.5 million pounds) of potatoes come the annual September harvest. 'In most parts of the world, potatoes are considered a vegetable. In Germany it's a staple food,' general manager Axel Boehme said. 'People cannot imagine to have a meal without potatoes.' Regional recipes, passed down from every Oma (grandmother) to each new generation, debate the merits of a vinegar- or mayo-based Kartoffelsalat. From boiled (Salzkartoffeln) or pan-fried (Bratkartoffeln) to dumplings and pancakes (Kartoffelklösse and Kartoffelpuffer), the versatile vegetable is intertwined with the country's emotional heritage. Anke Schoenfelder, project manager for German potato marketing company Kartoffel-Marketing GmbH, says her favorite tuber tradition is rooted in making Kartoffel-Karotten-Gugelhupf (potato and carrot Bundt cake) for family gatherings. 'Taste is memory, right? And when this is related to your family, this is even more part of your identity,' she said. Plus, Schoenfelder added, the potato can be used as a beauty product — the juice can be good for your skin, she says — or a household cleaner, for stubborn stains on the bottom of your oven. For now, Der Kartoffelkönig's legend lives on. As Luh was speaking to The Associated Press in front of the king's grave, two tourists placed their offerings of potatoes on the tomb. One even took a selfie as she did so. 'I always think I should go here in the evening when I have no potatoes at home,' the historian joked. 'I could take them away and have a good meal afterwards.' Kartoffel-Karotten-Gugelhupf (potato and carrot Bundt cake) From Kartoffel-Marketing GmbH, a German potato marketing company. The measurements provided refer to weight, not volume. You will need a 10-cup Bundt pan. Serves: 12 Ingredients 9 oz (250g) high-starch potatoes (such as Russets and Maris Pipers) 9 oz (250g) carrots 1.7 fluid ounces (50 mL) carrot juice 1.7 fluid ounces (50 mL) sunflower oil 4 eggs (medium-size, room temperature) 7 oz (200g) sugar 1 packet vanilla sugar 4.5 oz (125g) almonds, ground 4.5 oz (125g) flour melted butter to grease the mold 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs Directions Wash the potatoes and boil them in salted water for about 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Let them cool slightly, peel them, and then press them through a potato ricer into a bowl. Wash and peel the carrots and grate them finely with the potatoes, using a vegetable grater or a mandolin. Generously grease the Bundt pan with oil or butter. Coat the pan with some breadcrumbs. Preheat oven to 392°F (200°C) on the fan setting. Add carrot juice, sunflower oil, eggs, vanilla sugar, sugar, flour, baking powder and ground almonds to the mashed potatoes and grated carrots and mix with a hand mixer for about four minutes until a dough forms. Pour the potato-carrot cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes until cooked through (if necessary, cover the pan with aluminum foil after half an hour to prevent the cake from burning). Let the cake cool completely (you can also do this on a balcony or terrace) before decorating it with icing. This is important, because otherwise the icing will seep into the cake. In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar and a little lemon juice until thickened. Pour the icing over the cooled cake and decorate with your preferred toppings like chocolate chips, for example. Let it rest a bit to allow the icing to set.
