Latest news with #VirgilLopez
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Walking 7,000 steps a day a huge boost to health
People walk around the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City despite monsoon rains on July 25, 2025. Photo: Virgil Lopez/GMA Integrated News PARIS, France - People who walk 7,000 steps a day have a dramatically lower risk of a broad range of serious health problems, the largest review of the evidence yet said. The most widely promoted target for people tracking their number of steps is 10,000 -- but that figure reportedly originally came from a 1960s marketing campaign for a Japanese pedometer. To find a more scientific target, an international team of researchers sifted through 57 previous studies that covered 160,000 people. The results published in the Lancet Public Health journal found that walking 7,000 steps a day nearly halved people's risk of early death from all causes, compared to 2,000 steps. The study also looked into health problems not previously covered by research into step counts. Walking 7,000 steps a day was linked to people's risk of dementia falling by 38 percent, depression dropping 22 percent and diabetes decreasing 14 percent. It was also associated with lower rates of cancer and falls, though the researchers warned this was based on less evidence. "You don't need to hit 10,000 steps a day to get major health benefits," Paddy Dempsey, a study co-author and medical researcher at Cambridge University, told AFP. "The biggest gains happen before 7,000 steps, and then benefits tend to level off," he said. While people's speeds vary widely, 7,000 steps add up to roughly an hour of walking throughout the day. Dempsey emphasized that people already managing 10,000 or more steps should keep it up. But he had a message for people who might find 7,000 steps daunting: "don't be discouraged.'' "If you're only getting 2,000–3,000 steps a day, aim to add an extra 1,000 steps. That's just 10–15 minutes of light walking spread across the day," he said. Andrew Scott, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth not involved in the study, said that "it demonstrates that overall more is always better.'' "People should not focus too much on the numbers, particularly on days where activity is limited," he added. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week. Nearly a third of people worldwide do not reach this target, according to the WHO. —Agence France-Presse
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Mapua unveils electric vehicle prototype for Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2026
Engineering students at Mapua University are taking on a new challenge as they prepare for next year's Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. For the first time since the eco-marathon was introduced in Asia in 2010, Mapua's Cardinal One will compete with a battery-electric vehicle after fielding prototypes that run on internal combustion engines. Still under development, the electric vehicle prototype, called Aguila Neo Electric, was presented to the alumni, partners, sponsors, and media at Mapua's Intramuros campus on Saturday night, July 19. For the first time since the Shell Eco-marathon was introduced in Asia in 2010, Mapua University's Cardinal One will compete with a battery-electric vehicle after fielding prototypes that run on internal combustion engines. — Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) July 22, 2025 Some of its features are a chassis and shell that are 50% lighter than previous models, modern lightweight brake rotors and ultra-low-friction slick tires, the latest lithium-ion cells to ensure high energy density, safety, and power efficiency, a telemetry system to gather performance data during vehicle operation, and 3D-printed components. In the upcoming months, the EV prototype will go through several track tests and enhancements before being shipped to Qatar in time for the competition in 2026. ''After 15 years of competing in internal combustion, Cardinal One has transitioned to full electric propulsion—reflecting our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Aguila Neo Electric represents not only a technological leap but also the dedication and resilience of Filipino student engineers redefining the future of clean mobility,'' Cardinal One said. The event also recognized the legacy of previous Cardinal One teams that competed on the global stage. Shell Eco-marathon serves as a platform for students to showcase their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills to construct energy-efficient vehicles and then compete on the track. Mapua won the technical innovation award twice, in 2013 and 2024, in the internal combustion category. According to Shell, the award ''recognizes the team's ability to integrate advanced technologies into their vehicle design, illustrating their high level of technical proficiency and creative ingenuity.'' Mapua's previous teams were also recognized for their safety practices. —GMA Integrated News
