Latest news with #Wen
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Irish linked study reveals why working a four-day week is good for your health
That's according to a study of workers in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland reported in Nature Human Behaviour. Up to now, research conducted into the benefits of four-day weeks had been mostly done on a single case basis, rather than across sectors or countries. The researchers involved were based in Boston College, the University of Cambridge and included Orla Kelly, Professor in Social Policy at UCD. Prof Kelly's research shows, she said that most organisations that have implement a four day week on a trial basis, continue after the trial ends. 'Organisations' choice to keep this new working model supports employees' subjective assessment of productivity gains,' said Prof Kelly 'Irish companies were actually among the first cohort to participate in the trials, said Wen Fan, Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston College, who was first author on the paper. 'In February 2022, 12 companies out of the 16 companies in the very first cohort were from Ireland and trials were supported by Forsa trade union.' 'In terms of industry composition, the largest group comes from the administrative, IT and telecom sectors.' In the study, workers said their job satisfaction and work performance had increased and fatigue and sleep problems decreased with a four-day week. The findings highlight the potential for organisations to improve the well-being of employees by reducing workplace hours, said the researchers. Trial results The scientists ran six month trials involving 2,896 employees in 141 organisations across seven English speaking countries, including Ireland. They compared work and health related indicators - such as burnout, job satisfaction, and mental health– before and after the intervention. The researchers also compared these results with the data generated from 285 employees at 12 companies that did not introduce a four-day week. Employees who had eight or more hours shaved off their working week, reported larger reductions in burnout and improvements in mental health compared to workers at companies who kept a five-day working week. There were similar, but smaller, effects seen for workers that had 1-4 or 5-7 hour reductions in their working week. The benefits, the researchers state, can be at least partially explained by less sleeping problems and fatigue, and improved individual work ability. Stress, burnout, fatigue and work-family conflict declined, as did the numbers experiencing sleep deprivation. Employees used the day off for hobbies, household work, grooming and increased the time they spent exercising. 'We have large well-being improvements over a range of metrics,' said Professor Wen. 'We find that the bigger the worktime reduction in hours, the bigger the well-being increase,' said Prof Wen. The researchers are calling for more future, randomised studies on worktime reductions, and possibly government sponsored trials. 'One of the most pressing questions is how worktime reduction can be scaled to non-office-based jobs where productivity gains are less tangible,' said Prof Kelly. 'A good first step would be for the government to provide support for a trial among these sectors to better understand how this opportunity to work less for the same pay can be universalised,' she added.
Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Spectator
Why Reeves should sell her bitcoin hoards
Deep fried prawn balls, chicken chow mein, crispy shredded beef and a Ponzi scheme could be about to win the Chancellor a decent chunk of her headroom back. As Rachel Reeves starts sketching out her autumn Budget, most of the focus has been on the tax hikes she'll need if she's serious about sticking to the 'ironclad' fiscal rules she recommitted to just last week. Economists reckon the wafer-thin £9.9 billion margin she left herself at the Spring Statement has already been wiped out and that she's now staring down a black hole of over £20 billion. So it was a relief to read this morning that the Treasury isn't relying solely on tax rises and has discovered a rather large stash of money down the back of the government sofa. According to The Telegraph, the government is developing a system to allow police forces and the National Crime Agency to sell more than £5 billion crypto assets seized in recent years We don't know the total amount of confiscated crypto the state is sitting on but one seizure in 2018 took in 61,000 bitcoin. If sold today, it would bring in some £5.4 billion – more than triple the culture budget and twenty times its value on the day the police got their hands on it. Jian Wen, who worked in a chinese takeaway, was convicted of laundering money – and her bitcoin seized – from a crypto scam carried out in China when she went from a life living in 'shabby Chinese restaurants' to putting cash offers on £24 million pound houses in Hampstead and villas in Tuscany. Victims of that Wen's ponzi scheme will be entitled to any proceeds of the sell off but experts are confident that enough of them will be untraceable that the Treasury can scoop up the rest and use it to start plugging the black hole. Of course, if Reeves does press 'sell', she will be accused of 'pulling a Gordon Brown', and selling the gold. Bitcoin is already up nearly 20 per cent this year and on current trajectories the Wen haul could be worth over £200 billion in 20 years. But she'd be wise to ignore those voices. Sure, crypto probably will rise. But given it has no fundamental value it might nosedive too. And the state simply can't afford to gamble on highly volatile assets when the public finances are in the mess they are in. So if this really is the plan, the Chancellor should act fast, take the money, and resist the temptation to hold. If all goes well she can treat herself to a Chinese.
Buzz Feed
14-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
Portable Generators To Have In Case Of Emergency
Whether it's wildfires, hurricanes, or frigid winter storms, natural disasters are now a frequent part of life for many, so it's a good idea to stay prepared. Often in these emergencies, power will be cut, and your most vital home appliances like refrigerators, water heaters, and AC units will be unable to run. The solution that energy experts previously recommended to us is portable generators. Different from portable power banks like Jackeries, which are more suitable for smaller personal electronics and single appliances, portable generators use a fuel source like gasoline or propane to convert electric energy. Generators also offer significantly higher wattage compared to power banks — anywhere from 1,000 to 40,000 watts — so they are designed to operate for longer periods, as long as there's a fuel source. They're also favored for helping to run appliances on RVs and travel trailers. You may think that generators are only available in-store at retailers like Lowe's or Home Depot, however, Amazon has several well-rated options that can be delivered right to your front door. We rounded up some of the top portable generators on Amazon, which you can shop in the list ahead, or you can get more familiar with how they operate from some of our earlier reporting. A Westinghouse 12,500-watt generator that runs on gas or propane The Westinghouse dual-fuel generator is one of the most-shopped generator options on Amazon, with well over 24,000 ratings and 4.7 out of 5 stars. It's powered by a 4-stroke OHV engine, so it can run on either gas or propane with just one touch of a transfer switch, and promises 12,500 peak watts, plus up to 12 hours of uninterrupted run time. Many reviewers are lauding the Westinghouse dual-fuel for its impressive and "beast-like" performance that's helped to keep major appliances running during power outages and hurricanes. "We wired this into a generator transfer switch on the house and we were able to run the fridge and freezer, run lights in multiple rooms, charge phones, watch TV and use the internet, use the microwave, and use a fan to sleep," wrote one reviewer who was experiencing a power intuitive control panel features four standard socket plugs, plus one 30A outlet and one 50A outlet for a direct plug-and-play functionality. You can also be rest assured that it's compliant with Environmental Protection Agency regulations and is built with safety features like automatic shut-off when fuel sources are it from Amazon for $999. A 6,800-watt inverter generator This 6,800-watt generator by Wen is an inverter generator, so it promises to run quieter and convert into cleaner, more stable power compared to traditional generators. In addition to powering important appliances during emergencies, this dual-fuel operation (propane or gasoline) can charge up electric car batteries and power RV appliances when it's not running. Based on reviewer feedback, we've gleaned that the Wen generator is non-intimidating and easy to operate, even for people who claim to have little or no mechanical or technical knowledge. Many others appreciate this option for its demure size, yet powerful performance, while others claim it runs smoothly and offers a voltage output that is very consistent, even under different loads."Hats off to Wen for designing and offering a nice, affordable generator to suit many Job. 5 Stars," one Amazon customer Wen inverter generator comes in other wattage options, depending on how many appliances you want to run it from Amazon for $803.40. A 5,000-watt gas-only inverter generator Another compact inverter generator that's faring well among Amazon customers — it has 4.6 out of 5 stars and 7,000+ ratings — is this 5,000-peak-watt gas-only generator by Westinghouse. It features a 12V household outlet, a 30-amp outlet for accommodating RVs, and two USB outlets for powering up smaller brand suggests this model as a great option for camping, using with travel trailers as well as for home use when your regular flow of electricity is not accessible. Quiet and fuel-efficient, Amazon reviewers are saying that they are grateful for the 3.4-gallon capacity gas tank that allows the generator to run up to 18 hours. "As an RVr, I have had several generators that were powerful or quiet; this one is both," wrote one reviewer who also called the Westinghouse a "winning generator.""Even the fuel fill is deep enough to fill without spilling, which may seem like a small thing, but the last thing I want is a gas smell after filling the generator up. It was able to power my RV AC, water heater, and microwave at the same time. The remote for stop-start is just convenient and works great," they particular generator that's featured is a gasoline-only operation, however, it also comes in a dual-fuel version, as well as a lower-wattage it from Amazon for $849. An inverter generator that is CARB-compliant for California If you reside in California, then you're probably already aware of the state's CARB-compliance laws when it comes to vehicles and generators' carbon emissions. The Pulsar 2,300-watt inverter generator is a cost-conscious appliance that adheres to these low-emission requirements and is capable of close to five hours of run time for each 1.8 gallons of fuel that it portable and gasoline-powered design uses what the brand calls "Wave technology,' which delivers safe and stable power to sensitive devices like laptops, phones and more. Measuring no bigger than a carry-on suitcase and weighing less than 50 pounds, Pulsar recommends this model for using tailgating, camping and powering up 12-volt words Amazon reviewers have used to describe the Pulsar generator sum up its operation pretty succinctly: "efficient, small, quiet and capable."Get it from Amazon for $399. A tri-fuel 11,500-watt generator by Westinghouse This 11,500-watt generator by Westinghouse is the only option on this list that can be powered by either propane, gasoline, or natural gas for a run time of up to 19 hours, depending on the type of fuel used. Like its dual-fuel counterpart mentioned above, this reliable generator also uses a heavy-duty 4-stroke OHV engine and six different voltage outlets, so it's compatible with everything from running RVs to backing up entire homes. There are also two USB ports for charging up smaller devices like personal electronics. Read how this generator ran one reviewer's entire 2,400-square-foot home during a four-day power outage:"On gasoline, this generator will run everything in my house with no problems. I had all the lights on, air conditioner running, ran a faucet so my well would kick on, ran hot water so my electric water heater would kick on, turned two TVs on, two refrigerators, two deep freezers, and even went and kicked on the microwave and the lights didn't even dim."Get it from Amazon for $1,499. A 5,600-watt generator that reviewers call "the best value" "This has to be the best value for a workhorse generator! And I mean workhorse," one Amazon reviewer wrote about the Wen 5,600-watt generator that's gas-powered and somehow manages to promise over 12 hours of runtime using a 4.3-gallon gas tank. "When I got it, I was surprised to learn just how small this generator is compared to others with the same rough output," the same reviewer wrote, adding that they appreciated the electric start and carbon monoxide shut-off interface has two standard amp outlets for all your home purposes, one RV outlet, and one heavy-duty twist-and-lock it from Amazon for $382. A hybrid 12,000-watt generator from an expert-recommended brand Harry De Loach, a master electrician, founder of The Academy of Industrial Arts, and the director of education and training for the Leaders of Electrical License Preparation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, previously recommended to us this hybrid 12,000-watt generator by to him, this is a generator that's built for taking on heavy powering jobs like running lights, AC, and a refrigerator at the same time. With 9,500 running watts (and 12,000 watts of peak power), an electric start and three different types of outlets (heavy-duty, twist lock and household), this generator rivals the power you'd get from a permanent unit but in a portable form. It also features what the brand refers to as an MX2 Power Boost," which doubles the 120V power for appliances and RVs," according to the Amazon reviewer described how the DuroMax unit ran their entire home during Hurricane Irene in 2017 after a local electrician recommended it and called it "the best bang for the buck" option."The unit fired up the first time, no problem. We are using propane, and when we added the house load to it, one circuit at a time, this Beast did not even twitch! Whole house AC water heater, everything, and I was still at 50%. I can run the whole house during an outage," the same reviewer wrote. Get it from Amazon for $950. A powerful 15,000-watt gas generator also by an expert recommended brand Another portable generator brand previously suggested to us by experts is this 15,000-watt generator by Champion, which also happens to be the highest wattage option on this list, and therefore the biggest investment. It's powered by gas only, with four home outlets and three other types of outlets, each with built-in surge protection to keep plugged-in appliances and equipment safe from overloading. It also promises a reliable electric start battery, even in cold conditions. In terms of runtime, you can expect up to nine hours of operation on one full tank of gas, and rest easy knowing there's an automatic shut-off feature when the generator detects too much carbon monoxide accumulating in the area. Get it from Amazon for $2,050.60.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The diseases that could return as vaccination rates decline — and why you should care
Measles have surged to a record high, with more cases reported this year than any year since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This disappointing record comes amid falling childhood vaccination rates: Coverage against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio and pertussis is declining in more than 30 states, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people may believe that if they're personally vaccinated, they have nothing to worry about. But is individual protection enough when contagious illnesses start multiplying? How will falling vaccination rates result in the return of previously eliminated diseases? Will only children be affected, or could adults see an impact as well? Who would be at highest risk if there is lower population-wide immunity? And what can be done to prevent this possibility? To get some answers, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore's health commissioner. CNN: Can falling vaccination rates result in the return of diseases that have been eliminated? Dr. Leana Wen: Yes. There are numerous examples around the world. Countries that were once polio-free have had polio outbreaks due to interruptions in childhood immunization programs caused by war and conflict. Measles outbreaks have occurred in countries where measles had been eliminated, due to falling vaccine coverage. This, in fact, is what we are seeing now in the US. In Texas, 753 measles cases have been confirmed since January. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 98 of these patients have been hospitalized, and two people, both children, have died. This outbreak is believed to have originated in communities with low vaccination rates. What could happen if childhood vaccination rates declined further? A recent study published in JAMA predicted that a 10% decline in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage could result in more than 11 million measles infections over 25 years. A 50% decline in routine childhood vaccinations could result in 51 million measles cases, 9.9 million rubella cases and 4.3 million polio cases. The projections also included the number of people affected by severe consequences of these diseases: As many as 10.3 million people in the US could be hospitalized, 159,200 could die, 5,400 could experience paralysis from polio, and 51,200 could have neurological consequences from measles. CNN: Is that only unvaccinated people? If someone is vaccinated, do they need to worry if others are unvaccinated? Wen: They should still worry for three main reasons. First, while many vaccinations provide excellent protection against disease, there is still a chance of breakthrough infections — meaning that the vaccine doesn't provide 100% protection. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% protective against measles infection, which is an outstanding level of protection. But it's not 100%, so if someone is exposed to measles, there is still a chance they could become infected. However, vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of infection and also of having severe disease if they were to become infected. The more disease there is in the community, the higher the likelihood of exposure and infection. Second, there may be some waning of vaccine effectiveness over time. For instance, according to the CDC, immunity to pertussis — also known as whooping cough — starts to wane after a few years following vaccination. Older adults who received childhood vaccinations many years ago may become susceptible if previously controlled childhood diseases make a comeback. Third, there are people who are unable to receive the benefit of vaccination directly themselves. Some people are unable to receive certain vaccines because of specific medical conditions. For instance, someone who has a weakened immune system may not be able to get the MMR vaccine because it contains a live, weakened form of the virus. Also, some people may have medical conditions that render vaccines less effective at protecting them. These individuals depend on the rest of society — those who can receive the vaccine — to do so and try to prevent these diseases from spreading. CNN: What about pregnant people? Are there also some vaccines they cannot get? Wen: This is another good point. Take rubella, or German measles. Pregnant individuals cannot receive the MMR vaccine because it contains live virus. But rubella can be especially dangerous during pregnancy. In addition to increasing the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, rubella can lead to a condition called congenital rubella syndrome that can cause numerous birth defects including heart problems, brain damage, deafness, and lung, liver, eye and thyroid ailments. According to the World Health Organization, before the introduction of the vaccine, as many as 4 babies in every 1,000 live births were born with this condition. Rubella remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects. Pregnant patients should not receive other live-attenuated vaccines either. Varicella, the vaccine against chickenpox, is another one of these vaccines. People should receive the vaccines before they are pregnant, ideally as part of their routine childhood immunizations. And other people can help to reduce disease in the community by getting vaccinated themselves. CNN: Who would be at highest risk if there is lower population-wide immunity? Wen: There are three groups I would be the most worried about. First are newborns who are too young to be vaccinated. They are also among the most medically fragile; something that is a mild cold for an older child or healthy adult could send them to the hospital. Second are immunocompromised people. This is a large group and includes patients receiving cancer treatments, transplant patients and individuals taking immunosuppressant medications. These individuals are more likely to become severely ill if exposed to disease. Vaccines may also not protect them as well, or they may be ineligible to receive certain vaccines as we discussed earlier. Third are the elderly. As we discussed many times in reference to Covid-19, these are individuals whose age and underlying medical conditions make them more susceptible to severe illness. That, in combination with possible waning immunity from certain vaccines, could put them at higher risk if there is more disease in the community because of lower vaccine coverage. CNN: What can be done to prevent this possibility? Wen: Everyone should speak with their primary care provider to verify that they are up to date on recommended vaccines. Parents with young children should do this with their family's pediatrician, and adults should also be sure to speak with their family physician or internist as well. The reason to do this is primarily to ensure that you are well-protected. If you are eligible for additional booster doses, you may consider getting them, or, if you are more susceptible to certain illnesses because you are not eligible for some vaccines, you should also know this and take precautions accordingly. There's another reason: The entire concept of population immunity depends on all of us doing our part to keep diseases at bay. That protects us — and others around us, including those who are especially vulnerable to severe illness and death.
News18
07-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Man Dances On Livestream Every Night To Afford Wife, Child's Cancer Treatment
Last Updated: Through these live streams, Wen tries to raise money for their medical treatment. A 28-year-old man in China is doing everything he can to support his wife and younger daughter, who are both battling cancer. His name is Wen Haibin, and every night, he logs onto a live-streaming platform and dances. Through these live streams, Wen tries to raise money for their medical treatment. According to a report in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Wen and his wife, Yang Xiaohong, have known each other since school. They were secondary school classmates. After getting married, they moved from their hometown in Sichuan province to Guangdong. They had their first daughter three years ago. Their second daughter was born a year later. For a while, life was simple and happy, but everything changed last year. In June, their younger daughter, Xiyang, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that affects soft tissues. Just six months later, in December, Yang was diagnosed with breast cancer. The couple suddenly found themselves in the middle of two serious health battles at the same time. Yang, worried about their financial situation, considered stopping her treatment to save money. But Wen was firm in his decision. He wanted both his wife and daughter to get the best care possible. 'Otherwise, my wife and daughters will become helpless," he said as quoted by SCMP. Wen left his job at a construction site to take care of them full-time. They moved from Guangdong to Chongqing, where treatment options were better. Their elder daughter was sent back to Sichuan to stay with her grandparents. In Chongqing, they rented a small apartment. Wen became their full-time caregiver. Both Yang and Xiyang needed chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiotherapy. Each chemo session costs thousands of yuan. Radiotherapy, when required, cost over 10,000 yuan (Rs 1.19 lakh approximately). Within months, the family's savings were gone. They borrowed money and their debt soon crossed 200,000 yuan (nearly Rs 24 lakh). Wen also tried working as a delivery rider, but he struggled to manage the job while caring for his wife and child. In April this year, Wen began dancing online to raise money. During the day, he looks after his family. At night, once they are asleep, he sets up his camera and dances live for strangers on the internet. At first, he was stiff and unsure. But after two months of dancing every evening, he said he felt more confident and better at it. Some nights, he earns only a small amount, like just a few dozen yuan. Other nights, he earns hundreds. Many people donate after learning about his story. Wen's landlord also stepped in to help. Upon hearing about the family's situation, the landlord reduced their monthly rent from 900 yuan (over Rs 10,000) to 600 yuan (Rs 7,000). 'I am willing to do anything for them," Wen said. Despite the heavy challenges, he said he remains hopeful as both Yang and Xiyang have shown signs of progress in their treatment. First Published:
