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Stress could be negatively affecting your quality of sleep, new data shows. According to a recent study from the Baylor College of Medicine, stressful and busy days can take a toll on the quality of sleep you get and could be the reason you wake up feeling tired.

Dr. Annise Wilson, the lead author of the study, says the link between poor sleep quality and stress isn’t new. But their latest findings serve as a reminder that stress can interfere with your sleep schedule. One of the most common ways stress can impact you is insomnia, Wilson says.

“High levels of stress impair sleep by prolonging how long it takes to fall asleep and fragmenting sleep,” said Wilson. “Sleep loss triggers our body’s stress response system, leading to an elevation in stress hormones, namely cortisol, which further disrupts sleep.”

Previous research has shown that sleep plays a vital role in memory and learning. Cognitive functioning may be improved with dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced when doing puzzles or exercising.

The body naturally increases its dopamine levels after a sleepless night in an attempt to compensate for sleep loss, but this doesn’t replace the body’s need for sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation has been associated with decreased endocrine dysfunction, decreased metabolism, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Considering that 75% of people are stressed that their smile could hurt their career success, it’s safe to say there’s enough anxiety to go around.

Sleep deprivation and stress can also have an impact on your skin. Although 85% of people will have acne at some point in their lives and much of that acne is caused by bacteria, it can also be caused by stress hormones.

According to Dr. Adam Friedman, an associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University, a stress-related hormone called CRH, or corticotropin-releasing hormone, can bind to the receptors in the skin’s sebaceous glands. This binding increases the skin’s oil production, which can cause acne.

“These sebaceous glands are also immune organs, and they can create inflammation,” said Friedman. “At the end of the day, an acne blemish is basically inappropriate inflammation, and so turning on that immune response can exacerbate swelling or redness.”

This may be why consumers spent nearly $5 billion worldwide on acne treatments in 2016. Instead of trying to treat their skin, consumers may have needed to manage and treat their stress.

Friedman also points out that, when people are stressed, there’s an increase in the body’s nerve signaling. This causes an itchy sensation in the inflamed areas of the skin, which causes people to scratch or pick. This results in even more swelling and redness.

Whether your stress is acute or chronic can also impact the duration and resolution of your breakouts. Friedman says there’s some evidence that chronic stress can have a negative impact on your immune system, which can slow healing.

That means your acne breakouts may be more likely to stick around for longer periods of time and you may be more susceptible to acne scarring.

That being said, it’s important to recognize the signs that you’re dealing with stress, especially chronic stress, before it begins to negatively impact your health and sleep schedule.

You may be able to reduce stress by exercising, using aromatherapy, spending time with friends and family, laughing, learning to say no, keeping a journal, and learning time management. If you can afford it, consider taking a vacation. Alaska, with its beautiful views and 17 of the highest peaks in the U.S., could provide a much-needed respite. If your chronic stress is having a significant impact on your life and you’ve been suffering from sleep deprivation, it may be a good idea to seek out professional help.

While many Baby Boomers and older generations like to claim that books and reading have become a thing of the past, younger generations are actually proving them wrong by reading more than their older counterparts. It’s not just e-books that are contributing to the increase in reading; younger generations are more likely to visit libraries and read from print books as well.

Continued Classics

Despite many options now being widely available for reading, print books remain the preferred choice, even among younger generations. In fact, print books are still the most popular format for reading in general, with 67% of Americans having read a print book in the past year. While many brick and mortar bookstores are continuing to struggle in today’s modern world, younger generations are helping to keep both bookstores and libraries afloat. Millennials and Gen Z are some of the most avid users of both bookstores and libraries currently; these generations are also more likely to shop at smaller, mom-and-pop bookstores rather than larger retail chains. A preference for affordable resources has also pushed more people from these generations towards libraries, helping to support these important local resources.

Going Green?

Millennials and Gen Z tend to be more heavily focused on reducing their environmental impact, and so many assume that they’ll also tend to stay away from print books in favor of digital options. However, the printing industry and books have become more mindful and employ greener alternatives when printing. Today, more than one-third of new paper is made with recycled fiber, reducing the overall impact of publishing new books. Additionally, Millennial preferences for libraries means that books are being reused. Rather than purchasing new books and requiring the use of additional paper, these readers opt for renting their materials from the library, making Millennial reading habits even more environmentally-friendly.

Old Books, New Tech

In recent years, a variety of technologies have become more popular that would suggest the rise of e-books among younger generations. For example, there are approximately 1.43 billion tablet users worldwide. Many now use a variety of apps on these mobile devices to read or listen to audiobooks. However, these options tend to be more popular among older readers where adaptive technologies are more useful. Millennials and Gen Z have shown a strong preference for physical print books, and are some of the most avid readers today. Millennials in particular are more likely to use print resources when conducting research or keeping up with current events. While having access to new technologies is helpful for many, it seems that younger generations will continue to prefer the classic printed book over the many new apps emerging.

Despite many stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding younger generations, these avid readers are keeping the printing and publishing industries alive and thriving. According to the experts from the website https://medimagery.com/buy-cialis-online-generic-cialis-tadalafil/, small doses and rare intake of alcohol in combination or during the treatment with Cialis usually don’t cause any problems. These younger generations are even going so far with their reading habits as to out-read older generations without the need for technology. Even divorce stats (almost 50% of marriages end in divorce) can’t bring this news down. By supporting local bookstores and libraries, Millennials and Gen Z are ensuring that printed books remain popular for years to come.

High housing costs are worsening the gap between the rich and poor, new data shows. According to a new report from Apartment List, the cost of living has risen so high in the last year that the lowest earners are now spending a higher percentage of their income on rent than the top earners.

Researchers analyzed data from the country’s 100 largest metro areas. In each city, the median homeowner income was higher than the median renter income. This is because monthly housing costs for homeowners have fallen over the past decade while rents have steadily risen.

Renters at all income levels today are spending a greater amount of their income on rent than they did in 1980. In comparison, homeowners are paying a smaller fraction of their monthly paychecks for housing than they did 40 years ago. And considering selling a house typically takes 6 to 12 months, homeowners waiting for a return on their investments may be struggling, as well.

Housing costs are also growing more quickly for those in the bottom half of the income distribution in each one of the top 100 metros than for those in the upper half. The average sales price for condos in existing buildings in Manhattan was $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2017. Meanwhile the average home cost is now $200,000.

Income inequality has increased in nearly all metro areas including 45 out of the top 50 cities. The bottom 10% of the income distribution in each city saw their housing costs rise the highest. The top 25% of the income distribution saw their housing costs decline.

Philadelphia has the highest income disparity between its lowest and highest earners. New Orleans has seen the greatest inequality growth in the last 10 years.

However, researchers found that Income inequality is larger than housing cost inequality. Those in the lowest quartile make 27% as much as those in the median quartile, but they need 79% of what the median quartile does to pay for rent each month.

The average income of renters has grown more quickly than the average homeowner’s due to an influx of high-income renters. The average renter’s household earns 23% more than the average renter did 10 years ago. However, in the same amount of time, the average amount of rent paid has also increased by 23%.

The average homeowner is also paying less than they did a decade ago despite skyrocketing housing prices, utilities, and additional costs such as maintenance repairs or pest control. Approximately 24% of a household’s water is used just by the toilet and residential pest control services make up 68% of the industry.

Lower mortgage rates and refinancing capabilities overpower the initial price of the house and these additional costs, researchers say. The overall effect is that homeowners are paying less out of pocket every month. Rising incomes and reduced costs mean lower cost burdens for homeowners.

But renters’ incomes have grown along with their rent. Researchers found that the average homeowner’s income is higher than the average renter’s income in every one of the largest 100 metros in the United States. In 55 out of the 100 cities, the average homeowner income was more than double that of the average renter’s.

“Differential trends in housing costs for renters and owners are exacerbating renter-homeowner inequality,” researchers wrote.

During a state of the city address, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti linked the local homeless crisis directly to the struggles of renters and the skyrocketing apartment costs over the last few years. According to the Apartment List report, the inequality growth rate in Los Angeles is currently 10.4%.

“Too many parents in this city are moving their families into cars because they’re living paycheck to paycheck and can’t keep up with the rent,” said Garcetti.

Chicago has over 3 million households and an inequality growth of 8.2%. That puts Chicago as #12 on the top 50 cities in the U.S. with the highest incomes inequalities.

When people go to the dentist every six months for a regular checkup, they expect to be treated with respect and care, both in their treatment and their finances. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case — one Mount Vernon, Missouri dentist was recently found guilty of Medicaid fraud.

Dr. Thomas Alms was ordered by the court to pay $200,000 after being deemed guilty of misusing the Medicaid system. It was found that between Aug. 21, 2014 and June 14, 2016, Alms submitted several fake Medicaid claims from his dental clinic.

The news release issued by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office stated that the fraudulent claims were submitted for procedures including 11 bone graft replacements, 11 restorations,15 office visits, 15 pre-orthodontic visits, as well as other procedures like pulp vitality tests. So while there are around five million people who have their wisdom teeth removed every year, the claims Alms made were for procedures and visits that never happened.

Alms submitted claims to Missouri HealthNet for performing dental services on 26 Medicaid participants — the lawsuit alleged that after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit requested Alms’ patient records, the records that were submitted contained false information. Considering how many American seniors are on Medicaid — and that 70% will need long-term care at some point — this kind of fraud could impact the health of countless people.

The investigation was completed by the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, headed by Amanda Burrows. The case involved an expert examination of a few patients of Dr. Alms, which eventually lead to finding Alms to be guilty of fraud. Alms was then prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Shannon T. Kempf and Brad Crowell as well as Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Don Trotter.

And this is not the first time Alms has had trouble with the law. Back in 2011, there was a civil lawsuit filed against him by the then Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, again, for false Medicaid claims.

In the release for Alm’s most current case, Schmitt stated, “The Medicaid program provides health benefits to low-income families who don’t have access to https://sdarcwellness.com/buy-premarin-online/ health care. Cheating the system is actually cheating all the Missourians who rely on Medicaid and the taxpayers of the state of Missouri.”

While there are laws in place to protect businesses and their assets, like the 2016 Defend Trade Secrets Act, fraudulent cases are not protected under law, often having severe consequences.

Along with the $200,000 fine, Alms, will surrender is dentistry license and will be on probation for five years. He had been facing three counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of obstructing a healthcare fraud investigation — but because Alms pleaded guilty, the plea deal gave him a lesser sentence.

Amazon is expected to capture nearly half of all U.S. online sales this year. According to the market research company eMarketer, sales for Amazon are expected to grow by over 20% this year, amounting to $282.52 billion. That’s approximately 47% of American online expenditures and 5% of the U.S. retail market.

A new feature from Vox traces the birth of Amazon Prime, the hugely popular membership program. Thanks to increasing customer loyalty, Amazon is now worth an incredible $900 billion. For reference, eBay is worth a mere $30 billion.

With each passing year, more and more people take their shopping online. Every year, about 2 billion t-shirts are sold around the world, and on Amazon you can find more than 300,000 individual listings for t-shirts. Amazon has capitalized on this trend better than any other company, putting major stress on traditional retailers. This trend isn’t likely to change anytime soon, either.

Cindy Liu, eMarketer’s forecasting analyst, says that Amazon’s growth has slowed but that it still outpaces the e-commerce sector as a whole. Considering e-commerce retail spending was predicted to double between 2016 and 2020, it’s fair to say Amazon has the lion’s share. Amazon is expected to continue to expand sectors that have high growth potential including pharmacy and grocery.

Amazon ships up to 1.6 million packages a day. That number will continue to climb as Amazon grows, and the retail giant recently announced it will now be lessening its environmental impact. Amazon said the company plans to make all its shipments net zero carbon with a 50% achievement goal by 2030.

“With improvements in electric vehicles, aviation biofuels, reusable packaging, and renewable energy, for the first time we can now see a path to net zero carbon delivery of shipments to customers,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations.

There are currently 500,000 reefer trailers operating on U.S. roads, and there were approximately 24,142,000 general aviation flight hours logged in 2015 alone.

“It won’t be easy to achieve this goal,” said Clark, “but it’s worth being focused and stubborn on this vision and we’re committed to seeing it through.”

But that’s not Amazon’s only goal. Clark says the company also has a long-term goal to power its global infrastructure using 100% renewable energy.

Forbes has also reported that Amazon will require consumer products manufacturers to change their packaging to make it greener. Brands that comply early will be rewarded with a credit of $1 per item shipped. After August 1, brands that are non-compliant will have a surcharge of $1.99 per item.

Amazon has already started shipping its items in lightweight plastic mailers rather than boxes. Using the mailers rather than cardboard boxes produces fewer greenhouse gases. For even further innovation, solar panels may also be an apt consideration. Following in the footsteps of North Carolina, the nation’s second-leading state in solar panel installation, may be the greenest option of all.

The goal of the mailers is to fit more items in Amazon’s trucks and planes, and also to make the items more secure. Unsecured truck cargo was the cause of 200,000 car accidents over the course of a four-year study by AAA.

Some recycling centers have complained that the mailers often jam their machinery. Amazon has yet to determine how to fix this issue.

Although Amazon plans to make its major green changes by 2030, environmentalists are urging the retail giant to act immediately. This is because drastic measures are necessary to curb human-made carbon emissions within 12 years to mitigate the effects of global warming.

A group of Amazon shareholders and employees filed a resolution in 2018 that would require the company to share its plans for going green.

“I think an effective plan will include dates and milestones,” Emily Cunningham, an Amazon employee who signed the resolution. “To me, climate change is the issue of our lifetime. And we want to make sure they understand it’s that important.”

eMarketer predicts that the percentage share for the top 10 U.S. online retail companies will be as follows: Amazon (47%), eBay (6.1%), Walmart (4.6%), Apple (3.8%), Home Depot (1.7%), Costco (1.3%), Wayfair (1.3%), Quadrate Retail Group (1.3%), Best Buy (1.3%), and Macy’s (1.2%).

A new study performed by the American Cancer Society has found that rates of prostate cancer have begun to stabilize throughout the globe. As the third-most common form of cancer in the United States, this health concern has been among the top health issues witnessed throughout the country.

According to this new study, however, some countries have seen a decline in the numbers of this diagnoses with the United States witnessing the largest decrease in prostate cancer rates.

The study tested the long term and short term data submitted by 44 countries who provided incidence data, while 71 countries submitted data pertaining to cancer deaths. The study took place between 1980 and 2012.

So far, it’s estimated that 37 million Americans throughout the United States will suffer from an enlarged prostate at some point in their lives, but only some of these health issues will result in a cancer diagnosis. However, the data has proven otherwise.

“Previous studies have indicated significant variation in prostate cancer rates, due to factors including detection practices, availability of treatment, and genetic factors,” explains ACS scientist and study director, MaryBeth Freeman.

“By comparing rates from different countries, we can assess differences in detection practices and improvements in treatment.”

The decrease in diagnoses is, in part, due to the decline in false positives made from an innovative blood test released in 1994. Though this led to a decrease in the number of deaths among older men who were tested, it also created a surge in incorrect diagnoses, increasing the fear of this condition among middle-aged men.

In fact, many forms of prostate cancer are slow-growing and unlikely to pose a significant health risk. This includes those who are actually diagnosed with this form of cancer. This is one of the many reasons most men aren’t required to get a prostate cancer screening until retirement, around the age of 63. After the age of 70, US Preventive Services Task Force even discourages taking the test in the first place as of 2018.

It was within the last five years that witnessed the greatest drop in prostate cancer diagnoses. This roughly correlates with the Preventive Services Task Force recommendation, who began to advise against the PSA test in 2012.

However, there are further technological advances that are attributed to the global decline of this disease.

In China, medical doctors and urologists have been able to formulate a 3D prostate treatment method. This treatment helps those with prostate cancer, but it also treats benign prostatic hyperplasia and other prostate issues. It has been found that this form of 3D treatment has a 95% effectiveness rating.

Unfortunately, only Chinese urologist Dr. Song is able to perform this innovative treatment. But as technology advances, the future for those diagnosed with prostate issues is looking a little brighter.

Chicago might not seem as flashy as San Fransisco or New York City, but this diverse city is ripe with opportunities for young professionals.

This is the perfect location for renters and homeowners alike. With 44% of Chicago residents renting their homes, this affordable housing market has become a huge draw for recent college graduates and families alike. And if you’re a baseball fan, you’ll be pleased to know that softball was actually invented in Chicago in 1887.

If you’re one of the many people looking to move to Chicago this year, consider these three reasons to wind up in the windy city.

The ample diversity

Chicago is a place with rich cultural opportunities. Because this thriving city bustles with tourists, cultural districts, and creative locations designed to inspire a diverse array of people.

This gives growing children an appreciation for other cultures and a desire to learn new languages. The city of Chicago is full of life and opportunities compared to a sheltered life in the suburbs. Even yoga practitioners have started establishing new businesses in this area. It’s estimated that 50% of yogis give back to their community.

The growing job market

Just like the diverse population residing within the city, Chicago also has a diverse job market. In fact, Chicago has become a recent hub for many jobs, including publishing, finance, food processing, manufacturing, and more.

This flourishing job market is, in part, thanks to the lowering crime rates. The number of shootings has decreased by over 30% in the last two years alone, making this a safer place to live and work.

Great public transit

Chicago is also easy to navigate in terms of walkability and public transit. Many people don’t even need to buy a car in order to get to work or get to the grocery store. Take a ride on the famous L train to visit some of the numerous museums or hail a taxi to hop on one of the countless highways in the area.

Moving to Chicago has become a growing trend among Millennials, and for good reason. Along with accessibility and an improving housing market, Chicago has truly become a hub for creativity and business. That 6% commission to your realtor will feel much sweeter once you’re in your new Chicago home.  After all, Chicago landlords are required by law to give 48-hours notice before they enter your apartment. When you want to move to a city where the resident is put first, think about moving to Chicago.

One of the most controversial actions taken by President Trump’s administration, migrant family separation at the United States-Mexico border, continues to have lasting, traumatic effects on hundreds of families. Despite public outcry, families have continued to be separated, with more than 200 migrant children having been taken from their families since the policy was officially rescinded.

By The Numbers

While the exact number of migrant children separated from their families at the border since Trump took office remains hard to determine exactly, estimates suggest that the policy has affected at least 2,800 children. These children have been held in detention centers throughout the country, with most being held in major cities. While it is possible for anyone over the age of 16 to set up power of attorney, many of these children do not speak English, are unaware of their legal rights, or simply are too young to make sense of the legal system.

Taking Responsibility

While courts have ruled that the Trump administration must take responsibility for the damage the family separation policy has caused, it remains to be seen what the Trump administration will do about reuniting separated families. So far, no single plan or policy has been established to reunite all families, but with increasing pressure from all sides, it’s possible a policy will be implemented in the future.

Continued Struggles For Migrants

As separation at the border slows, many migrants already living in the United States will continue to face issues as a result of Trump’s various immigration policies. Plans for family reunification remain uncertain, leaving many minors in a legal limbo. Until an established policy is planned to address this humanitarian crisis, many families will remain separated with no answers on when they will be reunited with their loved ones again.

Additionally, general anti-immigrant sentiments throughout the nation continue to make life difficult for those living in the country legally. ICE detentions continue to increase, as they have consistently since Trump took office. In addition to the increased number of ICE detainees with a clean record under the Trump administration, data also shows that 18% of the 44,435 individuals detained by ICE had resided continuously in the U.S. for ten years or more, and that one out of four had been in the country for at least five years.

In the aftermath of Trump’s family separation policy, many families are still in limbo. Unfortunately, it’s still uncertain what will happen for these migrant families.

At any given time, up to 66% of Americans are “on a diet.” For years, we’ve been told that there’s no magic weight loss solution — and that if we’re looking to target specific body parts for weight loss, that we’re totally out of luck. Even dancing, which can boosts metabolism and burns up to 400 calories in just 30 minutes (or an hour of squash, which burns between 600 and 1000 calories), isn’t a do-it-all workout solution. But a recent study has revealed that there’s a specific workout routine that might allow you to lose fat in one of the most popular “problem areas.” You’ll just need to commit to a different kind of fitness regime if you want to see results.

In general, staying active is an essential part of weight loss and maintenance. Unfortunately, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, with only one in three receiving the recommended amount of physical activity each week. Although many of us are leading more sedentary lives these days, 30% of adults who exercise on a daily basis say they get their fitness on by walking. As it turns out, that might not be doing quite enough to make a difference. New research shows that HIIT — or high-intensity interval training — might be a lot more effective for muscle development and weight loss, particularly in terms of abdominal fat loss. Although steady, moderate intensity workouts can still allow you to lose weight, the study found that HIIT participants actually lost 28.5% more weight than those who followed a more traditional workout program.

That might be due to the uniquely iconic features of HIIT. These types of workouts are characterized by short bursts of intensive cardio activities followed by a few minutes of rest. According to researchers, the HIIT workouts involved four to eight high-intensity intervals of one minute in length followed by three to five minutes of rest. The group following the other plan simply did 30 minutes of moderate exercise per session. Over 12 weeks, both groups participated in three sessions each week. By the time the study had concluded, the HIIT participants had lost four more pounds of body fat on average, compared to those in the moderate intensity group. HIIT subjects also decreased their waistlines by about an inch and actually gained 1.5 pounds of lean muscle on average.

Since more than 90% of women and 10% of men experience dimply thighs at some point during their lives, the idea that HIIT could help to get you in shape by summertime might be very welcome news indeed. It’s also very promising for people who have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as abdominal fat can increase the risk of heart problem development.

As study lead author, Yaoshan Dun, explained in a statement: “A considerable amount of research on HIIT has been done in athletes to demonstrate its ability to improve total exercise capacity and sports performance. Scientists and clinicians are just beginning to recognize the power that HIIT may have in clinical populations to prevent a second heart attack in patients who’ve already had one.”

Of course, you can benefit from a HIIT workout even if you have no heart attack risk factors. While it’s certainly not a magic pill that will allow you to stay on the couch all day and eat junk food, it seems like a much more effective and potentially enjoyable way to work out than slogging through a half hour on the treadmill every day. Experts recommend that if you want to try this type of high-intensity workout at home that you slowly incorporate the most common elements (like burpees, squat jumps, and other moves) into your routine to allow your body to adjust.