As you drive through downtown Dallas, you might see a outstanding banner on the U-Turn bridge near the Walnut Hill exit on Central Expressway (US 75): “Stop Fluoridation!” Below, other banners call for motion and warn of supposed dangers.

This isn’t the primary time that fluoride has been at the middle of public debate.

Fluoride has been added since 1951 in lots of countries the municipal water supply to stop tooth decay. Fluoridation began as an remark, then an idea, which ended as… scientific revolution 50 years later.

Fluoridation is that controlled, careful addition of a precise amount of fluoride into community water systems to enhance dental health and ensure it stays secure without causing systemic health unwanted side effects.

The practice has been described as one among the “The 10 Greatest Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century.”

But with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal opponent of water fluoridation, appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to move the Department of Health and Human Services, This progress is in danger.

I’m a clinical professor Specialized in caries managementwith over 30 years of experience in stopping and treating early blight. In my opinion, it’s critical to depend on evidence-based practices and research that has consistently shown that fluoride is a cornerstone of dental health that advantages tens of millions of individuals without negative effects.

Fluoride within the water supply

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral present in water, soil and even certain foods. Its role in oral health was first recognized through observations by researchers within the early twentieth century lower tooth decay rates In Communities with naturally high fluoride levels of their water.

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the primary city on this planet to achieve this intentionally fluoridating its water supply. This decision was made after thorough discussions with Dr. H. Trendley Dean, then chief of the Division of Dental Hygiene on the National Institutes of Health, and other public health organizations. The Michigan Department of Health approved the addition of fluoride to public water supplies the next yr.

The city was chosen due to its low natural fluoride levels, large variety of school-age children, and proximity to Muskegon, which served as a control city. After 11 years, the outcomes were remarkable: Tooth decay rates in Grand Rapids children born after fluoridation began fell by over 60%.

By 2008, over 72% of the US population – over 200 million Americans – used Public water systems had access to fluoridated water.

This scientific breakthrough modified dental care and dentistry Turn tooth decay right into a preventable condition for the primary time in history.

Fluoride is of course present in most water sources, but typically in The concentrations are too low to stop tooth decay. By adjusting the fluoride content to the recommended 0.7 milligrams per litersuch as about three drops in a 55 gallon drumit is going to sufficient to strengthen tooth enamel.

Benefits of Fluoride for Dental Health

The science is straightforward: fluoride strengthens tooth enamelthe protective outer layer of the teeth, by promoting remineralization. It also makes teeth more immune to the acids produced by bacteria within the mouth. This prevents tooth decay, amongst other things Problem that remains to be widespread even in modern societies.

Fluoridated water has been extensively studied and its advantages are well documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water fluoridation is vital reduces tooth decay by approx. 25% across all age groups. It's a public health measure that works passively – every sip of water helps protect your teeth without you having to alter your behavior.

This is especially vital for vulnerable populations. Low-income communities often have difficulty accessing dental care or fluoride-containing products equivalent to toothpaste. By fluoridating water, communities provide a security net that ensures everyone advantages, no matter their circumstances.

From an economic perspective, it is a great investment. Research shows that for each dollar spent on fluoridation, communities Save about $20 on dental treatment costs. These savings come from fewer fillings, extractions and emergency visits – meaning less costs Low-income communities are disproportionately affected.

Resistance to fluoridation

Despite its advantages, water fluoridation is feasible isn’t without controversy. Opponents often argue that it impinges on personal alternative – in spite of everything, most individuals don't have the choice Avoid drinking community water. Others raise concerns about potential health risks, equivalent to: FluorosisBone problems or thyroid problems.

Fluorosis, a condition attributable to excessive fluoride exposure in childhoodis commonly cited as a cause for concern. However, typically it manifests itself as slight white spots on the teeth and isn’t harmful. Severe fluorosis is rare in areas with regulated fluoride levels.

What about other health risks? Decades of research, including large-scale assessments by expert panels from all over the world and the World Health Organization have found no credible evidence Link between fluoridation and serious health problems if fluoride levels are maintained inside advisable limits. In fact, the concentration of fluoride in drinking water is fastidiously monitored to balance safety and effectiveness.

The CDC oversees monitoring of fluoride levels in community water systems within the United States. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency sets a security standard of two milligrams per liter to stop mild or moderate dental fluorosis.

Nevertheless, the controversy continues, fueled by Misinformation and distrust of public health initiatives.

It is vital to separate legitimate concerns from unfounded claims and depend on the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the protection of fluoridation.

Fluoride alternatives

For those that would reasonably avoid fluoride, there are alternatives to contemplate. But they arrive with challenges.

Fluoride-free toothpaste is an option, however it is less effective at stopping tooth decay in comparison with products containing fluoride. Calcium-based treatments, equivalent to: B. hydroxyapatite toothpaste, are increasingly popular as a fluoride alternativealthough research on their effectiveness remains to be limited.

Nutrition also plays an important role. Reduce consumption of sugary snacks and drinks significantly reduce the danger of tooth decay. Including foods like crunchy vegetables, cheese, and yogurt in your food plan can assist promote oral health stimulates saliva production and provides vital nutrients that strengthen tooth enamel.

However, these lifestyle changes require consistent effort and education – something not all people or communities have access to.

Community programs equivalent to dental sealant initiatives will also be helpful, especially for youngsters. Sealants are thin layers which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Preventing blight in high risk areas. These programs, while effective, are still effective more resource intensive and can’t be replicated the broad, passive advantages of water fluoridation.

Ultimately, while there are alternatives, they place greater burdens on people and will not meet the needs of probably the most vulnerable populations.

Should Fluoridation Be a Personal Choice?

The argument that water fluoridation limits personal alternative is one among them most convincing points of view against its use. Some argue why not leave fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash and provides people the liberty to make use of it or not.

This perspective is comprehensible, however it overlooks the broader goals of public health. Fluoridation is like adding iodine to salt or vitamin D to exploit. These are measures that Prevent common health problems easily and cost-effectively. Such interventions aren’t about imposing decisions; It's about providing everyone with a basic level of protection.

Without fluoridated water, low-income communities would bear the brunt increasing dental disease. Especially children would suffer more tooth decayThis results in pain, missed school days and expensive treatments. The aim of public health policy is to stop these consequences while balancing individual freedoms with collective well-being.

For those that wish to avoid fluoride, alternatives equivalent to bottled water or filtered water can be found. At the identical time, policymakers should proceed to make sure that fluoridation levels are secure and effective and address concerns transparently to construct trust.

As the controversy over fluoride continues, the major query is how best to guard everyone's oral health. While fluoride removal may appeal to those that value personal alternative, it risks undoing many years of progress within the fight against tooth decay.

Whether through fluoridation or other methods, oral health stays a public health priority. Addressing this problem requires thoughtful, evidence-based solutions that ensure equity, safety and community well-being.

SANTA CLARA – It's not that he threw at game speed, it's the sight of it Brock Purdy throws the ball Friday was encouraging during warmups before the 49ers headed out for a visit to Buffalo.

It was the primary time Purdy appeared within the presence of reporters since he was listed with a sore shoulder resulting from a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17.

Purdy was also listed as limited during a closed practice on Thursday.

In media breaks because the injury, Purdy has done footwork and handoffs but hasn't thrown the ball, other than a number of lobs to assistant coaches and support staff.

Those not on the sector throughout the temporary media window included left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), edge rusher Nick Bosa (oblique/hip), cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee), left guard Aaron Banks (concussion) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion).

Meanwhile, cornerback Charvarius Ward, who has missed the last three games following the death of his 23-month-old daughter, practiced and may very well be available for a game against Buffalo.

Coach Kyle Shanahan will provide a full injury report after practice before the team boards a charter flight to Buffalo.

Originally published: November 29, 2024 at 1:12 pm PST

Morning sports update

Christian Barmore's expected return: A day after Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo caused a slight surprise by noting that there was a “chance” defensive tackle Christian Barmore could return to practice for the primary time since training camp, it looks like as if the 25-year-old could return on Thursday.

Per multiple reports (from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport And Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald), Barmore is “expected” to be back on the sector.

It can be the primary time the talented defensive lineman has participated in practice since he was diagnosed with blood clots in July. New England reportedly considered going all the season without him, but now appears able to bring back considered one of the important thing components of the defense.

The Patriots' run defense, ranked twenty third within the league, has struggled for a very long time without Barmore under center. New England has allowed no less than 130 yards on the bottom in six games in 2024 (all losses).

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics defeated the Nets 139-114 on Wednesday. Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 36 and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double (nine rebounds, 10 assists).

The Bruins shall be in Dallas to play the Stars tonight at 8 p.m

More from Boston.com:

The ski season has began: Whether Bostonians wish to acknowledge the approaching winter or not, Killington Ski Resort in Vermont is already open for business.

Speaking of winter: Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, now 40, isn’t retiring and can return to ski racing in possible preparation Comeback on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

On today: In 1979, the Celtics defeated the Pistons 115-111. Larry Bird, playing in his rookie season, recorded the primary triple-double of his Hall of Fame profession (23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, in addition to three steals and two blocks).

Daily highlight: Jalen Williams made two impressive blocks in quick succession within the Thunder's win over the Pelicans on Wednesday.

By LIA DEGROOT, CQ Roll Call (TNS)

​WASHINGTON – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tasked with advising the brand new Trump administration on its health policy agenda, has laid out sweeping plans to “Make America Healthy Again.” But how he’ll implement his far-reaching agenda remains to be questionable.

Kennedy's proposals ranged from gutting parts of the Food and Drug Administration to removing fluoride from the water supply.

While it remains to be unclear whether he’ll hold a proper position in Donald Trump's Cabinet or function an adviser, here’s a take a look at the viability of Kennedy's key ideas.

Vaccinations

Kennedy has an extended history of vaccine skepticism and has repeatedly suggested a link between childhood vaccinations and autism, a claim that is just not proven through scientific studies. In 2018 he has founded the Children's Health Defense Fund, a corporation skeptical of childhood vaccinations.

Howard Lutnick, co-chair of the Trump-Vance transition team, said on CNN In the week before the election, Kennedy called for federal data to prove that vaccines must be pulled from the market. Kennedy appeared to melt this stance in an interview He told NBC on Wednesday that he has never been an anti-vaxxer.

“If vaccines work for someone, I won’t take them away,” he said. “People should have a choice, and that choice should be based on the best information.”

Lawrence O. Gostin, a health law and policy expert at Georgetown University, said in an interview with CQ Roll Call that the president doesn’t have the authority to ban vaccines.

Under the Constitution, states have the authority to make public health decisions, equivalent to requiring vaccinations in schools, which may very well be a very important guideline through the Trump administration, Gostin said. He said that if the FDA decided to withdraw a vaccine from the marketplace for political reasons, even a conservative Supreme Court would likely overturn the choice since the FDA has clear legal authority to review the protection and effectiveness of vaccines.

Instead, Trump's major influence on vaccination policy would likely come through agency staffing, Gostin said. For example, Trump could appoint loyalists to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key panel within the CDC's process for making vaccination recommendations.

“There's a lot of latitude that an administration has so that it doesn't need support from Congress to change the way things are organized, to change the focus,” says Jennifer Kates, senior vp and director of the worldwide health and HIV policy program at KFF, said during a briefing with reporters on Friday.

Members of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are elected from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Trump White House could have an identical influence on the FDA's vaccine advisory committee, Kates said.

“This committee could be replaced by other representatives on this committee and people who might, for example, have a more positive opinion on the RFK's concerns about vaccines,” she said.

The FDA's advisory committees make recommendations to the agency about whether vaccines are secure and effective. The HHS Secretary legally has the ultimate decision, although in practice he has historically had no influence over individual approvals.

Trump and Kennedy also had wide latitude to decide on details about vaccines, Gostin said.

“It would really destroy trust in public health authorities,” he said.

Agency restructuring

Kennedy's plans to abolish or restructure parts of the federal health agencies could represent significant power for the president, Gostin said.

During Wednesday's NBC interview, Kennedy suggested eliminating the agency's nutrition divisions, citing concerns concerning the high ingredient count of processed foods just like the Froot Loops cereal.

“In some categories, there are entire departments, like the FDA's nutrition departments, that have to go and don't do their jobs. They are not protecting our children,” he said. He didn’t say whether he would restaff, restructure or eliminate the departments entirely.

The FDA has spent nearly two years restructuring its food inspection activities, triggered by the 2022 infant formula shortage that began after contamination problems were discovered at an Abbott nutrition factory in Sturgis, Michigan.

Under the brand new organizationThe agency combined functions of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition with its Office of Food Policy and Response to form its latest “Human Foods Program,” led by a single Human Foods Commissioner. The move was intended to streamline communication and decision-making, problems identified within the agency's response to the infant formula shortage.

But Kennedy could reverse that. He hinted at firing agency officials who disagreed together with his vision and warned FDA employees on Oct. 25 tweet “Pack your bags.”

Gostin said Trump could also gain broad power over agency structure, either by cutting funding or reorganizing parts of the CDC, the National Institutes of Health and the FDA. However, he said some agency centers, equivalent to the FDA's Tobacco Products Center, are designated by Congress. In that case, the president wouldn’t find a way to abolish it without working with Congress to vary the statute.

“Another guardrail is the fact that we have an enormous number of scientific professionals who have public service and whistleblower protections and would fight tooth and nail,” Gostin said.

Industry interests

Kennedy has claimed that federal agencies have develop into “sock puppets” for industrial interests, and he has promised to vary that. In recent months, he has spoken out about conflicts of interest amongst NIH grantees and said the FDA is controlled by big corporations.

“These conflicts have turned our regulators into predators against the American people and especially our children,” he said at a roundtable last month.

NIH data obtained from ProPublica In 2019, it was revealed that NIH researchers had disclosed greater than 8,000 “significant” financial contributions from industry and academia totaling $188 million since 2012.

The FDA receives about half of its annual budget from user fees paid by industry sponsors once they request FDA review of their product. The FDA was issued for the primary time This authority is governed by the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the primary version of which was passed in 1992. The agency has similar programs for generic drugs, biosimilars, medical devices and tobacco.

It is unclear what, if anything, would replace the user fee program funds if Kennedy sought to eliminate this system. The user fee program has provoked criticism by some who say it gives industry an excessive amount of influence over agency affairs. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has already said He would like that Congress provide sufficient funding in order that the FDA wouldn’t need to depend on user fees to operate.

Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives on the University of Pennsylvania, said Kennedy's concerns about industry influence on health officials are legitimate.

“The conflict of interest of people making recommendations, that’s right,” Emanuel said. “But I think he framed it in a whole worldview full of conspiracy theories, experts are always trying to deceive people, that’s just completely wrong.”

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Originally published: November 11, 2024 at 8:09 am PST

SANTA CLARA – The aftermath of the Super Bowl for the 49ers, an emotionally draining offseason stuffed with contract issues and a horrific life-threatening incident gave method to regular-season practice Tuesday morning.

After a four-day break, the players reconvened for a one-hour session, and it was a who's who of stars in attendance.

Here is a standing report on the important thing people of interest:

Running back Christian McCaffrey: His wrists were bandaged, his white cleats looked fresh and he gave a pre-practice handshake as he dressed for his first workout since suffering a calf strain on Aug. 4. McCaffrey had been figuring out on the side in recent weeks to defend his NFL rushing title. Despite suffering a calf strain within the second-to-last game of last 12 months's regular season at Washington, he didn’t appear to be affected through the playoffs.

Left Tackle Trent Williams: Williams donned his No. 71 jersey again for his fifteenth NFL season, showed up for practice, tied his cleats with the assistance of an equipment cart after which exchanged bear hugs with running backs coach Bobby Turner and strength coach Dustin Perry. His private jet arrived from Houston at 3:34 a.m. while his agent, Vincent Taylor, finalized the contract details that may end his strike that has cost him greater than $4 million in fines.

Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk: A very dynamic move? That's what it looked like within the 5-minute media window as he zigzagged through his teammates within the stretch line. The agreement on a normal contract extension (4 years, $120 million) last Thursday brought the 49ers' best receiver back to the team since 2023.

Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall: Just three days after being shot within the chest by an attempted robbery in Union Square, Pearsall is on the 49ers facility, and coach Kyle Shanahan briefly chatted with him outside the load room as practice began. The rookie just isn’t practicing and has been suspended for at the very least the primary 4 games. He was also within the 49ers weight room on Monday, talking with team members concerning the incident, radio analyst Tim Ryan said on KNBR 680-AM. Pearsall was released from San Francisco General Hospital a day after the incident, and the 49ers placed him on the reserve/non-football injured list on Monday.

Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings: He has returned to training after his preseason and training time were cut short two weeks ago on account of an oblique injury.

Running back Isaac Guerendo: The rookie speedster continues to work part-time. He was held out of shape after suffering a groin strain in his preseason debut, wherein he accomplished a 93-yard kick return. A hamstring injury in the primary practice of camp kept him out of shape for 4 weeks.

Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos: He has not been seen at practice since injuring his right knee within the last preseason game on August 23, putting his regular-season debut for the 49ers in query.

Cornerback Isaac Yiadom: He could be the 49ers' third cornerback practicing, a positive sign after his return last week from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly two weeks.

Left Guard Aaron Banks: He is recovering from surgery on the little finger of his left hand three weeks ago and has been unable to coach since.

* * *

NEW NUMBERS

0: Cornerback Renardo Green

6: Security Malik Mustapha

19: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing

31: Running back Isaac Guerendo

81: Wide receiver Trent Taylor (practice squad)

84: Wide receiver Terrace Marshall (practice squad)

* * *

NOTES

On the 49ers roster, rookie Jacob Cowing is listed because the 49ers' punt returner with Ronnie Bell as his backup. The 49ers have Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo and Bell on the roster as kick returners.

Linebacker DaShaun White was signed to the practice squad; wide receiver Tay Martin was released.

Originally published: September 3, 2024 at 11:13 am

A six-year-old girl lost one in every of her white Adidas lace-up sneakers as she and her 21 classmates practiced fleeing for his or her lives after an imaginary intruder entered their school.

The girl's teacher asked her to proceed walking without her shoe, then grabbed it herself and gave it back to the girl once the category had settled into their designated protected place.

The girl recently recounted losing her shoe on her morning automobile ride to high school. This was just one in every of several examples through which the girl or her siblings described what they need to do—run “to that fence,” “across that field,” or “into that woods”—if an intruder entered their school constructing.

I do know this story since the girl is my daughter.

In the quarter century for the reason that Columbine High School massacre of April 20, 1999, a whole generation of youngsters, including my very own, lived under the specter of school-related gun violence. More recent tragedies, equivalent to people who occurred, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in December 2012 and Robb Elementary School in Texas in May 2022 display the continued nature of this threat.

Unfortunately, gun violence is on the forefront of all contemporary American education. Rampage and burglary exercises have change into standardnot only for my children, but for just about all American school children.

I’m concerned in regards to the incontrovertible fact that preparedness drills – just like the one through which my daughter temporarily lost her shoe – sometimes Cause harm to studentsFor example, a recent study showed that energetic intruder drills can result in: Sorrow and fear for college kids. In one other case, one in every of these exercises led to Hysteria and mass panic in a Florida school when students tried to flee from their alleged intruder. Students and teachers alike experienced fear on the announcement of an actual threat that there was “no exercise.”

As Researcher in developmental and academic psychology – and as Faculty member training future teachers – I understand the necessity for schools to make sure the security and protection of the country’s 55 million school-age young peopleBut isn't there a greater technique to protect children within the post-Columbine era?

I’m not the just one asking this query. A brand new initiative by the National Academies was created to evaluate the impact of college shooting drills on student health and well-being and to discover best practices for preparing schools to reply to threats of violence.

A have a look at the trends

To gain insight into the prevalence of gun violence in schools, my colleagues and I conducted a study on School shootings and mass shootings at schools that took place in American K-12 schools from 1997 to 2022. We used two public databases to count School shootings And Mass shootings at schools which took place every school yr.

School shootings were defined in our study as “any single incident in which a weapon is drawn or fired for any reason, or a bullet strikes school property, regardless of the number of victims, the time of day, or the day of the week.” Mass school shootings were defined as people who occurred at an elementary or highschool and met the federal definition of a mass shooting in effect on the time of the shooting: 4 or more victims killed through December 2012, or three or more victims killed starting in January 2013.

During the 25 school years we studied, 1997-2022, there have been 1,453 school shootings. More than half of them, 794, occurred within the last five years, 2017-2022. Our analyses found a sharp increase in class shootings after 2017with the variety of shootings rising from a then-record high of 89 within the 2017-2018 school yr to 328 within the 2021-2022 school yr.

While the number of college shootings has increased dramatically lately, the number of college mass shootings has not increased at the identical rate—although they’ve change into deadlier. In total, 11 mass school shootings occurred between the 1997-1998 and 2021-2022 school years, leading to a complete of 126 deaths and 122 injuries. Five of those mass school shootings occurred throughout the 1997-2012 school years, while six occurred throughout the 2012-2022 school years. Yet the fatality rate has nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from 7.6 deaths per mass shooting throughout the 1997-2012 school years to 14 deaths per mass shooting throughout the 2012-2022 school years.

Efforts to maintain students as protected as possible are of the utmost importance. Of course, I would like my children's schools to do every part they will to guard their students. Many of the present student safety measures – equivalent to the appointment of School representative – have not proven to stop school shootings or reduce the severity of college shootingsregarding injury or death in the event that they occur.

Gunshot wounds at the moment are the Most common explanation for death amongst children and adolescents within the United States. While school shootings and mass shootings account for under a portion of gunshot injuries amongst school-age youth, gun violence – including school-related gun violence – is a Public health crisis. As such Public health approach is deserved.

Building on research

I see no less than 3 ways schools and communities might help reduce gun violence in and around schools:

1: Educate parents and families about protected gun storage.

Educators and health care providers locally – including Pediatricians, general practitioners and psychotherapists – can take part in counselling families, Safe storage of firearmsHealthcare providers may work to grasp Laws to guard against extreme risks In their states, such laws allow them to coordinate with law enforcement to remove firearms from private homes when an individual is identified who may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others.

2: Use evidence-based, school-wide approaches to advertise school safety.

School safety could be supported by evidence-based approaches, equivalent to Positive behavioral interventions and supportthat goals to enhance school practices that impact student outcomes. This positive approach could be used to proactively address the social, emotional and behavioral needs and promote safety in schools. This approach also allows school personnel to watch and manage students' mental health needs, address school-wide behavior and discipline issues, and promote a protected school climate. Accordingly, it will possibly help reduce potential threats of student gun violence.

3: Support laws and regulations on gun safety and violence prevention.

Community members, including parents and teachers, in addition to policy makers can support Gun safety laws, evidence-based violence prevention practices and regulationsFor example, child access protection laws – laws that penalize gun owners when children have access to firearms – Gunshot wounds And Carrying weaponsand thus contribute to safety in and around schools.

Hope for the longer term

The National Institute of Justice has made it a priority to support recent research examining gun violence and mass shootings, including research on the effectiveness of college campaigns to coach families about protected gun storage.

These efforts will provide essential recent insights into how Preventing gun violence in schools.

While my very own children and tens of millions of other children attending school within the United States today proceed to face the specter of gun violence in schools, I hope that future generations will experience school without fear of somebody showing up at their school with a gun.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Keith Powers, 32; James Corden, 46; Kristen Wiig, 51; Ty Burrell, 57.

Happy birthday: Formulate a long-term plan but keep your intentions secret or an imitator will take credit to your ideas. Start your plans if you find yourself sure you might have left nothing out. You might be praised for the ingenuity, substance and flair you bring to your presentation. Nothing worthwhile happens overnight. Your patience and practice can pay off this 12 months and commitment will result in stability. Your numbers are 6, 18, 23, 27, 32, 39, 45.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Consider situations rigorously. Don't leave anything to likelihood or others. Be responsible and do every thing you’ll be able to to be certain that you give it your all and do your best. Pay attention to how you are feeling mentally and physically and adjust what’s obligatory to make sure your safety. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Change might be difficult on a social level, but in case you stay true to yourself and approach the matter truthfully, you’ll weather the storm and emerge victorious. Trust your instincts, do your research thoroughly, and don't damage your repute or your financial resources. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20): Unexpected changes might be difficult to manage. Distance yourself from what’s unfolding and you’ll gain clarity on how one can respond. A controlled situation might be easier to handle and it should be easier to assist those you’re keen on. Stay calm and move forward and something good will occur. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Assess situations using your intuition and investigative tactics, and also you'll discover a option to turn whatever happens into something that works well for you. A singular approach to an old idea will transform it into something marketable. Put your energy where it counts, and the rewards will follow. 2 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Gather all of the facts before drawing conclusions. Someone will present an unrealistic version of a situation, which may result in a costly mistake. Invest effort and time in something you think in and that doesn’t rely on the reliability of others. 5 stars

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Stay calm, observe, and judge in your next move. It's essential to grasp the dynamics and personalities of every situation before getting involved in anything that may affect your position, funds, or repute. Show commitment. 3 stars

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22): A change of scenery will encourage you to see situations otherwise. Participate in events or activities that stimulate your mind and get your body in shape. The results will prepare you for a meaningful move that may pave the way in which for brand spanking new people, places and perspectives. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Doing something you've never tried before will spark your creative imagination and encourage you to embark on a brand new adventure. Spending time with someone different from yourself will broaden your interests and horizons, changing your perspective on life, love, and happiness. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Share only what’s obligatory. The less information you give away, the better it’s to maintain a low profile and achieve your goals. Create opportunities and construct a solid foundation to your plans. Trust your instincts and be cautious of what others do or say. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): Put your emotions aside and listen and observe. Let your actions be your voice once you might have gathered enough information to make an intelligent decision. Changing your plans will bring you closer to someone you’re keen on and respect. Let them come to you and you’ll gain security. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18): Reflect in your financial situation and consider how you’ll be able to improve it by improving your skills or using them otherwise. Don't be distracted or confused by the changes around you. Focus on what you’ll be able to achieve and who will support your efforts. A partnership looks promising. 4 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Don't get worked up or let anyone play together with your feelings. Set high standards and you’ll discover that precious people will meet your demands. Love can’t be bought, but you’ll be able to win hearts through loyalty and commitment. 3 stars

Birthday child: You are capable, precise and curious. You are attentive and intuitive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start latest projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Curious Kids is a show for teenagers of all ages. If you will have an issue you'd like an authority to reply, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

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How do you define love? Is it a alternative or a sense? – Izzy, 11, Golden, Colorado

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Love is confusing. People within the US google the word “love” over 1.2 million times a month. About 1 / 4 of those searches are: “what is love“ or request a “Definition of love.”

What is all this confusion about?

Neuroscience teaches us that love is influenced by certain Chemicals within the brainFor example, once you meet a special person, the hormones dopamine and noradrenaline trigger a reward response it makes you wish to see that person again. Like tasting chocolate, you wish more.

Your feelings are the results of these chemical reactions. In the presence of a crush or best friend, you might be more likely to feel excitement, attraction, joy, and affection. You glow after they walk into the room. Over time, chances are you’ll feel security and trust. The love between parent and child feels different, often a mixture of affection and care.

But are these feelings, brought on by chemical reactions in your brain, all that constitutes love? If so, then love appears to be something that mostly happens to you. You have as much control over falling in love as you do over by chance falling right into a hole – not much.

As a Philosopher who explores loveI’m all in favour of the various ways through which people have understood love throughout history. Many thinkers have believed that love is greater than just a sense.

More than a sense

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato believed that love could create feelings akin to attraction and pleasure which can be beyond our control. But these feelings are less essential than the loving relationships They decide to create lifelong bonds between individuals who help one another change and change into the perfect they might be.

Similarly, Plato’s student Aristotle held the view that relationships based on feelings akin to lust were widespread, but less good for humanity than Relationships based on goodwill and shared virtuesThe reason for that is that Aristotle believed that relationships based on feelings only last so long as the emotions last.

Imagine you begin a relationship with someone you will have little in common with, aside from that you simply each enjoy playing video games. If certainly one of you not enjoys gaming, the connection would not hold together. Since the connection is built on pleasure, it can fade once the pleasure is gone.

Compare this to a relationship where you don't need to be together for some shared pleasure, but since you admire one another for who you might be. You want the perfect for one another. This sort of friendship, built on shared virtues and goodwill, will last for much longer. These sorts of friends will support one another as they modify and grow.

Both Plato and Aristotle believed that love is greater than just a sense. It is a bond between individuals who admire one another and due to this fact decide to support one another over an extended time frame.

Maybe love isn't completely out of your control in any case.

Celebrate individuality and “stand for love”

Contemporary philosopher J. David Velleman also believes that love might be separated from “the preferences and desires“ that include it – those butterflies in your stomach. Because love shouldn’t be just a sense. It is a special form of attention that celebrates an individual's individuality.

Velleman says Dr. Seuss described what it means to have a good time an individual's individuality thoroughly when he wrote, “Come on! Open your mouth and shout to the heavens! Shout at the top of your lungs: 'I AM ME! ME! I AM ME!'” When you’re keen on someone, you have a good time them since you appreciate the “I AM ME” that they’re.

You may improve in love. Social psychologist Erich Fromm thinks that love is a Skill that requires practice: what he calls “being in love”. When you might be in love, you behave in a certain way towards an individual.

Just as you learn to play an instrument, you can even change into higher at loving with patience, focus and discipline. Because love also requires other skills like attentive listening and presence. As you improve these skills, you can even change into higher at loving.

If that's the case, then love and friendship are different from the emotions that accompany them. Love and friendship are bonds which can be formed through skills that one desires to practice and improve.

Does this mean that you may be in love with someone you hate or force yourself to be in love with someone you will have no feelings for in any respect?

Probably not. Philosopher Virginia Held explains the difference between perform an activity and take part in an exercise than simply performing some work versus performing some work while enforcing values ​​and norms.

Compare a math teacher who mechanically solves an issue on the board with a teacher who provides students with an in depth explanation of the answer. The mechanical teacher performs the activity – presents the answer – while the engaged teacher participates within the classroom practice. The engaged teacher implements good teaching values ​​and standards, for instance, by making a fun learning environment.

Loving in the identical way is a practice. It shouldn’t be only a set of activities that one performs. Truly loving means doing those activities while living loving values ​​and norms akin to empathy, respect, vulnerability, honesty and, if Velleman is true, celebrating an individual for who they are surely.

How much control do you will have over love?

Is love more of a sense or a call?

Think about what happens once you break up with someone or lose a friend. If you understand love only by way of the emotions it creates, the moment those feelings disappear, change, or are placed on hold by something like a move or a brand new school, love is over.

On the opposite hand, if love is a bond you select and practice, it takes far more than the disappearance of feelings or changes in life to finish it. You or your boyfriend is probably not together for a number of days, or chances are you’ll move to a brand new city, but love can remain.

If this understanding is correct, then love is something you will have more control over than it may appear. Loving is a practice. And like every practice, it involves activities you’ll be able to do – or not do – like spending time together, listening, and being present. In addition, practicing love involves implementing the appropriate values, like respect and empathy.

While chances are you’ll not give you the chance to manage the emotions that include love, the way in which you’re keen on someone is basically in your hands.

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NFL

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is officially putting his Achilles tendon tear behind him.

The New York Jets quarterback has no restrictions as he practices with the team during organized team activities that began Monday.

“He does everything,” coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.

Rodgers, 40, tore his left Achilles tendon in his fourth debut with the Jets within the season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 11. He moved forward together with his rehabilitation with the intention of returning at the tip of last season, but decided to desert those plans when New York was eliminated from playoff contention and he was still not 100% healthy.

Rodgers as an alternative focused on being fully ready for this season – and he appears to be well on his technique to doing so.

“He has no limitations and looks good,” Saleh said. “The arm talent is obviously still there. It's really just a matter of getting used to everything again. We're trying a lot of new things too. It's just about continuing to develop within the offensive line.”

Saleh said during offseason workouts earlier this month that the Jets expected Rodgers to be freed from restrictions after OTAs began.

On Tuesday, Saleh said whether Rodgers is 100% healthy is a greater query for the quarterback to reply, but added: “As far as we're concerned, his performance and his ability, there are no limitations for us. I ask him to do it at practice.”

Rodgers' return has fueled optimism among the many Jets, who were considered playoff contenders a 12 months ago – with talk of a Super Bowl appearance suggested by the quarterback and his teammates.

New York, which has the longest energetic playoff drought within the NFL at 13 seasons, is again named among the many teams considered contenders. The league's schedulers also value the team very highly and have scheduled the Jets for six prime-time night games in the primary eleven weeks.

Mike North, the NFL's vp of broadcast planning, said last week, “I feel like the Jets kind of owe us something” after the team scheduled five prime-time games and Rodgers was injured in Week 1.

“It’s New York, there will always be excitement,” Saleh said. “It's great that we are viewed in this light. But at the same time, none of it matters unless we focus on the process, take it day by day and try to do the best we can.”

SANTA CLARA – Organized team activities are going down on the 49ers practice fields outside Levi's Stadium.

This final phase of the offseason program stays voluntary, so fans shouldn’t be alarmed if key veterans are still training on their very own elsewhere or recovering from injuries sustained during last season's Super Bowl.

Since the primary OTA training takes place behind closed gates on Monday, reporters is not going to have the opportunity to attend until Tuesday afternoon. One player at the highest of everyone's checklist is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

As of Monday afternoon, neither Aiyuk's agent, Ryan Williams, nor the 49ers would confirm whether Aiyuk was in Santa Clara. The 49ers typically avoid listing which players are participating in workouts until the beginning of the regular season, and that's very true for voluntary workouts like OTAs.

Until an extension is reached, Aiyuk is predicted to play on the team's fifth-year, $14.1 million option on his rookie contract.

Regardless of who is perhaps absent during a contract break, OTAs will not be a deadline for contract extensions like Aiyuk expects.

The 49ers' business method is to reward these deals later in the summertime, normally firstly of coaching camp in late July.

In each of the last 4 seasons, a 49ers Pro Bowler has signed an extension late within the offseason, and last yr the extension didn't come until just before the season opener:

Tight End George Kittle: August 13, 2020 (5 years, $75 million)

Linebacker Fred Warner: July 21, 2021 (5 years/$95 million)

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel: July 31, 2022 (3 years/$72 million)

Defensive End Nick Bosa: September 6, 2023 (5 years/$170 million)

If the 49ers report back to training camp on July 24, as expected, that will likely be an important date to debate any contract disputes.

The 49ers have several key players entering the ultimate season of their current contracts: Aiyuk; cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir; linebacker Dre Greenlaw; safety Talanoa Hufanga; and guards Aaron Banks and Jon Feliciano.

Ward, a first-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro last season, spoke about his contract status on Kay Adams' “Up and Adams Show” Monday morning.

“I'm trying to get that bag, Miss Kay,” Ward said, noting that he’s in the ultimate yr of a three-year, $40 million contract. “I just have to go out there, have my best year, be better than last year. I'll leave it to its own devices. Hopefully I’ll get the bag next year.”

Ward is scheduled to receive a base salary of $12.6 million this season, the 49ers' third-highest mark behind wide receiver Deebo Samuel ($21 million) and left tackle Trent Williams ($20.1 million).

Ward also said he continues to get better from trunk surgery in February. Kittle can be recovering from similar surgery after the Super Bowl.