2.25 oz (67 mL) Martini (extra dry): 140 calories.


The amount of Calories in a martini cocktail can vary based on how you make it. A martini cocktail technically only has two ingredients, vodka and vermouth, so Calorie count depends on your proportions. GREY GOOSE® Vodka contains 66 Calories per 30 ml serving*. Try mixing up our Classic Dry Vodka Martini Cocktail recipe.


Vodka Martini Calories
Depending on the size of your cocktail, and the extras you mix in, one serving of a vodka martini is approximately 202 calories. Vodka martini calories can be much higher if the drink has more than the two basic liquors.
To figure out the calories in vodka, the first step is to determine the number of calories in one serving. In general, a 1-ounce serving of vodka has approximately 64.7 calories, according to the USDA FoodData Central. Vermouth is typically displayed in ounces when referencing nutrition information. One ounce of vermouth has about 47 calories. If one ounce is equal to 6 teaspoons, then 1 teaspoon of French vermouth has approximately 7.8 calories.
With those figures in mind, a regular-sized vodka martini has about 202 calories based on the following ingredients:
We Recommend
· 3 ounces of vodka
· 1 teaspoon of French vermouth
If you add garnishes, such as olives, the overall martini calories change. For example, 2 tablespoons of olives adds 25 calories, changing the total to 227 calories, according to the USDA FoodData Central. To give your cocktail a sweet touch, you can mix it up a bit with a few maraschino cherries. One maraschino cherry has 7.1 calories, according to USADA FoodData Central. Top your drink with two of these and your martini calories end up being 216 calories.


Coffee beans grow in the "Bean Belt," which includes regions near the equator in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.


Coffee is grown in over 70 countries across the world. It is traditionally grown along the “coffee belt” which sits in between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, this includes Central & South America, Central Africa, India, and SouthEast Asia. The largest producer is Brazil, who produce more than a third of the world's coffee. For the coffee plant to grow, the location needs to have the right altitude, weather and soil. Once all of these factors are met, the plant can begin to grow and produce the coffee beans that we love.


Where is coffee grown?
Coffee beans are grown on the coffee plant, or Coffea, a bush-like shrub that can grow as high as 8 metres tall. There are many different species of coffee plant, but the two most common are the “Arabica” and “Robusta” varieties. These produce the vast majority of the coffee that we know and love.
Coffee plants can live for up to 100 years, but tend to have their most productive phase between the ages of 5 and 20 years old. During this window, the plants start to bear cherry-like fruit. These fruit take around nine months to ripen, and they’re then ready to be picked for the crown jewels stored inside — two fully ripened coffee beans.
Of course, not every climate is suitable for growing the perfect bean — and that’s why in the UK, we tend to import most of ours. Productive coffee plants require highly specific conditions to grow, including:
· Warm temperatures (between 18ºC and 26ºC)
· Ample rainfall (1500mm-3000m/year)
· No frosts
· High altitudes (500-2500m)
· Protection against direct sunlight
· Few pests
· High-quality soil
The bean belt is the part of the world that runs along the equator and provides optimal conditions for growing coffee beans. It spans around 3200 miles from one end to the other, including countries from the three main coffee-growing regions: Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia.
Latin America
The Latin American climate offers optimal conditions for the growth of Arabica coffee, though it also produces some Robusta.
Central America is known for satisfyingly well-balanced coffees. Guatemala produces brews enjoyed for their bold and smoky flavours, using beans borne from rich volcanic soil. Costa Rica is another prolific producer, recognised for its clean, sweet-tasting blends with notes of citrus, honey and grape.
South American coffee is known for being slightly more mild-bodied and creamy. Brazilian coffees have a trademark nuttiness, while Colombian blends will delight the sweet tooth with notes of caramel.
Africa & The Middle East
Climates here are better suited for the growth of Robusta plants, which thrive at lower altitudes than Arabica. Robusta’s deep, complex flavour profile makes it a popular choice for espressos or black coffee — and it often boasts a higher caffeine content, too.
Full-bodied Kenyan coffee is one of the most popular regional exports, grown on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Kenyan brews are enjoyed for their vibrant mix of fruit and floral flavours, with hints of tartness reminiscent of tomato and wine. Elsewhere, Ethiopia — widely considered as the “birthplace” of coffee — offers up a smooth, rich blend with berry notes.
Asia
In contrast to sweeter western brews, Asian coffees are revered for their deep and bitter flavours. These are a result of the Robusta beans that are grown across Asian microclimates, offering lower acidity levels and less sweetness.
Between plantation hotspots such as Sumatra, Java, and Bali, Indonesia grows coffee beans that have a distinctly earthy quality, exuding herbal aromas and notes of dark chocolate. Meanwhile, Vietnam is well-regarded as the world’s second largest coffee producer, growing medium-bodied beans that offer the bold flavour and heightened caffeine content trademark of a Robusta brew.


Robots offer efficiency, precision, and the ability to perform repetitive or dangerous tasks, enhancing productivity and safety across various industries.


Robots provide numerous benefits across a wide range of industries and applications. They enhance efficiency by performing repetitive tasks with high speed and accuracy, reducing human error and increasing productivity. In manufacturing, robots handle tasks like assembly, welding, and packaging with precision and consistency. They are also valuable in hazardous environments, such as handling toxic substances, defusing explosives, or operating in extreme conditions, thereby ensuring human safety. Additionally, robots can work around the clock without fatigue, which improves operational efficiency. In healthcare, they assist in surgeries with precision or provide rehabilitation support. As automation advances, robots also help companies optimize resources, reduce costs, and focus human workers on more complex and creative tasks.


Robots have become a cornerstone of technological advancement, impacting various sectors from manufacturing to healthcare. As automation continues to evolve, the benefits that robots bring are becoming increasingly significant, driving efficiency, improving safety, and transforming how we live and work. This article explores the key benefits robots provide and how they are reshaping industries.
1. Increased Efficiency and Productivity
One of the most prominent advantages of robots is their ability to perform repetitive tasks with speed and accuracy, far surpassing human capabilities. In manufacturing, robots are used for tasks like assembling products, welding parts, and packaging goods with remarkable precision. Unlike human workers, robots can operate 24/7 without breaks, leading to a continuous production process that boosts output and reduces downtime. This increased efficiency allows businesses to meet higher demand and stay competitive in a global market.
2. Enhanced Quality and Consistency
In industries where precision is crucial, robots excel at delivering consistent results. They are programmed to execute tasks with the same level of accuracy every time, minimizing errors and ensuring uniform quality. For instance, in the automotive industry, robots are used in assembling components that require exact measurements and flawless execution. This consistency is difficult to achieve with manual labor, making robots an indispensable asset in quality control.
3. Improved Safety in Hazardous Environments
Robots are instrumental in performing tasks that pose risks to human workers. In environments where exposure to toxic chemicals, high temperatures, or dangerous machinery is common, robots take on these roles to ensure human safety. For example, in mining, robots can be deployed to explore and extract minerals in areas too dangerous for humans. Similarly, robots are used in bomb disposal and nuclear decommissioning, where the risk of harm is high. By taking over these hazardous duties, robots protect human lives while ensuring the work gets done efficiently.
4. Cost Savings and Resource Optimization
While the initial investment in robotics can be significant, the long-term cost savings are substantial. Robots reduce labor costs by replacing manual jobs that are monotonous or prone to human error. Over time, the return on investment becomes evident as companies save on wages, reduce material waste, and increase production efficiency. In addition, the consistent output from robots means less rework and fewer defects, leading to savings in materials and resources.
5. Supporting Healthcare and Human Well-Being
The integration of robots in healthcare has opened up new possibilities in medical treatment and patient care. Surgical robots, for instance, assist doctors in performing intricate procedures with enhanced precision, reducing the risk of complications. Rehabilitation robots help patients recover mobility and strength through guided exercises. Additionally, robots in elder care offer companionship and assistance to seniors, allowing them to maintain independence and improve their quality of life. As healthcare systems face growing demands, robots play an increasingly vital role in addressing challenges such as staff shortages and improving patient outcomes.
6. Fostering Innovation and Economic Growth
The adoption of robotics drives innovation by enabling new business models and encouraging technological advancements. Robotics and automation have led to the creation of smart factories, where interconnected systems and machines work together seamlessly. This digital transformation not only improves efficiency but also opens doors for new products, services, and markets. Economies that invest in robotics often see growth in high-tech industries and job creation in fields such as robotics engineering, software development, and maintenance.
7. Enabling Human Workers to Focus on Complex and Creative Tasks
Robots excel at handling repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up human workers to engage in more complex and creative endeavors. In industries such as logistics, robots take care of tasks like sorting packages, allowing human employees to focus on problem-solving, customer service, and strategic planning. By automating routine tasks, companies can harness the full potential of their workforce, leading to more innovative solutions and a more satisfied workforce.


A liquid is a state of matter, a solution is a homogeneous mixture.


In the language of science, a liquid is not a substance. It is the state of a substance. Single pure substances(elements and compounds) like mercury, bromine, water etc. exist in liquid state under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. Aqueous mixtures like salt solution, sugar solution, copper sulphate solution,etc. also exist in the liquid state. So, a substance in the liquid state may be an element or a compound or a mixture (both homogeneous as well as heterogeneous ).


Liquid vs Solution
All of us are aware of liquids that that are examples of one of the three phases that matter exists in (plasma is the fourth phase). Liquids are characterized by their ability to flow and their ability to take the shape of the container in which they are placed. Water is the best example of liquids and also of solutions that is a sub category of liquids. A solution is formed when something is added or dissolved in a liquid. You make a solution when you add salt or sugar to a glass of water. Are you aware of the differences between a liquid and a solution that appear similar to you? Let us find out in this article.
As a long as a liquid is made up of a single substance, it remains pure and is called a liquid. When something is added to it, it becomes a solution. A solution is defined as a homogeneous mixture of substances with variable composition. When you add some sugar to water, water is in greater proportion than sugar and is called solvent while sugar which is in smaller proportion is called solute. One can add many solutes in a solution like you can add salt to the same solution of water and sugar. One can get a solution because of the property of the solutes to dissolve in water. While there are mixtures that are heterogeneous (like concrete with components not uniformly distributed throughout the mixture) solutions are homogenous as they have uniform composition and properties.
There are many other properties of solutions apart from homogeneity. Constituents of a solution do not separate on their own and pass through even fine filters unchanged. If you add some sugar to a glass of water and do not even stir water, sugar slowly dissolves in water occupying the empty intermolecular spaces in water. This process of dissolution of solutes in a solvent is similar to the process of diffusion as seen in gases.
There are many different types of solutions and if you thought that solutions contained solids in liquids only, think again. There are solutions of different liquids also in addition to solutions made up of all three, solid, liquid and gas. We are more aware of solutions of solids in liquids and liquids and liquids. But atmosphere is a very beautiful example of a solution of gases where nitrogen is the solvent while other important gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, neon, argon etc are in traces and water vapor also mixes in.
Solutions are called concentrated or dilute depending upon the percentage of solute in them. There is another property called solubility that tells how much of solute can be dissolved in a liquid. You can go on adding salt or sugar to a glass of water but there comes a time when the solution becomes saturated and more solute cannot be added to the solution.
Difference Between Liquid and Solution
• Though a solution of a solid in a liquid or of two liquids looks just like a liquid, there are difference between a pure liquid and a solution.
• A liquid is made of single type of molecules whereas a solution is made up of two or more types of molecules
• A solution is also a type of liquid though it is not a pure liquid
• A pure liquid is a state of matter while a solution is a homogeneous mixture of substances in a liquid form
• All basic properties of a liquid (such as boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure etc) change when it becomes a solution


Mount Everest is the tallest mountain above sea level.


The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest, sitting pretty at 8,848m in the Himalayas in Nepal. It's likely you already knew that. After all, ask 100 people in the world to name a mountain, and most will say Mount Everest.


The world’s tallest mountain is Mount Everest—a huge pyramid-shaped peak in the Himalaya Mountains. Part of it is in the country of Nepal and part is in Tibet. Scientists still debate exactly how tall Mount Everest is, but it is approximately 29,029 ft (8,848 m), which is about the altitude that jet planes fly. It is so high that there is only about ⅓ as much oxygen available to breathe as at sea level
Surprisingly, there are several other mountains that could also be called the world’s tallest mountain if you use a different way to measure. Mount Everest is the place where the Earth’s surface is the greatest distance from sea level. However, if you measured the mountain that is highest from top to bottom, in other words from its base on land to its highest point, then Mount McKinley in Alaska (also called Denali) would be the tallest. It rises about 18,400 ft/5,600 m from the ground below it. If you measured the mountain that is tallest from its base and included mountains that have a base underwater, then Mauna Kea in Hawaii would be the tallest. It is a volcano that has risen 33,464 ft/ 10,200 m/6.3 miles above the sea floor. One last mountain that could be considered the world’s tallest is Chimborazo in Ecuador. It is only 20,565 ft/ 6,268 m tall, but it is located at the Equator where the Earth swells out. So the summit of Chimborazo is over a mile further from the Earth’s center (3,967.1 miles/6,384.4 km) than the summit of Everest (3,965.8 miles/6,382.3 km).
During the spring of 2012, a team of climbers including an MSU scientist and several Montanans will be attempting to climb Mount Everest on the Everest Education Expedition. Your class can track the progress of the climbers and learn about the science of the region as the team sets out to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first American ascent of Everest. Follow along and join the adventure!


Berlin's center is located in the Mitte district.


Berlin Center, OH is home to Berlin Lake, one of Ohio’s largest inland lakes ideal for boating and fishing. It is also home to Mahoning County’s first winery, Mastropietro Winery & Sports Bar. Adjacent Bella Fattoria Bed & Breakfast, a charming old farmhouse, offers beautiful views of the vineyards.


Where is Berlin’s City Center?
Have you ever wondered where Berlin's City Center is? This article will approach that question from a geographical, historical, and functional point of view.
Berlin is Germany’s capital and most important urban center. With over three and a half million inhabitants in around 850 square kilometers, Berlin is a true European metropolis.
The German capital’s unique history makes it unlike any other city in the world.
Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Berlin has grown by incorporating surrounding towns and small cities in a process very similar to other European capitals its size.
But unlike any other capital on the planet, Berlin’s history took an unprecedented turn after World War II. After the defeat of Nazi Germany against the Allies, Berlin was divided among the four victorious powers, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States on one side and the Soviet Union on the other. This division would last more than 40 years.
These two factors make it difficult today to know which is the true city center of Berlin.
For example, an average Berliner would consider the Mitte district as the center of the city, and any area within the ring railway (Ringbahn) is considered central. But things are slightly more complicated than that.
Broadly speaking and for practical purposes, it could be said that, from a tourist’s point of view, the center of Berlin is any district located between the stations of Zoologischer Garten in the west and Alexanderplatz in the east. However, this simplification, in addition to being inaccurate, has some nuances. For example, the geographical center between both areas falls in the Tiergarten neighborhood and its large urban park. While a beautiful area, Tiergarten is a residential and diplomatic district with little commercial, gastronomic, or nightlife movement. Hardly de lively downtown district you’d come to expect from Berlin.
That said, if you’re interested in the question of what’s Berlin’s city center because you’re visiting and need a great district to stay in, don’t miss our article with the best areas to stay in Berlin.
From a historical point of view, the center of Berlin is located in the Nikolaiviertel (a small district next to what is now Museum Island) and its surroundings. It was here that Berlin was founded, and although Allied bombings during WWII and decades of soviet-style urbanism left few traces of medieval Berlin, it is still possible to glimpse some remains here and there.
As the city grew, Central Berlin expanded in all directions. Alexanderplatz would then become the official city center, while Friedrichstrasse, to the west of what is now Museum Island, was born as its main shopping street.
Decades before WWII, West Berlin was already characterized by its bourgeois character. The area around Kurfürstendamm street began to emerge as an upscale shopping alternative in the city, especially after the opening of the famous KaDeWe stores in 1907. Another Berlin city center was born.
With the Nazis, the Second World War, and the division of the German capital among the powers of the time, this two-center dichotomy grew even more pronounced.
The stark ideologic difference between the Western powers, which were assigned West Berlin, and the USSR, which controlled East Berlin, the subsequent creation of the German Democratic Republic, the exodus of people from East to West, and The Cold War culminated in the erection of the Berlin Wall, a physical border that would split Berlin in two.
Each side would form its own Berlin city center built in its image and ideals; a Capitalist city center in West Berlin and a Socialist utopia in the east. The train and U-Bahn lines that survived the war or were rebuilt were then cut or diverted to each hub.
While West Berlin saw the rise of Kurfürstendamm and the area around Zoologischer Garten station as the center of the capitalist city, the GDR did the same with Alexanderplatz, which was completely refurbished in the 60s to reflect the socialist ideal.
After the reunification of the capital in the early 1990s, the city has tried to cover the physical and metaphorical scars left by the Berlin Wall. Areas like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag have been completely refurbished with brand-new government buildings, Friedrichstrasse has lost all trace of Checkpoint Charlie (except for a hideous museum/tourist trap).
But perhaps the most radical change experienced by Berlin since reunification is around Potsdamer Platz. This area, south of Tiergarten and on the former east-west border, now holds a large number of shops, office skyscrapers, residential buildings, and the largest shopping center in Berlin.
You could even say that Potsdamer Platz is the center of modern Berlin.


Dry sausage is typically dried at 50-60°F (10-15°C) with 70-80% humidity.


Dry the sausages. Hang the sausages in the chamber and slowly allow them to dry. The ideal temperature and humidity varies from source to source, but we generally set our chamber at 55F and 70% humidity.


Common salt is certainly the key to the drying process and a quarter pound per 10 pounds of meat is a pretty commonly used ratio, but you must also use a curing salt which helps protect against some of the truly nasty food poisoning bugs such as Clostridium botulinum. This just loves the warm, oxygen-free centre of a curing sausage and produces the botulinum toxin which kills around 5% of people who contract the illness.
Sodium nitrite (often called pink salt) or sodium nitrate (Insta Cure #2 - which converts to nitrite over time in the sausage and the nitrite then does the actual curing) are two commonly available salts.
One-half ounce per 10 pounds of meat in addition to the regular salt is a commonly-used ratio. Don't use more and be sure to keep it away from kids and your regular salt - in quantity it is very dangerous.
Something else I always use in dried sausage (but not hams or bacon) is a live starter culture such as LS-25 or one of the various stains sold as Bactoferm. Added to your mix at two ounces per 10 pounds of meat with say three ounces of dextrose sugar and they will feed on the sugar and excrete lactic acid (just like the bacteria that you add to milk to make yogurt). This lowers the pH of the sausage which makes it even harder for dangerous bacteria to grow. It also produces that delicious acid tang to fermented sausage. If you use this, you hang the sausage in a really moist warm place for the first 24 hours to give the bacteria you added a head start (I have a tall old box with a lightbulb in the bottom).
As far as temperature and humidity goes, 60F and 70 percent humidity are ideal. Humidity below 60 percent can dry out the casing and meat surface too fast which can then harden and prevent the centre from drying (which will then just rot). You could try hanging the sausage above a bowl of water to increase the general humidity in the room.
Your sausage is ready when it has lost at least 30 percent of its original weight. Dry white mould on the casing is good, fuzzy black and green is bad. If you see a little you can rub it off with a cloth dipped in strong brine. Any sign that it is more than just on the surface and you'll have to bin the sausage and start again.
So to recap. Chill your 10 pounds of meat and mince it to your taste. (at least 20% fat gives good texture and flavour). Dissolve the LS25 in a little water and then add it, a quarter pound of salt, a half ounce of Insta Cure #2, up to a couple of ounces of spice of your choice (ground chilli and paprika for chorizo or fennel for something more Italian) a half ounce of finally chopped garlic, a glass of red wine and mix it really well. Then stuff into soaked casings, pricking out any air bubbles with a pin. Hang in a warm place for a day to get the good bacteria you added going, and then hang them in a cool, dampish place until the sausages have lost at least 30% of their weight.
I hope I haven't put you off - it's really as simple as baking a cake and homemade dried sausage is a tremendous thing of joy and beauty - but you really must get the ratios of salt and curing salt right.
If you want to be safe and make fabulous cured sausage I can absolutely recommend Cooking by Hand by Paul Bertolli and Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman & Brian Polcyn which are both available in the US and Europe from Amazon.
But please don't eat your current batch. Throwing it away won't hurt like paralysis that starts with the face and slowly descends to the rest of the body, bringing death by respiratory failure...


Over a billion people use Google each day.


Google caters to 8.5 billion searches every day, which is equivalent to 99,000 search queries every second.Google processes 8.5 billion searches daily; that’s 99,000 searches per second and 2 trillion searches annually.It takes an average of 36 seconds for Google to process a query and give results.Google Search has dominated the search engine market over the years, with a share of over 90%. This means 9 in 10 people worldwide prefer to use Google search over other search engines.


Google Search Statistics – 2024
What started as a research project back in 1996 has since become the biggest and most powerful search engine and a place where billions of people go for information. Be it the location of the nearest post office, or how nuclear reactors work, Google has it all. While there are numerous Google search statistics out there, we’ve compiled the most essential to give a broader perspective and help you craft your marketing strategy to benefit from the most powerful search engine in the world. So, read on and learn all about it.
Google Search Statistics (Editor’s Choice)
96.84% of the global mobile search traffic belongs to Google. (Statcounter)
The number of searches grows by 10% every year. (InternetLiveStats)
With 94.19%, India is the top Google-using country. (Statista)
77% of people use Google 3 times a day. (Moz)
20% of all Google searches are done by voice commands. (Google)
Every business that will spend $1 on Google ads will earn roughly $8. (Google)
Only 0.78% of people click something on Google’s page 2. (Backlinko)
Having a question in the meta title will raise the CTR for 14.1%. (Backlinko)
When it went public, Google was worth about $23 billion. (CNN, CNBC)
General Google Search Stats
1. There are 3.5 billion Google searches every day.
A person is doing a Google search almost every second. Breaking the number down, this means that the Google search volume is 145 million searches per hour, 2.4 million per minute, or over 40.000 every second.
(InternetLiveStats)
2. 96.84% of the global mobile search traffic belongs to Google.
Nine out of ten mobile internet users across the globe prefer the search engine for their daily mobile queries, according to Google search engine statistics. Chinese Baidu currently holds the second position with 1.09% of market share while the Russian search engine Yandex is used by 1% of mobile searchers. Yahoo (0.86%), Bing (0.51%), and DuckDuckGo (0.39%) make up the rest of the top five.
(Statcounter)
3. The Google market share of desktop search traffic stands at 85.44%.
Google’s share of searches originating from desktops and laptops has been mostly steady. Search engine statistics reveal it currently stands at 85.44%. Bing comes in second with 8.32% market share, followed by Yahoo (2.47%), Yandex (1.26%), DuckDuckGo (0.9%), and Baidu (0.63%).
4. The number of searches grows by 10% every year.
Google search popularity is growing by the day, and stats show that the number of searches rises by 10% every year. When Google was in its start-up phase back in 1998-1999, the year-on-year search volume increase had, at one point, reached an astonishing 17,000%.
(Internet Live Stats)
5. Google search engine stats confirm that the engine has around 15 exabytes of storage.
You don’t even know how big this number is, right? One exabyte is a number with 20 zeros behind it. To give some perspective, scientists think that the entire humankind has around 295 exabytes of information in total.
(XKCD)
6. With 94.19%, India is the top country in terms of Google usage.
Google search stats pinpoint India at the top of the list of countries where the majority of people use this search engine. India’s Google search traffic is not only high but is skyrocketing. A vast majority of the search queries are done on Google. The second place belongs to Brazil, where 92.5% of people use this search engine.
(Statista)
7. In the US, Google accounts for 92% of overall searches.
As you can see, the USA is not far behind India and Brazil in the list of countries where Google reigns supreme. Google search engine facts and stats by country say that this engine accounts for 92% of all searches stateside, and 96% of all mobile searches.


The evening is from around 6 PM to 9 PM.


The difference between afternoon and evening can sometimes be a bit confusing but more-or-less follows these rules. However, this explanation will discuss all times of day: Early Morning, Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Night.Times of day are relatively flexible as they overlap with each other. Nevertheless, the line between Afternoon and Evening are split at about 6:00pm, which is typically the time we eat dinner.


Afternoon vs. Evening: It's Time to Differentiate
The meaning of afternoon may seem simple. After all, the definition is in the name. However, the overlap between afternoon and evening can often lead to confusion.
Time Difference Between Afternoon and Evening
There is no exact time frame for the transition from afternoon to evening to night. Rather, evening begins around the time the sun sets in most places or when the typical business day ends, which is 5:00-6:00 p.m. Additionally, time and the rising and setting of the sun vary depending on time zones and whether you live north or south of the equator. Because of this, afternoon and evening are loose measurements of time that can vary in their meaning and usage.
afternoon - the time between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.
evening - the time between 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.
Afternoon and evening are times of day that have rough time frames. While some times of day are straightforward, others are more vague.
Meaning and Usage of "Afternoon"
Afternoon begins immediately after 12:00 p.m., which is often called noon. The end of the afternoon time period coincides with the time the sun sets or the business day ends. It can be used as either a noun or an adjective to describe when something is taking place.
This meeting is at 2:00 in the afternoon. (noun)
I’m just drinking my afternoon tea. (adjective)
It rained all afternoon. (noun)
When and How to Use "Evening"
Evening lasts from the time the sun sets until around 8:00-9:00 p.m. It is marked by twilight or dusk when daylight decreases. Like afternoon, it can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe the time of day you do a certain activity.
We have dinner at around 6:30 p.m. every evening. (noun)
I watch the evening news from 7:00-8:00 p.m. every day. (adjective)
She takes her evening walk every day from 5:30-6:00 p.m. (adjective)


Military suicide can be caused by PTSD, depression, and stress.


Combat exposure can increase the risk and intensity of psychological and behavioral disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse. These conditions increase the risk for suicide. This has led many to conclude that deployments and combat are directly causing the recent increase in military suicides. However, less than half of military personnel who die by suicide have ever been deployed or been in combat, meaning that for the majority of military suicides, deployment and combat could not be a cause.


According to the World Health Organization, almost one million people die by suicide every year, which is a global mortality rate of 10.7 per 100,000. In the United States (U.S.), someone attempts suicide every 31 seconds and an average of 1 person dies by suicide every 11.9 minutes, a rate of 13.3 per 100,000. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the country. An important consideration is that suicides have consistently been underreported for a variety of reasons. Experts have estimated that suicide incidence may be 10-15% higher than officially recorded.
The U.S. military reflects an important subset of the U.S. population with both shared and unique characteristics when compared to the U.S. population. Historically, military suicide rates have been lower than those rates found in the general population. Rising suicide rates among Service members and Veterans over the past decade have raised public and professional concerns. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. military. According to the calendar year 2015 Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) annual report, the standardized suicide rate was 20.2 per 100,000 for the Active component. For the Selected Reserves component, the rates were 24.7 per 100,000 for the Reserves and 27.1 per 100,000 for the National Guard.
A number of psychosocial factors are associated with suicide risk. The most common individual stressors identified for both military suicide decedents and military suicide attempts were relationship problems, administrative/legal issues and workplace difficulties. Other medical conditions that are associated with an increased risk for suicide include traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic pain, and sleep disorders. These conditions can contribute substantially to increased suicide risk in affected individuals. The most common method for suicide in the DoD is firearms, accounting for over 60 percent of all suicide deaths in the military.
Elevated suicide risk has been shown to endure well beyond military service, with Veterans carrying a much greater risk for suicide than their civilian counterparts. According to the Office of Suicide Prevention (2016), Veterans account for approximately 18% of all adult suicide deaths in the U.S. Interestingly, Veterans represent only 8.5% of the U.S. population, highlighting the disproportionate number of suicide deaths in this population. This means that approximately 20 Veterans die each day by suicide. Like Service members, the most common method for suicide among U.S. Veterans is firearms, accounting for over two-thirds of all Veteran suicides.
With the significant increased suicide rates in our military population, it is imperative that we provide evidence-based psychotherapies developed specifically to target suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP) is an evidence-based treatment recommended by the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patient’s at Risk for Suicide (2013). CT-SP is a structured, time-limited, present-focused approach that helps patients develop coping skills and strategies to overcome suicidal crises.
For a brief description of CT-SP, click here. CDP offers two-day training workshops in the assessment, prevention and treatment of suicidal thoughts and behavior using both in-person and live online formats. Click Upcoming Training Events to view future training opportunities and to learn how to how to register for a training event.


Frequent charging and extreme temperatures can shorten your battery life.


According to several studies, the average time we usually look at our smartphones is between 85 and 150 times a day. Sometimes it is simply to check the time, if we have no messages or notifications, and we put it back on the table. This is the same amount of times we turn on the screen. One of the options that we can configure in a smartphone is the time that it remains on standby before the screen dims and turns off. But if instead of having it programmed to turn off every minute or five minutes, we can reduce that frequency to between 10-20 seconds. The amount of time that the mobile will remain with the screen off will be longer, therefore it will consume less and we will have more battery time.


Are you wondering why your phone battery doesn’t last as long as it used to? If you pay attention, you may notice that the battery drains faster than normal when you don’t use your phone. This is frustrating, especially if you’re trying to get through the day with one charge!
The good news is there are simple ways to take better care of your phone and extend its life. Here are some mistakes you could make when charging your phone, which could shorten your smartphone’s battery life.
You’re Leaving Your Smartphone Plugged in at Night
You’ve heard of people who leave their phones plugged in at night. This is a bad idea. If you charge your phone overnight, your battery can overheat and become permanently damaged.
When your phone is plugged in and charging, it draws power from the outlet, which converts it into electricity to charge the battery. This process generates heat, and if your phone is in a case or on a soft surface like a bed or pillow, that heat can’t escape. This can cause your phone to overheat and potentially damage the battery.
Another reason not to leave your smartphone plugged in at night is that it can shorten the battery life. When you charge your phone overnight, you’re giving it a full charge, and that’s not necessary. A partial charge is all you need to keep the battery healthy, and charging it to 100% all the time can shorten its lifespan. So, to keep your phone healthy and avoid damaging the battery, don’t leave it in the charger while you sleep.
You Charge Your Phone in Extreme Temperatures
It’s tempting to charge your phone on a hot summer day, but you may be doing more harm than good.
If you live in a place where the temperature regularly gets up into the 90s (Fahrenheit) or higher, invest in an air conditioning unit to keep your phone safe. If this isn’t possible, at least don’t leave it lying around in the sun for long periods during the day. Likewise, don’t leave it on top of a car seat while you do other things.
On the flip side are cold temperatures. Even though they might seem like they might give your battery some extra juice, extreme cold drains batteries faster than normal temperatures. So, while charging up before heading out in winter may seem like a good idea, think again if that means leaving your phone outside for hours. If you must take your phone with you, keep it in an inner pocket where your body heat will stop it from getting too cold.
You Don’t Use the Charger That Comes with Your Phone
You might think charging your phone with a laptop or TV USB port will charge it faster, but it won’t. The charger that came with your phone is designed to work best with your phone, and using anything else can damage the battery. If your battery is damaged, you may have trouble getting a charge or keeping an already charged battery powered up. This is bad news because you know what happens when our phones run out of juice!
If you have an Apple iPhone, you need to use the charger that came with it and not another USB cable or adapter. You may think this won’t matter, but it does. Using the wrong charger can damage your battery and lead to it being unable to hold a charge for as long. Additionally, if you are using a lower quality or damaged charging cable, this can also damage your phone.
You’re Charging Your Smartphone Too Often
Your phone battery has a lifespan, like any other piece of technology. The more you charge it, the shorter its life will be. But there’s more. The higher you charge your phone’s battery, the faster it will die on you. So, if you’re going out for a long day and need to juice up your phone to 80%, go ahead and do so; but if it’s a short trip and all you need is an extra 10% of power? Don’t bother charging until you get back.
You Use Your Phone While You Charge It
It is not advisable to use your phone while charging it, as this can impact the charging process and potentially damage your phone. When you use your phone during a recharge, you’re using the battery and charging it simultaneously. This can strain the battery and shorten its lifespan. In short, it is best to avoid using your phone while it is charging to keep your phone in good condition.
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s easy to make mistakes when you charge your phone. But if you know the right things to do and avoid doing the wrong ones, you can ensure your battery will last a long time and help you stay connected. So next time you need to charge up, consider these tips and charge smartly.


Chinese noodles include lo mein, chow mein, rice noodles, and egg noodles.


Chinese noodles come in a variety of types, each with unique characteristics and culinary uses. Wheat noodles are a staple and include hand-pulled noodles, cut noodles, and extruded noodles like lo mein and chow mein. Egg noodles, which are made with wheat flour and eggs, are popular in dishes such as wonton noodle soup and chow mein. Rice noodles, made from rice flour and water, are common in soups and stir-fries, with variations like wide, flat noodles used in chow fun and thin vermicelli. Other types include glass noodles, made from mung bean or sweet potato starch, and chewy, thick noodles like udon, which are often used in soups. Each type of noodle offers distinct textures and flavors, making them versatile ingredients in Chinese cuisine.


If you walk down the noodle aisle of an Asian supermarket, chances are you’ll come across many types of Chinese noodles. Some are made from wheat, while others are made from rice, mung beans, or potatoes. Chinese noodles come in a dizzying number of varieties, sizes, and shapes. Thin, thick, narrow, and wide — the options are endless.
Origin of Noodles
Many believe that noodles were created in China. Records show its history dates back to Eastern Han Dynasty, around 3rd century BC – 3rd century AD. Noodles, made of wheat dough, became the staple food of many Chinese people. It was inexpensive, filling, and affordable. Since then, Chinese noodles have become an integral part of Chinese regional cuisines, and as they have evolved and developed over the years, other countries have also adopted them in their cuisine.
Types of Chinese Noodles
Mi Xian ( 米线 ) (Yunnan Rice Noodles)
Rice noodles come in different shapes, and the most common one is the round, spaghetti-like noodles called Yunnan rice noodles or mi xian. Originating from Yunnan province in southwest China, the noodles are often made fresh from a mixture of non-glutinous rice and water. There are many variations of Yunnan rice noodle dishes, and the most popular one is the Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodles (guoqiao mixian). The dish is made of chicken and pork stock infused with ginger and spices, topped with ground pork and pickled mustard greens. The noodles can also mix into cold salads or stir-fry with eggs, tomatoes, meat, spring onions, and chili.
Mi Fen ( 米粉) (Rice Vermicelli)
Rice vermicelli (mi fen) is a very fine noodle originating from southern China. Thin, brittle, and white, it’s often sold dried and in blocks in the Asian foods section of supermarkets. This type of noodle doesn’t really need to be cooked; it can be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, drained, then added to broths and stir-fries. The noodles are great at absorbing flavors, and they tend to be less oily. Rice vermicelli is also widely used in other parts of Asia, and it is served in different ways. In Hong Kong, it is simmered in broth with fish or beef balls; in the Philippines, it is used to make pancit bihon, a noodle dish that combines cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, peas, shredded chicken, shrimp, and pork, tossed in soy sauce and chicken stock. And it’s often used to make pad Thai.
He Fen (河粉 ) (Flat Rice Noodles)
This thick, flat variety of rice noodles is believed to have originated in Shahe, a town in Guangzhou province, southern China. Also called shahe fen, it is often dry-fried with meat and/or vegetables, like in the Cantonese dish chow fun, or cooked in a thick, starchy sauce. A thinner version, about half the thickness of the traditional rice noodles, is sometimes served in broths. Both variations are white and somewhat slippery. Made with rice flour and water, they are generally sold fresh in strips or sheets that may be cut to the desired width and length.
 Yin Zhen Fen ( 银针粉) (Silver Needle Noodles)
This noodle type has a white, semi-transparent color, a short length of about 5 centimeters long, and pointy ends. A popular dish among the Hakka Chinese, silver needle noodles (yin zhen fen) was originally made using cooked rice and water. As the mixture turned into a paste, it was shaped into strips. Wheat starch (sometimes with a mix of cornstarch/tapioca starch) was eventually introduced to substitute the rice paste, and as it produced a soft, chewy texture, the noodles became a hit among Cantonese people. They incorporated the noodles to their cooking, and today it can be used for stir-fries, soups, or tossed with a sauce of your choice.
You Mian (油面) (Oil Noodles)
Oil noodles (you mian) are tubular yellow strands served at street carts in Hong Kong. Known as chei zai mien, the noodles are relatively thick, bouncy, and go well with dry sauce. They are often sold fresh at specialty Asian markets and if you want to make them at home, the dough is simply made from a mixture of water, wheat flour, and salt. Egg whites or whole eggs are added as binding agents, along with corn oil and a preservative ingredient called sodium benzoate to maintain its freshness. The noodles are typically boiled for about 15 minutes and once cooked, transfer them to a bowl with oil and seasonings, and add your choice of cooked meat, broth, or vegetables. The noodles can be served hot or cold.


Metal can be used for construction, manufacturing, transportation, electronics, and a wide range of tools and products due to its strength, durability, and conductivity.


Metal is a versatile material used across numerous industries and applications due to its strength, durability, and conductivity. In construction, metals like steel and aluminum are essential for building infrastructure, including bridges, skyscrapers, and pipelines. In manufacturing, metals are used to produce machinery, tools, and automotive parts. The transportation sector relies heavily on metals for vehicles, airplanes, and ships. Metals like copper and gold are vital in electronics for wiring and circuit boards due to their excellent conductivity. Additionally, metals are used in household items, medical devices, and even art, making them fundamental to modern life.


Metals have played a crucial role in human civilization for centuries, and their importance continues to grow as industries evolve. From ancient tools to cutting-edge technology, metals are fundamental materials used in countless applications. This article explores the various uses of metals, highlighting their significance across industries, from construction and manufacturing to electronics and healthcare.
1. Construction and Infrastructure
One of the most prominent uses of metal is in construction. Metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper are essential in building infrastructure, including bridges, skyscrapers, roads, and pipelines. Steel, known for its strength and durability, is the backbone of modern architecture, enabling the construction of towering buildings and expansive bridges. Aluminum, valued for its lightweight yet strong properties, is commonly used in window frames, roofing, and facades. Metals also provide structural stability in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, making them indispensable in the construction sector.
2. Manufacturing and Machinery
The manufacturing industry heavily relies on metals for the production of machinery, equipment, and consumer goods. Metals are used to create automotive parts, aircraft components, and industrial machines. For example, iron and steel are widely used in making car bodies, engine parts, and shipbuilding. Aluminum and titanium, due to their lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, are commonly used in aerospace manufacturing. Metals are also essential in the production of tools, appliances, and heavy machinery, supporting various sectors from agriculture to mining.
3. Transportation and Automotive Industry
Metals are key materials in the transportation sector, forming the foundation of vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships. Steel is extensively used in car frames and engines, while aluminum is favored in the aerospace industry for its lightweight and fuel efficiency. Copper is vital in vehicle wiring and electrical systems due to its excellent conductivity. As the transportation industry shifts towards sustainability, metals play a crucial role in electric vehicle production, with lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in batteries that power electric cars.
4. Electronics and Technology
In the digital age, metals are at the heart of electronics and technology. Copper, gold, and silver are critical in electrical wiring, circuit boards, and connectors due to their high conductivity. Metals enable the transmission of electricity and signals in devices such as smartphones, computers, and home appliances. Additionally, rare metals like lithium, cobalt, and tantalum are essential components in batteries, microchips, and semiconductors. As technology continues to advance, the demand for these metals is expected to grow, driving innovation in fields like telecommunications, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.
5. Healthcare and Medical Devices
Metals have significant applications in healthcare, contributing to the development of medical devices, surgical instruments, and implants. Stainless steel and titanium are commonly used in surgical tools, prosthetics, and joint replacements due to their biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion. Gold and platinum are used in certain medical treatments and diagnostic equipment. Additionally, metals play a vital role in advanced medical technologies such as MRI machines, pacemakers, and dental implants. The durability and safety of metals make them ideal for medical applications, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of healthcare.
6. Energy Production and Utilities
Metals are crucial in the generation and distribution of energy. Copper, due to its excellent electrical conductivity, is widely used in power transmission lines, transformers, and electrical grids. Metals like steel and aluminum are also key components in the construction of wind turbines, solar panels, and hydroelectric dams. In the oil and gas industry, metals are used in drilling equipment, pipelines, and storage tanks. As the world transitions to renewable energy, metals will continue to be essential in the development of sustainable energy systems.
7. Art, Design, and Jewelry
Beyond industrial uses, metals have cultural and aesthetic significance. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are highly valued in jewelry-making due to their luster, rarity, and malleability. Artists and designers use metals to create sculptures, decorative items, and architectural details. The versatility of metals allows for intricate designs and durable finishes, making them ideal for both functional and ornamental purposes.


Symptoms of bad food include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.


Symptoms of food poisoning can vary depending on the source of contamination but generally include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. In some cases, individuals may also experience headaches, muscle aches, and dehydration due to fluid loss. Symptoms can appear within hours of consuming contaminated food or may take days to manifest, and their severity can range from mild discomfort to severe illness requiring medical attention. If you suspect food poisoning, it's important to stay hydrated and seek medical advice, especially if symptoms are severe or persistent.


Symptoms of Food Poisoning
KEY POINTS
The most common symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Signs of severe food poisoning include bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days, fever over 102°F, vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down, and signs of dehydration.
Symptoms
You can get sick with food poisoning after swallowing certain germs, like Salmonella or E. coli. Your symptoms may vary, depending on the germ you swallowed. Symptoms can range from mild to serious and can last for a few hours or several days.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:
Diarrhea
Stomach pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
If you have diarrhea or vomiting, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (not having enough water in your body).
Complications and when to seek help
Seek help
See a doctor if you have any symptoms that are severe, including:
Bloody diarrhea
Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
High fever (temperature over 102°F)
Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, and/or feeling dizzy when standing up
See your doctor if you are pregnant and have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. Some mild infections can cause problems with pregnancy.
Complications
Most people have mild illnesses, but some infections spread by food are serious or even life-threatening. Some people may need to be hospitalized, and some illnesses lead to other health problems, including:
Meningitis
Kidney damage
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure
Arthritis
Brain and nerve damage
For some people, these health problems can last for weeks or months after recovering from a foodborne illness. For others, they never go away.
Symptoms, sources, and germs
Some germs can make you sick within a few hours after you swallow them. Others may take a few days to make you sick. This table provides details about the symptoms caused by different germs, when they usually start, and common sources for those germs. Search the table for symptoms you are having.


Canada is known for rock, pop, folk, and indie music.


But this has been mutually beneficial since their music has helped to enrich the listening public, in general. Today, the music industry in Canada has become way more dynamic and it keeps expanding while further defining its own music identity. For example, the top genre in Canada in 2015 was listed as singer-songwriter/folk, with Alternative close behind and rock, pop, and country also being in the top five.


Canadian music genres identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music made by Canadians.[1] The music of Canada has reflected the multi-cultural influences that have shaped the country. First Nations people, the French, the British, the Americans and many others nationalities have all made unique contributions to the musical genres of Canada.[2][3] During the swing boom of the late 1930s and early 1940s, Canada produced such notable bandleaders as Ellis McLintock, Bert Niosi, Jimmy Davidson, and Mart Kenney. In the 1940s, Bert Niosi and Oscar Peterson became widely known. Canada has also produced a number of respected classical music ensembles, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Canadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, with the most notable Canadian rock band being Rush, who currently place fifth behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, KISS and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band.[4] The Canadian hip hop scene was first established in the 1980s. Some of the most well known Canadian rappers and hip-hop artists include Drake and Maestro Fresh-Wes.
Canadian country music used a more distinctly pronounced vocal style than American music, and stuck with more traditional ballads and narratives while American country began to use more songs about bars and lovers' quarrels. In the 1970s, chansonniers grew steadily less popular with the encroachment of popular rock bands and other artists. Some performers did emerge, however, including Jacques Michel, Claude Dubois, and Robert Charlebois. Saskatchewan-native Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential folk and popular music singer songwriters of the 20th century.[5] Chansonniers were French Canadian singer-songwriters from the 1950s and 1960s. They sang simple, poetic songs with a social conscience. The first chansonniers were La Bolduc, Raymond Lévesque and Félix Leclerc.
Gaining speed in the west of Canada, the electronic music scene grew rapidly within most major centres. Canadian artists have also had a significant impact on industrial music worldwide, and Canada is considered by many to be one of the birthplaces of modern industrial music, with bands such as Skinny Puppy. Going back to the late 1960s, Canada has produced metal bands that have and continue to influence metal bands to this day.[citation needed] Some of Canada's most successful metal bands opted to change their style from the early 1980s roots metal sound to the growing glam metal style that became mainstream in the late 1980s. [citation needed] Canada's death metal scene has produced artists most of whom are based out of Quebec. Bands from across Canada contribute to the punk rock and hardcore scenes. D.O.A. of Vancouver founded Canadian hardcore punk rock along with their American counterparts in the early 1980s.


Wildfires cause health issues, destroy habitats, and increase air pollution.


A new report, Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires, by UNEP and GRID-Arendal, finds that climate change and land-use change are making wildfires worse and anticipates a global increase of extreme fires even in areas previously unaffected. Uncontrollable and extreme wildfires can be devastating to people, biodiversity and ecosystems. They also exacerbate climate change, contributing significant greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere.


Wildfires are a natural part of many landscapes, but what effects to do wildfires have on humans and animals? Over the past 50 years, wildfires have become more prevalent and destructive. Although states like California, Nevada, and Utah often see the greatest number of fires annually, fires can occur almost anywhere, including historically high-moisture regions like the Pacific Northwest.1
Wildfires can have many varied effects, both positive and negative. When human communities and individuals take action to prepare for wildfires, they minimize the potential for harm to all life forms.
Wildfire’s Effects on Humans
As human communities spread into the wildland-urban interface (WUI), more people live in areas that are at high risk when fires occur. Even when people can escape direct harm of from fire, other damaging consequences are still possible:

Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas, which forms through the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuel. While many people associate carbon monoxide with gas ovens or vehicle fumes, wildfires are also a contributing source.

When inhaled, carbon monoxide reduces the body’s ability to deliver oxygen through the bloodstream. Direct exposure to carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, loss of consciousness, and worsening of any existing heart conditions because not enough oxygen reaches the body’s vital organs.2

Prolonged inhalation of carbon monoxide can be fatal, with the highest risk for inhalation in close proximity to an active or smoldering fire.2 Firefighters use filters to protect themselves when battling a wildfire, while homeowners can invest in high-quality detectors that sound an alarm when the gas is present.

Particle Exposure
In addition to carbon monoxide, wildfires create smoke and small particulates that enter the atmosphere. Many of these particles are less than a third of the size of a single human hair.

Inhaling wildfire smoke causes inflammation in the body, and can be especially dangerous for anyone diagnosed with asthma or bronchitis. Individuals with existing heart or lung conditions may see their usual symptoms worsen or become more frequent.3 A study of mortality and fine particulate matter across 43 countries from January 2000 through December of 2016 found that over 33,500 deaths per year resulted from the effects of inhaling wildfire smoke.4

You do not need to live near a wildfire to experience these adverse effects. Smoke and particulate can travel thousands of miles.5 Therefore, it is important to prepare for wildfire smoke no matter where you live.

Mental Health Effects
Like any natural disaster, wildfires can significantly impact a person’s mental health. Fires represent unpredictable danger with the potential to upend lives.

The mental health impacts of wildfire are not experienced equally. Economically depressed areas typically experience the greatest pollution burden from wildfires, compounding existing problems suffered by low-income populations.  A 2017 study found that people who live in places where particulate matter exposure is more common have higher levels of psychological distress than those who live in less polluted areas.6

These effects are typically highest for those living or working in a wildfire’s direct path, but anyone can experience adverse outcomes because of the stresses that a fire creates.
Wildfire’s Effects on Animals
Wildlife experience many of the same adverse effects as humans when wildfires approach. When animals are trapped or find themselves directly in the flames’ path, it can be a life-threatening situation.

Physical Injuries
Fires cause physical burns and smoke can also be deadly. Over 480 million non-human animals are estimated to have been killed during Australia’s 2020 brushfires, a figure which does not account for insects, bats, or frogs.7 However, direct physical harm is not the only type of injuries that wildfire can inflict.

When synthetic materials, such as plastics, burn during a fire, the resulting toxins can run off into the local water supply. The greatest impact of water pollution is felt by fish, aquatic and riparian plants, and marine mammals. The influx of toxins can poison any other animals that drink from or hunt in the affected water source.

Plants release high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen into the environment as they disintegrate during a wildfire. When it rains, these nutrients can also be washed into marine ecosystems. An excess of nutrients in water can trigger algae blooms, which decrease the availability of oxygen, suffocating fish and other water-breathing life forms.

Habitat Loss
When fire destroys the landscape, it also destroys the homes of many animals. Loss or contamination of shelter, water, and food are the immediate effects on wildlife following a fire. As such, animals are forced to move elsewhere in search of sustenance and new territory.

When animals travel, they experience higher risks of predator exposure, attacks from household pets, and vehicle strikes. Even if they establish themselves in a new territory, disputes can develop as the animals compete for whatever resources are available.

Many species return to the same places for nesting and breeding each year. If a wildfire destroys that area, recovery can be slow. For example, it can take several years for some animal populations to recover after missing a single breeding season.


Vitamin D is good for your teeth.


Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for various bodily functions, including maintaining healthy teeth and gums. In particular, teeth vitamins A, C, D, and K, along with calcium, are crucial for good dental health.Calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones. It is the main mineral in teeth and bones and helps to keep them strong and healthy. Without enough calcium in your diet, your teeth and bones may become weak and brittle, leading to dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.


The 5 Essential Vitamins for Teeth

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It is also important for maintaining overall health, as it plays a role in muscle function, nerve function, and blood clotting. In terms of dental health, calcium is especially important because it helps to build and maintain strong tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of the teeth that helps to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Without enough calcium, the enamel becomes weak and more susceptible to damage. Also, calcium helps to neutralize harmful acids in the mouth that can erode tooth enamel over time.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that keeps your teeth and gums healthy. It helps to promote the growth and repair of tissues in the mouth, including the enamel that covers the teeth. Vitamin A also plays a key role in the production of saliva, which helps to protect the teeth against decay by neutralizing harmful acids in the mouth. In addition, this powerful antioxidant has been shown to reduce inflammation and fight off infections, which can help to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. You can find Vitamin A in foods like carrots, bell peppers, fish, and egg yolks.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables. It aids in the growth, development, and repair of all tissues in the body, including the gums and teeth. Vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen synthesis, which is necessary for maintaining healthy connective tissue in the gums. This vitamin also has antioxidant properties that help protect the gums and teeth from damage caused by harmful free radicals. In addition, Vitamin C has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help prevent gum disease.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. It helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are required for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also helps to regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote cell growth and differentiation. When it comes to dental health, Vitamin D is particularly important because it helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It does this by regulating the production of antimicrobial compounds in the saliva, which help to fight off harmful bacteria in the mouth. A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak teeth and gums, as well as an increased risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, and periodontal disease.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone metabolism. It also helps in preventing tooth decay and gum diseases. Studies have found that Vitamin K activates a protein called osteocalcin that is responsible for depositing calcium in bones and teeth. Vitamin K also regulates the production of cytokines, which are involved in the immune response that helps fight infection and inflammation in the gums. Adequate levels of Vitamin K in the diet can help prevent and treat dental problems like bleeding gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis by promoting healthy bone density and bone strength in the jawbone.


Hemophilia involving Factor X is a rare bleeding disorder.


Factor X (10) deficiency is an inherited bleeding disorder caused when a person’s body does not produce enough of a protein in the blood (factor X or FX) that helps blood clot or the factor X doesn’t work properly. The disorder is one of the rarest inherited clotting disorders. It affects one in 1,000,000 people. Both parents must have the gene alteration causing the disorder and pass it on to their child for their child to have the disorder. It affects both males and females.


DISEASE OVERVIEW
Factor X deficiency is a rare genetic blood disorder that causes the normal clotting process (coagulation) to take longer than normal. This causes people to bleed for a longer amount of time spontaneously or after trauma/surgery. Factor X is a clotting protein (also called a clotting factor). Clotting factors are specialized proteins that are essential for proper clotting, the process by which blood clumps together to plug the site of a wound to stop bleeding. Clotting requires a series of reactions to ultimately form a clot to plug a wound. This is referred to as the clotting (coagulation) cascade. The clotting cascade involves different substances in addition to clotting factors. Factor X, which is produced (synthesized) in the liver, eventually interacts with other clotting factors and certain cells or substances, e.g., platelets or fibrinogen, to help to form a clot. Factor X deficiency is caused by a change (variant or mutation) in the F10 gene. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a drug called Coagadex for adults and children over 12. This medication restores functional factor X levels.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of factor X deficiency are highly variable; this means that how the disorder affects one person can be very different from how it affects another person. Symptoms can develop at any age. Generally, the more severe the disorder, the earlier the symptoms begin.
Sometimes, factor X deficiency is broken down based on the residual amount of factor X activity. In many disorders, the amount of residual protein activity correlates with the severity of the disease (e.g., little to no residual protein activity results in severe disease). This is not true for all bleeding disorders but is true for factor X deficiency – generally the less protein activity the more severe the bleeding complications.
Individuals with about 40% or more protein activity have mild disorder and often do not have symptoms (asymptomatic). Individuals with 10%-40% activity have moderate disease and general symptoms associated with bleeding disorders. Individuals with 10% or less factor X activity have severe disease, particularly those with less than 1% of factor X. In some instances, the amount of secreted factor X is normal or near normal, but cannot function normally; in other cases, FX is not secreted at all.
Symptoms of moderate forms can include bruising easily, nosebleeds and bleeding from the mouth and the gums. There may be blood in the urine (hematuria). Some individuals may not have any symptoms except for when they experience trauma or surgery. Without treatment, these symptoms can occur throughout life.
With the most severe forms, symptoms can begin at or shortly after birth and, in addition to the symptoms common to moderate forms, patients with the severe deficiency may present bleeding into the joints. This is called hemarthrosis and can result in progressive joint damage and degeneration, eventually limiting the range of motion of an affected joint. Bleeding into the muscles (intramuscular bleeds) can also occur, which can cause pain and stiffness in the affected muscles. Some affected individuals will develop masses of congealed blood called hematomas that can cause symptoms due to compression of nearby structures or organs. Bleeding in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract) is frequent in severe factor X deficiency. The urogenital tract can also be affected resulting in blood in the urine (hematuria) or black, tarry bloody stools (melena).
There is a high risk of intracranial hemorrhaging, a life-threatening complication in which there is bleeding inside the skull. This risk can be present from birth. Sometimes, umbilical stump bleeding can result at birth. The umbilical stump is the small piece of the umbilical cord that remains in the bellybutton after birth. The stump usually dries up and falls off about 7 to 21 days.
People with factor X deficiency may experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). Pregnant people are at a greater risk of complications with their pregnancies including miscarriage or heavy bleeding during birth. Some people can experience heavy bleeding in the time after delivery (postpartum hemorrhaging).


World War II was started by Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939.


With Adolf Hitler leading a German invasion of Poland in 1939, World War II was launched, a deadly global conflict waged across Europe and the Pacific until 1945. Bloody battles raged between the Allied powers, which included Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States, along with other nations, and the Axis, notably Germany and Japan.


World War II

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was an international conflict that took place from 1939 to 1945. The main participants were the Axis powers, namely Germany, Italy, and Japan, and the Allied powers, which included France, Britain, the U.S., the Soviet Union, and China.
Political and economic instability in Germany, coupled with resentment over its defeat in World War I and the harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, allowed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to rise to power. Hitler began secretly rearming Germany in the mid-1930s, violating the treaty. He formed alliances with Italy and Japan against the Soviet Union and intervened in the Spanish Civil War under the guise of anticommunism.
Taking advantage of the reluctance of other European powers to confront him, Hitler occupied Austria in 1938 and annexed Czechoslovakia in 1939. After signing the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. France and Britain declared war on Germany two days later. Poland's defeat was followed by a period of military inactivity on the Western Front, known as the Phony War.
Germany conducted a damaging submarine campaign against merchant shipping bound for Britain. By early 1940, the Soviet Union had divided Poland with Germany, occupied the Baltic states, and subdued Finland. In April 1940, Germany overwhelmed Denmark and began its conquest of Norway. In May, German forces invaded France, forcing it to surrender in June and establish the Vichy France regime. Germany then launched massive bombing raids on Britain, but after losing the Battle of Britain, Hitler postponed the invasion indefinitely.
By early 1941, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria had joined the Axis, and German troops quickly overran Yugoslavia and Greece. In June, Hitler abandoned his pact with the Soviet Union and launched a massive surprise invasion of Russia, reaching the outskirts of Moscow before Soviet counterattacks and winter weather halted the advance.
In East Asia, Japan expanded its war with China and seized European colonial holdings. In December 1941, Japan attacked U.S. bases at Pearl Harbor and in the Philippines. The U.S. declared war on Japan, and the war became truly global when the other Axis powers declared war on the U.S. Japan quickly invaded and occupied most of Southeast Asia, Burma, the Netherlands East Indies, and many Pacific islands. After the crucial U.S. naval victory at the Battle of Midway (1942), U.S. forces began to advance up the chains of islands toward Japan.
In the North Africa campaigns, the British and Americans defeated Italian and German forces by 1943. The Allies then invaded Sicily and Italy, forcing the overthrow of the Fascist government in July 1943, though fighting against the Germans continued in Italy until 1945. In the Soviet Union, the Battle of Stalingrad (1943) marked the end of the German advance, and Soviet reinforcements gradually pushed the German armies back.
The massive Allied invasion of western Europe began with the Normandy Campaign in western France (1944), and the Allies’ steady advance ended in the occupation of Germany in 1945.
After Soviet troops pushed German forces out of the Soviet Union, they advanced into Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania and had occupied the eastern third of Germany by the time the surrender of Germany was signed on May 8, 1945. In the Pacific, an Allied invasion of the Philippines (1944) was followed by the successful Battle of Leyte Gulf and the costly Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa (1945). The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, and Japan’s formal surrender on September 2 ended the war.
World War II resulted in an estimated 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 deaths, including about 6,000,000 Jewish men, women, and children who died in the Holocaust. Millions more civilians were wounded and made homeless throughout Europe and East Asia.


Fried food is generally unhealthy due to high fat and calorie content.


Eating fried foods causes obesity which is a direct cause of cardiac problems. Fried foods also lead to a drop in HDL or good cholesterol levels resulting in increase of LDL cholesterol levels which further increases the risk of heart ailments. And finally, consuming too many fried food items can push up your blood pressure and give you chronic hypertension, which can lead to a heart attack someday. This is why fried foods are so bad for the health and wellness of your heart.


The truth about fried food
Fried food is a culinary staple in many kitchens. While we often think of fried food as unhealthy, the item you choose to fry and the method of frying impacts the nutritional value of the meal. A Baylor College of Medicine registered dietitian explains how to nutritiously prepare and eat fried food in moderation.
“The method of frying is important, but so is the food you are frying,” said Dr. Luis Rustveld, registered dietitian and assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor. “If you are frying calorically dense foods, as opposed to nutrient-dense foods, think about the impact it has on your health.”

When frying food, cook nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains and oily fish, which has ample monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. If you plan to batter or coat the food, use a coating that prevents the food from absorbing the oil, especially when deep frying or pan frying. All-purpose flour causes more absorption of the oil, so try to use gluten-free flours such as cornmeal or rice flour to prevent the absorption of oils. Adding leavening agents like baking soda to the batter allows the food to not absorb as much oil. He also suggests blotting the food after frying to remove some of the oils.

Deep fry
Deep frying requires cooking at high temperatures of about 350 to 400 degrees with oils that can withstand high smoke points to create a crust, so the oils do not get absorbed. Heart healthy oils for deep frying include peanut oil, sunflower oil or safflower oil.
When food is exposed to high temperatures, this method can result in formation of advanced glycation end products, which are inflammatory compounds that are bad for the heart if exposed to them on a long-term basis. The oils absorbed also increase the caloric content of the product.
“If you’re using oils that are not appropriate for that frying method, you have potential for release of inflammatory compounds, which can affect vascular health in the long term,” he said.
Rustveld explains that if you deep fry correctly and pay attention to the temperature and batter, you can enjoy deep fried foods in moderation.

Pan fry
Pan frying is a method that requires lower temperatures and incorporates monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil or avocado oil. This is a healthier alternative since it requires cooking with more nutritious oils at lower temperatures. Pan frying also decreases the chance of inflammatory compounds being released.
Rustveld also recommends using a combination of cooking methods, such as pan-searing and pan-frying fish. Use a small amount of olive oil to pan fry the fish for a short amount of time before transferring it to the oven to bake to finish cooking.

Air fry
Air frying is the healthiest form of frying, using little to no oil. Compared to deep frying, air frying is a healthier substitute since hot air circulates around the food, creating a crust that does not affect nutritional value.
“Air frying is basically a hybrid between a deep fryer and a convection oven,” Rustveld said. “If you like to eat fried foods more often, air frying would be a better option.”
He emphasizes frying nutrient-dense foods and recommends air frying sweet potatoes, chicken, vegetables or fish.
“No matter what you fry, if it’s exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, especially if you use a lot of oils, you can be at risk for cardiovascular disease or other chronic diseases,” Rustveld said. “The key is to enjoy your favorite foods, but also think about preparing things in a healthier way like baked, grilled or broiled and use these methods as a way to eat your favorite foods in moderation.”


Competition drives innovation, improves quality, lowers prices, and encourages efficiency, ultimately benefiting consumers and fostering economic growth.


Competition offers several key benefits that drive progress and enhance overall market dynamics. It encourages innovation as businesses strive to differentiate themselves by offering better products or services. This leads to improved quality and greater variety for consumers. Competition also helps lower prices as companies seek to attract more customers by offering better value. Additionally, it promotes efficiency by pushing businesses to optimize operations and reduce waste to stay competitive. In a broader sense, competition fosters economic growth by creating opportunities, driving productivity, and motivating businesses to continually evolve and improve.


Competition is a fundamental force in markets and economies that shapes business strategies, consumer choices, and industry trends. Whether in the marketplace, sports, or academics, competition plays a crucial role in encouraging innovation, enhancing quality, and driving progress. This article explores the numerous benefits of competition and how it positively impacts consumers, businesses, and society as a whole.
1. Encourages Innovation and Creativity
One of the primary benefits of competition is its ability to foster innovation. When businesses compete, they are driven to find new ways to stand out, whether through developing cutting-edge products, offering unique services, or improving existing processes. For example, the technology sector thrives on competition, with companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation to gain a competitive edge. This drive to innovate leads to breakthroughs in technology, medicine, and many other fields, ultimately improving the quality of life for consumers.
2. Improves Product and Service Quality
Competition forces businesses to continually improve the quality of their offerings. Companies that consistently deliver high-quality products and services gain customer loyalty, while those that fall short risk losing market share. In sectors like healthcare, competition drives providers to enhance patient care, invest in better medical equipment, and offer more comprehensive treatment options. For consumers, this means greater access to better products, services, and experiences as businesses vie to attract and retain customers by meeting or exceeding their expectations.
3. Lowers Prices and Enhances Value
A competitive market often leads to lower prices, as businesses strive to offer the best value to attract customers. Price competition benefits consumers by making essential goods and services more affordable, especially in industries with multiple providers. For instance, in retail, competition among stores and e-commerce platforms results in discounts, promotions, and price reductions, allowing consumers to get more for their money. This not only improves consumer welfare but also increases spending power, stimulating economic activity.
4. Promotes Efficiency and Productivity
To stay competitive, businesses are encouraged to operate efficiently and maximize productivity. Companies that streamline operations, minimize waste, and optimize resource allocation are better positioned to compete on both price and quality. In manufacturing, for example, competition drives firms to adopt lean production techniques, reduce costs, and improve supply chain management. As a result, businesses can deliver goods and services more quickly and at lower costs, benefiting both consumers and the economy.
5. Fosters Consumer Choice and Diversity
Competition leads to a broader range of options for consumers. In a competitive market, businesses offer diverse products and services to cater to different preferences and needs. This variety enables consumers to choose what best fits their requirements, whether it’s selecting a smartphone model, choosing a healthcare provider, or deciding where to dine. The availability of choices empowers consumers, allowing them to make informed decisions that align with their values, budgets, and preferences.
6. Incentivizes Fairness and Accountability
In a competitive environment, businesses are incentivized to act ethically and maintain good reputations. Companies that engage in unfair practices, such as price gouging or misleading advertising, are likely to lose customers to more trustworthy competitors. Competition also encourages transparency, as consumers demand clear information about products, pricing, and business practices. This dynamic holds companies accountable and ensures that those who prioritize fairness and customer satisfaction are rewarded with loyalty and market success.
7. Drives Economic Growth and Job Creation
On a larger scale, competition fuels economic growth by stimulating innovation, increasing productivity, and driving new investments. Competitive markets attract entrepreneurs and investors looking to capitalize on opportunities, leading to the creation of new businesses and industries. As companies expand and innovate, they generate jobs, boost income levels, and contribute to overall economic development. Furthermore, the continuous improvement driven by competition ensures that economies remain dynamic and adaptable to changing global conditions.
8. Enhances Skill Development and Talent Growth
In competitive environments, both individuals and businesses are motivated to improve and excel. Employees in competitive industries are encouraged to enhance their skills, pursue professional development, and stay updated on industry trends. This not only benefits their career growth but also drives better performance within organizations. Similarly, businesses invest in training programs and upskilling initiatives to ensure their workforce remains competitive. As a result, competition contributes to a more capable and talented workforce, benefiting society as a whole.


Foam can be cut with a hot wire cutter, electric knife, or craft knife.


Depending on the thickness, you can indeed successfully cut foam using a good, sharp, long-blade scissors. Despite its high density, foam is very easy to cut through; and when your foam is thin (less than 2″), you will likely be able to achieve clean cuts and straight lines.However, using a scissors with foam gets harder the thicker it gets. As such, I recommend using an electric kitchen knife for any foam over 2″ for the most reliable cut. The cerated blade(s) is perfect for cutting through soft foam; and since you can keep the blades in constant motion, you won’t end up with the jagged edges that are common with scissors.


Cutting Foam at Home
Before you take the kitchen scissors to a new piece of foam, there are a few methods you can consider to achieve a better shape and finish.

To cut your foam more accurately, you’ll need to determine the size and shape of the finished piece you need. You can do this by working around a template or by taking accurate measurements and marking the foam for guidance.

When you’re ready to start cutting the foam you’ll need to choose an appropriate tool. One of the most accessible tools you can use to cut foam at home is an electric carving knife. These do quite a good job of cleanly cutting through the material. If you don’t have one of these to hand, you could also try using a long, sharp serrated knife. As always, you should be especially careful when handling sharp tools.

Foams that can be cut at home or work using methods such as this include polyurethane foams (including acoustic foam, packaging, memory foam and various types of high-density upholstery foam) and closed cell foams (including Plastazote). If possible, it’s best to test your cutting method on a smaller scrap piece of foam first to ascertain the effectiveness of your tools.

Do not use a hot wire foam cutting tool to cut polyurethane foam, as these are intended for cutting materials such as Styrofoam. They work by heating a thin wire to a high temperature to melt through the material. Polyurethane foams are manufactured using plastic polymers and should not be melted.

How Foam is Cut by Professional Foam Converters?
If you’re looking for professionally cut foam with a superior finish, we can help! GB Foam has been cutting foam to size and shape since 1976 and you’ll be glad to know that we have more than an electric carving knife at our disposal to create your high-quality foam products.

Our factory is equipped with a wide array of advanced machinery pieces designed to professionally cut foam in a variety of ways. Foam converters utilise these machines to create many foam products we use daily, including sofa cushions, memory foam mattresses, acoustic tiles, packaging foam and so much more.

Foam Cutting Machines
Here are just a few examples of foam cutting machines that can be used by foam converters to cut and shape foam.

CNC Routers
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines such as CNC routers can cut a variety of materials including foam. The cutting tools are guided on an X, Y, Z axis, with the use of a computer that follows specific instructions outlined in a dedicated file. The machines are known for quickly and accurately producing high-quality foam products with the ability to replicate the process as required.

Band Knife Cutters
Band knife cutting machines are manually operated tools designed to cleanly cut through foam. A piece of foam is laid out onto the flat surface of the machine and a skilled foam cutter guides the material through a long, sharp, vertical blade. This is a versatile machine that, when operated correctly, can produce a variety of foam shapes.

CNC Water Jets
Water expelled at an extremely high pressure can cut through a surprising number of materials including foam. CNC water jet cutting is generally used to produce foam products with more intricate details.

Profiling Machines
Whilst not specifically a tool used for cutting foam, profiling machines are used to create indentation patterns in foam. This is achieved by passing a piece of foam through a heavy, shaped roller. It can be used to create foam sheets with various types of profiling.

Horizontal Cutting Machines
This type of machine is used to create foam sheets of varying thicknesses. A block of foam is continuously passed through a sharp, horizontal blade which lowers as the foam is cut down.

Buy Custom Cut Foam Online
If you’re in need of a custom foam product, you can always use our foam cut to size service. By using a professional foam converter, you’ll be able to buy foam products with a professional finish.

Whilst foam can be cut at home using the methods discussed, it’s best to use a professional company.


The symptoms of botulism include blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, facial weakness, muscle paralysis, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.


Botulism presents with a range of serious symptoms primarily affecting the nervous system, which can begin to manifest within hours to several days after exposure to the toxin. Initial symptoms often include blurred or double vision and drooping eyelids due to paralysis of the ocular muscles. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and a dry mouth, resulting from weakness in the throat and mouth muscles. Facial weakness and a "flat" expression may also occur. Muscle paralysis typically starts in the upper body and descends, causing widespread weakness that can eventually affect the arms, legs, and respiratory muscles, leading to severe breathing difficulties. In foodborne botulism, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur initially before the neurological effects become prominent. In infants, symptoms can include poor feeding, constipation, lethargy, and a weak cry, alongside general muscle weakness. Prompt medical intervention is crucial, as botulism can lead to respiratory failure and be life-threatening if untreated.


Regardless of the type, botulism primarily affects the nervous system and presents with similar symptoms. These symptoms typically appear within 12 to 36 hours after exposure but can start as early as a few hours or as late as 10 days. The progression of symptoms is usually gradual, with earlier signs affecting the head and face, followed by symptoms that impact the body’s muscles.
Blurred or Double Vision
One of the earliest signs of botulism is trouble seeing. This includes blurry or double vision, as well as difficulty focusing on objects.
Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis)
The muscles controlling the eyelids are often affected early, leading to drooping eyelids, which can make it difficult to keep the eyes open.
Difficulty Swallowing and Speaking
As the toxin spreads, it affects the muscles used for swallowing, resulting in a feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and even choking. Speech may become slurred, hoarse, or nasal, reflecting weakness in the vocal cords.
Dry Mouth
Decreased saliva production, leading to a dry mouth and throat, is a common symptom, often making swallowing even more difficult.
Facial Weakness
Paralysis can extend to the facial muscles, causing a “flat” facial expression, difficulty smiling, and drooping facial features.
Muscle Weakness and Paralysis
As botulism progresses, it causes descending paralysis, starting in the upper body and spreading downward. Arms, legs, and eventually the respiratory muscles can become weak or paralyzed, making movement difficult or impossible.
Difficulty Breathing
The most dangerous symptom of botulism is respiratory failure due to paralysis of the muscles needed for breathing. This can be fatal if untreated and often requires mechanical ventilation.
Constipation and Abdominal Pain
Especially in infant botulism, constipation is often an early sign, along with general weakness, a weak cry, and poor feeding.
Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea (Early in Foodborne Botulism)
In foodborne botulism, initial gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur before neurological symptoms start to appear.
Specific Symptoms in Infant Botulism
Infant botulism presents differently compared to other types. In addition to the symptoms mentioned, infants may exhibit:
Poor Feeding and Sucking: Weakness can cause difficulty in feeding, leading to failure to thrive.
Floppy Movements (Hypotonia): Infants may have weak muscle tone, leading to a “floppy” appearance.
Lethargy and Irritability: Babies with botulism may be unusually drowsy, have a weak cry, or appear unusually irritable.
Symptom Onset and Progression
The onset and severity of symptoms can vary based on the type of botulism:
Foodborne Botulism: Symptoms typically begin 12 to 36 hours after ingesting contaminated food.
Wound Botulism: Symptoms can develop over several days as the infection takes hold.
Infant Botulism: Symptoms may appear gradually over days or weeks as the toxin is produced in the gut.


The symptoms of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia bacteria include abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, nausea, and vomiting, and in some cases, joint pain and skin rashes.


Yersiniosis, caused by Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, typically manifests with gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, which is often crampy and localized in the lower right side, similar to appendicitis. Patients commonly experience diarrhea, which can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by blood or mucus. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, yersiniosis can lead to extra-intestinal manifestations such as joint pain or arthritis, skin rashes, and, rarely, more severe complications like septicemia or peritonitis. The illness can be particularly severe in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The duration and severity of symptoms can vary, with some individuals experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal issues.