Multiple CT scans in childhood can triple the risk of developing brain cancer or leukemia, a study suggests. The Newcastle University-led team examined the NHS medical records of almost 180,000 young patients. But writing in The Lancet the authors emphasized that the benefits of the scans usually outweighed the risks. They said the study underlined the fact the scans should only be used when necessary and that ways of cutting their radiation should be pursued. More»

Just when I thought that this season’s skeletonised timepieces couldn’t get better, Glashütte Original take their previously released 1845 classic Up/Down model, have some of their best hand-engravers work some labyrinthine magic on it … and hey presto – a new timepiece is born … the sublimely exquisite Glashütte Original Senator Moon Phase Skeletonised edition. Skeletonised timepieces are an art form in miniature, requiring hours, days and weeks of meticulous and fastidious hand working.  This latest piece from Glashütte Original joins an illustrious selection.  In recent times we’ve reviewed the beautiful and intricate Blancpain Villeret Squelette 8 Jours, also presented in a rounded and trim-bezeled case – a timepiece bereft of everything except for its logo and hands and we’ve also featured the slender but substantial Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Ultra-Thin, the world’s thinnest self-winding skeletonised watch and an astounding achievement.   This Glashütte Original piece retains a diminutive dial edge allowing for a fine track and numerals and one which gives a delicate foothold for its indications – the power reserve, the small seconds and the excellent moon phase. More»

People who reduce their coach habits such as TV time are more likely to make effortless healthy changes in their diet such as eating less junk food and saturated fats. “The key take-away is that people can change their unhealthy eating and activity behaviors, contrary to what many health professionals believe. By focusing on just two targets (increasing fruits/vegetables & cutting down leisure screen time) people were able to make large changes in those behaviors rapidly and they also reduced saturated fat intake without even trying,” says lead researcher Bonnie Spring. More»

People with certain personality traits based in genetics such as being outgoing, optimistic and enjoying laughter may live longer, say scientists. For the study, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Yeshiva University focused on a genetically homogenous population including more than 500 Ashkenazi Jews over the age of 95 and 700 of their offspring.  Previous findings have suggested that personality arises from underlying genetic mechanisms that may directly affect health. Now, the new study published in the journal Aging shows that characteristics such as optimism and being easygoing may be among those traits. More»

Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that feelings of guilt or self-blame play a role in depression. The researching team employed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of people who have a history of depression and a control group of people who had never suffered from depression. People in both groups were then asked to think they acted badly toward their close friend and then explain their feelings about their wrongdoings. More»

This is the Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 1000 Big Blue made to raise awareness of ocean conservation.  Naturally you would expect it to feature a blue dial.  And it does.  But with such a striking shade of blue used on both its dial and its strap, you would have to say – this piece is just about as pelagic as a diver watch can be. The last GP Sea Hawk 1000 we featured was the more than impressive all-green edition auctioned to raise funds for the protection and conservation of the environment.  The Big Blue edition is also a benevolent gesture.  It is also colorful.  And it is also a stunning addition to the fine, sporty Sea Hawk collection. More»

Following the launch of Visa’s latest financial literacy tool, a specially created Marvel Comic Book featuring the Avengers superheroes, the company teamed up with local Cairo libraries to distribute the comic books to children of all ages. Team members from Visa Egypt visited the Maadi and Zamalek public libraries to hand out the comic books and speak about the importance of managing personal finances at any age. “Ideally, children should develop financial skills needed for adulthood while still in school but in reality, this often does not happen. Financial Literacy and vital money management skills are often left out of curricula, in developing and more developed markets,” said Tarek Elhousseiny, General Manager for Visa North & Francophone Africa.  “At Visa, we believe the most important financial tool is knowledge. As such, the development and delivery of such tools is so important to us. We look forward to continuing to provide financial literacy materials to more libraries and educational institutions all over Egypt.” “The Visa Marvel Comic Book is a great way for kids to learn about financial education at an early age,” said Mohammed Ashour, Director of the Maadi Public Library.  “A comic book with well-known characters discussing personal money management is an engaging way to attract the interest of young people while teaching them important life lessons.” More»

This is the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centred Ivory Enamel watch.  It features a dial made from shatterable, frangible, delicate, breakable enamel and to state that its creation demands the skills of an experienced and patient craftsman would be a vast understatement. A traditional Grand Feu enamel dial is created using fine glass powders, which are laid onto metal before being oven-fired.  The extreme heat melts the ultra-fine powders.  The result, when successful is loupe-worthy perfection of the utmost purity.  Jaquet Droz are experts in the art of enamel dial-making – even so, I bet that the most experienced Artisans at the La Chaux-de-Fonds workshops have, on occasion had cause to mutter a few curses under their breath as another brittle sliver of enamel proves to be flawed and therefore useless. More»

If your child is a picky eater you will know how difficult it is to feed them. Kath Megaw, a Clinical Pediatric Dietician has some advice on how to cope with a picky eater. "Consistency is key. Some parents are far better at being consistent than others, but it’s no mystery why most parenting books will tell you it’s one of the most important things when it comes to discipline and children. And it applies to food, too. If you are consistent, whether it’s with your household rules, chores, or consequences for behaviours, the children know exactly what their limits are. If you stray from your rules and consequences, even once, the child doesn’t know when she will get away with something and when she won’t. These are general guidelines, of course, and there are always exceptions," she says. More»

Even good managers frustrate their employees now and then--while bad managers, of course, do it regularly. Here are seven of the most common complaints about the things bosses do without even realizing it: 1. Making social events unofficially required. Employers frequently assume that employees will view office social events (like staff happy hours or holiday parties) as a treat--and then get offended when employees don't want to go. Most employees would prefer that employers make it clear when events are mandatory, rather than implying they're optional and then penalizing people who don't attend. And managers should realize that not everyone wants to socialize with their co-workers. Requiring employees to attend events that are ostensibly to build their morale may have the opposite effect. More»