Will holding back sneeze kill you?

Holding back a sneeze can potentially have negative consequences, although it is extremely rare for it to be life-threatening. When you sneeze, your body releases a powerful burst of air to clear irritants from your nasal passages. Attempting to stifle or suppress a sneeze can create pressure within your head and potentially cause various issues such as:

1. Ruptured blood vessels: Holding back a sneeze can generate excessive pressure in the blood vessels and potentially lead to their rupture. While this is rare, it can potentially occur in delicate blood vessels, such as those in the head or neck.

2. Middle ear damage: The pressure generated when holding back a sneeze can impact the middle ear. This can result in damage to the eardrum, hearing loss, or other ear-related problems.

3. Sinus issues: Suppressing a sneeze can disrupt the normal flow of air and mucus within the sinuses, potentially leading to sinus problems or discomfort.

While these risks exist, it's important to note that they are highly uncommon. Most people can safely hold back a sneeze without experiencing any adverse effects. However, it is generally recommended to allow sneezes to occur naturally and avoid forcibly suppressing them whenever possible.

How to find the square root of such math problems within seconds?

How to find the square root of this in seconds: 

You might be panicking after asked to find the square root of this math problem. 

But don't worry it's just a matter of seconds, I will tell you how: 

if you are asked a math problem of such as consecutive numbers and reverse added under square root, so the answer is the middle number which is four in the above problem. 

Let's do another one: 

the answer is simple it's 15. 

Now math is even more easy: 

The answer to this would be 55. 

Now can you say what's the answer to the first problem? 

Yes, you are right it's 200,000.

⚠️What is the Purpose of Hazard Lights and How to Use Them Properly?

⚠️What is the Purpose of Hazard Lights and How to Use Them Properly?

The purpose of hazard lights is to alert other drivers that you are not driving normally and that they should exercise caution when approaching or passing you. Generally, this means that you are stopped or traveling significantly lower than the posted speed limit. For example, you should use your hazard lights when:

• Your car breaks down and you need to pull over to the side of the road.

• You have a flat tire and you need to change it on the shoulder.

• You are driving in a funeral procession and you need to follow the lead car at a slow pace.

• You are getting pulled over by a police officer and you need to signal your compliance.

Hazard lights are an important safety feature that can help you communicate with other drivers in case of trouble or emergency. However, they should be used wisely and appropriately, following the law and etiquette for your state and situation. By doing so, you can avoid creating more hazards and ensure a safer driving experience for yourself and others.

Types of electric vehicles

Which one do you prefer?

Number coding exempted.

HEV, PHEV, and EV are types of electric vehicles with different levels of reliance on electric power:

1. HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): HEVs combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. They use regenerative braking to charge the battery, provide limited electric-only driving, and rely heavily on the combustion engine. They don't need to be plugged in and offer better fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles.

2. PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): PHEVs have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. They can operate on electricity alone for a limited range before switching to hybrid mode. PHEVs can be charged from an external power source and provide flexibility with longer electric range.

3. EV (Electric Vehicle): EVs rely solely on electric power and use rechargeable batteries. They need to be regularly charged from an external power source and have no combustion engine. EVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and are more dependent on charging infrastructure, providing longer electric ranges compared to hybrids.

Each type provides varying degrees of electric power and offers different advantages based on driving needs and charging accessibility.

Breast implants have a positive impact on female sexuality, according to new research

Women tend to report improved sexual functioning after undergoing breast augmentation surgery, according to new research published in Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira. The findings suggest that this popular cosmetic procedure not only enhances physical appearance but also positively impacts women’s self-confidence.

Breasts hold a central role in how society perceives femininity, sexuality, and maternity. Changes in breast size, shape, or distortions can have a profound effect on a woman’s self-image and quality of life. Dissatisfaction with one’s body, including breast size and contour, can lead to sexual dysfunction and reduced quality of life.

“Breast augmentation is on of the most performed procedures in plastic surgery and it is due to the impact that it causes on women’s life quality and self-esteem,” said study author Mateus Leme De Marchi, a plastic surgery resident in São Paulo, Brazil.

The study involved 87 women with hypomastia (small breasts) who desired breast augmentation. The criteria for inclusion encompassed women between 18 and 55 years old, a minimum education level of the 5th grade, and small breast size according to the Sacchini index. Exclusion criteria included factors such as pregnancy, systemic diseases, smoking, and previous breast surgeries.

Two groups of patients were assessed using separate questionnaires. The Female Sexual Quotient (QS-F) questionnaire was used in one group, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire in the other. The surgical procedure involved placing subglandular silicone implants, adhering to strict protocols and safety measures.

Patients completed their respective questionnaires before the surgery and at follow-up visits, two and four months after the procedure. The questionnaires evaluated various aspects of sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, orgasm, and satisfaction.

In the QS-F group, patients showed an initial slight decrease in scores at two months postoperatively, likely due to discomfort and pain following surgery. However, at the four-month mark, there was a significant increase in scores, indicating an improvement in their sexuality.

Similarly, the FSFI group also demonstrated improvements in sexual function, with scores increasing from preoperative levels to two and four months postoperatively.

“I was surprised with the improvement in sexuality only a couple months after surgery, when people still haven’t completed all the healing process,” De Marchi said.

One notable finding was the significant improvement in the domain of arousal and harmony with a partner in both groups. This suggests that breast augmentation positively influenced women’s self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall satisfaction with their body image, subsequently enhancing their sexual desire and arousal.

The results of this study underscore the close connection between a woman’s breasts and her self-image, body satisfaction, and ultimately, her sexuality. Changes in breast size and shape, brought about by augmentation, can lead to significant improvements in various aspects of a woman’s quality of life, including her sexual well-being.

“Breast augmentation has a positive impact on life quality, which encompasses sexuality,” De Marchi told PsyPost. “Some women maybe don’t feel very comfortable with their bodies and specifically their breasts, either because of the standards of beauty and size proposed by social media or because of bullying. This may cause many prejudices in their life and self-esteem. For these women, the breast augmentation brings high satisfaction and can improve the relationship of the woman and her own body, which can bring a big benefit in her sexuality.”

While this study provides valuable insights into the impact of breast augmentation on female sexuality, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The study was conducted at a single center and had a relatively small sample size. Additionally, the follow-up period was relatively short at 4 months post-surgery.

Future research should aim to include larger and more diverse study populations, as well as longer-term follow-up assessments, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of breast augmentation on female sexuality.

“We studied the sexuality, which is part of life quality, but we could see an improvement in other aspects of life quality as well, which must be studied,” De Marchi added.

The study, “Impact of breast augmentation on female sexuality“, was authored by Paulo Afonso Monteiro Pacheco Guimarães, Elisa Mayumi Kokuba Aihara, Miguel Sabino Neto, Mateus Leme De Marchi, and Lydia Masako Ferreira.

Asian Games 2023, Medal Table

The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years, bringing together athletes from across Asia. The event is recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and is considered the second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

The 23rd edition of the Asian Games is set to take place in Hangzhou, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Hangzhou is located in the Zhejiang province of China.

The Asian Games feature a wide range of sports, including traditional and popular disciplines. The exact list of sports and events for the 23rd Asian Games will be determined by the OCA closer to the event date. In previous editions, sports such as athletics, swimming, football, basketball, badminton, table tennis, and martial arts have been part of the program.

The Asian Games promote unity, friendship, and sportsmanship among participating nations. It is an opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills, compete at an international level, and foster cultural exchange.

The 23rd Asian Games in Hangzhou is expected to attract thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators from across Asia. It will be a celebration of sport, culture, and the spirit of competition.

Asian Games 2023, medal table:

🇨🇳 China: 🥇178, 🥈99, 🥉55

🇯🇵 Japan: 44, 54, 60

🇰🇷 South Korea: 33, 47, 77

🇮🇳 India: 21, 32, 33

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan: 19, 16, 25

🇹🇼 Taipei: 15, 15, 23

🇰🇵 North Korea: 10, 16, 8

🇹🇭 Thailand: 10, 14, 27

🇧🇭 Bahrain: 10, 2, 5

🇮🇷 Iran: 8, 17, 17

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: 8, 15, 38

🇭🇰 Hong Kong: 7, 16, 29

🇮🇩 Indonesia: 6, 10, 17

🇲🇾 Malaysia: 5, 6, 17

🇶🇦 Qatar: 5, 6, 3

🇸🇬 Singapore: 3, 6, 6

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 3, 2, 2

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: 3, 0, 5

🇦🇪 UAE: 2, 4, 5

🇻🇳 Vietnam: 2, 3, 16

🇰🇼 Kuwait: 2, 3, 2

🇵🇭 Philippines: 2, 2, 10

🇹🇯 Tajikistan: 2, 1, 4

🇲🇳 Mongolia: 1, 4, 9

🇲🇴 Macau: 1, 2, 2

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: 1, 2, 2

🇲🇲 Myanmar: 1, 0, 1

🇯🇴 Jordan: 0, 3, 1

🇹🇲 Turkmenistan: 0, 1, 4

🇴🇲 Oman: 0, 1, 1

🇵🇰 Pakistan: 0, 1, 1

🇧🇳 Brunei: 0, 1, 0

🇦🇫 Afghanistan: 0, 0, 4

🇱🇦 Laos: 0, 0, 3

🇮🇶 Iraq: 0, 0, 2

🇧🇩 Bangladesh: 0, 0, 1

🇱🇧 Lebanon: 0, 0, 1

🇵🇸 Palestine: 0, 0, 1

🇸🇾 Syria: 0, 0, 1

* October 6, 2023

New engineered bacteria could destroy plastics in seawater

Over 14 million tons of plastic litter ends up in the ocean every year, killing thousands of animals and birds that ingest it. Much of it ends up amassing in giant garbage patches and over time breaking down into smaller microscopic pieces that are harmful to marine life.

A new study offers a glimmer of hope in addressing this marine plastic pollution problem. Researchers at North Carolina State University report in the AIChE Journal that they have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down a commonly used plastic in salt water.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic used to make bottles, food packaging and clothes. Much PET plastic waste does not get recycled, and ends up in landfills and aquatic environments. It eventually breaks down into microplastics—particles with a size of less than 5 mm—which are challenging to collect and have been shown to move quickly between aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments, the researchers point out in the paper.

Some microbes have been found to have the ability to break down plastic. Researchers have genetically engineered bacteria, or even just the enzymes they produce, to convert plastic waste into valuable chemicals. A key limitation with these previously modified organisms is that “their growth is inhibited by high concentrations of salt,” the NCSU team writes. That means microplastics would have to be collected and washed off using large quantities of water before they can be broken down.

So the researchers took a different approach, harnessing two different species of bacteria. The first, Vibrio natriegens, lives in saltwater and reproduces very quickly, doubling in number in under 10 minutes in ideal conditions. The second bacteria, Ideonella sakaiensis, produces enzymes that can deconstruct PET.

The team isolated the DNA sequence from I. sakaiensis that is responsible for producing the enzyme, and inserted it into V. natriegens. The modified V. natriegens could produce the PET-degrading enzymes on the surface of their cells. They found that V. natriegens was able to break down PET into its building blocks in a saltwater environment at room temperature.

“From a practical standpoint, this is the first genetically engineered organism that we know of that is capable of breaking down PET microplastics in saltwater,” said Tianyu Li, a PhD student and the paper’s first author, in a press release. “That’s important, because it is not economically feasible to remove plastics from the ocean and rinse high concentration salts off before beginning any processes related to breaking the plastic down.”

There is still significant work to be done, the researchers say. They now plan to modify V. natriegens so that it can feed on the byproducts it creates when it breaks apart PET, and so it can produce useful chemical molecules in the end.

Source: Tianyu Li, Stefano Menegatti, Nathan Crook. Breakdown of polyethylene therepthalate microplastics under saltwater conditions using engineered Vibrio natriegens. AIChE Journal, 2023.