Economy

In the “Dune” movies, a gigantic sandworm can rise from the desert and devour soldiers and military vehicles in its gaping maw. In real life, humans watching movies devour popcorn. These two ideas have been combined to spawn the “Dune” popcorn bucket, a sandworm-shaped tub that is having a cultural moment. The bucket arrives on the heels of other recent popcorn collectibles, like the 16-inch Barbie Corvette snack holder. But is there more to these vessels than meets the eye?Lindsay Moyer thinks about popcorn. She is the senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit…

As Jonah Heim squeezed the final strike of the 2023 postseason and Josh Sborz spiked his mitt on the mound to celebrate the Texas Rangers’ first World Series title, a thought crossed my mind: How will this change the franchise rankings?See, the Wild-Card Era (1995 to present) franchise rankings are not a creation of my fallible mind. They are borne from a tested, trusted, completely objective, never-been-questioned, all-math, no-bias formula borrowed from football writer Bob Sturm and tweaked to fit baseball’s postseason structure.Winning the World Series (WS): 9 pointsLosing in the World Series (WSL): 6 pointsLosing in the Championship Series…

The authorities were battling another round of dangerous wildfires along Chile’s Pacific coast on Wednesday night, several weeks after blazes there killed more than 100 people.Chile’s national disaster agency said on Wednesday night that several communities in the Valparaíso region were being evacuated as emergency crews battled the Cerro Cordillera fire. That part of the coast is dotted with towns that rise steeply from the ocean.Devastating wildfires swept through the region last month after erupting in Viña del Mar, a coastal resort city about 80 miles by road northwest of Santiago, the capital. They ravaged entire neighborhoods, trapped people fleeing…

Early detection of colon cancer can prevent a majority of deaths from this disease, possibly as much as 73 percent of them. But just 50 to 75 percent of middle-aged and older adults who should be screened regularly are being tested.One reason, doctors say, is that the screening methods put many people off.There are two options for people of average risk: a colonoscopy every 10 years or a fecal test every one to three years, depending on the type of test.Or, as Dr. Folasade P. May, a gastroenterologist at UCLA Health puts it, “either you take this horrible laxative and…

Thirty years later, Christian Laettner isn’t sure he knew it was coming. In 1994, he was in the NBA, his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Maybe someone had informed his agent but he doesn’t think so.The former Duke star just one day remembers seeing the commercial on ESPN. Chris Farley, then at the height of his “Saturday Night Live” glory, dressed in Laettner’s No. 32 jersey, recreating his buzzer-beating shot against Kentucky, a signature moment in NCAA Tournament history.“All I know is that all of a sudden it was out and it was hilarious and it was awesome,” Laettner…

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is usually a time of religious devotion, dawn-to-dusk fasting, charity, family gatherings and nightly feasts.All that seems far away this year in Gaza, now in the sixth month of an Israeli military offensive and near-total blockade. More than 31,000 people have been killed in Israel’s bombardments and ground invasion, severe hunger is spreading and the coastal strip has been devastated. The war has erased how Palestinians here used to live and observe Ramadan.In peaceful times, the streets of Gaza’s cities would be packed with families buying Ramadan decorations and supplies — colorful lamps, food…

In March 1961, Dr. Anthony Epstein, a pathologist at Middlesex Hospital in London, almost skipped a visiting physician’s afternoon lecture about children with exceptionally large facial tumors in Uganda.The physician, Dr. Denis Burkitt, a native of Ireland who called himself a bush surgeon, showed slides of bulbous tumors that emerged along the jawline and occurred in tropical African regions where rainfall was high. During his lecture, Dr. Burkitt mapped a veritable pediatric cancer belt that extended across equatorial Africa.Despite Dr. Epstein’s initial reluctance to attend the talk — he sat in the rear so he could make a quick escape…

In today's hyper-connected world, where information circulates without borders and decisions are made in seconds, your online reputation has become the most valuable asset for your personal and professional success. Any unfavorable remark found on the internet, dissemination of false information via a blog, or mishandling of your online profiles has the potential to inflict severe harm on your reputation and believability, compromising both your personal relationships and your occupational trajectory.Envision the following situation: an individual with a flawless history of achievements invests years of dedication in establishing a strong standing within their field. Suddenly, they awaken to a flood…

Rob McElhenney takes the duty of care he has as Wrexham’s co-owner seriously.When Phil Parkinson was still coming to terms with what remains the nadir of the club’s return to the EFL after a 15-year non-League exile, the co-owner reached out to his manager just moments after September’s 5-0 thrashing at Stockport County via text.Hollywood actor and writer McElhenney did something similar with Paul Mullin during the latter’s recent run of eight games without a goal — comfortably the striker’s most barren period in almost five years.The level-headed Liverpudlian’s response was no surprise. “I feel pretty good,” he told McElhenney,…

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder and affects millions of women worldwide. It often emerges during prime reproductive years, and presents more than just physical challenges. PCOS can significantly impact emotional well-being, especially for those who yearn to become mothers. A perplexing blend of hormonal and metabolic symptoms makes it a condition that requires careful attention and understanding.In the upcoming sections, you will have the opportunity to examine the primary indicators of PCOS, investigate viable treatment solutions, and consider alternative avenues to motherhood for women confronting this condition.Essential signs of PCOSPolycystic Ovary Syndrome manifests through a series of…