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1. Scientists discover an unexpected natural hangover cure that actually works
http://qz.com/474607/scientists-discover-an-unexpected-natural-hangover-cure-that-actually-works/
There is no shortage of alleged hangover cures, but now science is actually backing one up.
Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (“CSIRO”), announced last month on its blog that in its research with Horticulture Innovation Australia, it made an unlikely discovery. Pears, in addition to lowering cholesterol, relieving constipation, and reducing inflammation, can also lower alcohol levels, preventing hangovers before they even start.
If consumed in advance of the alcohol, pears, and specifically Korean pear juice, the researchers say, “significantly reduced” hangover symptoms compared to a placebo drink. The biggest impact was seen in the subjects’ ability to concentrate, says Professor Manny Noakes, the project’s lead researcher.
It works, Noakes explained, because the pears affect the enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, helping the body metabolize and eliminate alcohol or even inhibit its absorption. “In particular, reductions were seen in blood acetaldehyde levels, the toxic metabolic thought to be responsible for hangover symptoms,” says Noakes.
However, CSIRO says, these were just preliminary studies and a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on the topic is still forthcoming. But in the meantime, no harm in trying this one out.
Question:
1. Do you have your own hangover cures? What are they?
2. How many times do you drink a week? Do you have drinking habits?
3. Why do you think Koreans drink so much? What do you think about Korea's drinking culture?
2. Why Men Don't Take Paternity Leave
After celebrating with their newborns this Father’s Day, most new dads will return to work on Monday.
Dads barely take any time off after the birth of a child, according to a study of working fathers by the Center for Work and Family at Boston College. Three quarters of men who don’t receive paternity leave take off work for a week or less after the birth of a child, and 16% are unable to take any days off.
Only 13% of employers offer paid paternity leave, according to benefits consulting firm Aon Hewitt. In April, Yahoo made a splash with their announcement that men will be offered a full eight weeks of paid parental leave, half of what the company offers new moms and a generous policy by U.S. standards.
But even when offered paternity leave, studies show most men won’t take it. A 2012 study of tenured track college professors found that only 12% of fathers took paid parental leave when it was offered compared with 69% of mothers. When new dads in the study did take paternity leave, many were still involved in projects at the office.
Academia is different than other fields, but the question remains: Why are men still less likely to take all the time offered to them by their employers after the birth of a child?
We asked five dads who have taken leave for a new child to explain their decisions and share their anxiety about the time off.
Unspoken Pressure on the Job
The stigma of being the guy in the office who takes the maximum amount of leave haunts many dads. It’s not the fear of losing a job exactly, but the unspoken disapproval—and questions about dedication—that can come with a long leave.
“I could have taken the whole week off after my son, Lyle, was born, but they said they really needed me, and they did, because it was the end of the fiscal year,” says Joseph, a corporate accountant in Kansas City. “I could tell they weren’t going to look kindly on my taking the whole week, so I didn’t.”
“But the truth is, they could have hired a temp without taking too much of a loss, and I would have been happy to put in some extra time when I got back,” he says.
Instead, he only took two days because he felt guilty and was afraid his firm would put him “on the top of the list for layoffs,” he admits. “But that was probably me overthinking it. I should have taken the leave, and if we have another baby, I am not going to pass it up this time. It was foolish.”
Roger, an information technology manager at a software firm in Fairfield, N.J., also regrets his decision to cut his family leave short.
“I could have taken three paid days, but the baby came on a Thursday. I am so conditioned to please my bosses that after the weekend I just showed up back at work. In my mind I’d had three days at home,” he says.
“And then I realized, that was irrelevant, I could have taken two more days. I don’t even know why I didn’t take them at that point,” Roger says. “Fear of looking like I was not committed to the job, I guess. Even though I do think they know that I am.”
Karen, Roger’s wife and a professor at Montclair State University, understands his angst, but would have appreciated having him home for more than a long weekend.
“I think on some level all men are going to be anxious about how taking leave will be perceived by their bosses. Then baby shows up and dad becomes sensitive to the traditional role of provider and protector,” she says. “Ironically, we could have used Roger home more after the first few days, or maybe even after the baby was a week old. There’s just more to do at that point. But he went back to work. He felt having a job to go back to was more important than having a few more days off. How can I argue with that?”
Cobbling Together a Leave
Many men who don’t get any formal paid paternity leave sometimes rely on borrowed time.
“We don’t have paternity leave or sick days or personal time at my workplace. We do get two weeks of vacation each year, which is effective on our hire anniversary date. What isn’t used, or cashed in, by the end of a year’s time is voided. It doesn’t accrue,” says David Coyle, a security guard in Chillicothe, Ohio.
“Last year we were expecting a baby in June, but knew there was a likelihood that he would come early. My supervisor told me to fill out everything but the dates on my vacation request, and he would write in the dates when it was time,” Coyle says. “Sure enough, three weeks before our due date, my wife was admitted to the hospital with low amniotic fluids.”
“The next morning the doctor came in and said he wanted to deliver. I called my supervisor immediately and said, ‘Hate to tell you this, but my vacation starts Monday.’ I then took the next two weeks off as paid time with my son. And when I got my next paycheck, everything was in order,” he says.
Coyle worries about what will happen when the second child comes.
“This year might be different. We are expecting a second child, and the estimated due date is October 25. My hire anniversary date is October 18. I already plan to use my vacation time again, but if he comes early, even by a week or so, I may be, as we say around here, ‘sh*t out of luck’ as far as pay is concerned,” he says. “I hate the idea of losing the equivalent of one whole paycheck, but I also know that my services will be needed at home. Of course that also means I won’t be able to take any time off just for the heck of it for a whole year.”
Will They Regret Going Back So Soon?
Sure, taking leave comes with a lot of anxiety, but the dads we spoke with who took all of the time available to spend with their newborn children were glad they did.
“I took the entire seven-day leave that our firm offers, and I’ve encouraged two men in my department to do the same, even though it was a bit of a stress on the team,” says Ed, a marketing vice president at a clothing retailer in Harrisburg, Penn.
“When I took my leave my bosses did not complain outright, but I definitely sensed an air of disappointment,” he says. ”One asked me outright if I still intended to use my already scheduled vacation days during the summer. I don’t think he was happy with the ‘yes’ response he received, but I also know that my work is far above standard and I would fight any discrimination I got over taking the parental leave tooth and nail.”
Aaron, who works at a Fortune 500 financial firm in San Francisco, used all of his available time without any hesitation.
“I took the maximum paternity leave allowed by California law. And to this day, I have no regrets. The time I was able to spend with my daughter was worth its weight in gold! It’s time that you don’t get back,” he says.
Ed believes that when supervisors take paternity leave, their employees are more likely to follow suit, and he tries to set an example at his company.
“People are afraid to rock the boat and it’s understandable, but that’s exactly why I give my people the encouragement to use the benefits they’re entitled to,” he says. “Knowing that I used it myself made them less fearful that I would hold it against them as some sort of demerit.”
Questions:
1. Are you willing to take all the time offered to you by your employers after the birth of your child? Why or why not?
2. How do you think Mark Zukerberg's recent paternity leave will affect Korean companies in the future?
3. Which do you focus more on between your work and home life? What efforts do you make to balance the two?
3. Want To Be Happier? Change Your Commute Or Change Your Attitude
It’s a decision that almost everyone finds themselves faced with at some point – accept a job that pays more money even though it requires a longer commute or stay in your current job. It’s easy be tempted by a lucrative opportunity that appears to be the key to success and happiness, but research shows the detriment of a longer commute may outweigh the benefits of earning more money.
The Link Between Your Commute and Your Life Satisfaction
A new study conducted by Canada’s University of Waterloo discovered a direct link between commute time and well-being. The findings, which were published in World Leisure Journal, conclude that people with the longest commutes have the lowest overall satisfaction with life.
The authors report that commute lengths are linked to a sense of time pressure. People who spend the most time on the road experience higher levels of stress because they constantly feel hurried. Many of them spend much of their time on the road worrying about all the activities they’re missing.
Traffic congestion tops the list for reasons why commuters experience increased stress. Surprisingly, the lack of physical leisure time was a close second. Commuters who were still able to make time for physical activity – like going to the gym or taking a walk – were able to combat some of the negative effects of a long commute.
People with rigid work hours and lower incomes were particularly susceptible to decreased life satisfaction associated with long commutes. Women and individuals with a partner also experienced a greater negative impact due to the stress associated with time away from family.
Physical and Mental Health Problems
Commute times also take a toll on physical and mental health. A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked longer commutes with poor cardiovascular and metabolic health. The more time people spent in the car, the more likely they were to be overweight and have high blood pressure – much in part because they have less time to exercise.
A 2011 study conducted in Sweden and published in BMC Public Health found similar results. Additionally, this study linked lengthy commutes with decreased energy, increased stress, and higher illness-related work absences. Results were the same regardless of whether people drove or used public transportation to get to work.
Diminished Social Activities
Since there are only so many hours in a day, people with long commutes are often forced to give up a variety of social activities. A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that people with longer commutes were less likely to spend time with friends. Longer hours away from home also meant they were more likely to miss children’s school activities and less likely to eat dinner with friends and family.
Adults commuting 90 or more minutes each day had the fewest social engagements. The decreased time with friends and family contributes to higher rates of stress and decreased life satisfaction.
Making the Most out of Your Commute
There is evidence that a longer commute may benefit select groups of people. A 2005 study published in Transportation Research reports the key to an enjoyable commute is using the time as an opportunity to create a mental shift between home and work. If you can use your drive to help you leave work issues behind, you may be more relaxed when you arrive home.
A 2008 study published the Journal of Transport Geography found that commutes can be beneficial when people view the time as a break from other commitments and responsibilities. Engaging in pleasurable activities, such as listening to music, enjoying the scenery, or simply being alone with your thoughts may help you view the commute as leisure time.
Despite the risks to life satisfaction, not everyone has the opportunity – or even the desire – to telecommute or work close to home. If reducing your drive isn’t an option, changing your attitude can combat the negative effects of a long commute.
Questions:
1. How long does it take for you to commute? Commute time was also a factor you considered when you were looking for work?
2. Are you willing to accept a job that pays more but requires a longer commute? Why or why not?
3. How can we make a long commute more productive and enjoyable? Do you have any tips?
*reference:시에나 언니 토픽 :)
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