Wednesday, September 11, 2024

5 THE STAR NEWS • Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com W Robotics firm to use robots for household chores Teenage brains aged faster during COVID-19 lockdown T he COVID-19 lockdown accelerated the ageing process of teenage brains, particularly among girls, according to new research. Social isolation and pandemic restrictions hastened the natural process of cortical thinning—a sign of brain ageing— due to stress, with data showing that girls’ brains aged by 4.2 years, compared to 1.4 years for boys. Researchers from the University of Washington believe the increased impact on girls stems from their higher reliance on social interactions. Dr Patricia Kuhl, the study’s senior author, explained: “Teenagers are under immense pressure, and the pandemic removed their normal outlets for stress. While all teens suffered from isolation, girls were particularly affected, with the lockdown dramatically accelerating the ageing of their brains.” Night owls at greater diabetes risk N ew research reveals that night owls, or individuals who stay up late, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to their body clocks being misaligned with typical societal rhythms. A study conducted in the Netherlands examined over 5,000 participants, analysing their sleep patterns, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI). The findings showed that people who stayed up late had a 46 per cent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to those who maintained earlier sleep schedules. Dr Jeroen van der Velde, lead researcher from Leiden University Medical Centre, explained: “Previous studies suggest that those with a late chronotype, meaning they prefer to sleep and wake up later, tend to have R obotics company 1X has unveiled NEO Beta, a humanoid robot designed to take over household chores such as cleaning and carrying groceries. Standing at 5.41 feet tall and capable of running at 7.5 mph, NEO Beta is part of a broader plan to reduce the need for humans to perform physical labour at home. Safety is a primary focus of the design, with CEO Brett Brnich emphasising that NEO Beta is being introduced to homes for research purposes. “This year, we are deploying a limited number of NEO units into select homes to gather feedback and demonstrate the robot’s capabilities,” said Brnich. He also revealed the company’s goal to have millions of these household robots in use by 2028. unhealthy lifestyles. These individuals are more likely to smoke or follow poor diets, which may explain their increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes.”