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Assisted dying bill: Two doctors would need to approve action

Terminally ill adults in England and Wales who are expected to die within six months would be able to get help to end their lives if their applications were approved by two doctors and a High Court judge, under proposed new legislation.1Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the bill, said it provided the “strictest safeguards anywhere in the world.” The law would apply only to people who have full mental capacity and are terminally ill. Mental illness and disability are both excluded as eligibility criteria, and a person would need to declare twice in writing that they wanted to be helped to die.A person who wished to end their life would have to administer the medication themselves. It will remain illegal for a doctor or anybody else to end a person’s life. No doctor will be obliged to participate in any part of the process.The bill would also make it...




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Malcolm Donaldson: paediatric endocrinologist, musician, and proud collaborator with his wife Julia, author of The Gruffalo

bmj;387/nov12_10/q2481/FAF1faJulia and Malcolm Donaldsondonaldson20241111.f1Malcolm Donaldson was a distinguished paediatric endocrinologist with a string of research publications to his name—but he was also happy to play second fiddle (almost literally) to his wife Julia, the celebrated author of much loved children’s books, including The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.Malcolm, a talented musician and performer, accompanied his wife as she toured festivals, schools, and libraries in the UK and around the world. Together they performed the stories, with Malcolm acting characters ranging from an accident prone dragon to a comic cattle thief. His star role, in the words of Julia’s literary agent, was “a particularly suave fox” in The Gruffalo.Malcolm met Julia Shields when they were students at the University of Bristol and they married in 1972. Donaldson went on to work in Brighton, London, and Lyon, France, before moving back to Bristol to be a senior registrar in paediatrics. Six...




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Cardiovascular disease: Just one in 12 eligible people had health check last year, watchdog finds

The current system for delivering NHS cardiovascular disease (CVD) health checks is not working effectively and must be reviewed to ensure that it reaches people with the highest risk, the National Audit Office has said.1In a review of the commissioning, delivery, and performance of CVD health checks the watchdog found that just over one in 12 people (8.8%) who were eligible attended a health check in 2023-24—which, if maintained, would equate to a five year coverage of 44%.Health checks were first introduced in 2009, with the aim of reducing ill health from CVD by offering everyone aged 40-74 without a pre-existing heart condition a check-up every five years. However, problems have arisen since the responsibility for commissioning these checks was transferred to local authorities in 2013, said the National Audit Office.The move led to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) losing its ability to influence local authority performance,...




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Encoding of Vibrotactile Stimuli by Mechanoreceptors in Rodent Glabrous Skin

Somatosensory coding in rodents has been mostly studied in the whisker system and hairy skin, whereas the function of low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in the rodent glabrous skin has received scant attention, unlike in primates where the glabrous skin has been the focus. The relative activation of different LTMR subtypes carries information about vibrotactile stimuli, as does the rate and temporal patterning of LTMR spikes. Rate coding depends on the probability of a spike occurring on each stimulus cycle (reliability), whereas temporal coding depends on the timing of spikes relative to the stimulus cycle (precision). Using in vivo extracellular recordings in male rats and mice of either sex, we measured the reliability and precision of LTMR responses to tactile stimuli including sustained pressure and vibration. Similar to other species, rodent LTMRs were separated into rapid-adapting (RA) or slow-adapting based on their response to sustained pressure. However, unlike the dichotomous frequency preference characteristic of RA1 and RA2/Pacinian afferents in other species, rodent RAs fell along a continuum. Fitting generalized linear models to experimental data reproduced the reliability and precision of rodent RAs. The resulting model parameters highlight key mechanistic differences across the RA spectrum; specifically, the integration window of different RAs transitions from wide to narrow as tuning preferences across the population move from low to high frequencies. Our results show that rodent RAs can support both rate and temporal coding, but their heterogeneity suggests that coactivation patterns play a greater role in population coding than for dichotomously tuned primate RAs.




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Dynamics of Saccade Trajectory Modulation by Distractors: Neural Activity Patterns in the Frontal Eye Field

The sudden appearance of a visual distractor shortly before saccade initiation can capture spatial attention and modulate the saccade trajectory in spite of the ongoing execution of the initial plan to shift gaze straight to the saccade target. To elucidate the neural correlates underlying these curved saccades, we recorded from single neurons in the frontal eye field of two male rhesus monkeys shifting gaze to a target while a distractor with the same eccentricity appeared either left or right of the target at various delays after target presentation. We found that the population level of presaccadic activity of neurons representing the distractor location encoded the direction of the saccade trajectory. Stronger activity occurred when saccades curved toward the distractor, and weaker when saccades curved away. This relationship held whether the distractor was ipsilateral or contralateral to the recorded neurons. Meanwhile, visually responsive neurons showed asymmetrical patterns of excitatory responses that varied with the location of the distractor and the duration of distractor processing relating to attentional capture and distractor inhibition. During earlier distractor processing, neurons encoded curvature toward the distractor. During later distractor processing, neurons encoded curvature away from the distractor. This was observed when saccades curved away from distractors contralateral to the recording site and when saccades curved toward distractors ipsilateral to the recording site. These findings indicate that saccadic motor planning involves dynamic push–pull hemispheric interactions producing attraction or repulsion for potential but unselected saccade targets.




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Voicing the plight of the vulnerable

In October, 140 people take the Table Mountain Challenge in Cape Town and Franschhoek, South Africa, as part of the Freedom Climb.




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'Why shouldn't we get involved in world mission?'

How OM Founder George Verwer's visit to Siberia impacted local churches.




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Fully operational this week

After taking inventory of the relief effort, OM Philippines workers, in partnership with churches, distribute relief necessities to some of the least-reached disaster sites.




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Operation Safe multiplied

OM Philippines hosts camps for children affected by recent trauma that facilitate emotional restoration through dance, songs, crafts, Bible stories and more.




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Miraculous healing in Mozambique

Limardes Domingo, an OM worker in Mecula, Mozambique, has seen church growth over two years through God's faithful answers to prayer.




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Cheerful givers

Maputo, Mozambique :: Logos Hope crewmembers visit local homeless boys in a slum area and were encouraged by their willingness to give.




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By the beautiful stones

Antonio Nipueda (Mozambique) recollects his journey to ministry with OM in Mozambique and the ways their prayers have impacted one village there.




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Challenging the culture

“God is working in this community,” James said. He and other Christians in his village are challenging the culture by living their lives for Christ.




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Innovation in Istanbul

Through the ups and downs of starting a new team, millennial workers see fruit when they start asking the right question.




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Where would they be without love?

An OM Lifehope team member shares about showing love to those living on the streets of Birmingham, UK.




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Showing God's love is like pulling teeth

Twice a week Lourie Ferreira heads out into rural Zambian communities to show God's love through dentistry.




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Food for the body and soul

For the past five years OM Lake Tanganyika has visited the local police station providing for the physical and spiritual needs of those awaiting trial.




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No longer vulnerable

From trying to survive each day to leading their community in bringing development, the members of a Self Help Group are being transformed drastically.




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Meaningful metro stations in Athens

Jemina (Finland) joined the Transform team in Athens. Changes in travel plans meant she used the metro system—between stations with very special names.




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Running at full capacity: Evangelicals serve refugees in Lebanon

Five years of displacement has taken its toll on Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, but many have met Jesus and discovered eternal hope.




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Arab internship programme sees results

OM Near East Field's internship school trains Arab Christians and others called to reach the Muslims of Iraq.




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Cross-cultural connection

A thriving youth group and an Italian-language event encourage a team from OM Italy during a recent visit to OM’s ministry in Montenegro.




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Culturally exposed while exposing Jesus

A new OM Italy team member participates in an English Scout Camp, which brings the Gospel to children and gives her new cultural insight.




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Counter-cultural faith among the Gurbet

Goran’s decision to follow Jesus challenged the cultural values and traditions he grew up with, causing him to live differently in his community.




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'God´s Word is powerful'

A Muslim man sees God answer prayers, receives a New Testament and then searches for more.




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A shoebox full of God´s love

OM Bosnia distributes Samaritan’s Purse shoebox gifts to close to 2,000 children.




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Beautiful Sarajevo

In the Olympic city of Sarajevo, OM connects with the local people through spaghetti nights, sports, 'smoke breaks' and coffee.




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Sweet Salvadorian culture

With the vision to promote healthy lives, OM educates people in topics like diabetes to reduce its incidence among members of the community.




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From meaningless to meaningful

One couple's lives are changed when OM El Salvador visits their community to do medical examinations and share the good news.




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You are beautiful

OM Europe hosts its third annual Youth Factors Conference in Pälkäne, Finland, in April, which offers participants an opportunity for reflection and self-discovery.




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Prepared to serve cross-culturally

Fourteen from three countries participated in the cross-cultural missions training programme hosted by OM Andean Region.




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Shoulders to work alongside and to cry on

Carmita from the city of Pedernales and Rosita from the community of La Estancia acknowledge God's work through the OM teams sent to their people affected by the earthquake.




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2018 Was The Best T20 Year For Me: Rahul Recalls His Fifty For PBKS vs DC

KL Rahul relives his incredible 14-ball fifty, he scored in the 2018 IPL while playing for Punjab Kings (erstwhile Kings XI Punjab) and called it the best T20 year of his career.




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Yashasvi's Brother Quit Mumbai, Couldn't Afford Food; Now He Is Ranji Star

Tejasvi Jaiswal, elder brother of star India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, was in the news recently, having scored his maiden First-Class half-century in Ranji Trophy.




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The Omnichannel Solution: One Platform to Rule Them All

4C aims at providing insight across campaign performance on all-channels in an easily accessed, self-serve package





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The Results of False Wisdom

“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16).

False wisdom ruins lives.

Renowned eighteenth-century theologian Jonathan Edwards said the following about the effect of the Fall on man:

Sin, like some powerful astringent, contracted his soul to the very small dimensions of selfishness; and God was forsaken, and fellow-creatures forsaken, and man retired within himself, and became totally governed by narrow and selfish principles and feelings. Self-love became absolute master of his soul, and the more noble and spiritual principles of his being took wings and flew away.

Edwards’s analysis certainly agrees with what James is saying: man is self-centered (cf. James 3:14, 16). Where self-centeredness exists, there will be negative results. One such result is “disorder” (v. 16). The term refers to disorder that comes out of instability and chaos. Earthly wisdom will never produce harmony or love because it’s proud and self-indulgent. It destroys intimacy, love, unity, and fellowship, and in its place brings discord and chaos. You can see the result of earthly wisdom all over our world today. Anger, bitterness, lawsuits, and divorces are just part of the legacy.

“Every evil thing” also results from earthly wisdom (v. 16). The phrase speaks of something worthless or vile. Greek scholar R.C. Trench said it contemplates evil, “not so much that either of active or passive malignity, but rather of its good-for-nothingness, the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth from it.” The Greek word translated “thing” implies that false wisdom produces nothing of any practical value. At its best it produces worthless things; at its worst it produces vile things.

Which kind of life do you prefer? One that is characterized by love and unity, or by instability and chaos? A life with fulfillment and meaning, or with emptiness? If you want a life that satisfies and has eternal value, choose divine wisdom!

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for giving you His Word so you can know how to live wisely and avoid the negative results of man’s wisdom.

For Further Study

Following human wisdom leads only to evil. Memorize Proverbs 4:27 to help you stay on the path of true wisdom.



From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

Additional Resources


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Bersamin, Remulla at NBI anniversary today

The National Bureau of Investigation will celebrate today its 88th founding anniversary with events planned to recognize the NBI’s nearly nine decades of service.




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Transport minister on SiGMA traffic: ‘Events like this will result in congestion’

Minister Chris Bonett said he sympathises with those who were stuck in traffic on Tuesday evening but added that events of this kind will inevitably result in congestion




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Inquiry expert tells court she could not find Malta Enterprise due diligence report for Vitals concession

Vitals inquiry expert Miroslava Milenović faces heated scrutiny over qualifications and methods for her role in uncovering complex financial links




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Italian Court fully acquits Palumbo Shipyards of waste dumping conviction

Antonio Palumbo, owner of Palumbo Shipyards, fully acquitted by Messina Court of Appeal, which ruled his actions in alleged illegal dumping did not constitute a crime




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Malta presents Climate Vulnerability and Resilience Index at COP29

The index was designed to quantify the specific vulnerabilities faced by countries, especially small island developing states




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UAAP: Also-ran Ateneo thwarts Final Four hopeful UE

Eliminated Ateneo refused to easily let University of the East move on to Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. The Blue Eagles added to the woes of the Red Warriors with a 71-67 victory on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. “I was just very happy with the team today because they played with so much effort and resolve,” coach Tab Baldwin said. SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball “When you haven’t been able to gel as well as we would like to as a team throughout the year, it really comes down to effort, and I […]...

Keep on reading: UAAP: Also-ran Ateneo thwarts Final Four hopeful UE




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QC cops nab suspect for grave threat, assault; seize hand grenade

MANILA, Philippines — A 27-year-old individual was arrested for threatening a victim at gunpoint, assaulting officers during his arrest and possessing a hand grenade, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced on Wednesday. According to the QCPD’s report, the victim was walking along Villareal Street in Barangay Gulod in Novaliches at 3 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, when the suspect appeared and threatened him with a handgun. The victim escaped and ran to the Novaliches Police Station. Officers at the station proceeded to arrest the suspect, but he resisted by kicking the cops until he was subdued. The Novaliches Police […]...

Keep on reading: QC cops nab suspect for grave threat, assault; seize hand grenade





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'Toxic media platform': Why 'The Guardian' quit X after US election results - The Times of India

  1. 'Toxic media platform': Why 'The Guardian' quit X after US election results  The Times of India
  2. Why the Guardian is no longer posting on X  The Guardian
  3. ‘Toxic’: Leading UK media house decides to stop posting on Elon Musk-led X  Hindustan Times
  4. A 200-year-old British media giant stops posting on X. Here's why  India Today
  5. UK's 'The Guardian' Quits X Citing "Disturbing Content" On Platform  NDTV




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Particulate matter-induced epigenetic modifications and lung complications

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of early deaths worldwide, with particulate matter (PM) as an emerging factor contributing to this trend. PM is classified based on its physical size, which ranges from PM10 (diameter ≤10 μm) to PM2.5 (≤2.5 μm) and PM0.5 (≤0.5 μm). Smaller-sized PM can move freely through the air and readily infiltrate deep into the lungs, intensifying existing health issues and exacerbating complications. Lung complications are the most common issues arising from PM exposure due to the primary site of deposition in the respiratory system. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and various lung infections are all susceptible to worsening due to PM exposure. PM can epigenetically modify specific target sites, further complicating its impact on these conditions. Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms holds promise for addressing these complications in cases of PM exposure. This involves studying the effect of PM on different gene expressions and regulation through epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs. Targeting and manipulating these epigenetic modifications and their mechanisms could be promising strategies for future treatments of lung complications. This review mainly focuses on different epigenetic modifications due to PM2.5 exposure in the various lung complications mentioned above.




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Harmonising cellular conversations: decoding the vital roles of extracellular vesicles in respiratory system intercellular communications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by various cells play crucial roles in intercellular communication within the respiratory system. This review explores the historical context and significance of research into extracellular vesicles. Categorised into exosomes (sized 30–150 nm), microvesicles (sized 50–1000 nm) and apoptotic bodies (sized 500–2000nm), based on their generation mechanisms, extracellular vesicles carry diverse cargoes of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Respiratory ailments are the primary contributors to both mortality and morbidity across various populations globally, significantly impacting public health. Recent studies have underscored the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles, particularly their cargo content, in mediating intercellular communication between lung cells in respiratory diseases. This comprehensive review provides insights into extracellular vesicle mechanisms and emphasises their significance in major respiratory conditions, including acute lung injury, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma and lung cancer.




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Phil Spencer: Xbox Won't Rule Out Any Games for PlayStation or Nintendo

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaking with Bloomberg said Xbox won't rule out releasing any game on other platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo.

"I do not see sort of red lines in our portfolio that say 'thou must not,'" said Spencer. He added it is too early to make a decision on the next version of Halo.

Spencer did say he was pleased with the sales of the first wave of Xbox games that released on other platforms.

Xbox announced in February it would be releasing four its game on other platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The four games were PentimentHi-Fi RushGrounded, and Sea of Thieves. Pentiment and Grounded released for the PS5, PS4, and Switch, while Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves released for the PS5.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463055/phil-spencer-xbox-wont-rule-out-any-games-for-playstation-or-nintendo/