Bacon1

An immature and seditious comment has been removed. @Hellfire

Call the bank, explain the situation, ask their advice

Flame & replies removed. @Ralf001 Three of your recent posts contained offensive language and swear words. Such content is strictly against our forum rules and community standards. Continued posting of offensive material may result in further disciplinary action, including temporary suspension or permanent removal of your account. Please ensure that all future posts adhere to the forum’s guidelines and maintain a respectful and appropriate tone.

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A new study from Yale University reveals that insulin rationing remains alarmingly common among people with diabetes, even after recent policy reforms meant to ease access and reduce cost. Researchers surveyed 199 patients in 2024 and found that approximately 25% admitted to cutting back or skipping doses of insulin because of financial strain—essentially the same rate recorded in a similar survey in 2017. While policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act have capped insulin copays for Medicare beneficiaries, they do not address younger adults, those with multiple insulin types, uninsured patients, or people covered by self-insured or out-of-state plans. The research highlights multiple barriers: high drug prices, insurance approval delays, and pharmacy shortages. In fact, when combined, 37% of respondents reported rationing due to one or more of these access issues. The study’s authors stress that although the medication to treat diabetes has been available for more than a century, it remains inaccessible for far too many—ending lives and worsening chronic illness outcomes. Key Takeaways: Roughly one in four diabetes patients still ration their insulin due to cost—no improvement since 2017. Existing policy fixes fall short by excluding major groups and failing to curb rising insulin prices. Multiple factors—affordability, inventory shortages, insurance barriers—continue to undermine insulin access. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-insulin-rationing-persists-policy.html#goog_rewarded Adapted From: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-insulin-rationing-persists-policy.html#goog_rewarded Link to study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-025-09886-9 Conclusions Despite new policies addressing insulin costs since 2017, one in four patients at Yale Diabetes Center rationed insulin due to cost in 2024, unchanged from 2017. Over one-third reported rationing due to broader access barriers. These findings highlight the ongoing need to comprehensively address insulin affordability and access.

A research team at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered compelling evidence that a naturally occurring compound found in Rosemary may support healthier skin recovery after wounds. The study, published in JCI Insight, highlights how the antioxidant known as carnosic acid encourages the skin to regenerate with minimal scarring. (Link below) Driven by social-media interest in rosemary-based skincare, undergraduate Jiayi Pang and PhD candidate Emmanuel Rapp Reyes joined senior author Dr. Thomas Leung to investigate how rosemary might influence wound healing. Their lab tests in mice showed that a cream infused with carnosic acid accelerated wound closure and restarted the growth of hair follicles, oil glands and even cartilage. Crucially, the effect depended on the presence of the nerve sensor TRPA1: mice lacking TRPA1 did not benefit from the topical treatment. The researchers found that rosemary performed better than similar herb-derived compounds like thyme or oregano, which can trigger irritation, underscoring its potential safety advantage. While the results are promising, the team emphasises that human studies are needed before rosemary creams become standard wound-care tools. They recommend talking to a healthcare provider before using homemade rosemary-based products. With rosemary being affordable and widely available, this study opens a path toward exploring botanical approaches to scar-less healing — particularly important for people at risk of heavy scarring. Key Takeaways: Carnosic acid, a compound in rosemary, supports wound healing and reduces scar formation in mice. The healing effect relies on activation of the TRPA1 nerve sensor, with no benefit seen when TRPA1 is absent. While promising for skin-regeneration and scar prevention, the treatment still requires human clinical trials before widespread use. Adapted From: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-rosemary-compound-healthy-skin-regeneration.html Link to study: https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/196267

Flame removed. Replies removed. @Harrisfan @transam

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In military history, insurgencies often seem doomed when facing well-equipped conventional forces. Yet, several movements have successfully toppled stronger opponents — through terrain mastery, outside aid, and sheer resolve. From the sugar plantations of the Caribbean to the mountains of Afghanistan, here are six insurgencies that changed the course of history. 1. Haitian Revolution The revolt in Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) began among enslaved Africans on the French colony of Saint-Domingue. Under leaders like Toussaint Louverture and Jean‑Jacques Dessalines, the insurgents used guerrilla strikes, knowledge of the terrain and the impact of disease on French troops to prevail. France, suffering heavy losses from ambushes and yellow fever, surrendered in 1804 and Haiti declared independence. 2. Spanish Guerrilla War Against Napoleon In the Peninsular War (1808–1814), Spanish guerrillas disrupted French military operations following Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1807 invasion. Without a formal army structure, rural fighters ambushed French supply lines and held key territory. With British help, the resistance helped drive the French from Iberia by 1814. 3. Great Arab Revolt of WWI During Great Arab Revolt (1916–1918) against the Ottoman Empire, Arab tribes allied with the Allies under leaders like T. E. Lawrence and Hussein bin Ali. Operating in desert terrain, they staged raids along the Hejaz railway and liberated cities such as Mecca and Aqaba, contributing significantly to Ottoman defeat in the region. 4. Yugoslav Partisans of WWII Under Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav Partisans became a massive insurgent force (650,000+ members) fighting Axis occupiers in the Balkans during World War II. With Allied support and captured heavy weapons, they not only resisted occupation but emerged as Yugoslavia’s post-war ruling force. 5. Triumph of the Viet Minh Led by Ho Chi Minh and commanded by Vo Nguyen Giap, the Viet Minh waged a successful jungle insurgency against French colonial forces in Indochina. Their victory at Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 forced France to abandon the region and set the stage for Vietnam’s communist leadership. 6. Afghan Mujahideen Against the Soviets In the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989), the Mujahideen used Afghanistan’s rugged terrain, sanctuaries in neighboring countries and external backing to wear down the massive Soviet military. One million lives lost and a Soviet withdrawal underscored the insurgency’s effectiveness. Key Takeaways: Terrain knowledge and ambush tactics can level the playing field against superior conventional armies. External support and safe havens greatly increase the odds of insurgent victory. Successful insurgencies often transition into political power in the aftermath of conflict. Adapted From https://www.thecollector.com/most-successful-insurgencies-military-history/

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James D. Watson, the molecular biologist who helped unlock the structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97. His discovery of the famous double-helix in 1953 set the foundation for modern genetics, medicine, forensic science and genealogy. Born in Chicago in 1928, Watson was just 24 when alongside Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins he revealed how two intertwined strands of deoxyribonucleic acid carry the blueprint of life. That revelation not only mapped how genes are passed from generation to generation, but also launched entire fields of research in gene therapy, DNA profiling and genome sequencing. Watson’s career extended far beyond that initial breakthrough. He authored influential textbooks, led the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and championed the ambitious Human Genome Project. Yet his legacy is complicated. In later years, Watson made several highly controversial remarks about race and intelligence, which resulted in professional sanctions and that tarnished public perception of his scientific stature. His death—confirmed by his former lab and announced by his son following a brief illness—marks the end of a life that bridged some of the greatest scientific milestones of the 20th century, and the ethical debates that came with them. Key Takeaways: Watson’s co-discovery of the DNA double helix revolutionised genetics, medicine and forensic science. He led major research institutions and initiatives, but his later career was overshadowed by racist comments and professional repercussions. His passing at 97 closes the chapter on a seminal figure whose work reshaped our understanding of life and heredity. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/07/james-watson-scientist-dna-death

Meghan Markle is making headlines once again by returning to the screen, this time in a cameo role where she plays herself in the upcoming comedy film Close Personal Friends. The film, currently shooting in Pasadena, California, also stars Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding. It marks Meghan’s first real acting gig since stepping away from full-time royal life and her role on Suits in 2017. The storyline of the film is somewhat metafictional: a “regular” couple befriends a celebrity pair during a Santa Barbara getaway — loosely echoing Meghan and Prince Harry’s own life in Montecito. Royal watchers are noting that this move could stir interesting reactions within the British Royal Family. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggests the family may view Meghan’s acting revival with a degree of light-hearted irony — stating they may be “amused” that she’s returned to the “theatre” of screen if not the palace. While Meghan has not officially commented on the plot or her exact level of involvement, a set insider told PEOPLE magazine she appeared “relaxed and happy” on set and that the role is a small one. With her production company Archewell Productions continuing to flourish, this acting return may signal a new chapter in her post-royal career. Key Takeaways: Meghan Markle returns to acting with a cameo as herself in Close Personal Friends, her first on-screen role since 2017. Royal experts believe the British Royal Family may find her film comeback somewhat ironic or amusing given her prior exit. On-set reports suggest Meghan is comfortable and in good spirits, signaling a positive start to this next phase of her career. Adapted From https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2130840/royal-family-live-meghan-markle-acting

Baiting posts removed @ChipButty

Two more posts removed. This thread is in the Wellness Forum. Ensure that only helpful replies are posted.

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The OP asked a valid health question. A helpful reply was posted, yet four members responded with thumbs-down emojis. These have now been removed. Such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Bickering posts were also removed.

During its 2025 AI Day event, Chinese automaker Xpeng pulled back the curtain on the latest version of its humanoid robot, dubbed Iron. Designed to turn heads, the new model’s realistic animation raised eyebrows — so much so that onlookers questioned whether a hidden human operator might be inside. The debut featured Iron walking a catwalk and interacting with the crowd in such a natural way that social-media chatter quickly exploded. According to Xpeng’s chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng, he even posted an unedited video to demonstrate that the robot truly is autonomous. The machine’s standout features include a bionic muscle system, flexible skin, a humanoid spine, and a curved 3D display embedded in its head. Under the hood, Iron is powered by Xpeng’s second-generation VLA (Vision-Language-Action) artificial intelligence model and three in-house Turing chips delivering a combined 2,250 TOPS of computing performance. The rumble of cooling fans during the demo gave away its internal machinery, further dismissing the “hidden human” theory. Xpeng confirmed that while the robot’s size remains close to last year’s version, the advanced internals and refined outward appearance mark a significant evolution. With mass‐production plans set for the end of 2026, the company is signaling its intention to move humanoid robots from prototype status toward deployment at scale. Key Takeaways: Xpeng’s humanoid robot “Iron” features lifelike movement and design, causing speculation of human control inside. The machine runs on a Vision-Language-Action AI model plus three proprietary Turing chips delivering roughly 2,250 TOPS. Xpeng aims to begin mass‐producing advanced robots by late 2026, marking a shift toward real- world deployment. Adapted From https://cnevpost.com/2025/11/06/xpengs-iron-humanoid-robot-looks-so-real/

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A vulgar, unnecessary & insensitive comment has been removed. @MalcolmB Reply removed also

Troll meme removed @Wingate Flame posts removed @TedG @Harrisfan Community Standards Be polite and respectful to other users. Do not post defamatory, offensive, or discriminatory content. Avoid flaming, trolling, or stalking other members

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Only cam versions for now. Looks good.