Today: September 08, 2024
Today: September 08, 2024

Latest From Claude Taylor

Lifestyle|WrittenByLAPost

Sugar dating: 7 shady practices exposed

While frequently glamorized as an empowering lifestyle choice, the unvarnished reality of the “sugar dating” industry is one rife with exploitation, coercion, and undeniable ties to sex trafficking. Beneath the veil of marketing language promoting “mutually beneficial relationships,” disturbing truths await – of young women being groomed into untenable power imbalances, sexual coercion normalized as par for the course, and undeniable links to the criminal underworld of sex trafficking. As discussions around this practice continue to percolate, it’s critical to peel back the layers and look unflinchingly at the shadiest realities, no matter how unsavory. Here are seven of the

April 15, 2024
Sugar dating: 7 shady practices exposed
Environment|WrittenByLAPost

Explorer Finds 16-Foot Shark Haunting Empty Exhibit. Watch the Video.

Over ten years ago, an Australian wildlife park with special features such as a large preserved great white shark suddenly shut down, leaving numerous animals withering behind locked gates. However, just recently, Luke McPherson entered the deserted building and posted impressive and disturbing pictures of its eerie insides. The most noticeable feature is the 16-foot-long preserved shark named Rosie, which is still floating completely intact in a tank of chemicals. The tank’s broken glass no longer entirely covers her dried-out carcass. The tale began in 1998 with Rosie’s accidental capture in South Australian tuna nets, likely spurring her unnatural death.

November 27, 2023
Explorer Finds 16-Foot Shark Haunting Empty Exhibit. Watch the Video.
Economy|Local|WrittenByLAPost

Homeowners score big in stimulus - Rebates up to $8K

Homeowners in select states could soon qualify for rebates up to $8,000 from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by upgrading to more energy efficient appliances. The rebates aim to offset costs for swapping items like furnaces or stoves to environmentally friendly models.  The IRA passed in 2022 allotted $8.8 billion for home efficiency rebates nationwide. States must apply to access funding and then distribute rebates locally. So far, California, New York, New Mexico, and Hawaii have initiated the process. Residents in these leading states may see rebates materialize this year if state plans get approved swiftly. Officials project Hawaiian rebates

March 18, 2024
Homeowners score big in stimulus - Rebates up to $8K
Economy|WrittenByLAPost

America's Most Popular Rifle: The Cultural Rise of the AR-15

The popularity of the AR-15 rifle has skyrocketed in recent years, becoming a common household item for gun enthusiasts even as it remains intertwined with political divisions and mass shootings. Once created for military applications in the late 1950s, around 20 million AR-15-style rifles now circulate across the United States.  A World War II veteran, Eugene Stoner led the original design team that developed the AR-15 as a lightweight and durable combat rifle using a new .223 caliber cartridge. Initial skepticism from gun makers stalled plans for a semi-automatic civilian version until manufacturers recognized emerging market demand in the years

December 13, 2023
America's Most Popular Rifle: The Cultural Rise of the AR-15
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Affairs with multiple partners? Why people get addicted to cheating & lying

Discovering your partner has not just cheated but done so repeatedly with different people elicits a special kind of excruciating betrayal. Experts call this pattern “serial cheating.” The deceit and risks to your health are cut so much deeper when it’s not an isolated lapse in judgment. So what drives someone to cheat over and over compulsively? Are there early warning signs you can spot to avoid being the next victim? Psychiatrists say underlying mental health issues like poor impulse control and intimacy problems are often at the root. While serial cheaters struggle with their demons, their actions gamble with

March 12, 2024
Affairs with multiple partners? Why people get addicted to cheating & lying
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Do you make this mistake when it comes to nutrition?

Trail runners face big challenges figuring out proper food intake on rough paths. The steep up-and-down hills burn way more calories than running on flat roads. According to new statistics, more than 40% of people are unable to fuel their bodies adequately, resulting in both visible and invisible injuries. The study, surveying nearly 2,000 trail runners, reveals over 4 in 10 display symptoms of inadequate calorie consumption for required effort. Such nutritional deficits yield measurable harm. “Low energy availability occurs when the body doesn’t get enough calories to power vital processes after strenuous exercise,” explains lead researcher and elite trail

January 08, 2024
Do you make this mistake when it comes to nutrition?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Inmate with schizophrenia dies following extended stint in solitary confinement

A disturbing new lawsuit alleges extended solitary confinement and willful neglect killed a mentally ill county jail inmate after nearly 3 weeks locked naked in a padded cell. Attorneys for Joshua McLemore’s family argue his untreated schizophrenia psychosis kept him from eating or drinking despite guards delivering food, ultimately causing fatal organ failure. According to court filings, police brought the 29-year-old McLemore to emergency services after finding him dazed in his apartment mid-psychotic break in summer 2021. But he soon faced arrest for erratic behavior like pulling a nurse’s hair, then transfer to Jackson County Jail on charges of battery

December 14, 2023
Inmate with schizophrenia dies following extended stint in solitary confinement
Health|WrittenByLAPost

What really causes sore muscles after exercise?

The dreaded soreness that follows a workout often seems like just part of the process as your body gets stronger. But what actually causes sore, strained muscles days after a tough workout? And do things like massage guns or hot tubs actually help you recover faster, as everyone claims? New research explains why our muscles protest so much in the first place. It turns out it might not be lactic acid or tiny tears in muscle fibers causing the hurt, as experts used to think. And the common fixes people swear by may just provide temporary relief without addressing the

December 07, 2023
What really causes sore muscles after exercise?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Herbal Mood Supplements - Are they Helpful or Hurtful?

A walk down any health store aisle will show you shelves full of supplement bottles that are calling to people who are stressed out or sad. Labels that look good say that herbs, oils, vitamins, and nutrients will help you deal with life’s mental storms. But can a pill really make you feel better or calm your worries down? Experts say that there is little to no evidence to back popular supplements for anxiety and depression, despite what marketers say. While some natural options like St. John’s wort show glimmers of potential benefit, data quality and clinical impact lag far

December 06, 2023
Herbal Mood Supplements - Are they Helpful or Hurtful?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Unsupervised Ketamine Use for Depression Raises FDA Concerns

The FDA warned against clinicians prescribing compounded formulations of ketamine absent careful monitoring, citing harms from the anesthetic’s growing unsupervised use as an alternative depression remedy. Citing adverse event reports, regulators targeted exploitative telehealth and direct-to-consumer providers, feeding surging patient demand for psychedelic therapy, showing promise in stubborn mental illness. But nuances separating legitimate supervised protocols from dangerous DIY usage fuel debates on avoiding over-correction given ketamine’s steadfast restrictions limiting medical access. Specifically the agency alert aims distinguishing between supervised ketamine injections administered in clinics from uncontrolled usage filling online prescriptions remotely. Its caution calls out compounding pharmacies specially mixing

November 27, 2023
Unsupervised Ketamine Use for Depression Raises FDA Concerns
Health|Environment|WrittenByLAPost

Dog Owners Warned As Mystery Respiratory Disease Emerges

Veterinarians across multiple states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness spreading among dogs that resists antibiotics and can lead to pneumonia. First detected a few months ago, over 200 cases have now emerged in Oregon, with additional reports from Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and potentially Illinois. Experts remain unsure of the exact cause but describe the disease as a likely viral infection passed through close contact, resulting in coughing, discharge and lethargy. While researchers characterize the outbreak more as a chronic nuisance than major threat, they advise vigilance and caution from owners as they work to pinpoint the

November 21, 2023
Dog Owners Warned As Mystery Respiratory Disease Emerges
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Do Emotions Get 'Stuck' in the Body?

The term “emotional baggage” is commonly used in reference to persons who are dragged down by their prior experiences. Though it may sound abstract, many people do think that pent-up feelings may have real physical effects. The question is – does scientific evidence support this mind-body connection? In recent decades, research has increasingly indicated a link between mental and physical health. Emotions generate physiological responses, like muscle tension or changes in heart rate. Over time, unprocessed emotions may contribute to chronic issues. However, the mechanisms behind this require more study. When a strong emotion arises, brain activity increases in the

November 16, 2023
Do Emotions Get 'Stuck' in the Body?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Does TikTok's Navel Oiling Trend Really Aid Weight Loss and Stress Relief?

The latest health fad exploding on TikTok is navel oiling, which involves massaging oil on the belly button and surrounding abdomen. Videos under the hashtag #naveloiling have amassed over 11.5 million views, as social media influencers tout a range of enticing health claims about this traditional practice. But medical experts caution that there is minimal to no scientific evidence backing these exaggerated assertions. Also called navel pulling, navel oiling traces back thousands of years to Ayurvedic medicine traditions in India. Practitioners applied oils like ginger, peppermint, olive, coconut, and sesame to the navel area for purported therapeutic benefits. This ancient

November 13, 2023
Does TikTok's Navel Oiling Trend Really Aid Weight Loss and Stress Relief?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Did Social Media Hype Spark Bedbug Hysteria in Paris?

It started as a trickle of complaints during Paris Fashion Week in late September — reports on social media of bedbugs crawling on seats in the metro, lurking in hotel rooms and infesting apartments. Then the trickle turned into a flood, with panicked fashionistas warning others about the pests on Twitter and TikTok and posting stomach-churning photos of infested mattresses tossed on sidewalks. The bedbug hysteria went viral, amplified by screaming tabloid headlines and intense media coverage as outlets from Le Monde to the BBC sounded the alarm. Anxious citizens petitioned the government to act, and officials responded with promises

November 03, 2023
Did Social Media Hype Spark Bedbug Hysteria in Paris?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Is Toilet Texting a Health Hazard? What Doctors Want You to Know

Your smartphone accompanies you everywhere, including to the bathroom. But experts warn spending time scrolling on the toilet can negatively impact health. They advise leaving phones outside for quicker, more hygienic bathroom breaks. Dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park says extended toilet sitting heightens risks of developing hemorrhoids. The downward sloping toilet seat exerts added pressure on the lower rectum and anus. Prolonged straining from lengthy bathroom browsing can inflame veins in this area. “When you sit on the toilet for too long, especially if you have obesity or are pregnant, then these veins start to bulge or get bigger, and that’s

November 03, 2023
Is Toilet Texting a Health Hazard? What Doctors Want You to Know
Sports|WrittenByLAPost

Jaguars President Sets Sights on Accelerating Stadium Rebuild

The Jacksonville Jaguars aim to accelerate plans for a $2 billion renovation of EverBank Stadium, team president Mark Lamping said recently. Originally projected to displace the team from Jacksonville for two seasons starting in 2025, Lamping told the team’s website that efforts are underway to “maybe go from playing away for two years to just one year.”   The proposed renovations, which would transform EverBank into the “Stadium of the Future”, complete with an adjacent entertainment district, have sparked negotiations between the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville over cost sharing. The team proposes a 50-50 public-private split for the project’s

December 18, 2023
Jaguars President Sets Sights on Accelerating Stadium Rebuild
Travel|WrittenByLAPost

Airlines reveal the eye-opening reality behind most flight delays

“We’ll make up the time in the air,” the gate agent tells waiting passengers when a flight is delayed. Behind the scenes, the pilots give each other knowing looks, knowing short delays from weather constraints, repairs, or a crowded airport rarely get made up once the plane takes off, especially on short flights. Still, telling this little white lie is expected in the airline industry. It helps keep passengers calm. “While we might make up some time on long flights, we usually only gain back 5-10 minutes on a typical delayed short flight,” admits Nick Anderson, a pilot with 15

December 20, 2023
Airlines reveal the eye-opening reality behind most flight delays
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

IRS Warns of "Pig Butchering" Schemes 

The IRS is warning customers about scams using false online dating accounts that are used to deceive people into making fraudulent Bitcoin investments. These fraudulent activities are increasing worldwide, with American individuals often being targeted.  The IRS Criminal Investigation division describes pig butchering as a disturbing financial exploitation tactic exploiting vulnerable people seeking connection. In these schemes, strangers cultivate relationships through dating sites or social media, building affection and trust. Eventually, the scammer urges their target to invest in a cryptocurrency platform they tout, promising huge returns. But the entire operation is fabricated to steal funds, leaving victims penniless. According

November 20, 2023
IRS Warns of "Pig Butchering" Schemes 
Science|WrittenByLAPost

More Awake Than Expected: Surprising Awareness Found in Sedated Patients

Going under anesthesia feels like instantly plunging into darkness, right? New Australian research suggests otherwise—finding 1 in 10 younger surgical patients briefly hover at more of a dimmer switch level. Scientists discovered a significant portion of 18-40-year-olds remain responsive despite sedative IV drips supposedly inducing foolproof unconsciousness. Startlingly, the phenomenon showed higher in women subjects monitored during routine preparatory phases. They reacted to verbal commands from doctors far more than expected before amnesia set in from subsequent anesthetic stages. The study indicates wider problems of “connected consciousness” where patients hover reactively inside supposed oblivion states. The research uncovers an awareness

November 28, 2023
More Awake Than Expected: Surprising Awareness Found in Sedated Patients

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