Engadget Podcast: The storm around Activision Blizzard’s CEO

This week, Cherlynn and Devindra are joined by Engadget’s Jessica Conditt to dive into the latest controversy around Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, he was well aware of sexual misconduct allegations at the company, and he deliberately kept Activision’s board in the dark. Also, we chat about what Apple’s self service program means for you, as well as a new accessibility gadget that brings eye tracking to the iPad.

Listen below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News!

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Video livestream

Credits
Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar
Guest: Jessica Conditt
Producer: Ben Ellman
Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos,Luke Brooks
Graphics artists: Luke Brooks, Kyle Maack
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien



Source: Engadget – Engadget Podcast: The storm around Activision Blizzard’s CEO

Malware downloaded from PyPI 41,000 times was surprisingly stealthy

Malware downloaded from PyPI 41,000 times was surprisingly stealthy

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)

PyPI—the open source repository that both large and small organizations use to download code libraries—was hosting 11 malicious packages that were downloaded more than 41,000 times in one of the latest reported such incidents threatening the software supply chain.

JFrog, a security firm that monitors PyPI and other repositories for malware, said the packages are notable for the lengths its developers took to camouflage their malicious code from network detection. Those lengths include a novel mechanism that uses what’s known as a reverse shell to proxy communications with control servers through the Fastly content distribution network. Another technique is DNS tunneling, something that JFrog said it had never seen before in malicious software uploaded to PyPI.

A powerful vector

“Package managers are a growing and powerful vector for the unintentional installation of malicious code, and as we discovered with these 11 new PyPI packages, attackers are getting more sophisticated in their approach, Shachar Menashe, senior director of JFrog research, wrote in an email. “The advanced evasion techniques used in these malware packages, such as novel exfiltration or even DNS tunneling (the first we’ve seen in packages uploaded to PyPI) signal a disturbing trend that attackers are becoming stealthier in their attacks on open source software.”

Read 11 remaining paragraphs | Comments



Source: Ars Technica – Malware downloaded from PyPI 41,000 times was surprisingly stealthy

Keeping science reproducible in a world of custom code and data

Keeping science reproducible in a world of custom code and data

Enlarge (credit: Degui Adil / Getty Images)

It is often said that the difference between science and superstition is that science is reproducible. Unfortunately, many scientific papers aren’t, making them about as reliable as superstition.

Since the mid-1600s, the output from a typical scientific study has been an essay-style journal article describing the results. But today, in fields ranging from astronomy to microbiology, much of the technical work for a journal article involves writing code to manipulate data sets. If the data and code are not available, other researchers can’t reproduce the original authors’ work and, more importantly, may not be able to build upon the work to explore new methods and discoveries.

Thanks to cultural shifts and funding requirements, more researchers are warming up to open data and open code. Even 100-year-old journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics or the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society now require authors to provide replication materials—including data and code—with any quantitative paper. Some researchers welcome the new paradigm and see the value in pushing science forward via deeper collaboration. But others feel the burden of learning to use distribution-related tools like Git, Docker, Jupyter, and other not-quite words.

Read 29 remaining paragraphs | Comments



Source: Ars Technica – Keeping science reproducible in a world of custom code and data

Winamp Prepares a Relaunch

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BleepingComputer: Winamp is getting closer to release with a redesigned website, logo, and a new beta signup allowing users to soon test the upcoming version of the media player. Before we streamed our music, users would rip their albums or download MP3s to listen on their computer using media players. One of the most popular media players to play MP3s was Winamp, with its retro skins and animated visualizers that moved along with the music you were playing. However, Winamp had not seen any further development after its version 5.5 release in 2007.

In October 2018, after Winamp 5.8 was leaked online, the developers decided to publish the leaked version on their website Winamp.com to allow everyone to use it in all its nostalgic glory. Unfortunately, while Radionomy, the owners of Winamp, said they had big plans for Winamp, no further versions have been released since then. The only new Winamp development we have seen has been by the Winamp Community Update Project (WACUP) who released Preview version 1.0.20.7236 with bug fixes and improvements. You can sign up for a Winamp beta test here.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Winamp Prepares a Relaunch

UK to ban any handheld use of a mobile phone behind the wheel

The UK government is strengthening its existing laws against the use of mobile phones while driving. It’s already illegal to text and make calls behind the wheel unless it’s an emergency. Starting next year, though, any use of mobile phone while driving will be deemed illegal — that includes using phones to take photos or videos, to play games or to scroll through playlists and other content. 

Drivers can’t do any of those even while their vehicle isn’t moving. The government will revise The Highway Code to explain that being stationary on the road, such as at traffic lights or in the middle of traffic jams, still count as driving. Anybody caught using their phones in those circumstances will still be fined £200 (US$269) and will get six penalty points on their license, which means new drivers could get their licenses revoked

The only exception is if they’re using their phone to make payments at a card reader, say at a drive-through window or a road toll. Paying for online shopping purchases isn’t an acceptable reason to get out of being penalized if they’re caught. To note, drivers can continue using their devices hands-free, such as for navigation purposes, so long as they’re secured in a cradle.

The UK has long been planning to close the legal loophole allowing drivers to use their mobile devices, so long as they’re not texting or calling. Authorities consulted the public about expanding its existing laws, and 81 percent of responders apparently supported their proposals.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement:

“Too many deaths and injuries occur while mobile phones are being held. By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century while further protecting all road users.”



Source: Engadget – UK to ban any handheld use of a mobile phone behind the wheel

The Morning After: Pressure on Activision Blizzard CEO to resign grows

We reported on employees calling for Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick’s resignation earlier this week in TMA, but pressure continues to mount. Alongside more than 800 Activision Blizzard employees and contractors that have signed a petition calling for CEO Bobby Kotick to be removed, there have been responses from both the head of PlayStation, Jim Ryan, and Microsoft’s Phil Spencer.

In a memo obtained by Bloomberg, Spencer reportedly said he and other leaders at Xbox are “disturbed and deeply troubled by the horrific events and actions” that reportedly took place at Activision Blizzard and that Microsoft was “evaluating all aspects” of their relationship with the game publisher.

-Mat Smith

Apple’s fully self-driving car ambitions reportedly still exist

The company may be narrowing its focus.

Bloomberg sources claim Apple is now shifting its attention to a fully self-driving car, not just a more conventional vehicle with semi-autonomous features. New project leader Kevin Lynch wants the very first model to drive itself, according to sources.

The company is reportedly speeding up its plans, too. Instead of a targeted launch in five to seven years, the sources said it was now aiming for 2025 — that’s just four years away.

Continue reading.

 

Canadian police arrest teen for stealing $36.5 million in cryptocurrency

It’s one of the biggest crypto thefts involving a single person.

Police in Canada say they recently arrested a teen who allegedly stole $46 million CAD (approximately $36.5 million) worth of cryptocurrency from a single individual in the US.

The owner of the currency was the victim of a SIM swap attack. Their cellphone number was hijacked and used to intercept two-factor authentication requests, thereby allowing access to their protected accounts. Some of the stolen money was used to purchase a “rare” online gaming username, which eventually allowed the Hamilton Police Service, as well as FBI and US Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force, to identify the account holder. Police seized approximately $7 million CAD ($5.5 million) in stolen cryptocurrency when they arrested the teen.

Continue reading.

Nike is building its metaverse inside of ‘Roblox’

Yes, there’s a product showroom.

The Morning After
Roblox

Nike announced a partnership with Roblox to offer a free virtual playspace called Nikeland. In its current iteration, Nikeland includes minigames such as tag, dodgeball and the floor is lava that players can check out with their friends. Mobile integration allows you to use your phone to translate real-life movement into the game. In that way, you can do things like long jumps and fast sprints.

Why did Nike team-up with Roblox? Because it’s huge. With more than 200 million estimated monthly active users, it’s one of the most popular games among kids and teenagers.

Continue reading.

Google’s second-gen Pixel Stand is available for pre-order

It has a fan?

The Morning After
Google

The new Pixel Stand is both bigger and more powerful than its predecessor — even if it didn’t make it in time for the Pixel 6 launch. It can charge the Pixel 6 Pro at up to 23W (21W for the regular Pixel 6) and has a fan to keep everything cool, but also presumably make noise while you charge. And while it will charge many Qi-compatible devices at up to 15W, Google phone owners receive some extra perks. You can use the Pixel 3 and newer models as makeshift Google Assistant smart speakers, display personal data like calendars while unlocked or turn your phone into a photo frame.

Continue reading. 

The biggest news stories you might have missed

Latest iOS update for iPhones 12 and 13 fixes dropped call issue

Engadget Deals: Google’s Pixel 6 is up to $100 off right now

Engadget Deals: Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro is discounted by $100 at Amazon

The employee behind the #AppleToo protest is leaving the company

Subaru’s Solterra EV has a 220-mile range and 360-degree safety camera

Cricut’s Explore 3 is the perfect cutting machine for obsessive crafters



Source: Engadget – The Morning After: Pressure on Activision Blizzard CEO to resign grows

Rocket Report: Clipper to fly on used Falcon boosters, BE-4 may slip further

Fire and smoke light up the night sky as a rocket lifts off.

Enlarge / Launch of Vega VV20 on Nov. 16, 2021, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. (credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace)

Welcome to Edition 4.24 of the Rocket Report! This will be the last newsletter for the month of November, as I’ll be taking off next week for the Thanksgiving holiday. But the Rocket Report will return in December when there will be several important launches, none more so than the James Webb Space Telescope.

As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below. (The form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site.) Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, plus a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

Rocket Lab tests helicopter recovery. In some ways, Rocket Lab’s “Love at First Insight” launch on Wednesday evening was routine, delivering another two BlackSky satellites into low Earth orbit. This was the Electron rocket’s 22nd overall launch, and the company says it has now launched a total of 107 satellites. As with a handful of previous missions that have experimented with first-stage reuse, the Electron booster made a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Read 26 remaining paragraphs | Comments



Source: Ars Technica – Rocket Report: Clipper to fly on used Falcon boosters, BE-4 may slip further

Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Is Making Yakuza 8

In October 2021, Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi confirmed he was leaving the studio he helped found. Joining him in the departure was long-time series director and producer Daisuke Sato. In a new interview with Weekly Famitsu, the studio’s new boss Masayoshi Yokoyama talks about how these departures have impacted…

Read more…



Source: Kotaku – Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Is Making Yakuza 8

Bitdeer Introduces the Web 3.0-focused HNS as the Platform’s Latest Offering

Singapore, November 18, 2021 – Bitdeer, the world’s leading digital assets mining and cloud service platform, introduces HNS as the platform’s latest offering, a recently soaring altcoin which just hit its new all-time highs as interoperability and Web 3.0 functionality begin to emerge as the next hot trend in the crypto sector. The inclusion of HNS reflects Bitdeer’s pioneering position in the industry, swiftly responding to market trends, and bringing in first-class digital asset options for its global customers. 

HNS is the utility token of Handshake, an open-source project and “a blockchain protocol aimed to replace centralized trusted internet infrastructure with a decentralized Certificate Authority and globally unique namespace composed of a decentralized blockchain and cryptographic proofs backed by crypto-economic mechanisms” according to its whitepaper. Simply put, Handshake is an ambitious plan to reinvent how websites get their names, as the existing domain name system (DNS) is vulnerable to censorship and hacking. It is essentially a piece of software and a loose consensus on agreement of the software.

The Silicon Valley-born project has attracted top-notch venture capitals during its debut and most recently gained enormous traction when users start buying up Handshake domains as it is one of the few DNS providers that support Web 3.0. Despite its wide popularity, only 33.3% of HNS is available for mining (based on PoW) as the rest portion of the HNS tokens are allocated to the legacy internet infrastructure and the open-source development community. Due to the fact that HNS is only available for trading in secondary markets from a handful of cryptocurrency exchanges, the accessibility and advantages provided to global miners through Bitdeer’s offering become the optimal choice for many.  

Compared to the complex procedures and efforts required to mine HNS which include the selection and management of wallet, mining pool, software and hardware, and so on, Bitdeer’s HNS service package empowers great convenience and cost-effectiveness – users can select the most suitable package from a multiple range of offerings at Bitdeer platform and purchase at only a few clicks with ease. This is made possible through the Goldshell HS5, a professional ASIC mining model that outperforms the market average by a significant margin. The Goldshell HS5 supports dual-mining on HNS and SC (Siacoin) at the same time, and boasts an upgraded overall performance compared to its predecessor, including the 35% increase in hashing power, while the power consumption ratio is reduced by 2%. The more stable operation also minimizes the fluctuation in hashing power.

Bitdeer is able to realize this offering way ahead of the curve thanks to the company’s seasoned experience and discerning judgment over critical trends happening in the blockchain and crypto industry. Being an advocate of truly decentralized crypto projects and community, the availability of HNS on Bitdeer brings in a brand new sphere of the platform’s diverse offering.

Secure and Reputable Platform with Professional Services

Bitdeer serves users from over 200 countries around the world with monthly traffic of over 3 million users. The platform’s high uptime and smooth operation are guaranteed by Bitdeer Group’s Mining Datacenter, leveraging its unrivaled aggregate mining capacity to provide reliable and trustworthy digital asset mining services to users. Transparency is key and users can track their returns and profits easily on the platform which is supported by its professional back-end management and financial systems. Bitdeer not only ensures stable and consistent operation but also strives to provide top-notch services to its customers worldwide, twenty-four hours a day.

Bitdeer is part of the Bitdeer Group founded and chaired by Jihan Wu, also the co-founder of Bitmain and Matrixport. It aggregates the world’s top mining pools from across the world, such as BTC.com, Antpool, F2Pool, Foundry USA, ViaBTC, and BTC.top, and aims at providing users with more flexible mining options with a proven track record. The inclusion of the HNS Full Effective Plan embodies the platform’s latest efforts to bring in first-class digital assets mining options to its global users, solidifying the bond and engagement between Bitdeer and the global community.

About Bitdeer

Bitdeer is the world’s leading digital assets mining and sharing service platform, enabling global users to mine cryptocurrencies in a transparent, reliable, and convenient way. It saves users from the complicated process of purchasing, installing, and hosting mining machines. Individual miners can enjoy the service with just one click.

*Information provided in this article is as an advertisement, professional advice, offer, solicitation, or recommendation to deal in any product. No guarantee, representation, warranty, or undertaking, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, or correctness of any information, or the future returns, performance, or outcome of any product. Bitdeer expressly excludes any and all liability (to the extent permitted by applicable law) in respect of the information provided in this article, and in no event shall Bitdeer be liable to any person for any losses incurred or damages suffered as a result of any reliance on any information in this article.

Contacts

Website: https://www.Bitdeer.com 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BitDeerOfficial 
Marketing Contact:
Bonnie Hu
Marketing@Bitdeer.com



Source: TG Daily – Bitdeer Introduces the Web 3.0-focused HNS as the Platform’s Latest Offering

Twitch increases the number of custom emotes affiliate streamers can offer

Emotes are a great way to add character and distinctiveness to a Twitch community — they can also get casual viewers to pay for subscriptions. A Twitch affiliate who’s just starting out, however, used to only have a single custom emote slot. Now, the livestreaming website has upped the initial number of emote slots to five, based on affiliates’ feedback. That means streamers can offer five custom emotes from the get-go, simply by meeting the bare requirements needed to become part of the affiliate program. In all, affiliates can earn nine slots for custom emotes by reaching certain subscription milestones. 

Twitch is also carrying the change over to its partner program, increasing the slots available for them, as well. To be able to apply for partner status, an affiliate must reach a certain number of streaming hours, views and subscribers. Even then, they might not get in. That’s why giving potential subscribers more incentive in the form of emotes could help beginners reach their goal sooner and earn more money.

The website has also given affiliates the capability offer animated emotes to their community. They’ll start with one slot and can unlock up to five as their audience grows. Those who can’t afford to pay an artist to create animated emotes for them can use the website’s Easy Animate feature to quickly convert static emotes into animated versions for free. These updates have started rolling out to Twitch streamers and will be reaching everyone in the coming weeks. 



Source: Engadget – Twitch increases the number of custom emotes affiliate streamers can offer

How has image editing changed our lives?

Lens Camera Taking Photos Photography Focus

In this world of technology and the internet, everyone wants to save money and time. The use of online shopping and services has also increased. As a result, website development and website marketing services have reached new heights. But choosing such services is very time-consuming. Fortunately, there are many tools that help ease work related to website designing or development. 

Image editing is one of those tools which have made all the work easier related to the handling of the images. If you are a developer, then here we will talk about how these tools have made our lives easier. So, let’s have a look at the information below:

Eases editing of the images

When it is about editing the images then it is very much difficult for all such people who do not have any idea about all such things. But it all becomes easier with the help of such tools. Within minutes, one can edit their target image. Whether it is performing a simple crop of the image or whether it is adding advanced effects to the images, everything can be done easier with the help of such tools. 

Make adding content on images easier

When we are browsing any website, then we always get attracted towards not only its images but along with the content which is all displayed on the images. Do you know, all such things are only possible with the help of such AI image upscaler tool.  You can easily change the content or make it more appealing while simply changing its content.

Change or remove the background

 These days, when we are doing product photography, then we have to remove its background to make it more appealing or enhancing. Moreover, when you want to add any other background to the existing one, then everything can be easily done with the help of tools. 

Enlarging of images without damaging their quality

It has been observed that when we are enlarging images then its quality gets impacted but it does not happen to you when you will use all such tools. With the help of tools, you will receive HD versions of images. It is the thing that makes such tools so special and allows us to use such tools to get the best quality of images.

Deblurring images

Whether it is about giving a blur effect to the images or deblurring the images everything can be achieved easily with the help of such tools. Sometimes we need blurred images but sometimes we need to remove blurriness and everything can be easily achieved with the help of the upscale image tools.

Enhancing images

Customers are always attracted to images that are attractive and high definition. In this case, these tools are very much beneficial in upgrading images and giving them highly impactful images. 

Time-Saving

The other reason behind using such tools is that they are time-saving. Within a simple click or easily uploading of images, you can achieve the result. So, when your priority is to save your time then you should opt for these tools. Moreover, with these tools, you can easily upload pics on your social media handle. 

Conclusion

At last, we hope that you have all cleared about such tools and how they have changed our lives. We believe that the above information on upscale image online is very much beneficial for you when you are a business owner and need to post images on social media and even on the website. 



Source: TG Daily – How has image editing changed our lives?

Earthworm Jim is set to return in a new TV series

The cult classic ’90s game Earthworm Jim is coming back to TV as a new series, according to Variety and a tweet from Interplay Entertainment. Interplay holds the rights to Earthworm Jim games and recently announced it was bringing the franchise back as an Intellivision Amico exclusive. 

The project will be headed be Interplay’s newly formed TV and film studio division, working with the animation studio Passion Pictures. “There’s so much potential in this story universe: a galaxy full of animals battling for power,” project lead Michel K. Parandi told Variety. “Jim is an earthworm in a universe where Earth is nothing more than a myth. His struggle to find meaning is surreal and comical, but it’s also relatable.”

The first Earthworm Jim game came out on Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo in 1994, with the last released in 1999. There’s still no word on when the new game will arrive. There was also a Warner Bros. cartoon series based on the game that ran for two season in 1995, with the lead character played by none other than Dan Castellaneta, best known as the voice of Homer Simpson. 

In a follow-up tweet, Interplay said that the original creator of the game, presumably Doug TenNapel, “is not involved at all.” TenNapel was originally brought in as a creative consultant on the game, but his participation was called into question after he made a number of racist and homophobic comments on a podcast. 



Source: Engadget – Earthworm Jim is set to return in a new TV series

Austria to Require Covid-19 Vaccinations for Everybody in February

Several European countries introduced new restrictions this week on people who refuse to get vaccinated against covid-19, and there was even an announcement from Austria on Friday that covid-19 vaccinations will become mandatory in February.

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – Austria to Require Covid-19 Vaccinations for Everybody in February

An Ultimate Guide to Understanding Fat Grafting

Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery experts have a way of making your breasts look more natural and symmetrical. Even after a mastectomy that interferes with your appearance, these specialists can use fat grafting to make you more confident with yourself. The procedure is generally safe, and with competent surgeons, everything will run smoothly. In East Windsor, New Jersey, there are fat grafting specialists you can approach for assistance. The doctors will use the technique in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. By visiting an East Windsor fat grafting, you’ll get guidance on the postoperative measures to observe. This blog post explores fat grafting procedures candidly.

What is Fat Grafting?

Fat grafting (autologous fat transfer) involves using your body fat to enhance the breasts’ contours. The specialist will use fat from specific body parts such as the thighs and abdomen during a breast reconstruction procedure to offer you guidance. You’re a perfect candidate for the procedure if you have already undergone full or partial breast removal during a cancer treatment procedure.

Sometimes, the specialists may recommend a combination of fat grafting with flap reconstruction and breast implant. This aims at bringing even more positive results. The other situation which makes you need fat grafting is when you are undertaking radiation therapy which is likely to alter the appearance of the breast. The grafting will cater to the changes which may occur.

What Happens in a Fat Grafting Procedure?

During the procedure, your specialist will be concerned with your comfort hence administer general anesthesia. Then through liposuction technology, they’ll remove fat from specific parts of the body. In most cases, they target the abdomen and thighs. It, therefore, acts as a cosmetic procedure in enhancing your looks around the core.

Afterward, there is proper preparation of the fat to make it fit for breast reconstruction. They then reinject into the target area, and the main aim is to create breasts that are as natural-looking as possible. In most cases, the success of the procedure depends on the blood supply. Therefore, instead of doing the fat injection once, the team will plan several fat grafting sessions. It’s something that helps in achieving promising results if your aesthetic mission is increasing the breasts size.

Benefits of Fat Grafting

One key benefit of fat grafting is using your tissues in rebuilding the breasts instead of using a breast implant. However, the surgeons will use the safest and high-quality silicone implants, but still, they cannot compare with using your tissues. This means a significant reduction of complications that could arise.

Secondly, removing fat from other parts of the body helps in body contouring in a way. It can save you from paying for a tummy tuck, especially when the fat volume is not that excessive.

Cosmetic and breast reconstructive surgeries are much relevant for anyone planning to look greater. The specialist will enhance the appearance of your breasts, especially after a partial or total mastectomy. They use fat from other parts of the body during breast augmentation or reconstruction. The procedure also helps you slim down due to removing fat from different parts of the body.

Written by Lara Harper



Source: TG Daily – An Ultimate Guide to Understanding Fat Grafting

What You Should Know About Oral Surgery

little-boy-patient-dentist

When a dentist suggests ‘oral surgery,’ a lot of people get nervous. The patient might believe that something is gravely wrong with them and that they will be having a risky, painful, and costly operation. However, numerous oral surgery procedures address diseases that many people face, including tooth loss, impacted wisdom teeth, and sleep apnea. Whereas each case is unique, many of these operations could be conducted as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return to work or routine activities in a matter of days. The Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley is a leading periodontal office in Monterey and Sunnyvale, CA that serves patients from all around the state. Call the office or book an appointment online to access the best Monterey, CA oral surgery services.

Why Would You Require Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery entails a wide range of procedures and treatments, all of which are meant to address specific needs and rehabilitate your smile to its best health. The specialists at Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley often recommend oral surgical procedures whenever other treatment choices have failed or if their patient’s issue cannot be solved using other dentistry approaches. The following are some of the conditions that necessitate oral surgery:

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is a prevalent treatment in oral surgery. Whenever a tooth is too damaged to save, or there is not enough space in the mouth for a tooth to emerge correctly, extractions are conducted to avoid the progression of gum disease and decay. Teeth that are exposed are removed without surgery. However, if the tooth is lodged beneath the gums, surgery is typically necessary.

Dental implants

Dental implants are used to restore teeth that have been lost; thus, enhancing the look of their grin. Unlike dentures, which adhere to the gums’ surface, implants are bonded to the jaw bone before a synthetic tooth is fastened to it. During implant surgery, your oral surgeon must cut into the jaw bone and gum tissue.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is typically done on persons who desire dental implants but do not have enough bone density in their jaw to support the implants. The technique involves removing bone from one section of the body and boosting the jawbone density.

Crown Lengthening

Before placing a crown, your dentist might send a patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for crown lengthening. This procedure will ensure that your teeth’s structure can safely retain the crown in position.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

This procedure treats problems with the jaw and face, such as jaw and tooth misalignment. In addition, it could be used to correct respiratory and speech issues, as well as biting concerns and sleep apnea.

Oral surgery procedures assist patients in enhancing the look and functionality of their teeth by repairing a wide range of issues involving their mouths. If you have an oral health concern that may necessitate surgery, schedule a consultation today through mobile or use the online booking tool.



Source: TG Daily – What You Should Know About Oral Surgery

What Is Fatigue: Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

barely breathing fatigue

Fatigue is much more than just drowsiness; it is a sensation of acute exhaustion and lack of energy that could make getting out of bed difficult. The compassionate staff at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine provides extensive and tailored examination and care for fatigue in Lawrenceville, and Raritan, New Jersey; and Houston, Texas. If you are experiencing chronic weariness, call the nearest office to arrange a consultation or book online.

What Exactly Is Fatigue?

Fatigue is not the same as sleepiness. Although you might feel weary after a spell of insufficient sleep or strenuous physical exercise, sleepiness is usually just temporary.

Fatigue is an exhausting sensation that persists despite sleeping or resting. Unlike sleepiness, fatigue is a long-lasting issue that prevents you from performing daily duties such as going to work, showering, and cooking.

Based on the nature and reason for your fatigue, you could also encounter the following symptoms:

  • A lack of motivation
  • Pains and aches in the muscles
  • Changes in mood and irritability
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Headaches
  • Reduced response time
  • Concentration problems
  • Vision issues

Fatigue becomes a public health concern if it poses safety issues, such as trouble concentrating while driving.

What Are The Common Causes Of Fatigue?

Fatigue could be caused by various factors, including physical and psychological health issues, as well as lifestyle factors such as exercise and nutrition habits. The specialists at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine assess and manage numerous causes of fatigue, including:

  • Chronic pain, including fibromyalgia
  • Excessive or insufficient activity
  • Being underweight or overweight
  • Particular types of arthritis, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Health conditions like hypertension and diabetes
  • Particular medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants
  • Sleep issues, like jet lag and insomnia
  • Lung and heart conditions such as coronary heart disease and asthma
  • Psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and stress
  • Hormonal imbalances, including pregnancy and thyroid problems
  • Nutritional concerns, including mineral and vitamin deficits
  • Consuming alcohol or caffeine

Fatigue could also be its own chronic disorder, referred to as Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

How To Diagnose And Treat Fatigue?

Performance Pain and Sports Medicine experts start by performing a comprehensive physical examination and reviewing your symptoms and health records. They might perform a range of diagnostic tests to figure out what is causing your fatigue, including:

  • Questionnaires on mental health
  • Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or ultrasound
  • Urine and blood tests

If your doctor feels that you have a sleep problem, they might recommend you to a sleep specialist for a sleep study.

After determining the root of your fatigue, the staff develops a personalized care plan. Based on your needs, therapy for fatigue might include one or more of the following:

Exercising regularly
Changes in sleeping patterns
Hormone treatments
Habitual changes in drinking and eating
Alternative therapies, such as mindfulness meditation and yoga

If your exhaustion is triggered by an inherent health condition, such as hypertension or fibromyalgia, your therapy might start with treating that problem.

For professional care in managing fatigue, contact Performance Pain and Sports Medicine. To get started, call the office or use the online booking tool to book an appointment.



Source: TG Daily – What Is Fatigue: Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

Family Planning: Everything You Need to Know

big family watching the sunset by the beach

Family Planning (FP) is one of the most crucial things that sexually active people in McAllen should learn. It is especially important if you want to have a family in the future. However, there are still a lot of people who don’t know about it. This article will let you know how important it is to consider family planning in McAllen and how to go about it. As for those who don’t have enough information yet, stay tuned!

The Importance of Having Family Planning for Couples

Family planning is essential for couples who are still in their 20s or early 30s. If you already have kids, family planning helps you determine how many more to add. It reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Even though having kids is easy, a woman’s body needs time to recover after giving birth. If you plan to have another baby, it would be best to wait at least 18 months.

Family planning doesn’t mean aborting your child/children. It is just a way of giving your body and your relationship with your partner a break. It is essential to know that family planning will only work if you and your partner do not have any unprotected sex or avoid having sexual intercourse during a woman’s fertile period.

Family planning should be done long before you get pregnant. You can choose between natural and artificial family planning options. However, it doesn’t matter what method you choose as long as your choice will not harm you, your partner, or your future babies. 

It is very important to consult your doctor before you start taking any type of pills or medicines. Moreover, make sure to ask for information about the side effects it will give to you and your future pregnancies. 

So, if you plan to get family planning, then you should consult your doctor right from the beginning. 

The Advantages of Choosing Artificial Family Planning Methods

There are a lot of people who still prefer natural family planning methods. They think they are the only way to get 100 percent assurance that they won’t get pregnant. However, if you are one of those people, you should know that there are several advantages to choosing artificial family planning methods.

One of the top benefits of choosing an artificial family planning method is doing so will give you 100% assurance in avoiding pregnancy. You and your partner won’t get pregnant until you are ready. 

Another reason why you should choose artificial family planning is to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. If you are sexually active, it would be best to use family planning options that protect you from pregnancy and STDs. Generally, artificial family planning options are more reliable than natural options. 

If you are curious about your family planning options, consider speaking with your doctor. They will talk to you about your options and suggest the most appropriate one depending on your history, parenting goals, and other needs. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for you. 

Written by Rida Sheppard



Source: TG Daily – Family Planning: Everything You Need to Know

What to Expect at Your Denture Appointment?

dentist dental care dentistry teeth doctor

It might seem like you’re in it alone when it comes to making an appointment with your dentist, but know that you’re not. We’ve put together this blog post full of helpful tips for what to expect at your denture appointment. From the moment you sit down in the waiting room to when the appointment is over, and you walk out into the sunshine, we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way. You need to do many things before this appointment to make sure that it goes smoothly. You can also consult for dentures in Delray Beach and make an informed decision about getting your dentures. 

Here are some things you should expect when you go in for your appointment: 

  1. Your Dentist Will Discuss Your Treatment Plan With You – The first thing that your dentist is going to do is discuss your treatment plan with you. This will include a consultation to ensure that you are comfortable with the dentures and any decisions made during the process. It will also include a discussion on how long it may take for them to make the dentures, how much it will cost, and any other questions you may have.
  1. They Will Make An Impression of Your Mouth and Gums – This is where they take impressions of your gums and mouth to create a replica of what they see when doing your dental work. This will help with the fit of your dentures. This impression will also include a mold of your teeth to create a false set of dentures.
  1. The Dentist Will Measure Your Jaw – Your dentist will measure your jaw to get a better sense of the health and height of your jawbone. They also look for other issues that could be causing you pain, along with any other problems that may be affecting the way your jaws move.
  1. They Will Take X-Rays of Your Mouth – Your dentist will take x-rays of your mouth to make sure that they can see any issues that may occur with your dentures. This will give them a better look at what you are dealing with and what they need to do for you.

The dentist will inspect your mouth and teeth, as well as take some x-rays of your jaws. They also carry some impressions from the top of your mouth to make a denture template from them. After examining all of this data, they can design a device-specific to ensure you have proper oral hygiene. And you don’t have any issues with dryness or sensitivity during dentures or retainers.

Written by Ruben Denton



Source: TG Daily – What to Expect at Your Denture Appointment?