Sahar Ajjab

Tips To Take Care Of Your Back While Remote Working

Working from home is cool and all until your back starts to hurt. How can it not? You spend the whole day sitting on a chair (bed, couch…), in the same position all day. Yes, remote working is one of the most adopted safety measures from Covid-19. In fact, many companies are implementing ”work from home” until further notice. Although most governmental restrictions are being elevated, remote working proved to be a great solution to many businesses. However, you must take additional care of your back while doing so. These are few tips we have prepared to help you!

Sit Straight

Don’t sit on your couch when you have to work, and definitely not on your bed. The most important part is to get used to sitting straight. Fetch a desk, a chair and you can even use your dinner table. But the truth about back pain, is that accumulating bad postures can only make it worse on the long term.

Adjust Screen Height

Although it sounds like a given, adjusting screen hight properly is key. Actually, you shouldn’t be slouching to read the screen. Furthermore, putting too much pressure on both your lower and upper back leads to tremendous damage. So, before you start your work day, remember to have your screen at your chest height. If you use a laptop, then make sure to put it on a surface that coincides with the recommend height measures, in order to take care of your back while remote working.

Stretch

even if you have a lot of work to do, always take breaks to stretch. According to Harvard Healt h research, stretching makes muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. Of course, if you will be seated 8 hours everyday and 5 days a week, go ahead and do the math. Every 2-3 hours, try to stretch for 5 minutes before returning to your ”work posture”. Remember, sit straight!

Protect Your Shoulders and Wrists

Protecting your shoulders is essential to take care of your back while remote working. How can you do that? Well, take your mouse home. Also, adapt your keyboard position so you don’t have to bend overtime you need to type. In addition, if start feeling soreness in your wrists from typing, do some ”wrist movements” to release the tension.

Photos: Freepik.

6 Times Anonymous Left Us Speechless With Their Work

No, it’s not a bad episode of Black Mirror. What’s going on with the world this year has been just as insane as real. And just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get more dramatic, Anonymous reappear. In fact, this is not the first time they interfere through their ”hacktivism.” They have been present for a while, taking the defense of those suffering of political agendas and injustice. So, in addition to their recent ”virtual artwork”, here are 6 times Anonymous left us speechless.

Operation Didgeridie

The involvement of the active online-activist group made their first headline sin 2009. The attack targeted the Australian government. Furthermore, Anonymous were able to service attack to take the Prime Minister’s website offline for about an hour. The reason? he had announced he will be censoring certain adult content on the Internet, while encouraging others.

Operation Tunisia

In 2011, Tunisia became one of the countries that went down in history. The whole world watched as Tunisians rammed the streets protesting against their government. This was the begging of a world-shaping movement, called the Arab Spring. During the uprise, WikiLeaks and social media were a major instigator during the protests. Anonymous revealed confidential information leaking the government to several illegal activities.

HBGary Barr

Anonymous were the reason behind the scandal of Aaron Barr, CEO of HBGary Barr. The group infiltrated data to cause the company to live one of their worst days. First, they shut down the entire phone service, homepage and emails. From which, they made public ”over 68,000 private e-mails which included presentations, information on competing firms, and info on HBGary Barr’s plans on taking down WikiLeaks.”

Payback

Imagine how powerful Anonymous have to be in order to shut down payment methods. Several companies started to shut down their business with WikiLeaks ( supporting the government guidelines.) As a consequence, he group shut down both Visa’s and MasterCard’s sites on December 8, 2010. No only this, but they also declared war on several online platforms, such as Amazon, PayPal, and PostFinance.

Bank of America

The operation Bank of America seems straight out of the professor’s plan in Money Heist. In fact, this was definitely one of their finest work, and Anonymous left us speechless. Following news of shady mortgage loans within the bank, the group managed to release e-mails from a previous employee. Although none of the documents were incriminating, it still gave media something to talk about.

Operation Jefferey Epstein

Finally, the best for last. 2020 just can’t stop surprising us. Anonymous were behind the biggest scandal of the year, aiming at several big names in the world. Following the unjust brutal murder of a black man on the hands of a cop, riots and protests broke out in the US. Donald Trump who opposed the manifestations, received a hit from the infiltrators. They released official documents leaking that the president himself, and a list of celebrities are involved in pedophelia and child trafficking.

Photos: Pixabay, Freepik.

Did NASA Just Find A Parallel Universe Where Time Runs Backwards?

Nature really doesn’t cease to amaze us! The scientific community has been revolutionized a few days ago, with what might just be the discovery of the century. Several reports discussed that NASA found a parallel universe where time runs backwards. Yes, as astonishing as it seems, this could completely change everything we know about the universe, physics, and time. So, what’s the full story behind this new discovery?

The Study Started In 2016

The origin of all this dates back to a 2016 study, signed by Peter Gorham of the University of Hawaii. In fact, the research was sponsored by NASA-funded ANITA. Moreover, this research led scientists to discover subatomic particles (neutrinos), whose direction was the opposite of what it should be.

Did They Really Find A Parallel Universe?

Although everyone is freaking out with headlines, don’t get too excited. NASA have cleared themselves, and assured that ”at no moment was there talk of a possible “parallel universe.” In fact, it was something that various media outlets misunderstood and magnified. What is certain though, is that a new type of particle could have been discovered that could revolutionize the way we understood physics.

However, there is still no definitive explanation for this phenomenon, which is clearly magnificent. Furthermore, it is a behavior never seen before. so, and in the words of one of the study authors, “It was as if the cosmic ray had come out of the ice itself.” So, for now, there is no parallel universe where time runs backwards.

The Truth Behind The New Discovery

The scientific community has set out to find a logical and reasonable explanation for this strange phenomenon. And, at the moment, the most reasonable is that it is a distortion in the measurements caused by the ice of Antarctica.

Furthermore, those responsible for the study have not suggested at any time is that their discovery implies the existence of a parallel universe. And even less of one where time goes in the opposite direction. That, for the moment, is nothing more than an idea for a science-fiction movie.

Photos: Pixabay.

Giant Hornets That Can Kill Humans Are Spotted In The US

It seems like 2020 is determined to keep making it hard for human kind to survive. Jokes aside, Asian deadly giant hornets, have been spotted, in masses, in the US recently. In fact, the legend says that these harmful insects can kill humans in 30 seconds. Scientists argue that they are extremely dangerous, and kill hundreds of people in Asia yearly. Here is everything you need to know about Asian Giant Hornets.

Why Are They Deadly?

Giant hornets that can kill humans, are known as the Vespa mandarinia. These Asian species are particularly harmful to bees. In fact, although they do constitute a risk on human life, that risk is significantly low. As we mentioned above, in Japan, they kill a few dozen people yearly, but in rare occasions. according to scientists, it takes a few, simultaneous stings from several hornets at the time, to endanger your life. So, the wide-spread legend that you will die in 30 minutes, is far from being accurate.

However, the main target of these Giant Hornets, is bees. In fact, The state of Washington declared having found ”piles of dead bees with their heads ripped off, an alarming sight in a country with a rapidly declining bee population.”

How Fast Can They Spread?

Unfortunately, there is still no answer to how they managed to get to the US for the first time. However, entomologists are racing to find an explanation. These hornets are native to ”forests and low-altitude mountains in eastern and southeastern Asia,” have been spotted far-away from their continent this year, for the very first time.

Furthermore, few theories suggest that they may have been transported through international cargo, most likely by accident. As Seth Truscott, scientist at WSU College explained.

What Should You Do If You Spot One?

Although the risk is low, these giant hornets can kill humans. That’s why they are named ”Murder hornets.” Moreover, they are the size of your thumb; orange-headed and orange-striped; and they’re extremely pointy at the back end. According to scientists, if you spot one, you must report it. In addition, keep your distance, and avoid contact. In fact, it’s even recommended that you run away, especially if you spot a bunch of them.

Photos: Unsplash, Freepik.

These Are The Most Devastating Tsunamis Recorded In History

We all have seen movies about the end of the world. Somehow, they always include a tsunami as part of the dramatic-effects. However, have you ever wondered why? Well, possibly because tsunamis can be some of the most destructive natural catastrophes, ever. And while movies are often fictional, don’t get it wrong, because real-life tsunamis exist, and are just as powerful. In this post, we look back at the most devastating tsunamis recorded in modern history.

First Of All, What Causes Tsunamis To Happen?

The power of nature is absolutely incredible. Tsunamis look like huge waves that are super strong and fast, right? Yet, how Tsunamis are formed is what gives them their fascinating destructive power.

According to Australian Geographic, tsunamis occur due to a ”significant displacement of water in oceans or lakes, though are most commonly created by the movement of tectonic plates under the ocean floor.” While earthquakes are considered the most common cause of this natural phenomenon, other reasons such volcanic eruption, glacial carving, or meteorite impacts can be behind just as much destruction.

Indonesia – December 2004

The mot destructive Tsunami ever recorded in history, is undoubtedly, the one that happened in Sumatra, Indonesia on December 26th, 2004. A 9.1 magnitude earthquake, occurred at a depth of 30 km in the coast of Sumatra. In fact, this tsunami generated 50 m waves, reaching 5 km inland. In addition, it caused US$10b losses, and 230,000 people were reported dead. As a consequence, wave height raised even in other regions of the world, such as Antartica, US, and the UK.

Japan – March 2011

Japanese shoreline recorded the second most devastating tsunami in history. On March 11th, 2011, the pacific coast of Japan woke up on one of their deadliest natural disasters. An earthquake of a 9.0 magnitude, leading to a tsunami travelling 800km per hour with 10m-high waves. This caused the death of more than 18,000 people, and the relocation of over 452,000 people after their homes were destroyed.

Portugal- November 1755

Furthermore, on the European side, less tsunamis took place. However, one of the most devastating tsunamis that passed through the old continent, dates back to November 1st, 1755, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal. Again, due to a 8.5 magnitude hurricane, series of three huge waves struck the west-coast of Portugal, and a part of south-Spain. Waves that reached 30 m high, ended up killing more than 60,000 in Portugal, Morocco and Spain.

Photos: Pixabay, Freepik.

Can Shooting Stars Really Make Your Wishes Come True?

Making a wish upon a shooting star is a common belief. However, can shooting stars make your wishes come true? Although there are no scientific proofs, many people have reported that it can happen. Furthermore, it’s quite hard to spot a shooting star, however, some people argue that if you do it right, the universe may grant you your wish. But, you may ask, how is it even possible? Do stars have an impact on us? We answer your questions in this post!

First, What Are Shooting Stars?

Shooting stars are also known as” falling stars.” And, they are not stars at all. In fact, they are considered meteoroids. The amazing sky show of streaks of light you may see at night, is caused by tiny bits of dust and rock. Moreover, the event of meteor showers are quite frequent, although not always visible. They occur when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet as it orbits the Sun.

People Say That Their Wishes Did Come True

Wether it’s the power of believing in it, or simply a result of the ”law of attraction,” many people say that it works. Actually, several cultures around the world believe in the power of the stars since ancient times, when they were used to explain all sorts of things. My personal experience with shooting stars, has also been positive. One night, I was admiring the night-sky at my hometown, and suddenly spotted a falling star. I, Unconsciously, made a wish that, at the time, seemed improbable to come true. However, few years later, it did. Additionally, I stumbled upon few comments online, of people claiming that their shooting star wishes did come true.

One woman looking for love found it only two weeks after wishing on a shooting star!
A mother whose family’s financial troubles were magically resolved after wishing on a star.
explore.com

How To Make A Wish Upon A Shooting Star?

Again, shooting stars that make wishes come true is just the result of personal experiences, and is not backed by science. However, since spotting a falling star is not that easy, if you ever get lucky enough to see one, it doesn’t hurt to try it. Here is how you are ”supposed” to make a wish upon a shooting star.

First, the wish must be done quickly, and before the meteor disappears. You need to close your eyes to make your wish. Note that it must be something you truly believe in, and just a superficial desire. Most importantly, it must remain a secret, and you can not tell anyone about it until it comes true. (Sometimes it takes few years, like in my case.)

Photos; Unsplash, Pixabay.