United News of Bangladesh

A new exhibition at the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds exposes the grim history behind centuries of anatomical art and illustrations. Beneath the Sheets: Anatomy, Art and Power explores how executed criminals, the poor, women, and other marginalized people were dissected without consent and became subjects for medical textbooks and artworks. Rembrandt’s 1632 painting The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, which depicts the dissection of a man executed for theft, exemplifies the practice. Across Europe, anatomists relied on bodies from prisons, workhouses, or even stolen graves. In notorious cases like Burke and Hare in Scotland, murder was committed specifically to supply anatomy schools. The exhibition also shows how many illustrations idealized the human form, reflecting the cultural, gender, and racial biases of their time. Some works blurred the line between science and erotica, revealing how societal tastes influenced supposedly objective studies. Curators emphasize that while anatomical knowledge has advanced, ethical questions remain. As Jamie Taylor, museum director of collections, says, the exhibition challenges visitors to consider “whose bodies feature in anatomical textbooks, who was drawing them, and why.” The display spans five centuries of anatomical illustration, tracing the complex relationship between art, power, and medical science. Source: BBC

Italy is finding new and creative ways to make its rich art and history accessible to blind and visually impaired people, allowing them to experience famous landmarks and artworks through touch, sound and imagination rather than sight. On a recent evening, after tourists had left Rome’s Colosseum, a small group gathered outside the ancient structure for a special tour designed for people with little or no vision. Instead of looking, they listened carefully and used their hands to understand the monument’s shape and history. Among them was 54-year-old Michela Marcato, who has been blind since birth. As the guide spoke, she explored a small model of the Colosseum with her fingers. Feeling its arches and curves helped her realize something she had never known before — the building’s oval shape. “Walking around it, I would never have understood that,” she said. “But holding the model makes it clear.” Italy’s popular tourist sites have long posed challenges for people with disabilities, from narrow entrances to uneven paths. But since 2021, the country has stepped up efforts to improve access, using European Union recovery funds to remove physical barriers and introduce inclusive visitor experiences. AI-powered apps reshape self-perception for blind users At Pompeii, new braille signs, audio guides, tactile models and raised replicas of artifacts now help blind visitors explore the vast ruins. Florence has also published detailed guides explaining which routes and museums are accessible and what assistance may be needed. Experts say inclusive tourism is not only about rights but also about economic sense. According to the World Tourism Organization, many older travelers have disabilities, and they often travel with companions. Tour guide Giorgio Guardi, who leads accessible tours in Rome, said the goal is to create meaningful experiences for everyone. His group often holds nighttime tours to reduce noise and crowds. When touching monuments isn’t possible, guides use creative methods such as asking visitors to physically recreate the pose of a famous statue to understand its form and emotion. Italy is also home to the Museo Omero in Ancona, the country’s only publicly funded tactile museum, where visitors are encouraged to touch the artworks. Founded by two blind art lovers, the museum features replicas of famous sculptures and modern works by blind artists. For Marcato, art is about memory and sensation. Though she cannot see a large painting of the sea in her home, it reminds her of ocean sounds, smells and walks along the shore. “It’s a way of feeling art,” she said, “that has nothing to do with seeing.”

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has questioned the growing obsession with protein-rich diets, calling it a weight-loss myth that mainly benefits the health and wellness industry rather than consumers. In an interview with The Hindu, Diwekar said there is little scientific basis for the widespread fear of protein deficiency among the urban and middle-class population. She argued that people who have access to basic necessities such as clothing, education and technology are unlikely to be protein-deficient. According to her, true protein deficiency is more common among people living below the poverty line, who lack access to adequate nutrition overall. Why ‘exercise snacking’ could be an easy alternative to the gym Diwekar also warned that spending heavily on protein powders, bars and supplements is often a waste of money and does not necessarily help reduce body fat. She said excessive protein intake can instead cause digestive problems, including acidity, bloating and constipation. Emphasising moderation, she noted that people who eat regular, home-cooked meals are generally not lacking in protein and should focus on maintaining a balanced diet. She further described the protein craze as a smart marketing tactic used by diet and wellness companies. By promoting high-protein consumption, she said, the industry creates demand for additional products such as fibre supplements, prebiotics and probiotics to address the gut issues caused by protein overconsumption. Diwekar advised people to look at the protein trend critically and prioritise a diverse, wholesome diet based on real foods, rather than relying on expensive supplements that may serve commercial interests more than long-term health. #With inputs from NDTV

After two days of competition featuring about 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has narrowed the field to just seven finalists competing for the most prestigious prize in U.S. dog shows. The winner will take home a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights, along with the distinction of being crowned best in show at the landmark 150th annual Westminster event. Among the finalists are Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa apso, Cookie the Maltese and Graham the Old English sheepdog. Also still in contention are Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, and Penny, a Doberman pinscher. One final competitor was due to be selected Tuesday night before all seven meet at Madison Square Garden for the best in show title. While only a handful advance to the final round, many dogs captured the crowd’s attention during the semifinals with memorable and lighthearted moments. Spectators cheered enthusiastically for Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli that moved confidently around the ring, while Beamer the vizsla amused fans by hopping into a box meant for his handler’s tools. Why ‘exercise snacking’ could be an easy alternative to the gym Storm the Newfoundland drew laughter by leaping up on his handler, nearly matching her height, and cheers for Oliver the golden retriever were so loud they drowned out the arena announcer. Chants also echoed for Lumpy the Pekingese as he strutted before a judge. One standout semifinalist was Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog that made history by competing at Westminster for the first time after the breed became eligible this year. Millie outperformed about 10 other farmdogs to reach the evening round. “It’s been a very exciting journey” to establish the breed in the United States, said Brita Lemmon of Seal Beach, California, who competed with her own farmdog, Coyote. Lemmon said she first discovered the breed in an encyclopedia and imported her first dog from Denmark in 2000. Although Westminster titles often go to dogs handled by seasoned professionals or owners with generations of experience, simply qualifying for the champions-only show is a major achievement. That is especially true for newcomers such as Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi. Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, said he had wanted a Neapolitan mastiff since his teens and finally got one at age 35. He began showing the dog at the breeder’s request and now both breeds and handles his dogs himself while working full time. “It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” he said as visitors gathered to meet the 190-pound mastiff. Short bursts of daily activity can significantly boost health Another first-time competitor was Natalee Ridenhour of Royse City, Texas, who entered the show with a Boerboel named Invictus. The powerful South African breed played a major role in her personal life, including how she met her late husband and her move from city life to a farm. Invictus did not advance past the opening round, but Ridenhour said the experience was still a victory. As visitors eagerly petted the dog, she remarked, “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him.”

For people who dislike the gym or struggle to find time for structured workouts, short bursts of physical activity woven into daily life may offer a practical path to better health, according to researchers. The approach, often referred to as “exercise snacking,” focuses on adding brief moments of higher-effort movement into everyday routines rather than relying on long gym sessions. Researchers say even small amounts of intense activity can deliver meaningful health benefits. Jo Blodgett, a senior research fellow at University College London’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, said high-intensity exercise that raises the heart rate and breathing is important, but it does not need to happen in a gym or during long workouts. Instead, she promotes what researchers call “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity,” or VILPA, which involves briefly increasing effort during routine tasks. Blodgett said simple actions such as climbing a few flights of stairs before taking a lift, walking briskly for part of a commute, or speeding up for short stretches during a regular walk can help improve heart health. For people who are mostly inactive, just three or four short bursts of intense movement lasting one or two minutes a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and improve life expectancy, she said. She also warned against relying solely on occasional gym visits. Even people who exercise once or twice a week can still face health risks if they spend most of the day sitting. Blodgett described many such individuals as “active couch potatoes.” “Thirty minutes of exercise is only a small part of the day,” she said, stressing that long periods of sitting can undermine the benefits of workouts. To counter this, she recommends standing up regularly during work, taking short walks during breaks and holding walking meetings where possible. Research suggests breaking up sitting time every 15 to 30 minutes is better for overall health. Blodgett also encouraged people to focus less on meeting strict exercise targets and more on reducing total time spent inactive. Some countries, including Canada and Australia, now advise that at least half of waking hours should involve some form of movement. Everyday activities such as household chores, carrying groceries or gardening also count, she said, helping to improve strength, balance and overall fitness. While higher-intensity exercise still provides the greatest health gains, Blodgett said the key message is simple: move more, sit less and look for small opportunities throughout the day to be active.   With inputs from BBC

Brief, high-intensity bursts of everyday activity, such as running up stairs, power walking around the house, or playing actively with children and pets, can deliver substantial health benefits and may even extend lifespan, according to recent research. Known as vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) or “exercise snacking,” this approach is gaining attention as an accessible alternative to conventional exercise routines. Experts say it allows people to achieve health gains without spending hours at the gym or meeting the traditional 10,000-steps-a-day target. Mark Hamer, professor of sport and exercise medicine at University College London, explained that VILPA was inspired by studies tracking people who did not perform structured exercise but still accumulated significant movement in short bursts during daily life. “Much of this movement was accrued in very short chunks,” Hamer said, noting the term “microbursts” to describe such activity. Research involving over 25,000 participants in the UK revealed that just three to four one-minute VILPA sessions per day can lower the risk of premature death by 40% and cardiovascular-related death by nearly 50%, compared with sedentary individuals. Even four minutes of daily microbursts can offset some risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Matthew Ahmadi, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Sydney, emphasized that VILPA not only improves heart health but also helps prevent frailty in older adults. Amanda Daley, professor of behavioural medicine at Loughborough University, highlighted the approach’s accessibility, noting it requires only a few minutes multiple times a day, making it suitable for busy adults. Simple examples of VILPA include carrying shopping bags with added effort, briskly climbing stairs, or performing household chores with more energy. Research indicates that even small daily bursts of activity can reduce cancer risk by 17–18% and stimulate beneficial physiological processes affecting metabolism and cardiovascular health. Experts stress that VILPA aligns with a broader public health message: any movement is better than none. While global inactivity remains a concern, microbursts of activity provide a practical way for individuals to improve fitness and reduce chronic disease risk, even if they cannot commit to structured exercise sessions. Hamer added that promoting short, frequent bursts of activity could help people gradually build towards the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, reinforcing a culture of daily movement. In practice, VILPA encourages simple lifestyle adjustments: taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking faster while running errands, or engaging in high-energy play with children or pets, all of which can contribute to a healthier, longer life.   With inputs from BBC

Balancing on a single leg may seem simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult as we age. Practicing this exercise, however, can improve strength, enhance memory, and support brain health. While flamingos might do it naturally, most people spend little time poised on one leg. Balance is usually effortless in childhood, with abilities maturing around ages nine to 10, peaking in the late 30s, and gradually declining after that. For those over 50, being able to balance on one leg for more than a few seconds can reveal much about overall health and aging. There are several reasons to practice standing on one leg. It can reduce fall risk, build leg and hip strength, and improve memory. "If you find that it's not easy, it's time to start training your balance," says Tracy Espiritu McKay, a rehabilitation medicine specialist for the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Read More: 5 simple lifestyle changes that may help slow biological ageing: Experts Why balance matters Doctors often use single-leg balance tests as indicators of health because they are linked to age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia. Muscle mass declines by up to 8% per decade after age 30, and research suggests that by their 80s, up to half of older adults may experience clinical sarcopenia. This affects blood sugar control, immunity, and muscle strength, all of which are reflected in balance ability. Regular one-legged exercises help maintain leg and hip muscles, reducing vulnerability to sarcopenia later in life. "The ability to stand on one leg diminishes [with age]," says Kenton Kaufman, director of the motion analysis laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "People are over 50 or 60 when they start to experience it and then it increases quite a bit with each decade of life after that." Balance is not only a physical measure but also a sign of brain health. Standing on one leg requires the brain to integrate information from the eyes, the vestibular system in the inner ear, and the somatosensory system, which senses body position and ground contact. "All of these systems degrade with age at different rates," says Kaufman. Read More: 80% of strokes preventable through lifestyle modification: Experts Espiritu McKay adds that balance ability can reveal the state of key brain regions, including those involved in reaction speed, daily task performance, and sensory integration. Brain atrophy occurs naturally with age, but rapid decline can limit independence and increase fall risk. CDC data shows that unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury among Americans over 65. Practicing single-leg exercises can reduce this risk. "These single leg training exercises really improve the balance control and actually change how the brain is structured," says Espiritu McKay. According to Kaufman, falls often result from slower reaction times rather than a lack of strength. "Imagine you're walking along, and you trip over a crack in the sidewalk. Most often, whether you fall or not isn't a strength issue, but it's whether you can move your leg fast enough, and get it to where it needs to be, to arrest your fall." Single-leg balance can even reflect short-term mortality risk. A 2022 study found people unable to maintain a single-leg stance for 10 seconds in mid-later life were 84% more likely to die within seven years. Another study of 2,760 adults in their 50s showed that the single-leg stance test was the most informative predictor of disease risk: participants who could balance for two seconds or less were three times more likely to die over 13 years than those who could maintain 10 seconds or more. "In Alzheimer's patients, researchers are actually finding that if they're unable to stand on one leg for five seconds, it usually predicts a faster cognitive decline," says Espiritu McKay. Training your balance Read More: Homeowners embrace no-mow lifestyle year-round Fortunately, research shows age-related decline can be slowed by practising single-leg exercises. These workouts strengthen the core, hips, and legs, while also benefiting brain health. "Our brains aren't fixed," says Espiritu McKay. "They're pretty malleable. These single leg training exercises really improve the balance control and actually change how the brain is structured, especially in regions that are involved in sensory motor integration and your spatial awareness." Balancing on one leg also activates the prefrontal cortex, improving cognitive performance during tasks and boosting working memory in healthy adults. Espiritu McKay recommends people over 65 practise single-leg exercises at least three times a week to enhance mobility and reduce fall risk, ideally incorporating them into daily routines. Starting earlier may offer greater benefits. Claudio Gil Araújo, an exercise medicine researcher at Clinimex in Rio de Janeiro, suggests those over 50 self-assess by standing on one leg for 10 seconds. "This can be easily incorporated into your daily activities," he says, suggesting exercises barefoot and with shoes. Daily activities like brushing teeth or standing at the sink can be used to train balance for just 10 minutes a day. Smooth hip strengthening exercises with gentle resistance, known as isokinetic exercise, can also improve one-legged stability. Source: BBC

The young woman breaks into a broad smile as she gets ready to mount the horse for her weekly ride. She laughs as the animal takes its first steps. “She was happy the first time she rode a horse,” Hector Chen said, recalling their initial visit. His daughter, Chen You-ching, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy more than 16 years ago. He has since been bringing the now 18 year old to horse therapy sessions. At the Therapeutic Riding Center of Taiwan in Taoyuan, a city in the island’s north, children with cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD and other conditions receive companionship and therapy by riding and interacting with horses. Animal-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, whether for children with intellectual disabilities or veterans coping with trauma. Abigail Liu said her five year old daughter has benefited greatly from the therapy. Her daughter, Ayah, has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays. She said her daughter “has become less afraid of unfamiliar things and is more willing to try new things. All of this began after she started riding horses here.” Read More: ‘Paush Sankranti’ horse race keeps rural tradition alive in Narail The horses require special training to handle a child’s movements and to remain calm when surrounded by several people, said Chan Shu-ya, a horse therapist. At times, children simply want to hug a horse for an extended period or listen to its heartbeat, and the animals will stand quietly with them. “They feel very relaxed, because the horse doesn’t show irritation even if they keep talking to it,” said Alain Chang, a horse riding coach at the Fang Hsing-Chung Social Welfare Foundation for Horses in Education and Health. “For them to come here to touch, observe or even hug the horses is a very special experience.” “Many of the students I work with look forward to coming here every week, rain or shine,” he said.

Iraqi calligrapher Ali Zaman has completed an extraordinary handwritten copy of the Holy Quran after six years of tireless work, marking the end of a deeply personal artistic journey. Standing beside his creation at a mosque in Istanbul, the 54-year-old artist said finishing the manuscript filled him with pride and gratitude. “Whenever I think about this Quran, I feel very happy. God gave me the life and strength to complete it, and that makes me proud,” he told The Associated Press. The manuscript is monumental in size and scope. It is made up of 302 double-sided scrolls, each about four metres (13 feet) long and 1.5 metres wide. The sheets, similar to thick parchment, were specially produced using traditional materials such as eggs, corn starch and alum. Islamic calligraphy is one of the most respected art forms in the Muslim world. For centuries, it has been used not only to preserve the Quran but also to decorate mosques, palaces and manuscripts. In Turkey, the art flourished during the Ottoman period with strong state support, leading to the development of unique styles. Today, Istanbul remains a major centre for calligraphy, known locally as hat. Art expert Umit Coskunsu said calligraphy became especially important in Islamic culture because of restrictions on depicting human figures. He described hat as more than just art. “It is seen as a form of worship, a way of getting closer to God,” he said. Zaman was born in Ranya, in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, and developed an interest in calligraphy at the age of 12. “I was drawn to it immediately. I felt I could find my soul in this art,” he recalled. In 2017, he moved with his family to Istanbul to focus on the Quran project and improve his skills, saying calligraphy is more appreciated in Turkey than in his home country. For six years, he worked from dawn until dusk in a small room at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, carefully handwriting every sheet. Although the manuscript is being described as the world’s largest handwritten Quran, it has not been officially recognised. Guinness World Records lists the largest printed Quran, produced in Mecca in 2025. Zaman’s son, Rekar, remembers how rarely he saw his father during those years. “We mostly saw him when we brought food or when he came home to sleep,” he said. “Now, thankfully, we see him more.” Read More: Three-flippered sea turtle Pyari released in Florida, now tracked by satellite The scrolls are now safely stored and covered at the mosque. Zaman hopes the Quran will one day be displayed publicly in a museum or special cultural space where people can truly appreciate it.

A loggerhead sea turtle with only three flippers swam back into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after months of rehabilitation in Florida, drawing cheers from a bundled-up crowd and now carrying a satellite tracker to monitor her movements. The turtle, named Pyari—a Hindi word meaning “beloved”—had been recovering at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach following a likely shark attack. The predator left her with severe injuries to her neck, shell, and front flippers, resulting in the amputation of most of her left forelimb. Japan's last pair of pandas have arrived back in China To prepare Pyari for her release, staff maintained her tank water at around 80 F (27 C) to help her acclimate. Beachgoers captured photos as she made her way down the sand, the long antenna of her satellite tracker waving behind her, before disappearing into the waves. Heather Barron, chief science officer and veterinarian at the Marinelife Center, noted that while the beach air was chilly, ranging in the 40s Fahrenheit (4–9 C), the Atlantic remained at a comfortable 77 F (25 C), ideal for her return. Pyari arrived at the center in November from the nearby Inwater Research Group, where staff began her care after the injuries left her in critical condition. The satellite tracker will now allow scientists to study how she adapts to swimming and surviving in the wild with just three flippers.