Sotting the signs of serious illness

Headaches are extremely common and most of them aren't a cause for anxiety. Occasionally, though, a headache is a symptom of a serious illness, such as meningitis or a brain haemorrhage, and requires urgent medical attention. Tension headaches are the most common type. What are the causes?

About three out of four headaches are caused by tension in the scalp or neck muscles due to stress. Tension headaches tend to occur frequently and cause moderate pain, particularly at the back and front of the head. It's often described as a tight band encircling the head. Other common causes of headaches include hangovers, having irregular meals, long journeys, noise, a stuffy atmosphere, thundery weather, too much sleep, too much excitement, a fever, sinusitis and toothache.

A migraine is a one-sided severe headache with eye symptoms and possibly vomiting and can run in families. A severe headache with fever, a stiff neck and rash may be a sign of meningitis, a condition in which the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. 

A sudden headache that feels like a blow to the back of the head could be a subarachnoid haemorrhage, in which bleeding occurs between the membranes covering the brain. 

In elderly people, a headache with tenderness of the scalp or temple may be due to temporal arteritis, in which blood vessels in the head become inflamed. 

What might be done?

If your doctor suspects an underlying condition, you may require tests, such as CT scanning or MRI of your brain, and an opinion from a neurologist. 

What's the treatment?

The treatment depends on the cause of the headache. For example, a tension headache will usually clear up with rest and painkillers. Cluster headaches and migraines can be treated with drugs. Excess painkillers, especially those containing codeine, can actually cause a headache.

1.6 billion people on social networks

An estimated 1.61 billion people, more than one in five globally, will log in to social networking sites at least monthly this year, the research firm eMarketer said Tuesday. The study said the number was up14.2 percent from a year ago and growth will push that number up to 2.33 billion by 2017.

The highest penetration of social network users, according to eMarketer, is in the Netherlands, at 63.5 percent. Norway was second at 63.3 percent, followed by Sweden (56.4 percent), South Korea (54.4 percent), Denmark (53.3 percent), the United States (51.7 percent) and Finland (51.3 percent).

A majority of residents were also on social networks in Canada (51.2 percent) and Britain (50.2 percent, according to the report based on data from research firms, government agencies, media outlets and company reports.

The 1.61 billion figure represented 22 percent of the world's estimated population, the survey said.

The report said India is seeing the highest growth this year of 37.4 percent, though only 7.7 percent of the population uses social networks. Indonesia's numbers will climb 28.7 percent and Mexico will grow by 21.1 percent. e Marketer said.

Bangladesh-SL Tests from January 27

Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh, which was scheduled for February 2014, has been advanced by a few days to allow the Asia Cup to kick off on February 24. Bangladesh will now host Sri Lanka for two Tests starting on January 27, a week after Sri Lank's Test series against Pakistan in the UAE concludes. The teams will also play two Twenty20s and three ODIs during the series, which ends on February 22, two days before the Asia Cup begins in Bangladesh.

Mirpur and Chittagong will get a Test each, while the teams will also travel to Sylhet for the limited-overs games. The ODI in Sylhet, on February 17, will provide the BCB an opportunity to check how match-fit the ground is. The Twenty20 scheduled between Bangladesh and New Zealand here in November 2013 was shifted out, with the BCB scrambling to meet the ICC's deadline of November 30 to have the stadium fully ready for the World Twenty20. The Sri Lanka ODI will be the first International game at the venue since its completion. 

The two teams last faced off in March 2013, in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won the two-Test series 1-0, the ODIs were tied 1-1, and the hosts won the one-off T20.

Labour leaders to work with garment owners to iplement new wages

Leaders of 52 labour organizations on Friday agreed to work together with garment owners for implementing new wages to be announced finally by wage board on November 21. The labor leaders expressed the view at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held at BGMEA Bhaban here, said a press release.

BGMEA president M Atiqul Islam presided over the meeting.

Vice-president M Shahidullah Azim, vice-president Riaz Bin Mahmud, former president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad and former leaders of BGMEA attended the meeting. 

The labour leaders said there will be no vandalism of garment units centering the announcement of wages.

Owners and workers will work in a coordinated manner to carry the multi- billion dollar apparel industry forward, they observed.

Factory workers, who went on work stoppage, will also join their respective work places from Saturday and help smooth production at factories.

Rekha rejects offer to work with Amitabh Bachchan

Rekha, who debuted as a heroine in the successful kannada film Goa Dalli CID 999 opposite Rajkumar in 1989, has reportedly turned down an offer to work with Amitabh Bachchan. The two were last together in Yash Chopra's 1981 film Silsila. According to reports, filmmaker Anees Bazmi had his heart set on pairing the two stars in his film Welcome Back. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala and Anees created ripples when they revealed that they had approached Big B and Rekha to be a part of the film. While Amitabh is said to have signed, Rekha has, according to sources, turned it down as the dates clash with Indra Kumar's film, Super Nani.

Rekha plays Sharman Joshi's grandmother in Super Nani, which is a heartening tale about a woman trying to find respect as a senior citizen. The film also stars Anupam Kher and Randhir Kapoor.

Robot talks in 19 languages!

Designed for companionship, a new toddler-sized robot can hold a conversation in 19 different languages. Built by Paris-based robotics company Aldebaran and infused with language-learning software developed by voice-technology company Nuance, the robot has a voice that doesn't sound much older than it looks. The android can walk, brace itself if it falls and will develop its own personality as it gets better at speaking through repetition. 

"He lives his life on your side at home," Marine Fabrea, Aldebaran's head of communications, told Mashable in an email. " You can discuss with him, you can ask him to tell a story to your kids."

The difference between these robots and mindless machines is built-in emotional intelligence, according to Arnd Weil. Nuance's vice-president and general manager of automotives.

"What they are trying to do with the robot is mainly capturing what is the mood of that other person," he said. "It's more like somebody's coming home and he had a bad day, he's angry, so the robot should capture that.... and react accordingly."

The robot will be able to access a cloud of data that builds its vocabulary, as well as help it understand the flow of conversation, Weil added; this way, it can better react to users the more they interact with it, much like how Nuance's text-reading app develops language skills. 

Weil foresees the robots bringing out drinks, chatting with people who are waiting for appointments, acting as highly functional pets, and providing companionship to the elderly or children with disabilities.

"People do need somebody to talk to," he said. " A lot of people have animals or a dog or something, and this is just a new way of engaging with people."

The robots will be available next year.

Foods to fight immunity in winter

Here are a couple of super-foods that will protect you from cold and flu this winterA diet rich in a variety of produce like lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy products along with adequate sleep, moderate exercise and minimal stress contribute to a well-functioning immune system and may promote a faster recovery if you come down with a cold or a flu. 

• Carrots: Packed with beta-carotene carrots make an excellent base for soups, stews and risotto. Rich in vitamin A, carrots help fight cold and flu and also protect you from infections which are very common during the colder months. 

• Green tea and chamomile tea: Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties. Drinking approximately three to five cups of green tea a day keeps your immune system in check. Chamomile tea is also said to possess antioxidants that help fight against cold and flu during the winters.

• Mushrooms: Mushrooms are said to be immunity boosters. Mushrooms protect your system against cold and virus during winter. White mushrooms have significantly increased levels of natural killer cells - a vital component of the immune system.

• Garlic: Garlic is known to be the easiest home remedy to cure fever and cold. Western medicine has theorised that garlic has the ability to increase levels of enzymes that help the liver detoxify the blood that gives it special immune powers. Eating raw garlic provides maximum potency but if you cannot stomach the strong taste, you can have that cooked in food.

• Honey: Known to be the safest and the easiest way to cure cold and fever during winter. Honey is known for its anibacterial properties that help fight bacteria and virus. You can have honey every night before going to bed, or mix it in a cup of warm milk for added advantage.

Sex is not the secret to lasting love

Scientists have claimed that sex and having good communication can have a significant influence on relationships but factors like knowing partner's favourite pizza topping, being employed and ability to support yourself also matter. Scientists tested 2,201 participants, head to head, in seven "relationship competencies" that previous researchers had found to vital for promoting happiness in romantic relationships.

The researchers idea was to rank them in order of vitality to start building data on the aspects of relationships most important to keep them healthy.

The researchers, in addition to communication and conflict resolution, also looked out for love-making or romance, stress management, life skills, knowledge of partners and self-management to find the best predictors of relationship satisfaction. 

Couples were queried about their competency in these areas and then asked how satisfied they were in their relationships; the researchers then correlated each partner's strengths and weaknesses in each area with the relationship satisfaction of the person.

Couple, reporting communicating effectively, showed highest satisfaction with their relationships.

Study's lead author Robert Epstein, a professor of psychology at the University of the South Pacific, in Fiji, said that learning more about partner is also important for a successful relationship. Time Magazine reported.

He added that even more important was to know critical things like whether partner wants kids.

Cyclone Helen moves northwest

The severe cyclonic storm "Helen" over west-central Bay and adjoining area moved slightly northwestwards over the same area and was centred at 12 noon today.

It is about 1.185 kms southwest of Chittagong port. 1.140 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar port and 1.010 kms southwest of Mongla port, a Met Office weather bulletin said today. It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the storm centre is about 90 kph rising to 110 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the centre of the storm.

The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal No.two (r) two.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

Joynal Abedin Faruk urges President to initiate talks in time

Opposition Chief Whip Joynal Abedin Faruk has urged the president to take an initiative in time to hold talks in a bid to arrange a free, fair and credible election. "Time has not ended yet and it is possible to reach a consensus between the ruling and the opposition parties for holding the next election under a non-party government. You are not President of Awami League rather than the guardian of country's 16 crore people", he said.

Joynal Abedin Faruk was speaking at a discussion on 'on-going crisis, role of President and our expectations' at the National Press Club on Thursday. 

He opined that the time of present parliament can be extended in a bid to restore the caretaker government system in the constitution if it is needed.

Still waiting for BNP : Obaidul Quader

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has said we are still waiting for the main opposition BNP that it will join the polls-time interim government. Otherwise, the chance for BNP will slip away as no one will be allowed to join the polls-time government after the polls schedule. 

Obaidul Quader said this at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday.

He urged the opposition to join the cabinet before the polls schedule and again offered that BNP would be given 10 to 12 ministries if it joins the cabinet.