Retired Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz was in court when Judge Merchan went “berzerk” this week because he thought Donald Trump’s witness attorney, Rob Costello, was looking at him contemptuously. Dershowitz called Merchan “thin-skinned.” Well, Merchan is seeing the case blow up, and he’s acting like one of the prosecutors. He told Hannity he couldn’t […] The post Dershowitz Was Stunned After a Day in Court with Judge Merchan appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Republican U.S. Senators slammed President Joe Biden’s administration this week for offering condolences after Iran’s president was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian crashed in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province after encountering extremely thick fog. “The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.” Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) slammed Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a hearing this week over the statement. “I don’t think it should be a normal course of business. I think it’s shocking that this administration would mourn the death of the ‘Butcher of Tehran.’ I don’t,” Barrasso said. “He’s responsible for death, rape, torture, the sworn enemy of the free world. So I think it’s a terrible mistake, Mr. Secretary.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP WATCH: Yesterday, @StateDept issued a statement mourning the death of Iranian President Raisi – a mass murderer who targeted, threatened, and attacked Americans. I think it’s shocking that this administration would mourn the death of the “Butcher of Tehran.” It’s a terrible mistake. pic.twitter.com/nKwSHuRUG2 — Sen. John Barrasso (@SenJohnBarrasso) May 21, 2024 Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) responded to the statement on X: “Under the ‘Butcher of Tehran,’ Iran armed and assisted terrorists with American blood on their hands. Offering condolences for the death of this monster is a disgrace.” Under the “Butcher of Tehran,” Iran armed and assisted terrorists with American blood on their hands. Offering condolences for the death of this monster is a disgrace. https://t.co/dO8bF2Jspt — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 20, 2024 Sen. Joni Ernst also responded on X: “This is the ‘Butcher of Tehran’ who chants death to America. The President of the United States should not express his condolences to our adversary as Iran continues to kill U.S. officials and citizens.” This is the “Butcher of Tehran” who chants death to America. The President of the United States should not express his condolences to our adversary as Iran continues to kill U.S. officials and citizens. pic.twitter.com/Nv8i160uYO — Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) May 20, 2024

A curious toddler is going viral for being adorably confused by her mom’s wardrobe malfunction. Natasha Rexing, who runs the TikTok account natrex12 captured a video of her 2-year-old daughter, Imi, who was fascinated with the fact that her mom’s pants had a hole in them. The adorable situation began when Natasha realized that Ima was fixated on something, so she asked her daughter “What happened?” Imi responded by saying, “There’s a hole,” and Natasha verified that she was correct. So Ima turned the tables and asked her mom “What happened?” @natrex12 I guess i need new pants…we will be discussing all night #toddlersoftiktok ♬ original sound – NatRex12 Natasha said she didn’t know what happened, but that answer didn’t work for Imi—she needed more information. So, she asked, “What happened?” seven more times before finally rephrasing her question with “It broken?” Natasha explained that her pants were not broken and she would still “wear them.” But that just made the sweet toddler wonder “What happened?” again. After reminding her mom that there was “a hole” in the pants and asking “what happened?” several additional times, Natasha cut off the video. “I guess I need new pants … we will be discussing all night,” she captioned. The Indiana native spoke with people after her video went viral with more than 2 million views. She told the publication that little Imi kept at it for “probably… five minutes” before losing interest. But when she woke up the next day, she was back to it. “She then started again the next morning when I walked up in the same pajama pants,” Natasha shared. “She has a strong future as an interrogator,” a commenter joked; “She just knows you’ll eventually break and tell her what happened.” “Legend has it she is still asking about how the hole happened,” laughed another. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Curious Toddler Can’t Stop Asking Mom “What Happened?” appeared first on InspireMore.

Alzheimer’s disease remains a challenging problem for both researchers and patients, but recent studies have thrown light on possible links between sleep patterns and disease development. One exciting line of inquiry is the use of sleeping drugs to reduce the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain.  The role of suvorexant in reducing Alzheimer’s proteins A study undertaken by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found hopeful results about the impact of suvorexant, a popular insomnia medicine, on Alzheimer’s proteins. According to senior researcher neurologist Brendan Lucey, suvorexant has been shown to reduce levels of amyloid-beta and tau proteins, which are known to build in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains. Lucey underlines the significance of this study, saying, “Promoting sleep could be one avenue to stave off Alzheimer’s disease, by allowing the sleeping brain to flush itself of leftover proteins and the day’s other waste products.” While the study provides hopeful findings, Lucey cautions against jumping to conclusions about suvorexant’s efficacy in preventing Alzheimer’s. Navigating the complexities of sleep medications Despite the potential benefits of sleeping drugs in fostering healthier sleep patterns, scientists warn against overusing them. Lucey cautions that long-term use of sleeping drugs can develop to reliance and alter sleep quality, perhaps exacerbating Alzheimer’s-related protein buildup. As a result, while suvorexant shows promise, its long-term effects warrant more exploration. Investigating the mechanisms of sleep and Alzheimer’s To better understand the link between sleep and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers undertook a large study with middle-aged volunteers. They attempted to understand how suvorexant influences the buildup of amyloid-beta and tau proteins by measuring changes in protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid during 36 hours. The findings were intriguing, with suvorexant indicating a slight but significant reduction in amyloid-beta levels. Furthermore, the larger dose of suvorexant briefly reduced levels of hyperphosphorylated tau, a modified version of the tau protein linked to Alzheimer’s pathology. While these findings are encouraging, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of suvorexant on Alzheimer’s protein buildup. What’s next in Alzheimer’s research? Despite advances in our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, there are still major difficulties in establishing effective treatments. The prevailing idea relating aberrant protein clumps to Alzheimer’s pathology has been challenged in recent years, pushing researchers to investigate other reasons for the disease’s progression. Lucey is cautiously hopeful about the prospect of sleep-focused therapies in Alzheimer’s prevention, saying, “Improving sleep hygiene and seeking treatment for sleep problems such as sleep apnea are both sensible approaches to improving general brain health at any age.” While the path to developing tailored medicines for Alzheimer’s is unknown, ongoing research into the complicated interplay between sleep and neurodegeneration provides promise for future advances. Navigating the nexus between sleep and Alzheimer’s As our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease evolves, so should our approach to prevention and treatment. While suvorexant and other sleep drugs show promise in reducing Alzheimer’s-related protein buildup, they are only one part of the problem. By taking a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes healthy sleep habits, lifestyle changes, and continued research, we may work together to create a future in which Alzheimer’s is no longer a danger. Source study: Annals of Neurology—Suvorexant acutely decreases tau phosphorylation and Aβ in the human CNSThe post New evidence connects common sleeping pill to a reduction in build-up of Alzheimer’s proteins first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Tears, from infancy to adulthood, serve as a universal emotional language. According to licensed marriage and family therapist Naomi Levine, “Crying for babies is both self-soothing and it’s also a communicator to the people around them that there’s a need that’s not being met.”This fundamental activity endures throughout life, providing a means to express and process complicated emotions. As we grow older, cultural conventions alter our attitudes toward crying, with considerable disparities between genders. While women cry emotional tears 30 to 64 times each year, men cry much less regularly, averaging 5 to 17 times. This mismatch reflects societal expectations and standards around emotional expressiveness. The healing power of tears: what happens when we weep As Dr. Sarah Bonza, M.D., a physician with 20 years of experience and founder of Bonza Health, puts it: “A good cry releases oxytocin and endorphins, promoting feelings of bonding and reducing emotional and physical pain.” Emotional tears activate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing a sensation of calm. Crying is also a natural stress reliever, helping to regulate emotions and restore homeostasis. This emotional release can be especially helpful at times of high tension or hardship, allowing people to absorb and cope with difficult situations. The chemistry of emotional release: examining the chemical composition of tears Aside from their emotional value, tears include a complex mixture of electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones. Early study reveals that emotional tears may contain increased levels of proteins and minerals, such as manganese, that help regulate the body’s functioning. While the specific mechanisms underpinning crying’s therapeutic effects are still being investigated, the existence of these biological components suggests that tears may have special healing capabilities. Nurturing your well-being: how crying can soothe the soul “Crying can decrease blood pressure, promote cardiovascular health, and boost the immune system,” says Dr. Bonza. This holistic approach to emotional release promotes balance and resilience in the face of stress and hardship. Furthermore, crying promotes emotional connection and social bonding, especially when done with supportive people. Crying together, whether for joy or grief, can strengthen interpersonal relationships and increase empathy and compassion. Embracing emotional release: leveraging the therapeutic potential of tears While the frequency of crying varies by individual, it is an important coping tool for many people. According to Levine, “Crying is a sign of being in tune with yourself and your environment.” Individuals who embrace emotional discharge might develop better self-awareness and inner calm. Recognizing the numerous benefits of crying emphasizes its significance as a natural and adaptive habit. Instead of hiding or stigmatizing tears, encouraging emotional expression can help people negotiate life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity. The next time you feel the need to cry, remember that crying is more than just a biological reaction; it is also a potent instrument for emotional healing and well-being.  The post The surprising physiological benefits of a good cry first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'I don’t enjoy it'

Another reason not to 'believe all women'

Imagine being so rich, you can just flee your tax debt ... must be nice