Filipino TV host Gretchen Ho travels to Sulu to see kids and students

Does blowing your nose make cold symptoms worse?

Every time I catch a cold, I long for the ability to breathe freely again. Like most people, I instinctively reach for a tissue and blow my nose. However, experts warn that forceful nose blowing can worsen cold symptoms and even lead to complications.Dr. Peter Filip, a rhinologist at Rush University Medical Center, explains that excessive nose blowing can create backward pressure, pushing mucus into the sinuses and potentially worsening infections. Similarly, Dr. Kanwar Kelley, an ENT specialist, highlights risks like ear pain caused by fluid traveling through the Eustachian tube or even rare cases of orbital fractures from excessive pressure.People should always choose to blow their nose gently to avoid side effectsForceful nose blowing can also cause nosebleeds and nasal vestibulitis, a bacterial infection near the nose’s entry point, often linked to the use of rough tissues. To avoid these issues, experts recommend gentle nose blowing: close one nostril, blow softly through the other, and use tissues with moisturizing ingredients like aloe or menthol.Alternatives to nose blowing include saline irrigation to clear mucus and nasal decongestants, which can provide quick relief when used sparingly (no more than three days). Warm compresses and steam can also help loosen mucus naturally.Practicing proper techniques and using gentle alternatives can provide relief while protecting the delicate nasal passages.

New York homeowner's yardwork reveals mastodon jaw

A homeowner in Orange County, New York, made an extraordinary discovery while tending to his yard—an entire mastodon jaw. The New York State Museum confirmed the find, which also included a piece of toe bone and a rib fragment. The homeowner noticed “two unusual teeth concealed by plant fronds” and decided to seek expert advice, leading to an excavation by teams from the New York State Museum and the State University of New York Orange.The homeowner, who remains unnamed, expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.” This is the first significant mastodon fossil find in New York in 11 years. Over 150 mastodon fossils have been unearthed across the state, with Orange County accounting for about one-third of the discoveries, making it a recognized hotspot for such finds.Mastodons, distant relatives of modern elephants, roamed North America between 3.75 million and 11,000 years ago. Standing 8 to 10 feet tall and weighing up to six tons, they played a crucial role in Ice Age ecosystems. Scientists attribute their extinction to a combination of climate change, food competition, and overhunting by early humans.A complete mastodon jaw was unearthed in the backyard of a residential home near Scotchtown, New York, according to the New York State Museum. New York State MuseumThe museum plans to conduct in-depth studies on the jaw and bone fragments, including carbon dating and dietary analysis, to gain insights into the mastodon’s life and the Ice Age environment. The artifacts will be displayed publicly in 2025, offering a unique glimpse into a prehistoric world.

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