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<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-signature-burgers-mcdonalds-burger-king-wendys-2023-4">Burgers at McDonald's</a> could soon involve fewer greenhouse gas emissions thanks to a new cattle feed.</li><li>One of the restaurant's meat suppliers will use a new type of corn from seed company Syngenta.</li></ul>The average McDonald's customer hopefully isn't thinking about the impact that cattle burps — or worse — can have on the environment as they chow down on a Big Mac. The company, however, is.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-mcdonalds-spicy-chicken-nuggets-2024-11">McDonald's</a> is working with seed company Syngenta and Lopez Foods, one of McDonald's meat suppliers, to feed cattle Syngenta's Enogen corn, the companies said in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114754025/en/McDonald%E2%80%99s-USA-Syngenta-and-Lopez-Foods-Collaborate-to-Help-Produce-Beef-More-Sustainably-in-the-US">a statement</a> on Thursday.Enogen is a feed that has been genetically modified with an enzyme "that quickly converts starch to usable sugars, delivering more available energy to cattle while being easily digestible," according to the statement.That easy digestibility could mean fewer greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. As cattle and other livestock digest food, they produce methane, usually through belching or flatulence, which represents about a quarter of all the agriculture industry's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#agriculture">Environmental Protection Agency.</a>As well as potentially fewer bovine burps, cattle that eat Enogen corn can also reach slaughtering weight faster and with a smaller environmental footprint, according to the companies. Syngenta said that a herd of 1,000 cattle fed using Enogen could result in 196 fewer tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere and 6 million fewer gallons of water consumed annually.McDonald's said the feed could help it meet its climate goals. The fast-food chain is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/dam/sites/corp/nfl/pdf/McDonalds-2023-Climate-Resiliency-Summary.pdf">targeting net-zero emissions by 2050</a> and has said it will cut emissions from its company-owned restaurants and offices by about 50% by 2030, among other goals. It's a top buyer of beef in the US."We believe the innovative collaboration with Syngenta is an opportunity to help us make progress toward our science-based climate targets," Director of US Sustainability for McDonald's Kendra Levine said in the statement.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-sales-dropped-second-quarter-in-a-row-sharees-down-2024-10">McDonald's global sales</a> were down during the company's third quarter as many consumers saved money by eating at home.The burger chain won back some customers with its temporary <a target="_blank" class="" href=" https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-promises-more-value-menu-deals-to-win-back-customers-2024-7">$5 meal deal</a> earlier this year, which excluded the two-beef-patty McDouble burger. Executives have said they're planning permanent changes to McDonald's menu to offer more affordable choices.

McDonald's wants to make flatulent cows less of a problem for the environment

As <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/can-ai-be-a-solution-to-the-climate-crisis-2023-5">Luccioni</a> shows me a digital map that tabulates real-time data on electricity consumption and carbon intensity, she explains it's her "favorite website."Her enthusiasm carries over into her role as AI &amp; Climate Lead at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hugging-face-open-source-ai-approach-2023-12">Hugging Face</a>, where Luccioni collects actionable data on AI's environmental impact.She has her work cut out for her, especially as companies like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-nvidia-robots-huamanoid-self-driving-cars-2024-9">Nvidia</a> and Google, which design AI chips, become more secretive about their proprietary offerings."The difficulty is that there's this race to secrecy," Luccioni said. "Since ChatGPT came on in November 2022, companies have really cracked down on how much information they share about their models."Luccioni codeveloped and regularly contributes to <a target="_blank" href="https://codecarbon.io/">CodeCarbon</a>, a program that helps developers estimate emissions and energy use from running AI models. Luccioni says tens of thousands of people have cited the program. She's most proud of how it allows technologists to act on their concern for the environment and benchmark against actual data.Meta recently used the tool to estimate emissions from running one of its <a target="_blank" href="https://huggingface.co/meta-llama/Meta-Llama-3-8B">latest Llama models</a>."Where the energy is coming from is really the biggest impact on emissions," Luccioni said. "The issue is that most supercomputers, be it Google Cloud, Azure, or AWS, are located in places that are not powered by renewable energy, mostly natural gas and coal, and that makes a huge difference."One of her latest projects should make it less opaque to understand how much energy and computing power popular AI models and tools use. This work, done with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is expected to eventually help establish an energy-efficiency rating standard for AI models. She likens it to an<a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=4eff6049c33f6535f47c8f7e8ac1b3b733fd4f8c291fd482d249faf13be5d56f&amp;postID=66faf5cee5b54083003ce06c&amp;postSlug=sasha-luccioni-hugging-face-ai-power-list-2024&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-024-02680-3"> Energy Star rating</a>."The EPA adopted this trust-based approach, but in the case of AI it would be a bit harder to adopt that approach because there are so many variables," she said. "You have to define specific data sets and specific hardware to compare these models."As <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-value-estimate-20-trillion-tech-wave">AI's value soars, possibly into the trillions,</a> Luccioni's work will help document the tech's toll on electric grids and, ultimately, the environment."You train a model once, but you deploy for a while. Even quantifying the amount of energy per query or per day is really powerful," Luccioni said. "In the long term, it really adds ups."See Business Insider's full <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://businessinsider.com/ai-power-list-2024">AI Power List</a>

Sasha Luccioni tracks data about AI's impact on the environment

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Gold and silver have rallied and have more room to run, Citi's head of commodities research said.</li><li>He says the best bull markets for gold and silver happen when markets in the US and Europe weaken as China strengthens.</li></ul>Gold and silver are on a hot streak, but the metals still have room to run, according to Citi's head of commodities research, Max Layton.Layton says the best bull markets for gold and silver are typically when markets in the US and Europe are weakening, and as China looks poised to strengthen. That's the setup now as Western economies slow and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-aggressive-monetary-stimulus-interest-rate-rrr-2024-9">stimulus measures set to boost China's growth trajectory</a>. He says it's the best positioning for the precious metals in a decade."I am bullish on gold and silver over the next couple of months," Layton told CNBC in a Friday interview, explaining that the best bull markets for gold and silver in the last 20 years have happened when developed markets are weak or weakening and when China is easing and potentially set to strengthen."This is the best setup for gold and silver, certainly for a decade," he added.Layton's comments come amid a gold and silver rally, with the price of gold up 2.4% in the last month to trade at $2,749.10, and that of silver up 6.5% to $34.01.Last week, gold <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-record-price-safe-haven-israel-hamas-geopolitical-tensions-forecast-2024-10?_gl=1*1ba1ja2*_ga*MTY3OTgyNjg0MS4xNzIxMDE2MDM2*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcyOTg2NjY5MC4zMTcuMS4xNzI5ODY2NzQyLjguMC4w">climbed to a record high</a>, surpassing $2,700 for the first time, after Israel killed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-says-killed-hamas-chief-yahya-sinwar-oct-7-mastermind-2024-10?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar</a> and fears escalated over further tensions with Iran. Investors have piled into gold this year as geopolitics, a shifting economic landscape, and ongoing inflation concerns spark fears of volatility in other assets. Even Treasurys are looking riskier amid rising debt levels in the US, leaving gold as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-safe-haven-treasurys-us-national-debt-bofa-fiscal-expansion-2024-10">the last safe haven</a>, Bank of America said in a note last week. Layton says the rally is particularly impressive given factors like higher interest rates, stronger payrolls, and weak Chinese imports — all of which are typically bearish signs for metals."Quite frankly, gold and silver have gone up despite a number of things going against them. Variables that have been strongly correlated with gold and silver have gone against them over the last couple of months," he said, adding, "And yet they've been marching higher."Layton is one of many analysts bullish on metals. Strategists at Bank of America see gold hitting <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-safe-haven-treasurys-us-national-debt-bofa-fiscal-expansion-2024-10">$3,000 an ounce</a> by the end of next year, implying over 8% upside. "Gold looks to be the last 'safe haven' asset standing, incentivising traders including central banks to increase exposure," the strategists said in a note last week.

Why gold and silver are in the best environment for gains in a decade, according to Citi's commodities research chief

When you come back home after a long day of dealing with a demanding boss and/or an annoying colleague, the last thing we are going to want to do is exercise. However, getting our behinds off the couch and dragging ourselves to the gym — or the park — might actually help us feel better. In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure <keyword id="19954079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-environment" source="keywords">work environment</keyword>, <keyword id="19901233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="burnout" source="keywords">burnout</keyword> is becoming a common issue. Deadlines, long hours and constant multitasking can leave us feeling emotionally exhausted and mentally drained. But there’s good news — according to research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, <keyword id="23298308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moderate-exercise" source="keywords">moderate exercise</keyword> might be the key to combating job burnout. The study examined over 500 employees, assessing their <keyword id="23410261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exercise-habits" source="keywords">exercise habits</keyword> and how these related to their work satisfaction and emotional well-being. The results were clear: those who engaged in moderate <keyword id="20053428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="physical-activity" source="keywords">physical activity</keyword> experienced significantly less burnout and <keyword id="22955163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emotional-exhaustion" source="keywords">emotional exhaustion</keyword>. They also reported feeling a greater sense of personal accomplishment in their jobs. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113632562" title="Here’s how much exercise you must do if you sit at a desk most of your day!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>But what is “moderate exercise”? As per Michele Wolf Marenus, PhD, a research scientist at Personify Health and one of the study's authors, it’s not about pushing yourself to the extreme. Instead, it involves activities like strength training, dancing, or hiking for at least 30 minutes on five or more days a week. A combination of vigorous activities, like running, and moderate ones is also effective. Interestingly, the study found that more intense forms of exercise didn’t necessarily lead to better results. In fact, moderate activity proved to be the sweet spot. People who exercised at this level reported the lowest levels of emotional exhaustion and the highest levels of <keyword id="20154404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-satisfaction" source="keywords">job satisfaction</keyword>. Meanwhile, those who did either very low or very high levels of physical activity didn’t see the same benefits. As for why moderate exercise helped with burnout? It offers a valuable break from work, allowing employees to recharge mentally and physically. Exercise boosts cardiovascular health, enhances mood, and improves emotional regulation — all essential for dealing with <keyword id="21541838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-stress" source="keywords">work stress</keyword>. So, if work stress is getting you down, you might want to lace up those sneakers and take a brisk walk or dance to your favourite tunes. It could be just what you need to refresh both body and mind! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112589784" title="How to invest 3% of your day in exercise to live longer, according to an expert in healthy aging" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Burnout is a common side effect to work today and its remedy is ‘moderate’ exercise: Study

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Investors are seeking S&amp;P 500 downside protection as rate cuts shift focus to growth concerns.</li><li>Hedging strategies include options contracts, indicating the smart money is bracing for volatility.</li></ul>Some investors are beginning to accept that what goes up must come down.Demand for downside protection on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/s&amp;p_500">S&amp;P 500</a> is starting to build. As rate cuts begin, attention is shifting away from inflation to concerns over slumped economic growth and a stock market that looks a bit too rich.There are multiple ways to hedge: short selling, diversifying into uncorrelated assets, buying an inverse <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/what-is-an-etf#:~:text=An%20exchange%2Dtraded%20fund%20(ETF,liquid%20as%20some%20mutual%20funds.">ETF</a>, and using <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/option-chain#:~:text=An%20option%20is%20a%20contract,its%20own%20type%20of%20security.">options</a>, among others.But one approach that's beginning to pick up, with advantages in the current market environment, is hedging S&amp;P 500 downside through options contracts. It's a sign that the smart money could be beginning to get into positions early to brace for volatility or a pullback, according to Tanvir Sandhu, the chief global derivatives strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence.It's a bit of a shift from an environment where investors had just been buying the dip during market pullbacks, he added in an interview.Annually, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/vix">CBOE Volatility Index</a> (VIX) — a measurement of implied volatility — gradually rises starting in the middle of summer and into October. And during election years, that pickup is more pronounced, Sandhu noted.So far, October's VIX futures, which cover the election date, have been rising over the last week even though the S&amp;P 500 remains strong. This indicates increased expectations of volatility. On average, investors have gone long on volatility leading up to an election and tend to take profits just before the event, in expectation of volatility fading quickly after, he said at a conference on Tuesday.<h2 id="a8544eb9-d926-4c96-a2a3-c60541035839">Hedging options</h2>A classic hedging strategy is buying calls on the VIX, which gives the buyer the right to purchase the index as its value rises if volatility picks up. Sandhu noted that when the VIX goes down, demand on VIX calls generally increases because there's more upside potential if it does spike.Another approach is buying puts on the S&amp;P 500, which gives the buyer the right to sell the index at a set price before the expiration date. The contract's value rises if the index falls because it allows its buyer to sell at a set price amid uncertainty.Each option has its pros and cons. The approach that works better depends on how the stock market pulls back. Traditionally, the S&amp;P 500 gradually goes up, with quick pullbacks — like an escalator-up, elevator-down scenario, Sandhu said. But more recently, we have been in an upside-down world, where it's more like an elevator up and an escalator down because investors keep buying the dip, making pullbacks more shallow, he added. This has somewhat muted volatility and changed its function.That said, to get a payout from VIX calls, you need a shock-like pullback, where the market sells off, causing the volatility index to spike. So the VIX strategy may not do as well in this type of dynamic, he noted.Even if it seems cheap to hedge since volatility is low, it can still end up being costly as contracts expire worthless. However, it also depends on your outlook over the next few months."When you buy a VIX call option, you are hedging against a tail-risk event," Sandhu said. "So let's say the Middle East scenario gets really bad, and there's a war, Brent goes above $100 a barrel. That's pretty bad for the financial markets."Meanwhile, S&amp;P 500 long-dated put options are a preferred approach for investors expecting a slower downturn because they have a lower cost of carry. You don't have a contract that expires worthless every month or so, he noted.

The smart money is bracing for a stock-market pullback with 2 options strategies. Why one works better in the current environment.

Imagine two <keyword id="19914811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="children" source="keywords">children</keyword>: one growing up in a bustling urban <keyword id="19939494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environment" source="keywords">environment</keyword>, surrounded by towering buildings, crowded streets and the constant glow of artificial lights; the other living in a rural setting, where the day begins with the chirping of birds and playtime unfolds in the green spaces just outside home. It seems intuitive to assume that the child in the countryside would naturally have a stronger connection with nature. However, this assumption might not hold up under scrutiny. In a study conducted by researchers at <keyword id="22924618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swedens-Lund-University" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Sweden’s Lund University" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Sweden’s Lund University">Sweden’s Lund University</keyword> and published in <keyword id="22924619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="People-and-Nature" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="People and Nature" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="People and Nature">People and Nature</keyword>, it has been revealed that a child's <keyword id="21711495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="connection-to-nature" source="keywords">connection to nature</keyword> is less about whether they live in a city or the countryside, and more about the socioeconomic conditions they grow up in. The study challenges the common belief that rural upbringing automatically fosters a deeper bond with nature. Urbanisation has long sparked concerns about a growing disconnect from the natural world, with less outdoor engagement being linked to poorer health outcomes. This makes the question of how to nurture or rekindle our connection to nature increasingly relevant, especially for children. After all, it’s during childhood that our foundational relationships with the environment are established. To delve into how urban and rural children relate to nature, and whether this connection is influenced by socioeconomic factors, the researchers undertook a detailed study. Surprisingly, they found that a child’s relationship with nature is not dictated by their geographic location. Instead, factors like income and education levels emerged as key determinants. For instance, children from areas with higher education levels showed better species knowledge, which correlated with more positive attitudes toward wildlife. Moreover, children from wealthier backgrounds were more likely to engage in nature-based activities, enhancing their connection to the environment. This pattern held true regardless of whether they lived in urban or rural settings. The study also revealed significant variations between schools, indicating the crucial role that educators and schools play in shaping children's relationships with nature. Adults, including teachers and parents, bear considerable responsibility as role models, influencing how children perceive and engage with the natural world. However, it’s worth noting that the study was conducted in Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city with a population of 3,50,000. This very fact raises intriguing questions about how the findings might differ in much larger cities, where access to natural environments could be even more challenging.

Socioeconomic status—and not urban or rural living—likely to shape your child's connection to nature: Study

For employees, a job is about more than just the paycheck—elements like work-life balance, career development and a positive <keyword id="20375714" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-environment" source="keywords">workplace environment</keyword> play crucial roles. This broader perspective extends to a national level too, with highly <keyword id="20614079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skilled-professionals" source="keywords">skilled professionals</keyword> increasingly drawn to countries that offer a more inclusive and progressive atmosphere. A recent study from Washington State University underscores this notion, revealing that European countries which embraced <keyword id="20026331" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="same-sex-marriage" source="keywords">same-sex marriage</keyword> saw a significant boost in retaining their top talent. This shift had considerable economic repercussions, particularly in influencing the flow of skilled workers to the United States. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Uncovering the link between marriage equality and skilled labour retention" comment="subhead" text="Uncovering the link between marriage equality and skilled labour retention">Uncovering the link between <keyword id="1660336" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marriage-equality" source="Orion">marriage equality</keyword> and <keyword id="22603926" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skilled-labour-retention" source="Orion">skilled labour retention</keyword></cmsannotation> The study, recently published in AEA Papers and Proceedings, analysed 20 years of data on H-1B visas—those coveted permits for immigrants with advanced degrees and specialised skills. The research team’s choice to focus on EU countries was a strategic one, leveraging the shared labour market within this political and economic union for a more precise analysis of marriage equality’s effects. The EU also provided a natural experiment: by 2019, roughly half of the 27 member states had legalised same-sex marriage, while the remaining 14 had not, creating a perfect control group for comparison. The results revealed that from 2000 to 2019, as 13 EU countries adopted same-sex marriage laws, the U.S. experienced a 21% decline in new H-1B visas from these countries. This trend persisted despite differences in enactment dates and economic conditions across the EU. The study also considered the effect of the U.S. recognising foreign same-sex marriages in 2013. Notably, this policy change slowed the decrease in H-1B visa admissions from EU countries with existing marriage equality laws, such as The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Koroles Awad, a Ph.D. candidate in economics at WSU, emphasised that <keyword id="21934841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-policies" source="keywords">inclusive policies</keyword> make countries more attractive to skilled labour. This finding underscores the broader economic benefits of marriage equality beyond just social progress. Awad further noted that marriage equality could act as a non-monetary incentive for attracting and retaining highly sought-after skilled workers, particularly in STEM fields. Building on previous U.S. studies showing that same-sex couples and households led by women were more likely to relocate to states recognising same-sex marriage, this new research broadens the understanding of how inclusive policies affect migration patterns. Although this study doesn’t address the sexual orientation of H-1B visa holders, it clearly indicates that the appeal of inclusive environments is a significant factor for skilled professionals.

Inclusivity pays off: Countries with same-sex marriage retain skilled professionals more effectively, per study

<keyword id="19895437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment" source="keywords">Investment</keyword> in <keyword id="20300870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="equity-mutual-funds" source="keywords">equity mutual funds</keyword> surged over five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June 2024 quarter against Rs 18,358 crore a year ago, driven by a strong <keyword id="21477327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-environment" source="keywords">economic environment</keyword>, supportive <keyword id="22575274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-fiscal-policies" source="keywords">government fiscal policies</keyword>, <keyword id="19900618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investors" source="keywords">investors</keyword> confidence and robust <keyword id="21990858" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stock-return" source="keywords">stock return</keyword>. This has also pushed the industry's assets under management (<keyword id="20019621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AUM" source="keywords">AUM</keyword>) by 59 per cent to Rs 27.68 lakh crore in June from Rs 17.43 lakh crore a year ago, data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (<keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords">AMFI</keyword>) showed. The robust gain in the asset base was also replicated in the growth of investors in equity mutual funds, with the number of folios closing at 13.3 crore, adding an investor base of over 3 crore. The significant gain in equity folios indicates broader participation across investor segments, driven by improved <keyword id="19929245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-literacy" source="keywords">financial literacy</keyword> and accessible investment platforms, Trivesh D, COO of stock trading platform Tradejini, told PTI. According to the AMFI data, equity-oriented mutual fund schemes invested Rs 94,151 crore in the quarter ended June 2024. This comprises Rs 18,917 crore in April, Rs 34,697 crore in May and Rs 40,537 crore in June. The investment in equity-oriented mutual funds jumped five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June quarter from Rs 18,358 crore in the quarter ended June 2023 and increased 32 per cent Rs 71,280 crore witnessed in the preceding March 2024 quarter. "The confluence of political stability, supportive government policies, and a favourable economic environment has significantly contributed to the impressive inflows into equity mutual funds, signalling a positive outlook for the sector," Trivesh said. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals, bolstered by supportive government fiscal policies like higher-than-budgeted tax collection growth, reduced revenue expenditures, and increased capital spending have helped in increasing the allocation to equity mutual funds, Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth, told PTI. He further said that investors' confidence in the markets and historically strong returns given by Indian equities with relatively low risk also helped investors to move towards equity mutual funds. Additionally, the shift was further fuelled by a transition from traditional investments like deposits to mutual funds in pursuit of higher returns. "The long-term outlook remains positive, with expectations of 11-13 per cent annual returns for Indian equities, and equity mutual funds potentially delivering even higher returns," Azeez said. Within the equity segment, sectoral or thematic category attracted Rs 46,731 crore during the quarter under review, followed by Multi-cap (Rs 10,077 crore), Flexicap (Rs 8,387 crore), Large &amp; Midcaps (Rs 7,948 crore), Smallcap (Rs 7,197 crore) and Midcap (Rs 6,927 crore). Large-cap funds witnessed an infusion of Rs 1,991 crore during the April-June quarter of the current financial year (FY25). Moreover, inflows into the systematic investment plan (<keyword id="19956399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIP" source="keywords">SIP</keyword>) have been rising continuously for the past several months. The monthly SIP contributions crossed the Rs 21,000 crore mark in June, with the total inflow reaching an all-time high of Rs 21,262 crore. This shows investors' commitment to disciplined and long-term investing. The fund infusion through the SIP route was Rs 62,537 crore in the April-June quarter of FY25, a remarkable surge from Rs 43,211 crore in the same quarter preceding the fiscal.

Investment in equity mutual funds surge 5-fold to Rs 94,151 cr in June qtr amid robust eco environment

What’s the biggest party animal you can think of? Dolphins with their pufferfish huffing habits? Sex-crazed Bonobo monkeys? Your cousin Jeff with his allegedly “wild” weekends he keeps droning on about? While all of these may be correct answers in their own ways, the latest addition to the party is a creature that has already struck fear in the hearts of many, even before it hopped up on hard drugs: <keyword id="19908382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sharks" source="keywords">sharks</keyword>. In a revelation that seems like a Sharknado side plot, a team of <keyword id="21483069" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marine-biologists" source="keywords">marine biologists</keyword> have found significant levels of cocaine in the systems of Brazilian Sharpnose sharks off the coast of <keyword id="19908342" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rio" source="keywords">Rio</keyword> de Janeiro. Yes, we’re talking about the same stuff that made Pablo Escobar rich. The research team, representing several Brazilian institutions, procured 13 Brazilian Sharpnose sharks from local fishermen for their study. Once in the lab, these shallow-dwelling small sharks were dissected, and muscle and liver samples were meticulously analysed using tandem mass spectrometry. The results were shocking: cocaine concentrations in these sharks were approximately 100 times higher than any previously recorded in marine animals. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111967497" title="An ultra-swimmer tried to eat as much as a tiger shark and ended up consuming 40,000 calories in a day" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The journey of cocaine from human consumption to the depths of the <keyword id="20167032" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ocean" source="keywords">ocean</keyword> is an intricate and troubling tale. Prior studies have indicated that cocaine often finds its way into the ocean through a combination of wastewater, drainage from illicit laboratories, and packages discarded by traffickers evading law enforcement. Yet, the persistence of cocaine in the marine <keyword id="19939494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environment" source="keywords">environment</keyword> and its impact on <keyword id="19908071" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marine-life" source="keywords">marine life</keyword> has remained largely unexplored. Now that it is affecting some of the ocean’s apex species, there will hopefully be more research into the matter. <h2>How does it affect the sharks?</h2>While the discovery of cocaine in shark tissues is intriguing, it raises more questions than it answers. Does it make them more aggressive, like we see in humans? Could it disrupt their reproductive systems, as seen with other toxins in shark livers? Only more research will tell. Previous studies have shown that cocaine can damage the DNA of mollusks, another significant component of the marine ecosystem. The potential ramifications of such damage cascading through the food web are alarming, highlighting the urgent need for deeper investigation. Notably, “Cocaine Sharks” was covered by Discovery Channel’s Shark Week show after some scientists found <a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/india/science/news/2023-07-21-floridas-cocaine-sharks-might-be-consuming-drugs">hammerhead sharks acting highly unusually </a>in Florida. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111502518" title="Single shark injures 4 different people on the same day" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Understanding how this potent drug enters the ocean is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. The researchers emphasise the need for concerted efforts to identify and mitigate these sources to protect marine life from the unintended consequences of human activities. In the meantime, the idea of "cocaine sharks" might seem like a quirky headline, but it represents a serious and complex challenge that requires our immediate attention. The findings of this research have been published in Science of the Total Environment and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174798">here</a>.

Udta Machhli: Cocaine-infused sharks have been found infesting Rio’s waters in Brazil!

Have you ever wondered why some bosses, despite their abusive behaviour, are revered and tolerated? Take <keyword id="19907283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="steve-jobs" source="keywords">Steve Jobs</keyword>, for example. While his leadership pushed Apple to the top, there are countless examples of Jobs being a general jerk to the people around him. Many accounts note that the Apple visionary was often observed yelling and name-calling his employees when irked — behaviour certainly unworthy of any ‘Best Boss Ever!’ mugs. But how do employees reconcile such behaviour? What makes them willing to stay under such crass leadership? A new study has answered these questions, revealing that a leader's success can significantly influence how employees interpret their actions — including abusive behaviour in some instances. <h2><keyword id="21268696" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tough-love" source="keywords">Tough love</keyword>, and little else</h2>The research surveyed 576 workers from various industries across the United States, reporting on their bosses' abusive behaviours, such as ridicule and dismissive comments, and rated their overall effectiveness. The findings showed that employees who viewed their bosses as high performers were more likely to label the abuse as "tough love" rather than outright abuse. Descriptions of tough love included phrases like “stern but caring,” “insensitive but nurturing,” and “rough but well-meaning.” “If employees see their boss as a successful leader, that seems to be incompatible with being abusive,” explained study author Robert Lount. “So they label the abuse as something more positive, like ‘tough love”. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111556067" title="Having Elon Musk as a boss is a tough gig — just ask X&amp;#39;s Linda Yaccarino" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Interestingly, the study also found that employees who were subjected to abuse by high-performing bosses endured it out of hope for better <keyword id="21068409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="career-prospects" source="keywords">career prospects</keyword>. They thought enduring such treatment might lead to promotions, which made them less likely to rebel against their tormentors. “If the leaders have high performance, that suggests they are successful at bringing out the skills of their followers,” notes author Bennett Tepper. However, this could not be further from the truth, considering how years of research have already shown that abusive behaviour is detrimental to both employees and organisations. <h2>Students think similarly</h2>These findings were further fortified in the second part of the study where 168 undergraduate students were misled into thinking they were working in teams led by MBA students. Some received abusive messages from their fictional “leaders,” while others got encouraging ones. After being told their teams either excelled or underperformed, the students evaluated their leaders. Those who received abusive messages rated their leaders as less abusive if their team performed well. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111380874" title="Gen Z workers vs. millennial bosses: &amp;#39;Having high expectations and wanting work-life balance and an employer who cares isn&amp;#39;t a bad thing&amp;#39;" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>“Just finding out your team did better because of your leader’s judgement really dampened the willingness to label that person as abusive — even though your leader made the exact same statements as the other leaders who were called abusive after a below-average performance,” Lount remarked. This might also explain how some abusive bosses manage to sustain longer careers. As per the authors, the high performers' track record may be “insulating” them from consequences because their employees refuse to view them as an abusive character. This study is a wake-up call for organisations to scrutinise not just what leaders achieve, but how they achieve it. No matter how impressive the results, abusive behaviour should never be excused in the name of success. The findings of this study have been published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Process and can be accessed <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749597824000311">here</a>.

When a boss is successful, employees are less likely to realise they are also abusive, study finds

Have you ever found yourself staring at the impossibly high ceiling of a vast <keyword id="50799" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exam" source="Orion">exam</keyword> hall, wondering if it was designed for educational purposes or to test your ability to focus in a space large enough to host a rock concert? Well, it turns out those lofty ceilings might be more than just an architectural quirk — they could be affecting your exam performance. Sifting through data from 15,400 undergraduate students between 2011-2019 across three Australian university campuses, researchers attempted to understand how the height of <keyword id="22301668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exam-hall-ceilings" source="keywords">exam hall ceilings</keyword> correlated with <keyword id="21637540" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="student-performance" source="keywords">student performance</keyword>. After adjusting for individual differences and prior coursework performance, they found students fared worse in rooms with soaring ceilings. <h2>But why do lofty ceilings matter?</h2>Study researcher Isabella Bower suggests it might be the sheer scale of the room or other sneaky factors like student density or shoddy insulation, leading to brain-melting temperature swings and air quality issues. "These spaces are often designed for purposes other than examinations, such as gymnasiums, exhibitions, events and performances," explains Bower. "The key point is that <keyword id="22301669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="large-rooms" source="keywords">large rooms</keyword> with high ceilings seem to disadvantage students and we need to understand what <keyword id="21990909" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brain-mechanisms" source="keywords">brain mechanisms</keyword> are at play, and whether this affects all students to the same degree." To understand the issue, the researchers strapped VR headsets onto the participants and used electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor their brain waves. The participants were exposed to rooms of varying sizes while controlling for pesky variables like temperature, lighting, and noise. They also tracked heart rate, breathing, and sweat levels to see if participants could subconsciously sense changes in their environment. <h2>Dropping brain activity</h2>The results? Simply sitting in a larger room sparked brain activity linked to struggling with difficult tasks. This led to a lightbulb moment: maybe trying to concentrate in a massive gymnasium really does tank performance. In Australia, as well as <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>, many universities use colossal indoor spaces for exams to keep things efficient and cost-effective. Therefore, it is important to recognise the impact of <keyword id="22301672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="physical-environments" source="keywords">physical environments</keyword> on student performance and tweak our designs to give everyone a fair chance at a good score. As we continue to mould the buildings where we live, work, and cram for finals, it’s time to consider how even <keyword id="22301670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ceiling-height" source="keywords">ceiling height</keyword> can mess with our minds. So, the next time you bomb an exam in an echoing hall, you can probably get away with not blaming your study habits — just blame the ceiling instead! The findings of this research have been published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology and can be accessed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102367">here</a>. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111408095" title="Australia cracks down on International students; more than doubles student visa fees!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

You Searched For "environment" and got 11 results

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