Friendships often begin with shared interests, hobbies, or experiences, but could our gut microbiomes also play a role? A recent Yale study published in Nature reveals a surprising connection: people within the same social networks share similar gut microbiomes, suggesting our social bonds may influence us at a microbial level. The microbiome, which consists of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in the digestive system, has long been studied for its impact on health. This research, however, takes a fresh approach, exploring how our social connections might shape the makeup of these microbial communities. The study analyzed the gut microbiomes of 1,787 adults across 18 isolated Honduran villages, examining 339,137 microbial strains. Researchers found that people in the same social networks—whether or not they lived together—shared similar microbiomes. “We found substantial evidence of microbiome sharing happening among people who are not family and who don’t live together, even after accounting for factors like diet, water sources, and medications,” said co-lead author Francesco Beghini. “In fact, microbiome sharing was the strongest predictor of people’s social relationships in the villages we studied, beyond characteristics like wealth, religion, or education.” Microbial similarities were most pronounced among cohabitants, partners, and household members. However, the study also revealed significant microbial sharing among friends and even second-degree connections, such as a friend’s friend. Shared activities like eating together or physical interactions such as handshakes and hugs likely facilitated this microbial exchange. Those outside a social network, despite living in the same village, displayed far less similarity in their gut microbiomes. To confirm these findings, researchers revisited four villages two years later, re-examining the microbiomes of 301 participants. Their results showed that socially connected individuals had grown even more alike in their microbial compositions, reinforcing the idea that social bonds foster microbial similarity over time. Interestingly, the study also identified specific microbial strains clustered within social groups. These strains were distinct from those found in other groups, indicating that shared social activities contribute to unique microbial communities. “You have friend groups centred on things like theatre, or crew, or being physics majors,” said co-lead author Jackson Pullman. “Our study indicates that the people composing these groups may be connected in ways we never previously thought, even through their microbiomes.” Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.Surprising Truths About the Chinese EV Market That Everyone’s Missingdefine esports 。

After his team's 102-89 home win on Wednesday night over Purdue Fort Wayne, Penn State coach Mike Rhoades challenged his team's fan base to show up and make more noise. "Sweat with us," he said at one point. At 5-0, the Nittany Lions haven't had to sweat much to get off to a fast start. They might not have to expend much perspiration to make it 6-0 on Monday when they meet Fordham in a semifinal matchup at the Sunshine Slam tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. Penn State hasn't played a strong schedule so far, but the team has been impressive. It's averaging 98.2 points per game and 13.8 steals per game, both of which ranked second in Division I through Saturday's play. The Nittany Lions were seventh per kenpom.com in turnover rate, forcing 25.3 per 100 possessions. Point guard Ace Baldwin Jr. is leading the charge, scoring 16.4 points and dishing out 7.8 assists while chipping in 2.6 steals. Zach Hicks has nearly doubled his scoring average from 8.4 last season to 15.8 this season, while Northern Illinois transfer Yanic Konan Niederhauser has beefed up the interior, tallying 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. Meanwhile, Fordham (3-3) is coming off a 73-71 home loss Friday night against Drexel in New York. The Rams blew a seven-point lead early in the second half and missed a chance to force overtime when leading scorer Jackie Johnson III missed a layup as time expired. Johnson, a UNLV transfer, is averaging 19 points per game and is making nearly 48 percent of his shots as one of three Rams with double-figure scoring averages. Jahmere Tripp scores at an 11.0 clip while Japhet Medor is contributed 10.5, but Fordham is struggling to make shots, canning only 41.5 percent from the field. The Rams were picked for a 14th-place finish in the Atlantic 10 despite returning more scoring than any team in the league except for VCU. Third-year coach Keith Urgo thinks his team can defy low external expectations. "We're experienced and I think we're poised to have a tremendous year," he said. --Field Level MediaNorth Carolina A&T now offers degree in artificial intelligence GREENSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina A &T State University is now offering a bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence. It is a milestone for the university to be the first in our state and one of only a handful in the nation to offer this program. In the program, students can pick one of two concentrations: Advanced AI Systems through the College of Engineering and Applied AI in the College of Science and Technology. Courses are available both in-person and online. Some schools already offer a concentration in...

Kamala Harris could count on winning California’s 54 electoral college votes as she campaigned for president, and the state’s voters delivered. In fact, California’s electoral votes were almost a quarter of the 226 she won nationwide, 44 short of what she needed to defeat Donald Trump. Simultaneously, however, Harris’s party fell short of regaining control of the House of Representatives, thanks in part to failing to flip as many seats in California as party leaders, such as Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, had hoped. Those outcomes illustrate the powerful role that the nation’s most populous state plays in determining who controls the federal government. Looking ahead, however, California’s clout in both presidential and congressional elections — and therefore in the rooms where post-election policy decisions are made — is shrinking. It’s a stark reminder of the old adage that demography drives destiny. California experienced strong population growth for the first 150 years of the state’s existence, largely due to migration from other states and nations and a high birthrate. The state’s decades-long expansion reached a high point in the 1980s when its population exploded by more than 25%, from 23.8 million to 30 million, due to strong foreign immigration and a new baby boom. There was a newborn every minute. The decade’s population growth granted it seven new congressional seats after the 1990 census, increasing from 45 to 52. In 1992, Bill Clinton claimed the state’s 54 electoral votes, becoming only the fourth Democrat to win the state in the 20th century. Democratic nominees have continued to win California’s electoral votes in every presidential election since, but they could no longer count on a new harvest every decade. Population growth began to slow in the late 1990s, thanks largely to out-migration of Southern California aerospace workers and their families as defense spending dried up after the breakup of the Soviet Union. It gained one seat after the 2000 census, but population growth stagnated during the 2010 decade, with a net increase of 2.4 million, just 10% of what occurred in the 1980s. The state lost a congressional seat after the 2020 census, so California now has 52 districts. The COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, such as a declining birthrate and increasing death rate, have led to population stagnation since then. “California lost 433,000 people between July 2020 and July 2023,” the Public Policy Institute of California calculated. “Most of the loss occurred during the first year of the pandemic and was driven by a sharp rise in residents moving to other states. But fewer births, higher deaths and lower international migration also played a role.” Related Articles Opinion Columnists | Here’s to hoping Trump delivers on some of his Libertarian promises Opinion Columnists | Grand DOGE promises of massive cuts to the federal government are unlikely to materialize Opinion Columnists | Republican populism goes all in for the Nanny State Opinion Columnists | After botched Gaetz nomination, Trump should pivot on Cabinet picks Opinion Columnists | $165 billion revenue error continues to haunt California’s budget That’s where we are now: roughly 39 million, a bit under the 2020 census number. But the future looks like slow growth at best, which means the state will likely lose four or more congressional seats, and therefore electoral votes, after the 2030 census. A 2023 analysis by the liberal Brennan Center estimated that California will lose four seats, while the conservative American Redistricting Project pegged the likely loss at five seats. It’s a major chunk of a wider shift of population, congressional seats and electoral votes from blue states — New York will also be a big loser — to red states such as Texas and Florida, whose economies are growing smartly and where housing is affordable. By either 2030 projection, were the 2032 Democratic nominee for president to carry the same states that Harris did this year, he or she would win 12 fewer electoral votes. Demography is destiny. Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist.

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India News | Ex-Maharashtra Minister Rajesh Tope Loses to Shiv Sena Nominee from Maratha Stronghold in Jalna(PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: The proposed National Sports Governance Bill 2024 has been seen by several national federations as an infringement on their autonomy by the govt. Federation officials believe that the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) might construe certain provisions of the Bill as a direct interference by govt into the NSFs' functioning. On Saturday, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya chose to allay such fears by informing that his ministry has initiated dialogues with the IOC and international sports federations to understand their concerns and to bring a “mature” Bill in the Parliament next year which will not only protect the autonomy of IOA and NSFs but also ensure good governance. Assembly Election Results 'Ek hain, toh safe hain' is new 'Maha' mantra of India, says PM Modi in victory speech 'Let us take a pledge to build Golden Jharkhand': Hemant Soren after victory 'Cannot believe Maharashtra results': Uddhav vows to keep fighting Mandaviya said that the govt has no intention to interfere in day-to-day functioning of the sports bodies and the purpose of the proposed legislation is to put an end to the NSFs' internal disputes and politics and to avoid litigations. The establishment of a Sports Regulatory Board (SRB) is one of the key features of the Bill. The regulatory body will have the power to grant, renew and suspend the affiliation of IOA and NSFs, among others. "We don't want to interfere. That's why I did a lot of dialogue, had a lot of consultations with the federations. I consulted with eminent sports personalities and even lawyers who are against us. We don't want to take control, but we can't leave it unattended. It is the responsibility of the govt," Mandaviya said. The minister addressed the concerns raised by IOA president PT Usha , who had recently stated that the SRB could undermine the autonomy of the country's Olympic committee and NSFs, putting India at risk of being suspended by the IOC. "This was an important observation by her. We have to follow the IOC's rules and regulations. All these things have to be aligned. I will have to keep a close eye on the Bill. We have to implement the regulations that the IOC and the International Federations (IFs) are bringing from time to time. If we don't do it, they will suspend us and we will suffer. That's why I want everyone's consensus. We have reached out to the IOC and IFs and are in dialogue with them. We want to bring a mature Bill in the Parliament," he added. Mandaviya also promised to resolve the internal crisis plaguing the IOA to ensure that the country's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games doesn't get stalled. Usha and 12 members of the IOA's executive council (EC) have been at loggerheads over several contentious issues, including appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the sports body's CEO.