Health
Apple champions menstrual health
With new preliminary findings from The Apple Women’s Study
![Menstrual health](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Apple-Womens-Health-Study-hero.jpg)
Menstrual health is a very common and sensitive topic for us women, and yet it remains under-researched.
As someone who underwent ovarian surgery a few months ago, one of the things I learned from that experience is how reproductive health is often overlooked.
Usual symptoms like bloating, stomach cramps, and tiredness can be easily dismissed as “common” during periods. But these should always be monitored.
In fact, one out of ten women has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a health condition which can possibly affect fertility rate, menstrual cycles, changes in physical appearance, mental health, among other factors.
And yet, a huge percentage of women remains undiagnosed.
The Apple Women’s Study
This prevalent problem prompted Apple to create a digital study. It aims to gain a deeper understanding about the menstrual cycle and its relationship with a person’s overall health.
The Apple Women’s Study was launched in 2019 and is accessible via Apple Research App. It was done in collaboration with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
Anyone living in the US who has ever menstruated can participate in the study. They simply need to download the app in their iPhone and sign up for the research.
With the help of period tracker Cycle Tracking on Apple Watch, or Cycle Tracking in the Health app on iPhone, participants’ menstrual cycle data and survey answers from the study will be analyzed, and help inform the development of innovative products for menstrual cycles, risk assessment, and screening of gynecologic conditions.
New Preliminary Findings
Harvard Chan School researchers used survey data from the Apple Women’s Health Study to advance the scientific understanding around the relationship between persistently abnormal periods, PCOS, and endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
Looking at a preliminary analysis cohort of over 50,000 study participants, the study team found:
- 12 percent of participants reported a PCOS diagnosis. Participants with PCOS had more than four times the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (precancer of the uterus). And more than 2.5 times the risk of uterine cancer.
- 5.7 percent of participants reported their cycles taking five or more years to reach cycle regularity after their first period. Participants in that group had more than twice the risk of endometrial hyperplasia. More than 3.5 times the risk of uterine cancer, compared to those who reported their cycles took less than one year to reach regularity.
Previous interim updates
The Apple Women’s Health Study team has previously shared a number of other interim research updates that highlight how large-scale, longitudinal research on menstruation can help advance the science around this topic.
- Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology focuses on cycle deviations, like irregular or prolonged periods, which can be a sign of underlying conditions including PCOS, fibroids, malignancies, or infections. The study found cycle deviations were found in 16.4 percent of the study population. Black participants had a 33 percent higher prevalence of infrequent periods compared to white, non-Hispanic participants. Asian participants had a higher prevalence of irregular periods.
- Demonstrating just how common menstrual symptoms really are, researchers found the most frequently tracked symptoms were abdominal cramps, bloating, and tiredness, all of which were experienced by more than 60 percent of participants who logged symptoms. More than half of the participants who logged symptoms reported acne and headaches. Some less widely recognized symptoms, like diarrhea and sleep changes, were also tracked by 37 percent of participants logging symptoms.
After analyzing over 125,000 menstrual cycles, researchers found that participants experienced slightly longer menstrual cycles for cycles in which they received a COVID-19 vaccine. But participants’ cycles typically returned to prevaccination lengths the cycle after getting a vaccine.
How about data privacy?
According to Apple, participants can control the data types shared with the study. There’s transparency into how the data will be used for the purposes of the study.
What’s in it for users?
With iOS 16 and watchOS 9, the Cycle Tracking app can inform users if their logged cycle history from the previous six months shows a pattern of irregular periods, infrequent periods, prolonged periods, or persistent spotting.
Users are also able to learn about the Cycle Deviation detected. They can then export the last 12 months of their cycle history as a PDF to share with their provider.
By participating in Apple Women’s Health Study, women can actively monitor their cycle and common symptoms.
In this way, participants contribute to a great cause which can create more reproductive health awareness and help other women understand their period cycles better.
Apple Research App and Cycle Tracking is available on App Store.
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Health
Redmi Watch 3 Active: Basic but better
This might just be the smartwatch to kickstart your fitness journey!
![Redmi Watch 3 Active](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gadgetmatch-20230808-redmi-watch-3-active-12.jpg)
I always get questions on which smartwatch to get, knowing that my people know me as the guy who always has the latest smartwatch — changing wearables as if it’s just another pair of underwear.
Being in the intersection between fitness and technology for over three years now, I would attest that smartwatches are expensive. With only a few bucks to spare, you’re lucky to get a functional smart band that can track your basic needs. Up your budget a notch, and you might get a decent smartwatch to accompany you on your fitness journey.
This is where Xiaomi aims to break the barriers of smartwatches. The Redmi Watch 3 Active is an affordable smartwatch that’s definitely a step up from a smart band, especially when it comes to features, design, and of course, price.
Monitor what you only need
Smart bands barely have any screen real estate to preview your fitness data. Smartwatches, on the other hand, are built differently. The same goes with the Redmi Watch 3 Active, which has a 1.83-inch screen that makes it easy to view information.
Truth be told: Smartwatches can get intimidating, especially when it packs plenty of features. I sometimes get overwhelmed when I get my hands on flagship and premium smartwatches. There’s so much going on, tbh.
The Redmi Watch 3 Active, somehow, provides comprehensive data by showing only what you need. With its full-scale fitness tracking, it’s easy to monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen level. You can also see how many calories you’ve burned, how many steps you’ve taken, and if you’ve been moving enough to be closer to your goals.
Tracking your sleep, as well as stress levels, help give an overview of your current lifestyle and what you still need to change. These data may sound overwhelming, but these are pretty basic for a smartwatch. These are the only information you’ll ever need. Nothing fancy, just straightforward figures that might help you in your fitness journey.
The screen is big enough to house plenty of data, and swiping between widgets is easy. Although, not as smooth as most smartwatches. But then again, this smartwatch is considered entry-level, so temper your expectations.
More than just a fitness tracker
The most important indicator of your fitness level, for me, would be your heart rate. It shows how many beats per minute depending on the activity you’re doing. When I was taking photos of the Redmi Watch 3 Active, my heart rate spiked to over 100 bpm since I was under the sun trying out some calisthenics workout with my dip bar.
The accuracy may not be the same as most smartwatches, but seeing my resting heart rate go between 60-65 bpm means it’s close enough to my Apple Watch. FYI, my current resting heart rate as of writing is 58 bpm.
It’s pretty normal for athletes (some actually have lower) to have that low resting heart rate. A good indicator would be having 60 up to 90 bpm, which is counted as normal. If your resting heart rate is around 100 or beyond, it’s time for you to get off the couch and stop being a potato.
If you don’t have a gym membership — and a coach, even — then you don’t have to worry. The Redmi Watch 3 Active is equipped with over 100 workout modes, which include 10 professional workout modes.
It’s highly suitable for beginners since you can find workouts like running, walking, freestyle, hiking, and cycling. There are specific workouts as well, categorized into outdoor activities, training, dancing, combat sports, ball sports, winter sports, and recreational sports.
Suitable companion
After completing my first elite race at Spartan Stadion (a grueling 5KM race with 20 obstacles inside New Clark City’s Athletic Stadium) last mid-July, I took a short hiatus to recover from the race burnout.
Running in a category filled with national and pro athletes was exhausting for my mind, body, and spirit. It was a difficult test of my strength, pride, and willpower. The Redmi Watch 3 Active came a week after, prompting me to get back to taking care of my body with grace.
Somehow, the smartwatch’s advent into my life has impeccable timing. It was raining in Manila, endlessly, for days. I also didn’t have the energy to sign up back to the gym and start my training for Spartan’s Trifecta Weekend in November, dealing with post-race blues and personal affairs that caused me to lose weight.
I knew I had to resume training. Luckily, the Redmi Watch 3 Active’s different workout modes accompanied me in getting my strength back.
Train your mind and body
With jump rope as a workout mode, I get to measure my skips in the morning. There are also workouts that are highly specific depending on your equipment such as Dumbbell, Wall Ball, Barbell, Weightlifting, Deadlift, Burpee, and Sit-Ups.
Something more general includes strength, physical training, and functional fitness training. If you’re focused on certain parts of your body, the workout modes have the option to focus on the upper body, lower body, abs, and back.
As for me, I only pick functional fitness training when I do home workouts since I use bodyweight exercises that help with my athletic performance. When I’m training my muscle strength, I opt to do calisthenics using my dip bars and pull-up bar. There are no guides if you’re clueless about what workouts to do.
The training modes just allow you to see how many kilocalories you’re burning, the duration of your workout, and the intensity of your heart rate while performing the exercises. It’s usually categorized between light, intensive, aerobic, anaerobic, and VO2 Max — which refers to the maximum oxygen consumption. Usually, that’s when you hit your limit.
For everyday life
The Redmi Watch 3 Active pairs easily whether on an Android smartphone or an iPhone. With only the Mi Fitness app, you can see comprehensive data regarding your health and fitness.
Since it pairs seamlessly with any smartphone, the smartwatch makes it easy to read notifications, answer calls, check your calendar, and adjust music playback. You can even remotely capture photos from your phone using just the camera button on the smartwatch!
Even if it’s connected with Bluetooth and WiFi, the smartwatch lasts for at least 7 days — even when using it for different workouts. When on standby, the Redmi Watch 3 Active also indicates how much battery is left and how many days it would last. Fun fact: With several settings off and a full battery, the smartwatch promises up to 12 days of battery life.
In a way, the Redmi Watch 3 Active gives off an everyday smartwatch vibe. It has all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch, in a design that looks elegant when working out and balancing work and life.
The watch faces are customizable, with over 200 options to choose from. It also comes with optional straps to match your everyday style. Lastly, it’s lightweight and waterproof with a 5ATM. Just what you need out of a reliable smartwatch!
Is this your GadgetMatch?
The Redmi Watch 3 Active is quite packed for an affordable smartwatch. It has everything you’ll need to kickstart your fitness journey, and a little bit more. You can stop making excuses about having a smartwatch before starting to work out or sign up for a gym membership. This one’s highly affordable, priced at PhP 1,999, and available at Xiaomi’s exclusive Shopee store.
It’s not as smooth, powerful, and feature-packed as most smartwatches. You’ll need to shell out money for that, especially if you want to elevate your performance. But if you’re just starting out, this smartwatch is a must-have to cop. Xiaomi breaks the notion that smartwatches have to be expensive to be functional. The Redmi Watch 3 Active might just be the best value-for-money smartwatch right now.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/dyson-zone-air-purifying-headphones-thumbnail.jpg)
The Dyson Zone Air-Purifying headphones offers more than just its gimmick-y futuristic design.
The fact that this device tackles both noise and air pollution is a godsend for someone who lives in a bustling city like New York.
But do you really need one?
Head over to Michael Josh’s one month later with the Dyson Zone Air-Purifying Headphones to find out if it’s your GadgetMatch.
Check it out
https://howl.me/cj0ZIYJkEF7
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GadgetMatch-Dyson-360-Vis-Nav-4.jpg)
Technology company Dyson has introduced a new, groundbreaking lineup of intelligent technologies aimed at revolutionizing the way we clean our homes. With a focus on automation, advanced software, and cutting-edge engineering, the new range of products promises to deliver unparalleled cleaning performance and create healthier living environments.
At a recent event in Singapore, Dyson Chief Technology Officer John Churchill unveiled the company’s latest technologies. Providing a glimpse into their vision for the future of clean homes. Drawing on decades of expertise in filtration, airflow, motors, software, and robotics, Dyson aims to simplify home maintenance and alleviate the burden of cleaning. “Our future vision is of a home that can look after itself,” Churchill said. “The new technologies launched today are the embodiment of this–the most powerful robotic vacuum cleaner, intelligent, large-room purification, and, for active cleaning, new cordless vacuums and cleaner head technologies that offer adaptive, multifunctional cleaning when and where you need it.”
The newly unveiled technologies incorporate robotics, sensing capabilities, and intelligent software to enable a more efficient and effective cleaning process. By understanding the surrounding environment and the cleaning task at hand, Dyson’s products can automatically adapt and respond to provide optimal cleaning results. This intelligent approach is made possible through precise sensors, sophisticated software algorithms, and advanced mechanical technologies.
Dyson 360 Vis Nav
One of the highlights of Dyson’s new lineup is the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robotic vacuum. It represents the next generation of intelligent and independent cleaning devices. With six times the suction power of any other robot vacuum, this innovative device incorporates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology.
It can remember areas it has cleaned, create dust maps of the home, and navigate with precision, even cleaning right up to the edges of a room. Equipped with a triple-action brush bar, it effectively cleans different floor types and can maneuver under furniture effortlessly.
Big+Quiet Formaldehyde
Dyson’s commitment to clean air is evident in the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde. Designed for large spaces, this purifier delivers powerful air projection with an impressive 10-meter range. Notably, it operates quietly at just 56 decibels, providing a peaceful environment. Equipped with advanced sensors, the purifier automatically detects and purifies pollutants as they arise. Its HEPA H13 particle filter traps ultrafine particles, while the K-Carbon filter removes gas pollutants and effectively eliminates formaldehyde. Real-time air quality data is sent to the user’s smartphone via the MyDysonTM app for continuous monitoring.
Dyson Gen5detect
Moving away from their usual naving conventions, Dyson’s Gen5detect cordless vacuum sets new standards in suction power and versatility. Powered by the fifth-generation Hyperdymium motor, it offers unparalleled performance, capable of capturing viruses within the home.
Its fully sealed, whole-machine HEPA filtration system ensures that particles as small as 0.1 microns are effectively trapped. The vacuum’s Fluffy OpticTM cleaner head reveals microscopic dust particles, allowing for precise cleaning. With a fade-free, energy-dense battery, users can enjoy extended cleaning sessions of up to 70 minutes.
Dyson Submarine
In a breakthrough for wet cleaning, Dyson introduces the Dyson Submarine wet roller head. This attachment, compatible with select Dyson vacuum models, efficiently removes spills, stains, and small debris from hard floors. Engineered with an innovative hydration system, it ensures an optimal amount of water distribution for thorough cleaning without over-saturation. Its motor-driven microfiber roller effectively tackles dirt and debris. The low-profile design and full-width brush bar allow for effortless maneuvering even in tight spaces.
Dyson’s latest innovations embody the company’s mission to create healthier homes with minimal effort. By integrating automation, advanced software, and intelligent features, Dyson aims to transform the cleaning experience. With the ability to adapt to different cleaning tasks and environments, these technologies offer unmatched performance and convenience. Dyson’s commitment to innovation and its relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies continue to redefine the future of home cleaning.
As the demand for efficient and intelligent cleaning solutions grows and the desire for healthier living spaces increases, Dyson remains at the forefront of delivering groundbreaking home cleaning technologies. With their extensive expertise in motor engineering, filtration systems, and robotics, Dyson continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in home cleaning.
By incorporating intelligent sensors, powerful motors, and advanced software, Dyson’s new range of products is designed to streamline the cleaning process and minimize the time and effort required. These technologies are a testament to Dyson’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the well-being of homeowners.
As of publishing, availibility and pricing for these upcoming launches are yet to be announced.
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