How many squares can you spot?

LAHORE – Health experts say that if you want to live up to 100 years, you should adopt some important habits that most people tend to overlook. A study published last week claimed that the maximum possible human lifespan could reach 194 years. Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow say that if researchers can discover a way to limit cell death associated with aging, the human body may be able to function healthily for a longer period. Lifestyle factors cannot stop the natural biological aging process but they can help protect the body’s cells from premature death. The result may be not only a longer life but also a healthier and more active one. According to Dr. Claire Neyland, a general practitioner associated with the Preventive Healthcare Clinic (HOOQE), the real goal of longevity is not simply to add more years to life but to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life during old age. Dr. Neyland says planning for a long and healthy life should not begin at the age of 50 or 60. It is never too early to prepare for the future. By adopting healthy habits today, people can lay the foundation for a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life as they grow older. She said that eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly are not the only things that matter. There are also some lesser-known but highly important daily habits that adults of all ages should incorporate into their routines. She explained that people generally spend most of their time sitting on chairs rather than on the floor. Sitting on the floor may help strengthen the lower body while also improving flexibility and balance. Moving from a sitting position on the floor to standing is a simple movement but it can quietly indicate whether the body is aging in a healthy way. On average, a person spends around 10 hours sitting each day which can have negative effects on the thigh bones, hip joints and pelvic-floor muscles. Sitting on the floor and getting back up requires leg strength, hip flexibility, balance and physical coordination. If these abilities are not regularly used, they can gradually weaken with age. People who maintain these abilities generally remain more independent and have a lower risk of falling. Falls are among the major causes of hospitalization and even death among older adults. According to Dr. Neyland, this habit can easily be incorporated into everyday life. For example, people can sit on the floor while watching television, play with children on the floor or do stretching exercises while sitting on the floor. If it is safe, they can also practise standing up without using their hands for support. Even performing this exercise a few times a day may help maintain mobility, flexibility and agility as the body ages.

Liver specialists in the United Arab Emirates are warning that liver disease can develop silently for many years.  Many people do not know they have a liver problem until the damage becomes severe. Doctors explain that the liver does not have pain sensing nerves so it usually does not hurt even when it is damaged.  It is also a very strong organ that can keep working normally even after 70% to 80% of it has been affected. Because of this fatty liver disease and other liver conditions may progress quietly for 10 to 30 years without clear symptoms. If they are not found early they can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis) liver failure and in some cases the need for a liver transplant. Fatty liver cases are increasing Experts estimate that around 30% to 40% of adults in the UAE have fatty liver disease.  The condition is now called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) because it is mainly linked to problems with the body’s metabolism. Without treatment MASLD can progress to liver inflammation scarring cirrhosis and even complete liver failure. Young adults are also at risk Doctors say liver disease is no longer a problem only for older adults. Rising rates of obesity type 2 diabetes excess weight and metabolic syndrome are increasing the number of cases among younger people as well. As obesity and diabetes continue to rise experts expect more people to develop serious liver disease in the future.   Why Symptoms Often go unnoticed The liver stays “silent” for two main reasons. First it does not have pain nerves. Second the healthy part of the liver continues to do its job even when a large portion is damaged. Early symptoms if they appear are often mild. These may include ongoing tiredness low energy weakness or slight discomfort in the upper abdomen.  Many people ignore these signs. Who is most at risk? People with type 2 diabetes obesity high cholesterol metabolic syndrome heavy alcohol use or a lack of physical activity have a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease. Research suggests that about 60% of people with type 2 diabetes also have fatty liver disease. However experts stress that even people with a healthy weight can develop the condition especially if they have a family history of liver disease an unhealthy diet or low levels of exercise. Gym goers should be careful too Doctors say they are seeing more people with fatty liver who do not drink alcohol are not overweight and consider themselves healthy. Experts warn that  eating too much sugar taking low quality supplements especially muscle building products getting too little sleep dealing with long-term stress, and sitting for many hours can all harm the liver. Unnecessary medicines and unregulated herbal supplements may also put extra pressure on the liver. Warning Signs that need medical attention Although liver disease may not cause symptoms at first you should see a doctor if you experience •Constant tiredness or weakness •Unexplained weight loss •Loss of appetite •Pain or swelling in the abdomen •Ongoing nausea •Seek urgent medical care if you notice. •Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) •Dark colored urine •Very pale stools •Swelling in the legs or abdomen •Easy bruising •Confusion or changes in mental alertness •Vomiting blood or blood in the stool Early detection can make a difference Experts say many liver diseases can be slowed down if they are diagnosed early.  In some cases part of the damage can even improve with proper treatment and healthy lifestyle changes. Losing excess weight controlling blood sugar and cholesterol eating a balanced diet exercising regularly and staying active are all important for keeping the liver healthy. Get regular liver checkups Doctors recommend that people at higher risk have liver function tests blood sugar and cholesterol checks and a liver ultrasound or FibroScan at least once a year. A FibroScan is a quick painless test that can detect fat buildup and scarring in the liver within minutes. Experts say the liver often gives no warning signs making regular screening one of the best ways to protect your liver health.

The introduction of FRAMES marks an important milestone in Sindh’s journey towards digital governance. Rather than relying on conventional attendance registers that have long served as the primary means of recording staff attendance, the School Education & Literacy Department (SE&LD) has embraced facial recognition technology to create a more transparent, secure and efficient monitoring system. The initiative reflects a broader vision of leveraging technology to improve governance, enhance institutional performance and ultimately create a better learning environment for students. For decades, education departments across Pakistan have struggled with administrative challenges that extend beyond teaching and learning. Manual attendance systems, paper-based reporting, delayed verification processes and fragmented administrative records have often limited the ability of education authorities to monitor schools effectively. In a province with thousands of public schools and a large teaching workforce, ensuring regular attendance and maintaining accurate records through traditional methods has remained a formidable challenge. Recognising these issues, the Government of Sindh has sought to replace outdated administrative practices with a technology-driven solution. FRAMES enables teaching and non-teaching staff to verify their attendance using facial recognition technology. Once authenticated, attendance records are securely captured and transmitted to a central monitoring platform, allowing authorised education officials to access real-time information regarding staff attendance across schools. Unlike conventional attendance registers that require manual compilation and verification, FRAMES introduces automation into one of the most fundamental administrative functions within the education sector. The result is not merely a change in attendance recording but a transformation in how educational institutions are monitored and managed. One of the distinguishing features of FRAMES is its ability to function both online and offline. This capability addresses one of the most practical challenges facing digital governance in developing regions. Internet connectivity remains inconsistent in several rural and remote areas of Sindh, making continuous online operation difficult for many schools. Recognising this reality, FRAMES has been designed using an offline-first architecture. Even when internet connectivity is unavailable, teachers and school staff can authenticate their attendance through facial recognition. The application securely stores attendance records on the device and automatically synchronises the data with the central server as soon as internet connectivity is restored. This intelligent synchronisation mechanism ensures that schools continue to operate without disruption while maintaining the integrity and reliability of attendance records. By eliminating dependence on uninterrupted internet access, FRAMES becomes a practical solution for schools across diverse geographical regions of the province. The importance of this feature cannot be overstated. Many digital initiatives fail because they assume ideal technological conditions that do not always exist in the field. By accommodating connectivity limitations, FRAMES demonstrates a realistic understanding of the operational environment within Sindh’s public education system. Beyond attendance verification, FRAMES represents a broader shift towards data-driven governance. Modern public administration increasingly depends on accurate, timely and reliable data to formulate effective policies. Every authenticated attendance record contributes to a growing repository of administrative information that can assist education managers in analysing attendance trends, identifying operational challenges and making informed policy decisions. Real-time monitoring significantly enhances administrative responsiveness. Instead of waiting for monthly reports or manual inspections, district and provincial authorities can obtain immediate insights into attendance patterns. Persistent absenteeism, staffing shortages or unusual attendance trends can be identified promptly, enabling faster interventions and more efficient resource allocation. The implementation of FRAMES also strengthens institutional accountability. Public institutions derive credibility from transparency, consistency and fairness. Digital attendance verification substantially reduces opportunities for manipulation associated with manual record keeping while creating an auditable electronic record of attendance. Such transparency not only improves administrative efficiency but also reinforces public confidence in government institutions. Across the world, education systems are increasingly adopting digital governance solutions to improve institutional performance. Countries in Asia, Europe and Africa have introduced biometric attendance systems, electronic education management platforms and digital monitoring tools to strengthen accountability within public education. International organisations, including UNESCO and the World Bank, have repeatedly emphasised that effective education governance depends upon reliable information systems capable of supporting evidence-based policymaking. Sindh’s adoption of FRAMES therefore aligns with broader international trends in educational management. While technology alone cannot resolve every challenge confronting the education sector, it provides administrators with the tools necessary to monitor institutional performance more effectively and allocate resources more strategically. The implementation of FRAMES also complements the Sindh Government’s wider digital transformation agenda within the School Education & Literacy Department. In recent years, the department has introduced several technology-based initiatives aimed at improving governance, financial transparency, administrative efficiency and public service delivery. Collectively, these reforms signal a transition from conventional bureaucratic practices towards modern digital administration. However, technological innovation alone is not sufficient to guarantee institutional success. The effectiveness of FRAMES will depend upon careful implementation, continuous evaluation and sustained capacity building. Teachers, head teachers and district administrators must receive comprehensive training to ensure that the system is used correctly and consistently. Technical support mechanisms must remain readily available to resolve operational issues quickly and minimise disruptions. Equally important is the need to strengthen digital infrastructure. Reliable electricity, functional devices and stable internet connectivity remain essential components of successful digital governance. Although the application’s offline functionality addresses connectivity constraints, long-term sustainability will require continued investment in technological infrastructure across public schools. Another important consideration relates to data privacy and cybersecurity. Because FRAMES utilises facial recognition technology, the protection of biometric information must remain a top priority. Clear policies governing data collection, storage, encryption and authorised access will be essential to maintaining public trust. International experience demonstrates that digital governance initiatives are most successful when supported by robust legal safeguards and transparent data protection frameworks. Some observers have expressed concerns regarding the growing use of artificial intelligence and biometric technologies within public institutions. These concerns deserve thoughtful consideration. Technology should always serve the interests of citizens rather than replace human judgement. Accordingly, FRAMES should be viewed as an administrative support system that strengthens institutional accountability without diminishing the role of educational leadership or professional responsibility. Indeed, educational quality ultimately depends upon far more than attendance alone.

New research suggests that some memories that seem to be forgotten may not completely disappear from the brain.  Instead they may remain stored in a quiet state and can sometimes return when a person receives the right reminder or is placed in a familiar environment. Scientists studied fruit flies and found that memories could become active again when the flies were placed in an environment similar to the one where the memory was first formed. This suggests that some memories may not be erased with time. They may simply become harder for the brain to access. Human memory is a very complex system. Some memories become weaker over time while others may suddenly return after seeing a familiar place, smelling a certain scent or noticing another related signal. However researchers still do not fully understand why the brain sometimes creates false memories along with real ones.  Understanding how the brain brings back true memories and creates inaccurate ones remains an important question for scientists. The findings could  help researchers better understand how memories are stored in the brain and how different surroundings or reminders can help bring forgotten memories back.