The body remembers: Scientists study learning in cells outside the brain

Science and Health

Breadcrumb Trail LinksNewsScience’Learning runs deeper than brains,’ says lead researcher, author and neuroscientist Nikolay KukushkinPublished Nov 15, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute readIt’s not just brain cells that can learn through a combination of repetition and rest, researchers found. Photo by GettyArticle contentYour brain is constantly forming new memories, based on experience and repetition. Scientists now know that cells in other parts of the body are working in similar ways. They may even form stronger “memories” through repeated behaviour alternated with periods of rest, much in the way our brains remember things better through repetition.“Learning and memory in animals exhibit a peculiar feature known as the massed-spaced effect,” scientists from New York University wrote in new research that was just published in the journal Nature. “Training distributed across multiple sessions (spaced training) produces stronger memory than the same amount of training applied in a single episode (massed training).”Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLESEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsDon’t have an account? Create AccountorSign in without password New , a new way to loginArticle contentThe team, led by author and neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin, hypothesized that this type of learning might apply to non-neural cells, “given that much of the molecular toolkit for memory formation is conserved across cell types.”To test the hypothesis, the team engineered two types of cells, one from nerve tissue and one from kidney, to produce a glowing protein any time their so-called “memory gene” was activated; this is the same gene that neurons use when they restructure themselves during the formation of long-term memory.“It turned out that the cells — even kidney cells! — could tell apart very specific patterns,” Kukushkin wrote in an article for Psychology Today. “First, they could count — at least to four. A three-minute pulse did turn on the ‘memory gene,’ but only for an hour or two, whereas after four pulses, the gene was turned on stronger, and stayed on for days.”It would be akin to the way your brain might remember something briefly if you studied it once, but more thoroughly if you studied several times, with breaks in between. But is it “learning”?NP PostedGet a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article content“I think all of these are very reasonable suggestions,” Kukushkin told the National Post in an email. “There is evidence that a past meal can modify, for example, the amount of insulin that a pancreatic cell releases in the future. What’s more, I think that in situations like this we can use the word learn without quotation marks — one of the key things that our study shows is that non-neural cells change themselves just like neurons — not only metaphorically, but mechanistically. They use the same tools and parts of the cell to adjust themselves based on the past in order to react differently to the future.”He concluded: “There is no sense in which learning done by neurons, brains, or whole humans is somehow more ‘real’ than learning by any individual cell. Learning runs deeper than brains.”Recommended from Editorial Here’s a list of phrases doctors should never say to patients Are you as old as you feel? Aging attitude linked to cognitive health And while he cautioned that the research is still at a very early stage, it might eventually lead to new treatments for memory problems — or, on the flip side, new techniques in disease control and prevention.Advertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article content“Those undifferentiated cells that we use in our study are actually cancer cells,” he said. “That’s what you can indefinitely grow in a lab, and what everyone in the world uses as a stand-in for ‘generic human cell.’”By stimulating the cells, they become more active and divide.“What our study shows is that these cells can not only sense the chemicals, but a very fine time pattern of those chemicals — a single 12-minute pulse does not work nearly as well as four three-minute pulses separated by 10 minutes. So the precise timing matters, not just the amount, or the duration.”He continued: “What we have not done yet is try the reverse: give the cancer cells poison (chemotherapy), rather than stimulants. Could it be that for that, timing also matters? That’s not how we usually think of chemotherapy: generally speaking, all you are trying to do when treating a cancer patient is keep the drug in the patient’s system at a stable level for as long as the patient can take it. But maybe, a more precisely timed approach would actually prove more effective, and maybe less toxic to the rest of the body.”He added: “At this stage, all of this is pure speculation. But our study opens the door to interacting with the cells of our body — both healthy and sick cells — on a more nuanced level than we previously have.”Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

The body remembers: Scientists study learning in cells outside the brain

Science and Health

Breadcrumb Trail LinksNewsScience’Learning runs deeper than brains,’ says lead researcher, author and neuroscientist Nikolay KukushkinPublished Nov 15, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute readIt’s not just brain cells that can learn through a combination of repetition and rest, researchers found. Photo by GettyArticle contentYour brain is constantly forming new memories, based on experience and repetition. Scientists now know that cells in other parts of the body are working in similar ways. They may even form stronger “memories” through repeated behaviour alternated with periods of rest, much in the way our brains remember things better through repetition.“Learning and memory in animals exhibit a peculiar feature known as the massed-spaced effect,” scientists from New York University wrote in new research that was just published in the journal Nature. “Training distributed across multiple sessions (spaced training) produces stronger memory than the same amount of training applied in a single episode (massed training).”Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLESEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsDon’t have an account? Create AccountorSign in without password New , a new way to loginArticle contentThe team, led by author and neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin, hypothesized that this type of learning might apply to non-neural cells, “given that much of the molecular toolkit for memory formation is conserved across cell types.”To test the hypothesis, the team engineered two types of cells, one from nerve tissue and one from kidney, to produce a glowing protein any time their so-called “memory gene” was activated; this is the same gene that neurons use when they restructure themselves during the formation of long-term memory.“It turned out that the cells — even kidney cells! — could tell apart very specific patterns,” Kukushkin wrote in an article for Psychology Today. “First, they could count — at least to four. A three-minute pulse did turn on the ‘memory gene,’ but only for an hour or two, whereas after four pulses, the gene was turned on stronger, and stayed on for days.”It would be akin to the way your brain might remember something briefly if you studied it once, but more thoroughly if you studied several times, with breaks in between. But is it “learning”?NP PostedGet a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article content“I think all of these are very reasonable suggestions,” Kukushkin told the National Post in an email. “There is evidence that a past meal can modify, for example, the amount of insulin that a pancreatic cell releases in the future. What’s more, I think that in situations like this we can use the word learn without quotation marks — one of the key things that our study shows is that non-neural cells change themselves just like neurons — not only metaphorically, but mechanistically. They use the same tools and parts of the cell to adjust themselves based on the past in order to react differently to the future.”He concluded: “There is no sense in which learning done by neurons, brains, or whole humans is somehow more ‘real’ than learning by any individual cell. Learning runs deeper than brains.”Recommended from Editorial Here’s a list of phrases doctors should never say to patients Are you as old as you feel? Aging attitude linked to cognitive health And while he cautioned that the research is still at a very early stage, it might eventually lead to new treatments for memory problems — or, on the flip side, new techniques in disease control and prevention.Advertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article content“Those undifferentiated cells that we use in our study are actually cancer cells,” he said. “That’s what you can indefinitely grow in a lab, and what everyone in the world uses as a stand-in for ‘generic human cell.’”By stimulating the cells, they become more active and divide.“What our study shows is that these cells can not only sense the chemicals, but a very fine time pattern of those chemicals — a single 12-minute pulse does not work nearly as well as four three-minute pulses separated by 10 minutes. So the precise timing matters, not just the amount, or the duration.”He continued: “What we have not done yet is try the reverse: give the cancer cells poison (chemotherapy), rather than stimulants. Could it be that for that, timing also matters? That’s not how we usually think of chemotherapy: generally speaking, all you are trying to do when treating a cancer patient is keep the drug in the patient’s system at a stable level for as long as the patient can take it. But maybe, a more precisely timed approach would actually prove more effective, and maybe less toxic to the rest of the body.”He added: “At this stage, all of this is pure speculation. But our study opens the door to interacting with the cells of our body — both healthy and sick cells — on a more nuanced level than we previously have.”Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

New Developments in Contact Lens Technology May Spell Relief for Eye Diseases

Technology

Photo Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels
Over the past few decades, technology has become a crucial tool in improving health and quality of life. In healthcare, technological innovations have been proven to provide better outcomes for patients. Health facilities can now leverage technology or apps to track and contact patients who missed their doctor’s appointment and utilize messaging platforms to inform more people about broader health campaigns, like encouraging vaccinations. Today, we’re seeing more game-changing tools in every aspect of healthcare than ever before, including breakthroughs in contact lens technology.
According to a Research and Markets report, the US contact lens market currently has a projected 4.69% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, marking consistent growth. The same report mentioned innovative developments in contact lens technology as a key driving force behind this growth. The amount of contact lenses now available on the market, including Acuvue and Dailies, leverage new technology in order to appeal to a wider range of customers. For instance, lenses sold under the aforementioned brands are designed with HydraLuxe and blink-activated moisture technologies to prevent common issues like dry eyes. Brands like Biofinity, meanwhile, offer toric lenses specifically for contact lens users suffering from astigmatism. Aside from these examples, new research and developments in contact lens technology may spell relief for other eye diseases. Here’s what you need to know:
Monitoring glaucoma
New York has one of the highest glaucoma rates in the United States, according to an NIH study. Glaucoma, which is caused when the optic nerve is damaged by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye, can lead to irreversible vision loss. To improve glaucoma detection and treatment, researchers from Northumbria University and Boğaziçi University collaborated to develop GlakoLens, a pair of contacts that can monitor changes in eye pressure. These disposable lenses have an electrically passive sensor connected to a wearable electronic readout system that collects, stores, and analyzes patient data for evaluation. This new tech guarantees consistent IOP monitoring that can lead to more accurate glaucoma diagnoses.
Correcting color blindness
Research estimates that around 12 million people in the US have color blindness, which can affect many activities in daily life, like stopping at red lights and identifying safety signs. To solve this dilemma, researchers developed contacts that can assist people who are color blind. In 2021, ACS Nano researchers developed special-tinted contacts by infusing gold nanoparticles with lenses to improve green-red contrasts. Tharchers evenly fused these gold nanoparticles into a hydrogel polymer to create rose-tinted gels capable of scattering light and filtering out other colors while enhancing green-red colors for people with difficulty seeing these hues.
Monitoring glucose levels
Monitoring glucose is essential for diagnosing and managing diabetes, which affects around 1.8 million adults in New York, according to the state’s health department. Research shows that tears contain glucose, and higher levels of tear glucose were observed in diabetic patients compared with normal individuals. Today, researchers have created smart contact lenses with glucose biosensors to monitor glucose levels in tears to determine effective management strategies for diabetes and potentially offset side effects, including diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss. Unlike regular glucose monitoring devices that can cause skin inflammation, irritation, and bleeding, these smart contact lenses are soft to ensure comfortable use.
Innovations in contact lens technology offer promising potential for effective detection and management of eye conditions. As the tech and research into contact lenses continue to grow, these lenses may become game-changing tools that can push the boundaries of eye care treatment and healthcare in general. Check out our other stories on the River Journal North website for more health and local news articles.

New Developments in Contact Lens Technology May Spell Relief for Eye Diseases

Technology

Photo Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels
Over the past few decades, technology has become a crucial tool in improving health and quality of life. In healthcare, technological innovations have been proven to provide better outcomes for patients. Health facilities can now leverage technology or apps to track and contact patients who missed their doctor’s appointment and utilize messaging platforms to inform more people about broader health campaigns, like encouraging vaccinations. Today, we’re seeing more game-changing tools in every aspect of healthcare than ever before, including breakthroughs in contact lens technology.
According to a Research and Markets report, the US contact lens market currently has a projected 4.69% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, marking consistent growth. The same report mentioned innovative developments in contact lens technology as a key driving force behind this growth. The amount of contact lenses now available on the market, including Acuvue and Dailies, leverage new technology in order to appeal to a wider range of customers. For instance, lenses sold under the aforementioned brands are designed with HydraLuxe and blink-activated moisture technologies to prevent common issues like dry eyes. Brands like Biofinity, meanwhile, offer toric lenses specifically for contact lens users suffering from astigmatism. Aside from these examples, new research and developments in contact lens technology may spell relief for other eye diseases. Here’s what you need to know:
Monitoring glaucoma
New York has one of the highest glaucoma rates in the United States, according to an NIH study. Glaucoma, which is caused when the optic nerve is damaged by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye, can lead to irreversible vision loss. To improve glaucoma detection and treatment, researchers from Northumbria University and Boğaziçi University collaborated to develop GlakoLens, a pair of contacts that can monitor changes in eye pressure. These disposable lenses have an electrically passive sensor connected to a wearable electronic readout system that collects, stores, and analyzes patient data for evaluation. This new tech guarantees consistent IOP monitoring that can lead to more accurate glaucoma diagnoses.
Correcting color blindness
Research estimates that around 12 million people in the US have color blindness, which can affect many activities in daily life, like stopping at red lights and identifying safety signs. To solve this dilemma, researchers developed contacts that can assist people who are color blind. In 2021, ACS Nano researchers developed special-tinted contacts by infusing gold nanoparticles with lenses to improve green-red contrasts. Tharchers evenly fused these gold nanoparticles into a hydrogel polymer to create rose-tinted gels capable of scattering light and filtering out other colors while enhancing green-red colors for people with difficulty seeing these hues.
Monitoring glucose levels
Monitoring glucose is essential for diagnosing and managing diabetes, which affects around 1.8 million adults in New York, according to the state’s health department. Research shows that tears contain glucose, and higher levels of tear glucose were observed in diabetic patients compared with normal individuals. Today, researchers have created smart contact lenses with glucose biosensors to monitor glucose levels in tears to determine effective management strategies for diabetes and potentially offset side effects, including diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss. Unlike regular glucose monitoring devices that can cause skin inflammation, irritation, and bleeding, these smart contact lenses are soft to ensure comfortable use.
Innovations in contact lens technology offer promising potential for effective detection and management of eye conditions. As the tech and research into contact lenses continue to grow, these lenses may become game-changing tools that can push the boundaries of eye care treatment and healthcare in general. Check out our other stories on the River Journal North website for more health and local news articles.

2024 Gift Guide • Books and More

Arts & Culture, Books

No doubt there will be lots of people looking for ways to relax and take their minds off “things” this next year. And the “Rollors” lawn game could be just what they need – easy to set up and easy to play. And if you want to keep score on ROLLORS (Above) or maybe a game of tennis or a round of golf, check out the Tally Tumblers. Get your drink on and keep score with one handy helper. ROLLORS, $59.95; Tally Tumbler, $39.95. ROLLORS.com.

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For just the right reading material, check out the Tom of Finland comic collection, for adults only ($32.99). For a truck load of Tom of Finland adult toys, from clamps to cuffs to collars. Check out the two huge sections at Alternatives. Alternatives of New Fine Arts, 1720 W. Mockingbird; 214-630-7071.

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Are you always looking for that little notepad to jot down your to-do list or to sketch or take notes on?. Check out the new reMarkable Paper Pro, premium e-paper tablet . And don’t forget the Marker+ and the book folio or typing folio to complete the package. Paper Pro, starts at $579; Marker+ $129; book folio, $179; type folio $229. remarkable.com.

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K.Co Press is a Dallas-based, independent, small press art book publisher founded by local creatives Stephanie and James Khattak. James Khattak’s photography is featured in Shorelines, a coffee table book that is a visual journey through the Texas Gulf Coast and Coastal Bend regions. $65. In Sunwashed, images of small-town Texas show off the eclectic sides amid Texas’ vast size. $24.99 The newest release is Joy Machine showcasing works by prolific East Texas artist Jeffie Brewer and their sculptures throughout the Lone Star State and the country. $50. KCoPress.com.

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Everybody’s looking for a way to predict the future, wanting to know what we can expect over the next year. The Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot, available from Running Press Studio, is a one-of-a-kind tarot card set inspired by Broadway and featuring the art of Al Hirschfeld, created by author Emily McGill, a spiritual psychologist, tarot card reader, and former Broadway publicist, in collaboration with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. $23.80 at Amazon.com.

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Everyone’s familiar with Wicked, the hit Broadway show and upcoming movie that tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda in their schoolgirl years. But for those looking to expand their knowledge of Gregory Maguire’s creation, there’s a special collector’s edition of MORE ABOUT WICKED: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. And now for the first time, Wicked has been paired with the other three books in the Wicked Years series for a box set also featuring Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz. Wicked Collector’s Edition, $40; Wicked Series Boxed Set, $80. HarperCollins.com.

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Funding beyond the banks: alternative finance options for Black business owners

Business News

FOR TOO many years, Black business owners in the UK have raised concerns about limited access to finance and identified this as a serious barrier to growth.

High street banks are often not seen as a great option for commercial finance for many Black businesses. We have heard so many stories about the bank says ‘no’.

However. there are several options that Black entrepreneurs may not have considered. Here are some alternatives.

Commercial financial brokers

A great option is to source an independent commercial financial broker. We have many in the Black community. Good brokers will explore your circumstances, business goals and advise on the best company or companies to seek finance from.

This helps you to understand your options before a formal application and a credit check, maximising your chances of getting a yes. They should also be able to discuss the various options mentioned below.

Factoring

This is one of the least known financial options by Black business owners, but vital to the growth of so many businesses. It is particularly useful for businesses who need to put up a lot of money to deliver their products or services, in advance of their client paying their invoice.

Business coach Asari St Hill

This lack of cashflow prevents many Black businesses from growing from a small to a larger business.

This is a form of ‘asset finance’. The lender, will lend the business owner money to help with cashflow, based on a solid order from a credit worthy client.

The lender will pay as much of 90% of the invoice value, on receipt of the order. This allows the business owner cash to fulfil the order, pay staff or just keep afloat until the invoice is paid. The business owner than pays back the loan, plus interest, once their invoice is paid.

This is a brilliant form of finance for businesses who want to work for bigger clients but usually have tough terms and will only pay after 30, 60 or more days. This is typical of construction companies, large retailers and many others. If you want to scale up your business, this is well worth looking into.

Merchant cash advances

This is a great option if you regularly take card payments from your clients – via a card machine or online. If your typical revenue is good, lenders can advance you cash, but rather than base the lending on an invoice, it is based on future sales revenue. The repayments are based on a percentage of your customer card payments. This is useful for business owners who need quick access to cash.  

Finance from credit unions

Credit Unions like the Pentecostal Credit Union (PCU) which recently rebranded to become the Pentecostal Community Bank, offer business accounts and loans to businesses.

The moneysupermarket.com’s site states: “Credit union loans can help you access finance if you’ve got an impaired credit rating.” It goes on to state that, “While credit union loan rates are competitive, they may not be as low as the cheapest bank loans” but, “Credit unions look beyond credit ratings when approving loans and consider the borrower’s entire financial situation.”

This can be invaluable source of finance, particularly when you don’t have the best credit rating.

The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)

This is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme and managed by the British Business Bank – a UK government-owned Economic Development Bank, managed independently. It was launched with accredited lenders on 1 July 2024.

The GGS supports a wide range of products, covering term loans, overdrafts, asset finance and invoice finance facilities. Borrowing starts from £1,000 up to £1m for a single business.

This is just a short summary of the options available to Black business owners to explore potential funding opportunities outside of those offered by high street banks.

 However, it’s important to acknowledge that every business has unique circumstances, and what works for one may not be suitable for another. Therefore, I’d strongly encourage you to seek independent professional advice tailored to your specific situation.

Additionally, conducting your own thorough research and due diligence is essential before making any financial decisions, ensuring that you make informed choices that align with your business goals.’

If you would like business advice from Asari St.Hill – ActionCOACH Business Coach and Founder of the Black Business Club, you can contact him here

Film Streams event to honor women filmmakers who created ‘Alien,’ ‘Mankiller’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Award-winning film and television producer Gale Anne Hurd and director and producer Valerie Red-Horse Mohl will be honored at Omaha’s Film Streams theater this weekend.The women will receive the theater’s See Change Wavemaker Award in honor of their significant contributions to cinema.Hurd, who is the founder of Valhalla Entertainment, is known for the Emmy Award-winning television series “The Walking Dead” and its multiple spinoffs, which include “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Dead City.” She also was the producer of the Sundance Award-winning “The Waterdance” and classic films such as “Armageddon,” “Tremors,” “Aliens” and “The Terminator.”Red-Horse Mohl has worked in the industry for more than three decades, writing, directing and producing more than a dozen award-winning films and television programs. Titles include “Diversity in the Delta” for PBS, “My Indian Summer” for CBS and “Beauty” for NBC. She is of Cherokee ancestry and is the board chair for the national Boys & Girls Clubs Inc. Native Services. She is also a lecturer and board chairwoman for Stanford University’s Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.

People are also reading…

Film Streams will give film and television producer Gale Anne Hurd and writer, producer and director Valerie Red-Horse Mohl the See Change Wavemaker Award in a two-day event Friday and Saturday.

Steven Branscombe, Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

A two-day See Change celebration at the Dundee Theater location of Film Streams will begin at 7 p.m. Friday with a showing of the 1999 movie “Dick,” which was produced by Hurd and stars Kristin Dunst and Michelle Williams. The film is the story of two girls who inadvertently become President Nixon’s top-secret advisers during the Watergate scandal.Hurd and Red-Horse Mohl will receive the award in a ceremony after the screening and will then speak about their careers in conversation moderated by Diana Martinez. See Change, launched at Film Streams in 2020, is focused on gender parity for women directors.This year, Film Streams Executive Director Maggie Wood and her team realized that the lack of representation for women in film and television must be addressed beyond the director’s chair to create a more inclusive industry.“Film is such a collaborative medium, and there are so many opportunities to include women and non-binary people into that process to make it truly inclusive,” Wood said in a press release.A San Diego State University study reports a staggering lack of women in the roles of writer, producer, composer and many others, she said.“We felt called to help change that narrative,” she said, “and we knew it was time to expand the (See Change) initiative.The second day of the celebration begins Saturday at 2 p.m. with a screening of the 2017 documentary “Mankiller,” which explores the legacy of Wilma Mankiller, who was the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Red-Horse Mohl directed the film, and there will be a Q&A session after the showing.For each day, tickets are $50 for the public and $35 for Film Streams members. Weekend passes are also available. More more information and to buy tickets, go to filmstreams.org.Comedian Wanda Sykes in OmahaStand-up comedian, writer and actor Wanda Sykes will perform Friday night at the Holland Center.Sykes is known for her Emmy Award-winning work on “The Chris Rock Show,” as well as roles on “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She currently stars in “The Upshaws” on Netflix.She’s also been in several films, including “Monster-in-Law,” “Evan Almighty” and “License to Wed.”Sykes is also an activist for LGBTQ+ issues and animal rights.Her performance is at 7 p.m. in the Kiewit Concert Hall at the Holland.

Wanda Sykes will bring her stand-up comedy show to the Holland Center on Friday night for a “no phones” performance.

Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images

Cell phones, smart watches and accessories will be forbidden at the show. They will be secured in individual Yondr pouches as patrons arrive and will remain sealed until the performance ends. Audience members retain possession of the phones which can be accessed only at designated phone use areas in the venue. Devices will be re-secured before patrons return to the concert hall. Anyone seen using a device during the show will be escorted out.Tickets, from $64.50 to $79.50. are available at ticketomaha.com.‘Kiss Me Kate’ to be at Marcus Majestic CinemaA filmed version of the London stage production of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” is coming to Omaha’s Marcus Majestic Cinema, 14304 West Maple Road.The production, one of several revivals of the original 1948 musical, ran this summer with sold-out performances and critical acclaim. It stars Tony Award-winner Stephanie J. Block and multi-award-winning actor Adrian Dunbar. Bartlett Sher is the director.It tells the story of the out-of-town tryout of a musical based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” directed by a pompous Orson Welles-like thespian named Fred Graham and starring his ex-wife Lili Vanessi.It will be shown at noon Sunday and 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Omaha theater. Tickets are $16.45 and are available at the theater box office or at KissMeKateCinema.com.Omaha Symphony at Joslyn SundayHaydn’s Symphony No. 9, “Il Distratto,” will be the opening piece of Sunday’s Omaha Symphony Joslyn Series concert at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St.Critics and historians say the piece has the warmth, good humor and comedy of errors of its source, a play called “The Absent-Minded Gentleman.”And, along with William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” it inspired the third work on the program, British composer Anna Clyne’s “Sound and Fury.”The concert also will feature the symphony’s principal trombonist, Patrick Pfister, in a performance of Jan Sandstrom’s “Wahlberg Variations,” and Alberto Ginastera’s “Variaciones Concertantes,” in which each variation highlights a different musician of each section.Guest conductor Nicholas Hersh, music director of the Modesto (California) Symphony, will be at the podium for the 2 p.m. concert.Omaha Symphony staff members will present a pre-concert talk at 1 p.m., and there will be an art talk at 1:25 p.m.Tickets, $37, are available at ticketomaha.com.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of November 2024

Deb Zobel, right, holds the hand of Louise LaFramboise as she honors her during the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard’s Living Tribute Ceremony at the Center of Nursing Science at UNMC in Omaha on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Deb Zobel, right, honors Louise LaFramboise during the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard’s Living Tribute Ceremony at the Center of Nursing Science at UNMC in Omaha on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Louise LaFramboise holds white roses given to her by the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard’ during their Living Tribute Ceremony for LaFramboise at the Center of Nursing Science at UNMC in Omaha on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Norfolk Catholic players celebrate after winning the fifth and final set of a Class C2 first round state volleyball tournament match against Yutan at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Thayer Central players celebrate after winning the fourth and final set of a Class C2 first round state volleyball tournament match against Freeman at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

With results still too close to call, State Sen. Tony Vargas stands with his mother, Lidia Vargas, left, and his wife, Lauren Vargas, right, after speaking to supporters during an election night watch party at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Milford’s Sarah Reynolds (15) serves the ball during the first set of a Class C1 first round state volleyball tournament match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Gothenburg, bottom and Minden warm-up before the first set of a Class C1 first round state volleyball tournament match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Waverly celebrates their win over Bennington during the first set of a Class B first round state volleyball tournament match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Elkhorn North’s Kaitlyn Huff (15) lifts up Elkhorn North’s Ava Thompson (3) to celebrate during the first set of a Class B first round state volleyball tournament match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

A pass bounces off Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. (17) before being intercepted by UCLA’s Kaylin Moore (9) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska’s Dante Dowdell (23) hurdles UCLA’s Ramon Henderson (11) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

UCLA’s Oluwafemi Oladejo (2) hits Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola (15) as throws a pass during the first half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

The line for early voting at the Douglas County Election Commission in Omaha extends out of the parking lot on 122nd Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

The line for early voting at the Douglas County Election Commission in Omaha extends out of the parking lot on 122nd Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

The ball bounces off of the knee of Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. (17) before UCLA recovered the ball during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska’s Rollie Worster (24) goes up for a layup against Texas Rio Grand Valley’s Cliff Davis (10) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Marcus Hardy fills out his ballot at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Voters walk into Ronald Wilson Reagan Elementary School to vote in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Scott Hill fills out his ballot at Metropolitan Community College Elkhorn Valley Campus in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) goes up for a shot against Texas Rio Grand Valley’s Tommy Gankhuyag (33) during the first half of a men’s college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) dunks the ball above Texas Rio Grand Valley’s DK Thorn (3) during the second half of a men’s college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Brian Prokop holds his and his fiancee Tracy Bequett’s cat Ballsac at their home in Kennard on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The cat went missing after an EF-4 tornado destroyed most of the structures on the property, including their and Bequett’s father’s homes, in April. Six months later, Ballsac was found and returned home.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Veterans salute during the singing of the national anthem during a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Memorial Park in Omaha on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Members of the Omaha Benson JROTC prepare for a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Memorial Park in Omaha on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Attendees salute at the Veterans Day Parade in Bellevue on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Shamus Connor, 10, hands American flags to members of the Bellevue fire department at the Veterans Day Parade in Bellevue on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.

MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Robert Herjavec Reveals A ‘Low-Time Commitment Business You Can Start’—His Answer Will Surprise You

Business News

Robert Herjavec, the famed Shark Tank investor, is known for his candid and pragmatic advice. When asked about low-time commitment businesses that could generate significant profits without demanding extensive effort, his response was refreshingly straightforward: “Don’t get into business.”This bold statement wasn’t meant to deter aspiring entrepreneurs but to underscore the reality that even seemingly simple business ventures require substantial time, effort, and financial commitment. In a recent YouTube video from his series, 20 Questions Billionaires Get Asked Every Day, Herjavec laid out a reality check for those hoping for quick and effortless success in entrepreneurship.Herjavec’s No-Nonsense Reality CheckIn the video, Herjavec recounted a conversation where someone asked him to recommend a business that could yield substantial returns without demanding much time. His reply, “Don’t get into business,” was both surprising and enlightening.Herjavec explained that even businesses perceived as low-maintenance demand considerable initial effort. “Even easy businesses that you think are going to be easy and not require a lot of hands-on… Guess what? At the beginning, they’re all going to suck your time,” he noted. He stressed that this is the nature of entrepreneurship—requiring both financial investment and unrelenting dedication.”Guess what? At the beginning, they’re all going to suck your time, they’re all going to suck your cash, and they’re all really hard,” Herjavec remarked, shedding light on the dual challenges of time and financial resources. He also warned against the illusion of “easy” business ventures, reminding would-be entrepreneurs that building a smooth-running operation often takes years of hard work.”Business is just hard. It takes many years to get to easy,” Herjavec concluded, urging people to enter business only with realistic expectations and a readiness to persevere.A Different Perspective: Mark Cuban’s Passive Income PlaybookWhile Herjavec advocates for accepting the hard work of entrepreneurship, his fellow Shark Tank investor, Mark Cuban, presents an alternative strategy—building wealth through passive income. Cuban’s approach involves investments and income-generating activities that require less hands-on effort, offering a complementary perspective on financial success.Here are Mark Cuban’s top seven ways to make money while you sleep, according to reports:1. Reap the Benefits of DividendsInvesting in well-established companies that pay regular dividends is a proven way to earn passive income. Dividends offer shareholders consistent payouts, often quarterly, while allowing equity growth over time.2. Diversify with the S&P 500Investing in the S&P 500 provides exposure to the top-performing companies in the United States. This diversified approach is considered less risky than individual stock picks, offering steady growth with minimal effort.3. Low-Cost Mutual Funds for SimplicityFor those who prefer a hands-off strategy, Cuban recommends low-cost mutual funds. These funds offer diversification across a variety of assets while keeping management fees low.4. High-Yield Savings Accounts for SecurityFor low-risk, accessible investments, Cuban suggests high-yield savings accounts. These accounts provide better interest rates than traditional savings options, allowing your money to grow passively.5. Explore Fractional Real EstateFractional real estate investments allow individuals to participate in property income and appreciation without purchasing entire properties. This approach makes real estate more accessible to a broader audience.6. Peer-to-Peer LendingCuban points to peer-to-peer lending as a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Acting as a lender in these platforms enables you to earn interest, though it’s essential to diversify and proceed cautiously.7. Monetise Your PassionsFinally, Cuban encourages turning personal passions into income streams. Whether it’s a hobby or a niche interest, aligning your business with something you love can bring both financial and personal rewards.Two Approaches to Wealth CreationThe insights of Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban highlight the dual paths to building financial independence. While Herjavec emphasises the grit and perseverance needed for hands-on entrepreneurship, Cuban’s approach showcases the potential of passive income strategies.Both perspectives underscore that achieving financial success is not about shortcuts but about persistence, smart investments, and a clear understanding of your goals. Whether you lean towards Herjavec’s emphasis on dedication or Cuban’s focus on passive streams, a combination of the two could offer a balanced roadmap to lasting wealth.

First Church of Christ, Scientist to explore II Chronicles this week 

Science and Health

Editor’s note: Details are subject to change, and contacting your church ahead of time is recommended. Churches may send updates via email to [email protected]. For more church listings and details, see previous faith calendars posted online at amarillo.com.Newest updates:Amarillo United Methodist Church — 3001 Bell St. Gathers for Sunday morning worship on the site of St. Luke Presbyterian Church. Worship begins at 9 a.m., with a Fellowship Time of coffee and donuts from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Church School for adults, youth, and children gathers from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All are invited to our church of open hearts, open minds, and open doors—for all God’s children. Contact us: 806-670-4142; email [email protected]; website www.Amarilloumc.org; and follow us Facebook at Amarillo United Methodist Church.The First Church of Christ, Scientist: 2701 Julian Blvd., welcomes all to our Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for children and teens meets at the same time. This week’s subject involves the following verse: “Yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified forever” (II Chronicles 30:8). Join us for our weekly testimonial meetings on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for more inspiration and fellowship. See our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/First-Church-of-Christ-Scientist-Amarillo-104483494978237 or our website at https://www.cschurchamarillo.com/ for details.Second Baptist Church — 419 N. Buchanan St. Our Sunday worship service now starts at 10:45 a.m., and Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m. Additionally, we hold a Wednesday fellowship dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by Bible study at 6:15 p.m. We are also excited to introduce our new pastor, Pastor Larry Davis, and several new initiatives and activities for men, women, and children are creating a positive impact. For more information please visit sbcama.org or call the church at 806-373-1737 or email [email protected] . Also, our sermons are broadcast on KAMR channel 4 every Sunday morning at 8 a.m.

‘That octopus book’ author to speak at Read Together finale Nov. 18

Arts & Culture, Books

Sometimes, a brilliant idea can begin in an unlikely place.For Shelby Van Pelt, her brilliant idea began by going down “a YouTube rabbit hole,” she said.”Like, a naughty octopus rabbit hole,” Van Pelt added, laughing. “There’s so many great videos out there.”Van Pelt took that inspiration and created Marcellus, the curmudgeonly octopus at the heart of her best-selling novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” which was chosen by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County to be this year’s Read Together Palm Beach County book.The 14th annual “one-book, one-community” campaign that brings together readers from across the county to all enjoy the same novel culminates with a finale event at 6 p.m. Nov. 18, where Van Pelt will be interviewed by Ann Bocock, the host of the “Between the Covers” TV series from South Florida PBS. The event will be at the Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth Beach.Since its release in 2022, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” has been — no pun intended, for those who have read the novel — a runaway best-seller, with more than 2 million copies sold and a deluxe paperback edition set to be released in 2025. It received the 2023 McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize and was a “Read with Jenna” pick for the Today Show’s book club.All of that for a debut novel that Van Pelt said she thought may never be read by another person.”There’s a freedom in that, when you’re just writing for your own enjoyment, for yourself, versus thinking more about, ‘Who is the reader of this book? What is Goodreads gonna say? Am I on brand?'” she said in a recent interview with the Daily News, as she discussed her work on her next novel. “I literally did not have a brand when I was writing the first book.””Remarkably Bright Creatures” tells the story of Tova, a 70-year-old widow who cleans the aquarium where Marcellus, a saucy giant Pacific octopus, lives. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” earned the nickname of “that octopus book,” so much so that the U.K. edition of the novel features that tagline across the top of its cover.More:Read Together Palm Beach County book announced – and it’s ‘that octopus book’The pair form a strong friendship, with Tova confiding in Marcellus, and Marcellus in turn unraveling the truth about what happened to Tova’s son, who disappeared at sea when he was 18 years old.The characters have also bonded with readers, with reviews overwhelmingly citing those readers’ ability to relate to Tova and, yes, Marcellus, as a plus.”I think in the case of Marcellus, a lot of people are surprised to find themselves liking him as much as they do,” she said.When she talks with groups of readers, they tend to be split down the middle between those who were excited to read a book with an octopus narrator, and those who were more unsure, Van Pelt said.”But then they open it and get to know the character and are like, ‘Oh, I think I’m actually a little bit in love with this octopus,'” she said.The book’s themes of friendship, grief, aging and vulnerability also allow readers to connect deeply, she said.”Grief is something that we really all experience in a number of ways on a daily basis,” Van Pelt said. “It’s doesn’t just have to be about losing someone or death. It’s something that is about as universal as a feeling or emotion can be.”In “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” both Tova and Marcellus face a big transition in their lives, “and they’re both very much stuck,” she said.That idea of being stuck stood out to Van Pelt as she developed the characters. “They have this in common. They’re both really either physically stuck in a tank, or more metaphorically stuck in a rut, or a place in life that is no longer going to serve them going forward,” Van Pelt said.Tova is loosely based on Van Pelt’s Swedish grandmother, whose name was Anna. For Marcellus’ personality, Van Pelt said that she looked for inspiration a little closer to home.While she presented him as a sort of cranky old man, the kind found in so many families, Van Pelt said she also looked within herself.”I feel like I might have been that grumpy old man in a prior life, because the voice came really naturally to me,” she said.Van Pelt has a sarcastic streak to which she attributed being born in 1980, which positioned her right at the boundary of being Generation X and Millennial.”I’m a pretty upbeat person generally, but I definitely do have a streak in me of sarcasm or dryness that I think comes out a little bit in Marcellus,” Van Pelt said.She’s working on her second novel, which she said incorporates elements of a road trip. Where she spent a lot of time doing scientific research to nail down the details necessary to bring Marcellus to life, her research for her next novel has been more based in logistical details.”I find myself doing a lot more of that type of research,” she said, adding that she’s asking herself questions like, “What is the driving time here? What are the roads?””You just want to get those little details,” Van Pelt said. “I think it bugs people if you get them wrong. So I find myself drilling down on Google Maps a lot more than I ever did with the first book.”