Wednesday, April 15, 2026

On the front lines against Lyme disease | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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On the front lines against Lyme disease | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, are tiny. But the problems they cause, like Lyme disease, can be big.

Most humans are infected through the bites of immature deer ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are difficult to see; they’re no bigger than a poppy seed. Adult ticks are no bigger than a sesame seed. 

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection you can get through a bite from an infected blacklegged tick, affects an estimated 300,000 Americans a year. The number of counties in areas at high risk for Lyme disease has increased more than 300% in the past 20 years.

“The best advice is don’t count on becoming immune. You can get Lyme disease multiple times.”

– Adriana Marques, M.D.

The infection, in its early stages, can cause flu-like symptoms and an expanding circular rash that can be solid red or appear like a bull’s-eye. In later stages, people can have additional rashes, paralysis of the muscles of the face, and arthritis with joint swelling.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports research aimed at both preventing Lyme disease and finding faster, more accurate tests for detecting it in its early stages, when it’s easier to treat.

“It’s a complicated, thought-provoking task,” says infectious disease expert Adriana Marques, M.D. Dr. Marques, who is chief of NIAID’s Lyme Disease Studies Unit, discusses the most recent research on Lyme disease and how people can protect themselves.

What progress has been made toward a better, quicker test for Lyme disease?

Among some of the new technologies being studied is a test of skin taken from the characteristic red rash that many people get with Lyme disease. There’s also research into a more sensitive blood test that can detect the germs not only from Lyme disease, but also several other tick-related illnesses.

There was a Lyme disease vaccine that was pulled from the market in 2002. Are there any efforts toward a new vaccine?

We do have Lyme disease vaccines for dogs, but unfortunately no vaccine for human use is currently available. There is one vaccine that is being studied in clinical trials. Other new products are still several years away.

Can people become immune to Lyme disease, especially if they live in an area with a large tick population, such as the Northeast or Upper Midwest in the U.S.?

The best advice is don’t count on becoming immune. You can get Lyme disease multiple times. There is some evidence that people might become immune if they get exactly the same bacteria they got before, but the chances are very low. Some Lyme disease-carrying ticks can be infected with other diseases as well. 

What’s the most important thing people can do to protect themselves?

Read about the disease. If you are in an area where Lyme disease is frequently diagnosed, learn how to protect yourself and how to recognize symptoms. Get antibiotic treatment started quickly if you or your doctor suspects you might have early Lyme disease—do not wait for lab test results. In most cases, people with Lyme disease will recover with no problem.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

April 20, 2020

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HPV and cervical cancer: What you need to know | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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HPV and cervical cancer: What you need to know | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., and there are more than 200 strains of it.

Forty of those are known as high-risk HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer in women. Low-risk HPV usually causes symptoms that are not life threatening, such as genital warts.

It’s important to know that high-risk HPV by itself is not cancer. Eight out of 10 women will have high-risk HPV at some point in their lives, but few of them will get cervical cancer.

Luckily, there is a vaccine that protects people against some high-risk strains of HPV.

How do you get HPV?

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. HPV can be passed on even if the infected person has no symptoms.

Who can get HPV?

Both men and women can get HPV. It’s important to know that women can be tested for HPV, but men can’t. However, men can get the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent them from getting genital warts and some types of cancer, including penile, anal, and throat cancer. The vaccine also helps protect their partners.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend routine testing for men for these cancers because they’re much less common. However, if you think you may have HPV or cancer, contact your health care provider.

What are the symptoms of HPV and cervical cancer?

Genital warts can be a sign of HPV in men and women. However, many strains of HPV, especially those that cause cancer, have no noticeable symptoms. These strains can be detected only by a Pap smear, which tests a woman’s cervix, the lower part of her uterus, for any cell changes.

Symptoms of cervical cancer in women can appear years after an HPV infection. They include:

  • Bleeding and spotting between menstrual periods
  • Bleeding after vaginal sex
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Heavier than usual menstrual periods
  • Bleeding after a pelvic exam
  • Unusual discharge from the vagina
  • Pain during sex

How are HPV and cervical cancer treated?

Both men and women can get HPV, but men can’t be tested for it.

There is no cure or treatment for HPV, but there are treatments for the complications it can cause, such as genital warts, cancer-causing cells, and cervical cancer.

Treatment for cervical cancer is based on how advanced the cancer is, but it can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Getting regular Pap smears and HPV testing helps your doctor know whether you have HPV and, if you do, monitor it. Early detection often prevents cervical cancer. Make sure to ask your health care provider about the best screening schedule for you.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is an important tool for preventing HPV and its complications, and it is especially effective when received at a young age.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that most children get vaccinated for HPV at age 11 or 12. The dosage schedule depends on how old the child is when he or she is first vaccinated, but children usually get two doses.

Vaccination is not generally recommended for people older than 26. However, some adults ages 27 through 45 who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after talking with their health care provider. 

Sources: MedlinePlus; National Cancer Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Image credit: Donny Bliss, National Library of Medicine, Office of Communications and Public Liaison

April 16, 2020

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Viola Davis on confronting prediabetes and becoming her own health advocate | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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Viola Davis on confronting prediabetes and becoming her own health advocate | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Acclaimed actress and producer Viola Davis is a true triple threat as a performer. 

Her work has won her the rare triple crown of acting—an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award—and she’s even won a Tony twice. 

Recently diagnosed with prediabetes, Davis has taken on a new role as an advocate for diabetes education and awareness. 

Davis spoke with NIH MedlinePlus magazine about her new outlook on health and her passion for educating others.

How did you react to your prediabetes diagnosis? 

I was frozen and in shock when I got the diagnosis. I considered myself to be a very healthy woman. I thought I watched what I ate. I exercised. I was not overweight. 

Looking back now, I see I probably had a lot of preconceived notions about diabetes. There is a history of diabetes in my family. My sisters, my great aunt, and other members of my family have type 2 diabetes. 

Did you discuss diabetes in your family?

My sisters would talk amongst themselves about getting diabetes and taking medication. But no one ever talked about what could be done to prevent it. There were a lot of fallacies and old wives’ tales about it. They would refer to diabetes as “You got the sugar.” And people would say things like “Stop eating too much sugar before you get the sugar.” 

We never had that proactive conversation about steps to prevent getting the diagnosis.

Actress and producer Viola Davis, with her sisters Dolores Grant (left) and Dianne Davis-Wright (right), at the premiere of the documentary “A Touch of Sugar.” *

What have you done since your diagnosis?

Knowing that I have prediabetes has empowered me. I didn’t want to get full-blown type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, I had the resources and the presence of mind to do the research to learn what to do to lower my blood sugar levels.

“Knowing that I have prediabetes has empowered me.”

– Viola Davis 

I started to look at everything I was eating. Because I’m such an extraordinarily busy person, I wasn’t always thinking about what I was putting in my mouth. I’m a mother of a young daughter, and sometimes I would eat what she ate because I’m on the run. Then there was snacking. And even though I don’t consume much alcohol, I needed to factor that in, too. 

I didn’t know that I should be tracking my blood sugar levels and checking my A1C levels every three months. I didn’t even know what that was. It is hard to keep track of it all and stay on top of it all. But I’ve managed to do it.

What is your message to those who are facing type 2 diabetes?

Education is freedom. It is. Go to your health care provider and get your blood glucose levels tested. And if you have diabetes, press them to help you manage it. If you have prediabetes, ask them to arm you with what you need to do to prevent getting diabetes. You may be genetically predisposed to it, but there are things within your power that you can do to prevent or manage the disease. That’s why I worked with Merck on the documentary “A Touch of Sugar” to help raise awareness and empower others.*

It’s also important that we stop stigmatizing people who have a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis. There is a stigma that it only afflicts those who bring it upon themselves. And there is a stigma that people with diabetes are just eating what they want, are out of control, and don’t care about their bodies. That is just not the case.  

Look at me. I worked out four, five, six times a week, watched what I ate, and I got it. It’s a chronic disease that should not be dismissed because of myths and stigma.

Can you talk about the importance of diabetes research, like that supported by the National Institutes of Health?

More research to discover improved treatments and new tools for prevention is so important because of the sheer number of people who have the condition and the problems that it causes. That is proof positive of the desperate need for more research.

What other professional projects are you working on?

I’m working on my final season of the TV series “How to Get Away with Murder.” I’m also working on the movie “Suicide Squad 2.”

And I’m really excited about a new movie I just completed for Netflix. Like the film “Fences,” this one, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” is also an adaptation of a play by August Wilson.

I’m also working on being the best wife and mother I can be!

 
* The National Institutes of Health was not involved in the creation of the project, and reference to it does not constitute or imply endorsement by any federal agency.

Image credit: Courtesy of GCI Health

April 13, 2020

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New options for treating type 2 diabetes in kids and teens | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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New options for treating type 2 diabetes in kids and teens | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Helping kids with diabetes is a passion for National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical researcher Stephanie Chung, M.B.B.S. You can hear it in her voice when she talks about “my kiddos” at the clinic she runs at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

There, she and a team of specialists help children who either have type 2 diabetes or are at high risk for getting the disease.

She says, “We focus on partnering with patients and their families, empowering them from the beginning” to improve their health.

From her many years of treating minority children, Dr. Chung understands the challenges her patients can face.

“We focus on partnering with patients and their families, empowering them from the beginning.”

– Stephanie Chung, M.B.B.S.

“Minority youth can have so many additional factors that affect their health, such as the family food budget, neighborhood safety, and access to transportation,” Dr. Chung says.

For example, being physically active is important for managing diabetes. “But what if they don’t feel safe going outside? That just adds to their burden and stress,” she says.

Dr. Chung also helps lead diabetes research at NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Her recent research has focused on African American youths with the disease.

These days, there’s a new urgency to her research and her clinical work. Recent studies have shown an alarming increase in type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. Specifically, there are more than 5,000 new cases every year among those under 20, particularly among blacks and Hispanics.

Recent NIH-funded research adds to the growing evidence that diabetes is more aggressive in youths. It has shown that metformin, the standard drug used to control the disease in adults, is much less effective in those under 20.

The Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study, funded by NIDDK, recently found that metformin fails 50% of the time in those ages 10 to 17.

“Metformin is not preventing the disease from progressing in kids,” Dr. Chung says. “It’s like a Band-Aid over the problem.”

All this makes it more urgent to treat children who have prediabetes. Dr. Chung notes that there is an opportunity to control the disease early, before it worsens and medication is needed.

“I explain prediabetes to them by drawing a line that represents the A1C test cutoff for type 2 diabetes. The A1C test measures the average blood sugar levels over the last two to three months, and a reading of 6.5% or higher is used to diagnose diabetes,” Dr. Chung says. “Then I draw a line below that that represents a normal blood sugar reading of 5.7%. I then shade in the area between the two lines and tell them that’s where they are and explain what they can do to keep from getting the full-fledged disease.”

The good news is that in 2019 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug liraglutide in children age 10 or older. It’s the first non-insulin drug approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes in pediatric patients in nearly 20 years.

“It gives us a second drug to try,” says Dr. Chung. “It’s very exciting.”

Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; NIH News Releases

Image credit: iStock

April 08, 2020

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3 key research highlights from NIH’s diabetes branch | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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3 key research highlights from NIH’s diabetes branch | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Can taking a daily vitamin D supplement prevent diabetes? Which is better for lowering your risk of diabetes: lifestyle changes or just medication? Is diabetes harder to treat if you’re under age 20?

Recent national studies funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) have shed some light on these questions. Christine Lee, M.D., M.S., who helps oversee diabetes research at NIDDK, explains what you should know.

Taking vitamin D fails to prevent type 2 diabetes in adults

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, one of the main building blocks of bone. It may also play a role in your nerve, muscle, and immune systems. Some studies had reported that low levels of vitamin D were associated with a higher risk for diabetes. But a new national study of more than 2,400 adults at high risk for diabetes, funded by NIDDK, found no added protection from taking the vitamin in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle changes are best for preventing type 2 diabetes

A landmark national NIDDK-sponsored trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program, found that making lifestyle changes to lose some weight and become more active does a better job of reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes for adults at high risk for the disease than just taking the medication metformin.

Type 2 diabetes is increasing, especially among young adults of minority racial and ethnic groups. 

Compared with study participants who took a placebo (a pill without medicine), the lifestyle group reduced their risk by nearly 60%, while those taking metformin reduced their risk by only 30%. Adults age 60 and older saw even greater benefit, a 71% drop in risk. More recently, the study found that the adults who made lifestyle changes lost more weight in the short term, although taking metformin seemed to help patients who had lost at least 5% of their weight to maintain that loss over the long term.

Researchers are now looking at whether continuing metformin might help prevent cancer or heart disease in those at risk for diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is more aggressive in youths than in adults

NIDDK has focused many efforts on understanding type 2 diabetes among youth. The result: several major studies of young people that found that the disease is very different in young people than in adults.

Among the findings were that type 2 diabetes is increasing, especially among young adults of minority racial and ethnic groups. Type 2 diabetes progresses faster in young people than in adults and also results in a high rate of diabetes complications. Additionally, metformin, the most common diabetes medication for adults, fails to keep type 2 diabetes from progressing in young people and fails to help achieve good blood sugar control in approximately 50% of youngsters, especially among African American youths.

But there is some good news.

A 2019 NIDDK study showed that gastric bypass surgery, although riskier, is more effective at reversing type 2 diabetes in teens with severe obesity compared with adults. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new diabetes drug called liraglutide for young people over the age of 10. More research is needed to find good ways to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes in youths.

Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; NIH News Releases

Image credit: Adobe Stock

April 15, 2020

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5 questions about intermittent fasting | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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5 questions about intermittent fasting | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Intermittent fasting has gotten a lot of attention recently—everyone from celebrities to social media influencers is talking about it.

The idea is that by limiting the time during the day when you can eat, you can lower your calorie intake and maybe lose weight. But does it actually work? Is it healthy? We answer these questions and more in a roundup from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is intermittent fasting?

Also called time-restricted feeding, intermittent fasting is when people restrict the time during the day when they can eat. For example, someone may eat only during a 12-hour time period, such as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Can it help you lose weight?

Many people choose intermittent fasting as a way to lose weight. And some early NIH research supports this, says Charlotte Pratt, Ph.D., RD, of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “In studies, people were able to demonstrate some changes in terms of body weight following a time-restricted eating plan,” Dr. Pratt explains. Research in animals has shown that calorie reduction can slow down aging and prevent some diseases. However, more research needs to be done in humans before the health benefits—and risks—are fully understood.

Does what you eat when fasting matter?

The timing of meals should not be the only factor in trying to lose weight or becoming healthier, Dr. Pratt notes. What and how much you eat are also important. Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dr. Pratt says that most adults should also do at least 150 to 300 minutes (2 1/2 to 5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, preferably aerobic activity that is spread throughout the week.

Is it safe?

It is not safe for everyone, especially those with health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or heart-related issues. “Intermittent fasting should be approached individually and with the help of a dietitian or physician,” Dr. Pratt says. As with all diets, you should talk with your doctor or other health care provider before you try it. Your provider can review your health history and medication list and help you decide which eating plan and exercise schedule is best for you.

What future research is NIH planning to do?

One NIH clinical trial that is currently recruiting participants focuses on the effects of intermittent fasting on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Participants will be allowed to eat a set number of calories between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day. Throughout the study, researchers will look for changes in certain fat levels, body weight, and other health indicators.

Another NIH-supported clinical trial will study whether time-restricted feeding can help improve insulin resistance and reduce weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Dr. Pratt notes that this study will take place over 16 weeks and is expected to be completed at the end of 2021.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

April 07, 2020

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Eleven Things You Might Not Know About Ethiopia

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Eleven Things You Might Not Know About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of Wild Frontiers’ most popular destinations in Africa, but it is still relatively seldom-visited.

The country has worked hard to overcome negative perceptions over the years, and it is slowly gaining a reputation as one of the most varied and fascinating destinations in Africa.

 

Here are eleven things you may find surprising about Ethiopia:

1. Ethiopia is Home to the Cruelest Place on Earth

National Geographic named the Danakil Depression “the cruelest place on earth”. This forbidding desert basin lies in northeast Ethiopia, and has year-round temperatures of 95 degrees, which sometimes hit a high of 145 degrees. The salt deposited when the Red Sea flooded this region many millennia ago provides a much-needed source of income for the Afar people, who risk dangerous conditions to mine the plentiful salt.

 

2. Ethiopia was Home to a Living God, According to the Rastafari Movement

Emperor Haile Selassie was Ethiopia’s regent from 1916 to 1930 and emperor from 1930 until 1974, when he was overthrown by the Marxist dictator Mengitsu Haile Mariam. Haile Selassie was heir to a dynasty that reportedly dated back to Menelik I, the child of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. As such he was seen as the returned messiah of the bible, God incarnate, by the Rastafari movement. His name is frequently dropped into reggae songs, and Bob Marley’s “War” was based around a speech given by Haile Selassie to the United Nations in 1963.

 

3. Ethiopia has an Extremely Diverse Music Scene

Many of Ethiopia’s different tribes are associated with different styles of music. Undoubtedly the most popular musical export is Ethio-Jazz.  Traditionally, Ethiopian music is based around five notes, but in the 1970’s musician Mulatu Astatke began fusing these five tones with the 12 tones of jazz, and Ethio-Jazz was born. You can hear Ethio-jazz today in one of Addis Ababa’s many live music venues.

 

4. One of Ethiopia’s Most Famous Residents is 3.2 Million Years Old

AL 288-1 (more commonly known as Lucy) is an Australopithecus Afarensis found in the Afar Depression in 1974. Her skeleton was found 40% complete, an astonishing discovery which excited anthropologists worldwide, providing invaluable insight into the evolution of modern humans.

Despite having an upright walk similar to that of humans, Lucy has a small skull capacity similar to that of apes, supporting the view that bipedalism preceded increase in brain size in early humans. Despite being a fully-grown adult, Lucy would have stood at just 3 and a half feet tall and weighed 63 pounds. After six years touring the US, Lucy returned to Ethiopia in May 2013, and now resides in the National Museum at Addis Ababa.

 

5. The Omo Valley is One of the Most Diverse Tribal Places in Africa

The remote Omo Valley in Southwest Ethiopia is home to some of Ethiopia’s most fascinating and diverse ethnic groups, including the Hamer, the Banna, the Mursi and the Surma. Amongst the Mursi it is still common for women to wear large pottery or wooden plates in their lower lips.

 

6. The Queen of Sheba Hailed from Ethiopia

According to the legend, the Ethiopian Queen of Sheba journeyed to Israel to visit King Solomon. After serving a meal of spicy food, the sneaky king left a drink of water by the queen’s bedside, who awoke in the night to drink from it. In a cunning move, Solomon vowed not to take anything from the queen, if she didn’t take anything from him.  

Solomon then demanded his part of the bargain, and the Queen was shortly returning to Ethiopia carrying Solomon’s child, the future king Menelik. Menelik is later said to have visited his father in Israel, where he made off with the Ark of the Covenant, explaining its supposed current location in Axum.

 

7. Shoulder Dancing is a Popular Form of Dance

This unique form of dancing has its origins in tribal life in Ethiopia. Eskesta, meaning “Dancing shoulders”, is practiced to a variety of war songs, love songs, hunting songs and shepherd songs.

 

8. Ethiopia is Seven Years Behind the Rest of the World

Ethiopia continues to use the Julian calendar, which most of the rest of the world stopped using in 1582. The Julian calendar is made up of 13 months – 12 months lasting 30 days, and one lasting 5 days. The country celebrates New Year on 11 September.

 

9. Ethiopia is Home to a Unique Wildlife

Ethiopia has a variety of unique wildlife, the most famous being the Gelada Baboon, which lives in the Ethiopian highlands. Another famous animal is the Simien Fox, or Ethiopian Wolf. Similar to the coyote in size and build, it has red and white fur and is Africa’s most endangered carnivore. The best place to see the Simian Fox is in the Bale Mountains.    

 

10. Stunning Scenarios Abounds

Ethiopia has an amazing variety of stunning scenarios, from mountains like the Bale and Simien ranges, to the volcanic landscape of the Danakil Depression, to the fertile Omo Valley. The country’s varied scenarios are one of the biggest surprises to visitors who still associate the country with the famine appeals of the 1980’s.   

 

11. Ethiopia is a Christan Stronghold

Ethiopia has a fascinating mixture of traditional religions and ancient spiritual beliefs. Over 60% of the population is Christian, with the majority of those being Ethiopian Orthodox. The long history of Christianity in Ethiopia can be seen in the fascinating ancient rock-cut churches of Lalibela,  and the church claims to possess the ark of the Covenant, in Axum. The country’s most popular festival is the annual Timkat Festival, a noisy and colourful afair where a model of the Ark is paraded through the streets and priests use powerful hoses to spray the crowds with holy water. 

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10 Interesting Facts of the Temple of Heaven

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10 Interesting Facts of the Temple of Heaven

Welcome to China’s Temple of Heaven!

1. Many books, magazines, and travel websites prefer to use the photos of the triple-gabled circular temple in the Temple of Heaven to represent Beijing. It has become one of Beijing’s truly prized landmarks.
 
2. Together with the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven is another supreme example of the imperial architecture in Ming Dynasty. All the architectures were decorated with colorful red to represent the dignity of the imperial court in ancient China. 
 
3. Occupying an area of 2,700,000 square meters (3,529,412 square yards), the Temple of Heaven is 4 times larger than the Forbidden City.
 
4. The main structures in the Temple of Heaven lie along the south-north axis as with all temples in China.
 
5. The most striking building in the Temple of Heaven is the tall, circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Its location was determined by the emperor’s Fengshui masters as the exact point where heaven and Earth met. 
 
6. Seen from above, all the temple halls round and the base square, shapes also respectively symbolizing the heaven and earth. The wooden pillars support the ceiling without any nails or cement. 
 
7. In the south of the park lies the Imperial Vault of Heaven. It’s a round hall tiled in blue and standing on a white platform. Just north of the altar is the Echo Wall. Here, a whisper can travel clearly from one end to your friend’s ear at the other.
 
However, the Echo Wall will not work if there’s a bellowing tour group in the middle. Make sure to get here early if you want to experience it properly. 
 
8. The Circular Altar to the south was for astronomical use in ancient China. It also served as the sacred place to hold the annual winter solstice ceremony. The mound consists of 3 tiers that represent Earth, the mortal world and heaven.
 
The upper tier in the Circular Altar is adorned with 9 stone rings. the number 9 has special significance in Chinese cosmology, for there are 9 layers to heaven.
 
9. The temple park is generally accessed via its west gate. However, there are 4 gates at each side of the place. The traditional ceremonial route approached the altar through the south gate.
 
10. The Temple of Heaven used to served as the sacred place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) held the Heaven Worship Ceremony. First built in 1420, it is China’s largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings.
 
Together with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven is the must see in Beijing. It offers you a great chance to learn about the Chinese ancient philosophy, history and religion.

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Travel for Senior Singles

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Travel for Senior Singles

Travelling is a great opportunity to rediscover you and explore places to its best.

Travelling pumps in some great energy in you and offer you a great escape from the monotonous routine. Vacations for singles over 60 are surely a delight, after spending a fruitful work-life it gives you a chance to pursue your passion and visit your dream destinations. Planning senior singles vacations requires lots of research, look out for places to visit, check out amazing destinations, stay options and much more. Seniors’ single travel can be full of excitement and thrill.

If you are a senior single and travelling is your passion then, this article is sure to help you with great information concerning senior singles travel.

 

How to prepare for a solo trip?

One of the most important things that one needs to do for planning a senior single vacation is preparing for the trip. Here are some of the factors that one must consider to prepare for a senior single trip.

 

Research:

One of the most important things is to basic research. This involves shortlisting some destinations for your vacation and digging some more information on them. Decide where you want to go, for how many days, what are the available staying options, which are the places you would like to visit and much more. 

 

Find the right time for senior single travel:

After shortlisting a few vacation destinations for travel, find the best time to visit the destination. Timing is a very prominent factor, if you happen to visit a place at the wrong time, then you may end up wasting a lot of money. You can save a lot of money by traveling outside of the main season, but still in the good weather period.

 

Budget:

Fix a tentative budget for your trip. Based on the budget you can proceed with the reservations and ticket booking. Make sure to do a good amount of research on the web to find out the best deals and discounts on flight tickets and hotel reservations.

 

Plan it out:

Make a detailed plan of your each and every day. If you are planning a senior single vacation, chart out a complete day-wise itinerary. Include all the important places to visit such as monuments, heritage sites, beaches, activities, cruise etc. This will give you a clear plan of action during your vacation. A single senior journey with a well-planned itinerary will offer you great peace of mind and help you explore all the vital places during your expedition. 

 

The top destination for single senior travellers

San Antonio:

This place offers great diversity. It is apt for those looking out for nature, city life and activities too. Some of the best places to visit in San Antonio include Hemis fair park, River Walk, Fiesta Texas, La Villita and much more.  

 

Thailand: 

Thailand is one of the best destinations for seniors single travel. This place has everything right from beaches, national parks, beautiful landscapes and some of the stunning views. Thailand is known for its energetic cities and ample opportunities to indulge in some fun and enthralling activities. Also, check out some senior single cruise to add more fun and make your journey memorable. Some of the best places to visit in Thailand include Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and much more. 

 

California’s Pacific Coast Highway: 

A road trip to California’s Pacific Coast Highway can be full of fun and exhilarating too. The wide roads are a delight to drive especially for those senior single who love driving. This place is known for its beautiful landscapes and wonderful views. 

 

Canadian Rockies: 

View the beauty of nature like never before with the amazingly beautiful and spectacular Canadian Rockies. This place boasts some a Yoho national park, Takakkaw Falls and ice-capped peaks. The breathtaking landscape is sure to mesmerize you with all its beauty and splendour.  

 

South African Safari:

If you are a nature lover and looking out for a thrilling and exciting safari trip then South Africa is an ideal destination for you. Known for its exotic African Safari this place is a sheer delight offering you a view extensive wildlife species. Witness the beauty of nature in the most extravagant way with a typical South African Safari. 

 

Cruises for senior singles:

A cruise trip can be full of enjoyment and fun. There is no reason to miss out a cruise holiday just because you are single a Cruiser journey can provide you some of the best experiences and help you explore some of the most amazing places. Make sure you just check all your travel details such as destinations, journey duration and much more. 

 

Travel for seniors singles gives them a chance to meet some new people and found a connection too. It can help one connect with people of similar interests and build a strong bond too. Senior singles travel is a great way to connect with some interesting personalities from across the globe. There are many instances when travel for seniors singles has provided them with some of the best experiences and travel buddies too.  

 

Just pack your bags and be ready for a wonderful voyage! 

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Virtual Concert Apparel Collections

PressNewsAgency
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Virtual Concert Apparel Collections

Following his Fortnite Astronomical Tour, Travis Scott has dropped new merch for his virtual concert.

Earlier this month, rapper Travis Scott held a virtual concert called the Astronomical Tour on the video game platform ‘Fortnite.’ To celebrate the concert, Scott began dropping merchandise such as hoodies, T-shirts, stickers, action figures, and even a Fortnite-branded NERF gun. Now that the tour has wrapped up, Scott has continued to release merch for fans that just can’t get enough. The latest drop includes the usual selection of hoodies and graphic T-shirts, but now fans can also purchase KAWs-designed vinyl records and cassette tapes in new pink and grey hues.

All the Astronomical Tour merch can currently be found on the rapper’s website.

Image Credits: Travis Scott.

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