According to a study presented at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, physically fit sixth graders and specifically girls are less likely to report feelings of depression when they reach seventh grade. Even when existing symptoms of depression and weight were considered, sixth grade girls who performed better on a cardiorespiratory fitness test had less chances of feeling depressed when they were followed up again in seventh grade.

 

The study used 437 students out of which 55% were girls, at six middle schools in metropolitan county in North Texas. Participants were made to answer questions about symptoms of depression and fitness. The sample consisted of 89% white and 9% African American with 27% identifying as Hispanic.
Camilo Ruggero, PhD of the University of North Texas pointed out that a similar effect of fitness was seen on the boys albeit not to the extent it was seen in girls, meaning that symptoms of depression were alleviated with fitness in boys as well, however not to the same extent as the girls.

It is quite alarming that 28% of the girls in sixth grade and 29% in seventh grade had elevated symptoms of depression. In boys 22% in seventh grade while 19% in eighth grade. According to the World Health Organization depression in adolescence is associated with a range of poor health outcomes later on and is often the main cause of disabilities in this age group. Ruggero said that depression in this age could lead to chronic depression later in life. He suggested other interventions such as one on one group therapy to prevent depression.

The study establishes a strong link between physical fitness and depression in adolescents. While it is most probably true that better fitness would lead to higher levels of life satisfaction. Much remains uncertain here, for example, the study doesn’t point out how depression was alleviated. Fitness comes from exercise, which regulates the neurotransmitters which may be involved in depression. Another possibility is that depression in adolescents may be linked with a negative self image and low self-esteem from weight problems. Fitness helps curb these emotions and perhaps that is the reason it alleviates symptoms of depression. What is required is a deeper understanding of the mental disorder itself so we can get better equipped to prevent it.

Despite being a leader in the smartphone industry Samsung has somehow always retained the image of a follower rather than an innovator like Apple or Google. The label does have a degree of validity as former employees of Samsung would admit so themselves. Jay Subhash a former senior product manager who left Samsung in April says, “The company is in somewhat of a Catch-22 when it comes to changing its culture.”

In light of the falling smartphone sales, Samsung is under pressure to re invent itself. The problem lies in the fact that the Confucian culture of Korea in general remains a secret for its industrial success, those who defy norms, challenge their bosses on creative issues or generally stand out don’t last long. Such a culture holistically prohibits change which obviously adds on to industrial and economic efficiency but it ends up compromising on creativity and innovation.

Samsung has wanted to address this issue for quite some time, but it requires a paradigm shift in the way the employees work and feel about their job. An effort was made this summer to cater a more worker friendly environment by allowing workers to wear shorts to work on weekends, this was done at the main Suwon campus south of Seoul. Flexible working hours were introduced along with maternity leave so that the workers don’t have to worry about job security.

Chairman Lee Kun-hee who is 72, remains hospitalized as a result of a heart attack in May. He had a reputation for managing the company with a sense of “permanent crisis.” The ascension of his Harvard educated son Jay Y. Lee, 46 could lead to favorable changes that benefit the company, however bringing change that effects the whole company creatively is no easy task considering the size of the company and has a possibility of back-firing. Samsung really needs to adopt a culture that welcomes innovation, openness and creativity, but the fact remains, that doing so may jeopardize it’s strongest assets, its militaristic hierarchy which allows it to outpace its competition through high levels of efficiency and productivity. This is no easy task and Samsung understands the problem and has been at it for quite some time now.

Samsung made an effort with its “Creative Lab” program through which employees can individually or in teams take a year’s time to develop an idea if it is deemed worthy of pursuit. Samsung reports that it had 14,000 ideas last year through this and some other initiatives that the company took. So that ought to bring some much needed changes.

It must also be taken in to account that the culture is also constantly evolving with the global society and younger employees don’t just want a healthy pay but require more from their employers. This is bringing about gradual but consistent change in the work culture.

A current Samsung employee suggests that “Change is inevitable.” This may hold some truth but perhaps the important question is whether Samsung can evolve with the particular needs of the industry and maintain its position at the top utilizing the changing trends of society and channeling them in their products lucratively.

Republicans search on net for information regarding climate, weather and global warming in extremely hot and cold weather. On the other hand, democrats search these terms when they come into contact with the changes in the usual temperature. These conclusions are done by Corey Lang of the University of Rhode Island in the US, published in Springer’s journal climate change. He utilized the data of the local weather stations and election result. Lang, uses these data to see how often U.S people searched for terminologies like weather, global warming etc.

590x384_05231951_73479_web He stated that every person takes climate differently and everyone has its own definition of climate change. Surprisingly, people who are from less educated places searched for words associated with climate change when the temperature is on its peak. On the contrary, democrats or the people who are more qualified searched these words, at the time of normal change in temperature. He figured out two possibilities, firstly, the people who face intense weather are more interested in the changes of climate. Secondly, they searched it in order to get a confirmation that global warming is not occurring due to this extreme weather.

A study has revealed that people also react on terminologies differently for instance, people are more scared of word “global warming” than “climate changes”

Republicans search on net for information regarding climate, weather and global warming in extremely hot and cold weather. On the other hand, democrats search these terms when they come into contact with the changes in the usual temperature. These conclusions are done by Corey Lang of the University of Rhode Island in the US, published in Springer’s journal climate change. He utilized the data of the local weather stations and election result. Lang, uses these data to see how often U.S people searched for terminologies like weather, global warming etc.
He stated that every person takes climate differently and everyone has its own definition of climate change. Surprisingly, people who are  from less educated places searched for words associated with climate change when the temperature is on its peak. On the contrary, democrats or the people who are more qualified searched these words, at the time of normal change in temperature. He figured out two possibilities, firstly, the people who face intense weather are more interested in the changes of climate. Secondly, they searched it in order to get a confirmation that global warming is not occurring due to this extreme weather.

A study has revealed that people also react on terminologies differently for instance, people are more scared of word “global warming” than “climate changes”