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Berlin (dpa) – It's not the sunny and dry months of the year that make your skin dry, but the season of switching between heated indoor air and harsh winds and cold temperatures. Facial skin in autumn and winter is subjected to a frequent alternation between dry indoor air and cold outdoor air. This takes its toll and can make the skin drier than in summer, causing it to flake. So when the weather gets cold and our skin starts to lose its moisture, it can be helpful to adjust your skincare routine. There are a few ways you can do this, starting with the right cream. Use a richer cream:Instead of light lotions, find a moisturizing cream containing lipids, ceramides, shea butter and natural oils. These ingredients strengthen the skin's barrier and help it retain moisture. Provide hydration:Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane supply the skin with intense hydration and help prevent itching. Cleanse gently:Mild balm or oil cleansers are gentle on the skin and prevent additional irritation. You may also want to go easy on deep cleanses and facial scrubs this time of year. Stay at it :According to skincare experts, autumn is the ideal time to provide your skin with regular, intensive care, as it is particularly receptive during this season. Stay hydrated:Drinking plenty of water supports your skin from the inside. Don’t forget UV protection:Even in autumn, sunscreen is essential, especially during extended periods outdoors. Consider indoor moisture levels:A humidifier can help make sure there's enough moisture in the air, but it must be cleaned regularly to avoid becoming a breeding ground for germs. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn lue yyzz n1 amc

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Berlin (dpa) – Investigators trawling a "trove" of paperwork have found that European furniture companies are likely contributing to the ruination of orang-utan habitat by importing supplies cut from Borneo's forests. "Hardwood products on sale in Europe come from the biggest users of deforestation timber in Indonesia," according to UK-based Earthsight, which describes itself as an "investigative NGO," and Indonesian counterpart Auriga Nusantara. The duo carried out the research using around 10,000 “unpublished government documents” through which they identified around 65 factories and mills in Indonesia. Export records show companies export their timber to the member states of the European Union, they say. The Indonesia-based investigators described visited four regions of "recently flattened" jungle from which the top five producers on their list operated last year – a quintet that in turn sold 23,272 cubic metres of plywood, garden decking and door frames, made of tree species only found in natural forests, mostly to firms in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, and based in part on false claims of the timber being "sustainably" sourced. The team say they "found thousands of hectares of newly cleared land in central Borneo that, just a few years ago, made up a large part of one of the last remaining orang-utan forest strongholds left in the world." The Auriga Nusantara team described residents as telling them of feeling like "just a spectator" as they watched the razing of jungle. "Orang-utans being driven out, indigenous peoples and local communities losing their space" says Hilman Afif of Auriga Nusantara, who described the destruction of Borneo’s forests as "not only an Indonesian tragedy, but also global." The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr arw

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London (dpa) – University of Cambridge researchers believe they have shown how artificial intelligence (AI) can narrow down who is most at risk of developing breast cancer between two scheduled mammograms. Published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the team used an AI bot called Mirai to assess around 134,000 mammograms to find cases where supplemental imaging might be needed after a regular screening ended with a negative or no-cancer result. The device generated what the team described as a "generalized risk score" for developing a so-called interval breast cancer – when the disease develops between mammograms – after checking information gleaned from a mammogram, such as tumour features and breast density. "We can use supplemental imaging and adjust screening frequency based on a woman’s breast density and likelihood of developing breast cancer within a short timeframe," said Fiona Gilbert, professor of radiology at the University of Cambridge, explaining where and when the AI tool could be used. The mammograms assessed were from British women aged between 50 and 70, screened between 2014 and 2016. "Interval cancers generally have a worse prognosis compared with screen-detected cancers, because they tend to be either larger or more aggressive," said Gilbert, also an honorary consultant radiologist at Cambridge's Addenbrooke's Hospital. "Identifying women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer is a complex, multifactorial problem," Gilbert said. The researchers said their goal was to more accurately identify the women "most likely to have an interval cancer" while simultaneously reducing the workload around taking supplemental images. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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No sleep, hot flushes, brain fog: women can experience a wide range of menopausal symptoms and for some, they can be extremely severe. How far can hormones help handle them? Berlin (dpa) – Myths, uncertainties and long-outdated assumptions mark the menopause like few other areas of medicine and health care. This is particularly true of menopausal hormone therapy, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), prescribed to help women handle some menopausal symptoms. What to know Menopause – what exactly is it? The menopausal transition describes the change from the reproductive phase of a woman's life to permanent infertility and is associated with significant hormonal changes. Menopause or climacteric are terms used to describe the entire transition phase, which usually lasts 10 to 15 years. The term is often used differently, but in fact "menopause" refers exclusively to the time of the last menstrual period and is determined retrospectively when no period has occurred for twelve months. On average, menopause occurs at the age of 51, by when the supply of eggs created before birth is exhausted. The timing has remained unchanged, even though women today live significantly longer on average and are usually much fitter at 50 than their peers were 50 or 100 years ago. What exactly happens? "Most women think they don't have any menopause symptoms as long as their period comes reasonably on time," says DMG President Katrin Schaudig. However, the first changes in the cycle and symptoms such as mood swings can occur as early as the late 30s or early 40s – the first signs of the onset of the menopause. During perimenopause, usually between the ages of 45 and 50, the cycle becomes increasingly irregular, with intermenstrual bleeding and longer breaks between periods. Fluctuations in both cycle-determining hormones (progesterone and oestrogen) characterise this phase. "These are then spring tides and tsunamis in hormone levels instead of ebb and flow as before in the cycle," says Schaudig. Psychological problems can arise. Towards the end of perimenopause, oestrogen levels drop significantly. Symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disorders become more frequent. Postmenopause after menopause is characterised by increasingly low but more stable levels of both sex hormones. The risk of cardiovascular and bone diseases increases, and other long-term effects such as changes in the skin, mucous membranes and body composition are also typical. Experts emphasise that symptoms and levels of discomfort vary greatly from person to person in each phase. In addition, the problems usually do not persist continuously, but flare up periodically. Around a quarter of women experience severe symptoms, only mild symptoms, intermittent symptoms or no symptoms at all, says Olaf Ortmann from the University Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Regensburg, Germany. Menopause also has a highly unpleasant characteristic, namely "the earlier the symptoms start, the longer they usually last," says Ortmann. "It can take three years – but also 15 years." Sometimes certain symptoms persist in a milder form throughout life. "Hot flushes are – extremely rarely – still possible at the age of 80." Menopause or ageing – is there a clear difference for each symptom? No. Hot flushes, associated with heavy sweating, especially at night, are considered a classic symptom related to changes in hormone levels. On average, women in the menopause experience hot flushes frequently – on more than six days within the last two weeks – for more than seven years, says the guideline "Peri- and Postmenopause – Diagnostics and Interventions" developed by professional associations in Germany. Sleep disorders, depression, mood swings, anxiety, sexual problems and joint pain are symptoms that can have various causes, but according to Schaudig, they become more frequent and intense during menopause. Gynaecologist Sheila de Liz also lists depression, anger attacks, hair loss, itchy skin or mysterious eczema, headaches, frequent bladder infections, nocturnal urinary urgency, hearing loss, weight gain and dizziness as possible menopausal symptoms in a book on the menopause. In many cases, it is not possible to say clearly what is specifically attributable to the menopause – which is ultimately also part of the natural ageing process, says Ortmann. Stress and strain in everyday life also play a major role in the severity of symptoms – and can be particularly significant for women around the age of 50. Socially disadvantaged women who are under great pressure and have little opportunity to create well-being and freedom for themselves are often severely affected, say researchers. This is consistent with studies showing that menopausal symptoms play little or no role in societies where older people are highly respected – meaning among women who tend to enjoy a high level of well-being. Will having my hormones checked provide more clarity? Not generally. During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate greatly – according to experts, sometimes by a factor of 20 – and therefore do not accurately reflect the status during menopause. "The various phases of the menopausal transition can be diagnosed primarily on the basis of clinical criteria," say guidelines. "Hormone testing is generally not necessary." However, Ortmann says that for certain problems such as palpitations, high blood pressure or depressive moods, it may well be useful to consider your hormone levels. Time and again, women with sleep problems are prescribed sleeping pills or those with low moods are given antidepressants, or are sent to orthopaedic surgeons or rheumatologists for joint pain – without anyone considering the possibility of the menopause. What can I do? You can alleviate symptoms through diet, exercise, mindful behaviour and targeted relaxation exercises, say experts. "There are many things you can do yourself," says Ortmann. For hot flushes, for example, lowering the room temperature in the bedroom can help. Herbal remedies are also considered helpful by many. "However, herbal remedies are not very effective if the symptoms are severe," says Ortmann. Hot flushes every few hours or weeks of sleep deprivation can be so distressing that they significantly impair quality of life and ability to work. Some women even retire earlier than planned because of this, says Schaudig. With the right hormone therapy, this can often be avoided. "The quality of life of many women is unnecessarily poor." Menopausal hormone therapy, known as MHT, is particularly effective for hot flushes and sleep problems. The term is still quite new; for decades, the treatment was known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The new name aims to focus more on the normal decline in hormones during the menopause and avoid the misunderstanding that hormones that should actually be present need to be replaced, Ortmann says. That would be the case say with an underactive thyroid, but not with the menopause. In Germany, oestradiol administered through the skin is predominantly used to alleviate symptoms, though treatment varies from one country to the next. Progesterone is often prescribed in capsule form as a supplement to protect the lining of the uterus from excessive growth caused by oestrogen. It can also be used to alleviate sleep disorders. Will that give me breast cancer? The widespread concern that hormone therapy significantly increases the risk of breast cancer stems, among other things, from the WHI (Women's Health Initiative) study published in 2002. The study was terminated prematurely because a slightly increased risk of breast cancer was found in one subgroup. The participants were mainly older women who had gone through the menopause and were given oral oestrogen in combination with a specific progestin. Subsequent evaluations showed that when therapy is started early – a maximum of 10 years after the menopause or at a maximum age of 60 – the ben…

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Berlin (dpa) – When inhaling cold winter air through your teeth sets off a stabbing nerve pain, you know something is wrong. For anyone with sensitive teeth, milkshakes, ice cream and just about anything cold can become a painful ordeal. As annoying as this reaction may be, it serves a purpose, says dentist Jochen Schmidt. "It’s a protective reflex of the tooth to prevent sudden temperature changes causing enamel cracks or nerve damage." There are many causes of sensitive teeth, and one common reason is receding gums, which often occurs with age. Where the gum recedes, the so-called neck of the tooth is exposed, making it easier for temperature changes to reach the tooth nerve, which then triggers a reaction. But there are other possible causes, notably thinning enamel, cavities, leaky fillings, poorly fitting crowns and an inflammation of the periodontal tissue. Schmidt says these issues can manifest as sensitivity to cold. If in doubt, it’s always best to consult a dentist. Four tips for dealing with sensitive teeth: Slow down your eating: It can help to get used to eating ice-cold food and drinks in smaller bites or sips. This helps your teeth better cope with the icy temperatures. Change your toothpaste: Toothpastes for sensitive teeth contain specific salts that can reduce the sensitivity of exposed tooth roots. Talk to your dentist:Dental practices offer various treatments for sensitive teeth, such as sealing the teeth with special varnishes. Brush gently:Brushing your teeth too hard can wear away valuable tooth enamel over time and push back the gums. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor that signals when you’re pressing too hard can be a helpful tool. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn rid yyzz n1 nhr

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Berlin (dpa) – Younger people often assume they have no real risk of cancer until they reach retirement age, but this certainly isn't the case when it comes to testicular cancer, which primarily affects men between the ages of 20 and 40. Although it's one of the rarer types of cancer, certain men are at higher risk and those with a family history of the disease — such as where a father or brother has been diagnosed — are more likely to develop it. "Men with one or both testicles located in the abdominal cavity also have a higher risk, even after surgical treatment," explains urologist Axel Merseburger. The good news, Merseburger says, is that once detected, testicular cancer is curable in most cases. Men can take proactive steps to detect tumours early by performing a self-examination once a month. "Ideally, this should be done after a warm shower or bath, when the scrotal skin is more relaxed," advises Merseburger. To perform this self-examination, stand in front of a mirror and first check for any visible swelling or skin changes. Then, begin palpating. "Take one testicle at a time between the thumb and forefinger of both hands. Gently but thoroughly roll the testicle to examine its surface," Merseburger explains. A smooth surface with no hard areas is a good sign. The self-examination should also include checking the epididymis. "It is soft and curved, located at the top and back of the testicle," Merseburger says. If you notice this is thicker or harder, it’s important to consult a urologist promptly. "Even small, pea-sized lumps should be taken seriously," says Merseburger. Other warning signs include an enlarged or swollen testicle, a pulling sensation or a feeling of heaviness — especially if these symptoms persist. If a testicle feels unusually hard or soft, this should also be investigated. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn rid yyzz n1 nhr/cja

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BERLIN (Reuters) -Shortages of materials for German manufacturers of electronic and optical products became more acute in October, driven by a tightening of global controls on rare earth components, the Ifo economic institute said on Wednesday. Rare earths, essential for producing semiconductors, sensors and other advanced components, have become increasingly subject to trade restrictions, particularly from China, which dominates global supply. Some 10.4% of companies in the sector in Germany reported supply bottlenecks in October, up from 7.0% in July and 3.8% in April, said the institute. "The control mechanisms and trade restrictions for rare earths are taking their toll," said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of Ifo surveys. "If this trend continues and worsens it will also have a negative impact on economic growth." In manufacturing as a whole, only 5.5% of companies reported supply problems, said Ifo. Germany's industry has faced severe supply chain disruptions and European policymakers are trying to reduce dependence on critical raw materials by diversifying supply chains and boosting domestic production of rare earths but this takes time. (Writing by Madeline Chambers, editing by Kirsti Knolle)

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By Niket Nishant (Reuters) -Nvidia was set to open above a $5 trillion market value on Wednesday, becoming the first company to reach the milestone after a powerful rally that has made the chip designer the centerpiece of the artificial intelligence boom. Shares of the Santa Clara, California-based company jumped 2.8% in premarket trade after CEO Jensen Huang announced $500 billion in AI chip orders and plans to build seven supercomputers for the U.S. government. The milestone marks Nvidia's evolution from a niche graphics-chip maker into the backbone of the global AI industry, vaulting past peers Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet and turning Huang into a Silicon Valley icon. "In many ways, everything that could have gone right for the firm, has gone right over the last sort of 24 hours," said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone. The company's latest milestone comes just months after it hit a $4 trillion valuation in July, showing a breakneck pace of growth rarely seen in modern markets. Analysts have said its rise reflects investors' faith that AI spending will keep soaring across industries, even as some warn of drummed-up valuations. Nvidia's size now gives it outsized sway over global equities, with its heavy weighting in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 meaning moves in its stock can ripple through pension funds, ETFs and portfolios worldwide, said analysts and investors. However, its towering valuation also raises expectations, with each earnings report drawing intense scrutiny and even a hint of slowdown triggering sharp investor reaction. GEOPOLITICAL BARGAINING CHIP Nvidia's dominance has also put it squarely in the sights of global regulators. U.S. export curbs on its most advanced chips, meant to limit China’s access to cutting-edge AI hardware, have made the company a key piece of Washington's geopolitical strategy. The firm has scrambled to design modified products for overseas markets while managing compliance risks that could weigh on future sales. Huang's announcements, made at Nvidia's developer conference in Washington, reinforced investor confidence in the company's role at the center of the global AI boom. One of the supercomputers, built with Oracle, will house 100,000 of Nvidia's Blackwell chips. Nvidia's Blackwell chips have also been a sticking point in U.S.-China talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying on Wednesday he may raise the issue of the high-end chips in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Apple and Microsoft each crossed $4 trillion earlier, joining the ranks of tech giants reshaping global markets. Apple hit the mark on Tuesday on strong iPhone 17 sales, while Microsoft regained it after valuing its OpenAI stake at $135 billion. (Reporting by Niket Nishant, Rashika Singh and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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(Reuters) -Nvidia on Wednesday was within striking distance of becoming the first company to cross the $5 trillion market value mark, after a stunning rally that has made the chip designer the crown jewel of the artificial intelligence boom. Shares of the Santa Clara, California-based company jumped 2.8% in premarket trade after CEO Jensen Huang unveiled $500 billion in AI chip bookings and disclosed plans to build seven supercomputers for the U.S. government. Huang's announcements, made at Nvidia's developer conference in Washington, reinforced investor confidence in the company's role at the center of the global AI boom. One of the supercomputers, built with Oracle, will house 100,000 of Nvidia's Blackwell chips. Nvidia's rise toward a $5 trillion valuation comes as Apple and Microsoft each crossed $4 trillion, joining the ranks of tech giants reshaping global markets. Apple hit the mark on Tuesday on strong iPhone 17 sales, while Microsoft regained it after valuing its OpenAI stake at $135 billion. (Reporting by Niket Nishant and Rashika Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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(Reuters) -Norwegian telecom operator Telenor on Wednesday posted quarterly earnings slightly below market expectations and flagged a negative adjustment of 500 million Norwegian crowns ($49.8 million) related to rising 5G costs in Malaysia. Telenor's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 5.4% organically to 9.54 billion crowns in the third quarter, while analysts polled by it had expected 9.60 billion crowns on average. Shares in the company fell around 3% in early Oslo trading. Overall, the results were in line or a touch lower than the market consensus, with a solid performance in Telenor's core Nordic markets offsetting some concerns in Asia. In Asia, Telenor saw organic EBITDA growth of 4.1%, partially helped by growth in Bangladesh's Grameenphone in which the Norwegian group owns a majority. Grameenphone recorded quarterly revenue growth after four consecutive quarters of declining performance following the political turmoil that took place in Bangladesh last year. "Still, consumers in Bangladesh continue to be highly prudent in the wake of last year's macro-economic setback," CEO Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer said in the earnings statement. The Norwegian group has previously said that any recovery in Bangladesh was unlikely to gain momentum before next year. Meanwhile, 5G-related costs are increasing in Malaysia, Schilbred Fasmer said. Telenor is the top shareholder in the country's largest mobile network operator CelcomDigi together with Axiata, with a 33.1% stake each. "Based on the latest public information, we make a 0.5 billion crown negative adjustment to our share of results from CelcomDigi this quarter related to its associated 5G network company in Malaysia," the CEO said. Telenor also specified its forecasts for 2025, saying it expected 5-6% organic growth in adjusted EBITDA for the whole group and 8-9% growth in the Nordics. It also sees 2-3% organic growth in Nordic service revenues. ($1 = 10.0431 Norwegian crowns) (Reporting by Elviira Luoma in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

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