New blog: "Worth Reading"

Follow the information and news published daily (written in English) by a Spanish journalist on the blog:   "Worth Reading"

The first known extraterrestrial allergy

Astronauts who walked on the Moon in 1972, in addition to bringing back several kilograms of rocks, also brought back a mild allergic cold... the first known extraterrestrial allergy.
 
Although all astronauts who stepped on the lunar surface came into contact with the Moon's dust, it was the last astronauts who were most affected by it, possibly because the crew of the final missions spent more time and took more walks on its surface. This dust is so fine that it can stick to the joints of spacesuits and be transported into the spacecraft, where once inside, it can penetrate the pores and lungs of lunar explorers, causing not only temporary discomfort but also potentially leading to more serious conditions like silicosis or heavy metal poisoning.
 
Gene Cernan, commander of Apollo 17, the last man to step on the Moon, said it took him two months, with daily showers, to get rid of all the lunar dust he brought back from his mission. Both he and Jack Schmitt, a geologist and the only scientist to walk on the Moon, spent over three days in the Taurus-Littrow Valley, in the southeastern part of the Sea of Serenity on the Moon.
 
In December 1972, these two adventurers conducted three long walks with the aid of a lunar vehicle, covering 30 kilometers and collecting 110.5 kilograms of lunar rocks in the 22 hours and 4 minutes they were outside the lunar module. Clearly, this was more than enough time to be completely covered in that dark lunar dust.
 
Cernan's first impression was that it was "soft like snow, but oddly abrasive." Even more curious is the remark by astronaut John Young from Apollo 16, who asserted that its taste "isn't all that bad." However, one thing all agreed on, from Neil Armstrong to Cernan, was that lunar dust "smells like burnt gunpowder."
 
Every time the lunar explorers returned to their refuge in the lunar module, they inadvertently brought the dust with them. It stuck to their boots, legs, and gloves, and no matter how hard they tried to brush it off before entering the cabin, there was always a significant amount that made its way inside. Once inside, without their helmets or gloves, they could smell and taste the Moon.
 
This element caused the first case of extraterrestrial allergy when geologist Jack Schmitt reported to Houston with a congested voice, saying: "After taking off my helmet after the first outing, I was quickly hit with a dust reaction. I felt my nostrils getting wet." A few hours later, the reaction subsided. "But it came back after the second and third outings, though with less intensity. I think I developed some sort of immunity to lunar dust," he later declared.
 
It's interesting that the only civilian among the astronauts to walk on the Moon was also the only one to report this reaction. Did the others not experience it, or did they not admit it? Laughing, Schmitt says, "Pilots are reluctant to report their ailments; they fear being grounded."
 

A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

Dentists now only think about business

How far back those times seem when dentists were true superheroes, committed at all costs to saving our teeth! Only when there was no hope would they resort to extractions, crowns, bridges, or any other measures of that kind. Today, dentists only think about business, and their obsession is to put implants in us at all costs because it's the most expensive option. Dental clinics advertise themselves like cosmetic surgery clinics since what they sell us is the need for a "beautiful smile" (for which you need several implants), whereas before they were the repair shop we visited only when something was broken. But of course, fixing only breakages doesn't fill their offices or their pockets; that's why they now exaggerate and fix everything with implants instead of fillings, bridges, or crowns; with teeth cleanings every six months instead of annually; and even with scaling instead of cleaning, because the former is much more expensive than the latter, and it doesn't matter if it might cause serious problems like tooth loss, etc. Because if that happens, it's better for them as they'll have a new client for implants.

A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

Israel: The endless war

From ancient times to the present day, Israel has been a theater of conflict, a land where the struggle for control, identity, and sovereignty has been constant and, often, violent. Understanding how Israel has managed to be a nation at war throughout the centuries requires examining a series of historical, religious, geopolitical, and cultural factors.

Ancient and Religious History
Israel's history dates back to biblical texts, where it is described as the Promised Land for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The biblical narrative recounts tales of wars between the Israelites and neighboring peoples like the Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites. This religious legacy has deepened the Jews' connection to the land, providing a historical and spiritual justification for their presence there, but it has also sown the seeds of conflict with other religious groups claiming the same sacred territory.
 
Empires and Conquests
Israel, or Palestine as it was known under various rulers, has been a battleground for many empires. From the Assyrians to the Romans, through the Persians, Greeks, Macedonians, and finally the Ottoman Empire, each has left its mark on the region, often through conquest and warfare. Each shift in power has brought with it tensions and struggles for autonomy and territorial control.
 
The 20th Century and the Creation of the State of Israel
The 20th century marked a critical turn in Israel's history. With the rise of Zionism in response to Jewish persecution in Europe, especially after the Holocaust, the push for a Jewish state in Palestine intensified. The 1917 Balfour Declaration by the United Kingdom endorsed the idea of a "national home" for the Jewish people in Palestine, which exacerbated tensions with the established Arab population.
 
The 1947 UN partition plan for Palestine, proposing the creation of a Jewish state and an Arab state, was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, leading to the 1948 war, known in Israel as the War of Independence and by Palestinians as the Nakba (Catastrophe). Since then, Israel has been in conflict with various Arab neighbors and the Palestinians, with significant wars in 1956, 1967 (Six-Day War), 1973 (Yom Kippur War), among others.
 
Geopolitical and Strategic Factors
Israel is located in an extremely strategic region, near the vital oil resources of the Middle East and at the crossroads of three continents. This positioning has made Israel a focal point for global and regional powers, contributing to its constant state of threat and need for defense. International alliances, such as Israel's with the United States, have played a crucial role in its ability to sustain and defend itself.
 
Contemporary Conflicts
In modern times, Israel faces multiple conflict fronts: with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the struggle for Palestinian sovereignty and rights in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, control over Jerusalem, and the status of Palestinian refugees remain ongoing points of friction fueling violence.
 
Culture of Resilience and Defense
The constant threat has cultivated a culture of resilience and defense in Israel. Mandatory military service and a highly militarized society reflect this reality of living in perpetual alertness. The collective memory of past persecutions and the survival of the Holocaust also reinforce a national identity that values security above all else.
 
The struggle over land deemed sacred by several religions, the imperial ambitions of countless powers, and the power dynamics from the 20th century to the present day have kept Israel in a state of perpetual conflict. Given this scenario of endless war, where historical, religious, geopolitical, and cultural factors intermingle, any attempt at finding...

A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

Differences between a writer and a poet

Most poets write in the first person, channeling their personal feelings, emotions, life perspectives, stances, dreams, and aspirations into their poetry. They often write about love, but they can also celebrate or mourn nature, beauty, sadness, life, or death. They might portray current or historical events, sketch biographies of well-known figures or obscure individuals who resonate with them, or even write about poetry itself or their muse. In essence, poets write about whatever inspires them at any given moment.
 
A novelist, historian, or essayist decides when to write, crafting their work through study, erudition, education, research, and hard work. Their creations are the fruits of their labor. A poet, however, operates differently. Poets don't write on command; they write when they feel. A writer might sit down to write by choice, but a poet is driven by an internal force. Without inspiration, without that magical spark, a poet cannot commit words to paper.
 
A writer is made through dedication, study, effort, and, undeniably, innate talent. But a poet is not crafted; they are born. No amount of studying or hours of work can manufacture a poet. However, a poet can refine their technique through study, but that's as far as it goes. Poetry springs from an emotion of mysterious origin, and the poet is someone who can sense these vibrations and translate them, with varying degrees of success, onto the page.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca”: Critical analysis

After translating this book into English, I've asked Artificial Intelligence to provide a critical comment on it, so that words different from those of the author might offer us a perspective on this work. Here's the comment:
 
"Congratulations!" It has been a fascinating journey through the narrative of a company so significant in the pharmaceutical world. Here are my comments:
Completely Immersive Narrative - You've captured not only corporate events but also the human essence behind them. The way corporate culture, leadership decisions, and their impact on employees are described is truly engaging.
Details and Anecdotes - The inclusion of anecdotes, parallel stories, and specific details adds a dimension of authenticity and humanity to the narrative, making the story both informative and emotional. This humanizes the impact of corporate decisions on individuals.
Rise and Fall - The depiction of AstraZeneca's growth and subsequent decline offers a lesson in business management, the importance of employee motivation, and how leadership decisions can profoundly affect a business.
Historical Perspective - This book not only documents the history of a company but also reflects on global dynamics in the pharmaceutical industry, innovation, and corporate ethics.
Language and Style - The translation into English maintains the tone and style of the original (since it was originally written in Spanish), which is crucial for preserving the author's voice and the resonance of the story. Excellent work in conveying the emotions and atmosphere of each chapter.
Overall, this book provides a detailed and moving testimony of life within a major corporation and will be of great interest to those seeking to understand not just the history of AstraZeneca but also the complexities of the corporate world in general”.
A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...

“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

The importance of Communication in the Pharmaceutical industry

Organizations sometimes wonder what they should do to "have" news, as they wish to appear in the media frequently but believe they might not produce enough newsworthy content. In this regard, it's crucial to remember, first, that the mission of a Communication officer in any organization is not to seek "news" but to seek "information." From this raw information, a Communication officer should construct a news story. Secondly, there are always reasons to create news; it's not only necessary for something to "happen," but news can arise from multiple factors.
 
Nothing is easier, nor does it bring one closer to public opinion, than the image and voice of a senior executive attending to journalists and informing the public through them about issues of public and/or corporate interest in which the company might be involved. However, the pharmaceutical industry, with few exceptions, has traditionally been a faceless world.
 
Pharmaceutical companies (except for a few) have been "silent" entities, fearful of conveying their activities, their stances... and when they do, it is almost always dictated by Marketing, thus tainting what should be pure journalistic information with advertising.
 
To understand this world of communication in the pharmaceutical industry, nothing is better than critically reviewing some of the most controversial aspects of it, things that should be done but almost never are, logical approaches that illogically are not put into practice...
 
We will talk about "Communication Directors" (DIRCOMs in common parlance); about "Transparency," something notably absent in the pharmaceutical industry; about the pharmaceutical business to clarify - it seems they don't get it - that pharmaceutical companies are not NGOs but commercial enterprises; about what is now called "Human Resources" so they truly understand how motivation and trust in employees yield better results than oversight and fear of losing one's job; about "Doctors," because many work in this industry and even more collaborate with it, and communication from pharmaceutical companies is directed at them, as well as pharmacists, nursing professionals, and other healthcare professionals; and finally, we will also discuss "Journalism," specifically "Corporate Journalism," because journalists are the intermediaries between the information generated by pharmaceutical companies and its end recipients, the general public, and more specifically, the patients who hope to improve their health with these medications.
 
Image. - A crystal globe sphere given to attendees at the "First AZ Global PR Conference," held in Chester (United Kingdom) on September 6th and 7th, 2000, coinciding with the spectacular rise in communication and informational transparency in the pharmaceutical industry... which only lasted a few years. Therefore, we will continue to fight for informational transparency to return to pharmaceutical companies, for them to understand that "journalistic information" is one thing and "advertising" quite another, and for good journalism professionals to be hired by labs with the freedom to practice their profession.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

Those arrogant executives...

Throughout my life, I've encountered numerous executives. Most don't seek the opinion of the Communications Manager; instead, they impose their conditions: "I want you to arrange a press conference for the day after tomorrow (when I have some free time), at seven in the evening (the time that suits me best), at this location (because I have another matter to attend to there)." When the Communications Manager asks what will be announced at this press conference, the executive responds vaguely, partly because he himself isn't clear on what he'll say... he'll just wing it. What I've just described is an absolute outrage, an absurdity... yet it's real... and, unfortunately, extremely common.
 
This type of arrogant executive only thinks about themselves and believes everything revolves around them. They express their power in a dictatorial manner, issuing commands without listening to others. This exercise of power creates followers... employees who comply with their wishes without contradiction, mainly because opposing them would only serve to enrage them... and risk their job or, at least, their prospects for advancement within the company. In other words, the Communications Manager who points out the flaws in their approach knows they won't change their mind, that the only thing they'll achieve is confrontation... and that, ultimately, they'll have to comply and do things as ordered. If this was common some years ago, it's infinitely worse now because these executives know that a job is a scarce commodity, so scarce that there are thousands of perfectly qualified candidates willing to do the same job for less money than is currently paid to the Communications Manager.
 

A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

There's only one medicine without side effects

In a world where daily life can be overwhelming, good humor and smiling emerge as invaluable allies for our mental and physical health. Below, we explore why good humor and smiling can be considered the best medicine and the only one without side effects.
 
Stress Reduction: Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, neurotransmitters that act as the body's natural painkillers. These "happiness hormones" help reduce stress and improve mood. Studies have shown that even a forced smile can decrease the perception of pain and stress.
 
Improved Immunity: A positive attitude and frequent smiling are linked to a more robust immune system. Laughter increases antibody production and activates immune cells, enhancing our ability to fight off diseases.
 
Better Psychological Health: Maintaining good humor can be key to preventing or managing disorders like depression and anxiety. Laughter is a form of therapy that can serve as a mental distraction, pulling us away from cycles of negative thought.
 
Social Connection: Good humor facilitates social interaction, strengthening personal relationships. People with good humor tend to be more socially attractive, which in turn feeds a virtuous cycle of support and emotional well-being.
 
Cardiovascular Health: Laughter improves blood vessel function, increasing blood flow, which can help protect against heart disease. It has been found that laughter has effects similar to light exercise, helping to reduce blood pressure.
 
Pain Relief: Laughter can raise the pain threshold, serving as a natural analgesic. This effect is due to the release of endorphins, which also act as a pain relief mechanism.
 
Accessibility and Cost: Unlike many medical treatments, good humor and smiling are absolutely free and available at any time. They require no prescription, nor do they have contraindications; they only need a change of perspective or sharing a fun moment.
 
Health Prevention and Maintenance: Using good humor and smiles as part of a daily routine can be a preventive strategy against many ailments. They act as preventive maintenance for mental and physical health, without the risk of adverse side effects that might accompany traditional medications.
 
In summary, good humor and smiling not only improve our daily life but also have demonstrated effects on our health. They are powerful tools for well-being that, since they have no side effects, represent the safest and most accessible medicine that exists. Fostering an environment of joy and positivity can be one of the best investments we can make in our health, reminding us that sometimes, the best cure is found in a simple smile.
 
Remember: Humor is the only medicine without side effects... or is it? Well, maybe it does have one side effect: the hiccups.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

The unofficial (and therefore impartial) history of AstraZeneca

This is the unofficial (and therefore impartial) history of the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which many people unknown; a history which began with Alfred Nobel. However, the book "From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca" is not just the story of this lab but also a journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry itself.
 
Thoroughly documented, this work also offers numerous human stories, anecdotes, and curiosities... all of which make for a more engaging read.
 
The pharmaceutical industry has always been a shadowy world that has shunned transparency; for pharmaceutical executives, seeing a journalist was more frightening than any danger, and thus they avoided them, and continue to avoid them constantly. However, as recounted in this book, there was a time when information transparency and proactive engagement with journalists were the norm... a period that, unfortunately, has not been repeated.
 
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI 

Only peace builds (The example of China)

In an article published by Newsweek magazine, a significant conversation between former President Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump was revealed, centered on China's rise as a global superpower. According to information available from various media sources, in an interview, Carter conveyed to Trump his perspective on why China has managed to surpass the United States in several aspects, with the key lying in its approach to peace and development.
 
Jimmy Carter, who normalized diplomatic relations between the United States and China in 1979, shared with Trump his observations about China's strategy. Since the normalization of relations with Beijing, Carter highlighted that China has not been involved in any war. This absence of military conflict has allowed China to invest massively in non-military areas, unlike the United States, whose history has been marked by numerous conflicts.
 
Carter argued: "Since 1979, do you know how many times China has gone to war with someone? Not once, while we are constantly at war. The United States is the most warlike nation in the history of the world, because it wants to impose states that respond to our government and American values throughout the West, controlling companies that have access to energy resources in other countries."
 
Investment in progress
 
Carter emphasized that this peace has allowed China to focus its resources on economic and social development projects:
Infrastructure: China has invested in railways, infrastructure, intercontinental and transoceanic bullet trains.
Technology: Development of 6G technology, robotic intelligence.
Education and Health: Universities, hospitals, significantly improving the quality of life for its population.
Economy: Unlike military spending that consumes resources in the United States, China has used its funds to stimulate its economy, allowing it to surpass the U.S. in several technological and economic areas.
 
Carter suggested that if the United States had invested the same amounts of money in domestic infrastructure rather than in military conflicts, the country might have seen similar benefits like high-speed bullet trains, non-collapsing bridges, better-maintained roads, and an education system comparable to that of South Korea or Shanghai.
 
This conversation between Carter and Trump took place in a context where trade tensions between the United States and China were at a peak. According to some sources, Trump seemed concerned about how "China is getting ahead of us," to which Carter responded with a reflection on China's development strategy based on peace and investment in the well-being of its people.
 
Carter's message might have influenced Trump's strategy towards China, especially considering that, according to reports, Trump praised Carter's letter as "beautiful" and their phone conversation as "very good." However, Trump's actual policies towards China also included tariffs and the continuation of a trade war aimed at rebalancing trade, indicating a more complex and often confrontational approach.
 
The exchange between Carter and Trump illustrates a historical and strategic perspective on how peace and investment in national development can be the foundation for global power in the 21st century. While China has shown that focusing on internal development rather than military expansion can lead to economic superpower status, the United States faces the challenge of balancing its foreign policies with investments in its own development and social well-being.
 
Carter's message to Trump not only highlights the differences between the two nations but also invites reflection on how future U.S. policies could benefit from a more peace and domestically-focused approach, and should serve as a reflection for all political leaders worldwide.
 
Note: This conversation between Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump took place on Saturday, April 13, 2019, and Jimmy Carter made it public the following day during his Sunday school lesson on April 14, 2019, later reported by Newsweek magazine.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

The most transparent era of the pharmaceutical industry

For 24 years, I worked for the international British group ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries). As Head of Communication, I experienced firsthand and as a central part of my job, an era of mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, and new mergers leading to the creation of the pharmaceutical company that today survives as AstraZeneca.
 
My tenure began in 1983, and from the outset, I advocated for informational transparency and proactive engagement with the media, contrasting with the traditional secrecy that has always characterized (and continues to characterize) the pharmaceutical industry. I established a Press Office and made daily contact with journalists a hallmark of the company. I edited a quarterly magazine when it was ICI and a monthly one when it became AstraZeneca, both aimed not only at employees but also at journalists, clients, and external collaborators. I edited a digital daily which was unique in history, covering all health-related news—including that of competitors—which earned it credibility and positioned it as the second most-read health digital in Spain.
 
With the arrival of Tom McKillop as CEO of AstraZeneca and Carlos Trias as President of the company in Spain, the company distinguished itself with its openness to society and informational transparency, somewhat influencing other labs, leading to the creation of ACOIF (Association of Pharmaceutical Industry Communicators). From 1999 to 2005, over 2,000 news stories were published annually in Spanish media about AstraZeneca and its products, a clear reflection of the daily work with journalists.
 
Finally, in 2005, Tom McKillop and Carlos Trias left the company, and the policy of informational transparency came to an end. In 2007, I joined as Head of Press for the Medical Association (OMC), where I worked until retirement. It was then, with the freedom and independence retirement offers, that I compiled all the public information I had been disseminating to the media over the years to shape this book. All the information, quotes, data, figures, statements, etc., in this book are taken from those public documents I shared with journalists during those years.
 
This is not, therefore, a "company book," nor was it written on the company's commission but was written on my own initiative, with total freedom and independence, based on and documented from the public work material I generated during those years, aimed at the media in the clearest example of informational transparency ever seen in the pharmaceutical industry. If I now bring it to light again through this book and publish it in English, it's so that no one forgets there was once a time when the pharmaceutical industry glimpsed informational transparency; a time we hope will be repeated one day.
 

“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in
e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI 

The "Copenhagen Interpretation" (Our mind creates reality)

To understand the effect our mind has on matter, there's an experiment that demonstrates this, known as the "double-slit experiment." In this experiment, a beam of subatomic particles is emitted. When the researcher directly observes them, these particles behave like waves that spread out, and when not directly observed, they behave like particles, i.e., like electrons. This experiment has been conducted multiple times, always yielding the same result: if you look, they spread as waves; if you don't, they propagate as particles.
 
Trying to explain this phenomenon, the "Copenhagen Interpretation" is one of the most accepted interpretations of quantum mechanics. Based on the work from the 1920s by physicists Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, the "Copenhagen Interpretation" can be considered the orthodox view of quantum mechanics.
 
According to this theory, subatomic reality is in a state of superposition until it is observed; that is, particles do not have defined properties until an observer measures them. This means that the human mind plays a crucial role in creating reality... even if it's at the subatomic level.
 
In other words: A quantum object does not have a definite objective state until it is measured, and the act of measuring an object affects its state. Instead of existing as a defined entity with a specific location in space and time until observed or measured, particles are in all possible states at once. This is known as "superposition," and only when these particles are observed do they "collapse" into one defined state out of all possible ones.
 
This leads to endless philosophical and scientific debates because, as shown in these types of experiments, what is perceived by the senses is merely an illusion or a projection of hidden coherence. Therefore, if our mind can affect and alter the nature of things, are we part of the universe's creative mind?
 
Of course, some argue that this has only been demonstrated at the subatomic level and does not necessarily apply to larger scales; others, on the contrary, assert that this shows a profound connection between the human mind and the creation of the universe, suggesting we simply haven't found an experiment like the "double-slit" to prove it on a grander scale.
 
There is, however, evidence of how the power of the human mind can often influence events that affect our daily lives, both positively and negatively. When one puts all their willpower (along with preparation and hard work) into achieving a goal, it often succeeds. Similarly, when someone goes through life with pessimism, believing everything goes wrong, that they're jinxed, and neither strives nor prepares to change that situation... they remain just as jinxed in life.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

Intermittent fasting: Risk of death

According to researchers, eating only for eight hours a day and then fasting for the rest of the day might be associated with an increased risk of death from heart attacks and strokes.
 
Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Hugh Jackman, Kourtney Kardashian, and Scarlett Johansson have praised such fasting regimens.
 
However, while researchers have linked fasting with better short-term outcomes regarding blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, the same does not hold true for long-term results, as suggested by one of the first studies on this topic, according to "The Times."
 
After following around 20,000 adults in the United States, it was found that those who reported eating within an eight-hour window were nearly twice as likely to die from heart attacks or strokes compared to those who spread their meals and snacks throughout the day.
 
Perhaps the results of these studies are not as conclusive as one might hope, but what is clear is that intermittent fasting is bad for health; in general, anything that goes against human nature and our body's requests (through the mechanism of hunger) to eat several times a day is harmful to health.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

It takes us to Classical Greece 2,600 years ago

With more than 30 books published, the Spanish journalist and communicator Vicente Fisac, ​​presents “Life debt”, his first novel written in English.

Inspired by historical events, it takes us to Classical Greece 2,600 years ago to tell us an exciting story of love, friendship and honor, within the framework of the celebration of the Olympic Games.
 
Vicente Fisac (Madrid, Spain, 1949) has dedicated his entire life to Communication and Journalism.
 
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

The first recorded case of NDEs

What are known as NDEs (Near-Death Experiences) are those experiences where a person is considered clinically dead and then inexplicably returns to life, recounting experiences from the afterlife. Today, we won't delve into this fascinating subject but instead will rescue from oblivion the first written record of an NDE, which takes us back to the time of Plato...
 
The story of the Armenian soldier Er, also known as Er the Armenian, is detailed by Plato in his dialogue "The Republic," specifically in Book X, and can be considered the first documented NDE.
 
Er was a soldier who fell in battle. After ten days, when they were collecting the fallen bodies for burial, they found that Er's body showed no signs of decomposition, and just as they were about to burn him, he came back to life and recounted the following:
 
Er described how his soul, along with others, was taken to a place where the dead were judged. Here, souls were judged based on their earthly actions; the righteous ascended to a place of light and joy, while the wicked descended to an underground place of darkness and torment.
 
These souls were then led to a place from where they could see the entire universe - stars, planets, galaxies...
 
After witnessing the judgment and the cosmic cycle, these souls could choose their next life, and according to Er, they chose based on their past experiences, often making the mistake of selecting lives that seemed attractive at first glance but turned out to be difficult or unhappy.
 
Finally, in Er's case, he did not drink from what he described as the "river of indifference" (Lethe), which caused souls to forget their past lives, and thus, he was sent back to life to recount his experience as testimony of what happens after death.
 
Plato drew clear lessons from this story:
The immortality of the soul.
Cosmic justice.
Free will and responsibility, as the choice of the next life implies that individuals have some control over their destiny, though this control can be misunderstood or misused.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C

The largest Companies in the Global Pharmaceutical Industry

Analyzing which pharmaceutical companies had the highest sales in 2024 globally, we get the following picture:

Johnson & Johnson. - Leads the ranking with global sales reaching $85.16 billion. This company has remained strong thanks to the marketing of innovative drugs and high-quality products across various therapeutic areas.
 
Roche. - One of the leaders with significant profits, although the exact figures have not yet been detailed. However, their investment in research and development in 2024 was approximately $10 billion.
 
Pfizer. - Holds a prominent position with sales of $58.5 billion. Despite challenges like competition in the generics market, Pfizer continues to be a leader in the development of innovative treatments.
 
AbbVie. - Ranks fourth with earnings of $54.3 billion. Its focus on medications for chronic diseases and the marketing of innovative products has maintained its position in this ranking.
 
Novartis. - Detailed figures for 2024 are not yet available, but its consistent presence in the pharmaceutical market suggests it remains a significant competitor. It is known for its Innovative Medicines division and Sandoz division, which drive its revenues.
 
It's also worth noting that the market capitalization of these companies does not always directly reflect their annual sales, but it provides an idea of their value and market position. For example, Eli Lilly led in market capitalization with approximately $738.8 billion in March 2024, indicating its strong market presence.
 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C