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SSM Health Medical Minute: Combatting the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - It’s easy after the hustle and bustle of the holidays to feel like what’s actually normal is a bit slow. Once the excitement has ended and strands of twinkling lights are pulled down from the rooftops, it can feel extra dark when you leave the office since the sun has already set.However, some individuals experience a more serious low this time of year. People who persistently feel depressed around this time may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression. SAD is a type of depression that cycles annually and it overwhelmingly affects people in the fall and winter. About 5% of Americans suffer from this type of depression, according to the National Psychiatric Association. Women are four times more likely than men to be diagnosed, and younger adults have a higher occurrence than older adults, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.Symptoms can include sadness, irritability, anxiety and trouble sleeping. “If it reaches that lev...

Bioluminescent algae lighting up the Southern California coast

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

For the past month, Southern California's coastal tour operators have been busy tracking a rare pod of killer whales. Now, they’re offering an entirely different experience once the sun goes down.Bioluminescent microalgae is creating a natural blue glow when the ocean water is stirred up by waves, wind or watercraft.Finding high concentrations of the algae can be hit or miss, but the sightings have been common enough lately that Newport Coastal Adventures is offering nightly 90-minute cruises to see it.“Jump on board with us on the search for the Bioluminescence glow that illuminates the night sky as the waves crash around the shorelines, wake from our ships, possible dolphin swimming through, large fish schools, and anything else that triggers the blue natural phenomenon,” the whale watching company advertises.Bioluminescent water off Newport Beach, California. January 2024. (Newport Coastal Adventure & Newport Whales) Bioluminescent water off Newport Beach, California. Ja...

Mountain snow causes slippery conditions, traffic headaches

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

While many in the San Bernardino Mountains were enjoying the year’s first heavy snowfall, the storm did lead to slippery conditions and traffic headaches along some mountain roads.  In Big Bear, the beautiful wintery, white landscape had already started drawing visitors to the village, some of them even taking the time to have a snow fight, but despite the picturesque blanket of snow, drivers in the area were struggling in the dangerous conditions.  Several vehicles made an abrupt stop to avoid colliding with one another on Highway 18 in Running Springs. That’s after KTLA’s Shelby Nelson learned two vehicles crashed and caused the traffic jam.  A semi-truck caught in that snarl slid into the middle of the road and became stuck. A big rig seen after sliding into the middle of the street to avoid a traffic jam in Running Springs on Jan. 3, 2024. (OnScene TV)In Lake Arrowhead, another vehicle reportedly lost control and collided into an oncoming snowplow.  A heavily damaged c...

SoCal man wanted for allegedly killing puppy during argument 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

A Southern California man is wanted for allegedly killing a puppy during an argument Tuesday.The suspect was identified as David Sumlin, 32, by the Los Angeles Police Department. Police said Sumlin was involved in an argument with an unidentified victim that morning. After the argument, Sumlin allegedly held a pillow over the victim’s dog and pointed a firearm toward the pillow saying, “It’s either you or the dog,” authorities said.Sumlin fired two rounds into the pillow, killing the 4-month-old puppy, police said. Arriving officers transported the puppy to a local animal shelter where it later died.The suspect remains at large. He is described as a Black man with black hair and brown eyes. He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is a transient who frequents the area of 7th Street and Stanford Avenue in the downtown L.A. area. David Sumlin, 32, in a photo from the Los Angeles Police Department.Anyone who spots Sumlin should not approach him and is asked to contact t...

Stockton man charged with murder of Oakland officer had killed before as a teen; third suspect arrested

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

OAKLAND — A Stockton man charged Wednesday with murder in the killing of Officer Tuan Le has a prior manslaughter conviction in connection with a 2014 shootout that killed an 18-year-old man, according to court documents and multiple law enforcement sources.Mark Demetrious Sanders, 27, is facing several other counts on top of the murder charge, including special allegations of second-degree murder of a peace officer in a drive-by shooting, officials said Wednesday evening. Police earlier identified Sanders as the man who allegedly opened fire into an unmarked police truck containing Le, who was on an undercover detail monitoring a Dec. 29 early morning burglary at a cannabis business.But other court documents show it’s not Sanders’ first time being arrested on suspicion of homicide — or of burglarizing a cannabis facility. In April 2014, when Sanders was 17, the U.S. Marshals arrested him in Modesto in connection with the killing of 18-year-old Marcellus Perr...

Erikstrup scores 32 as Eastern Washington beats South Dakota 93-79

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Dane Erikstrup’s 32 points led Eastern Washington over South Dakota 93-79 on Wednesday night.Erikstrup shot 11 for 19 (7 for 12 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Eagles (7-7). Cedric Coward scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds. Jake Kyman shot 4 for 9, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points.Bostyn Holt led the way for the Coyotes (8-8) with 30 points. Lahat Thioune added 13 points, six rebounds and two steals for South Dakota. In addition, Kaleb Stewart had 12 points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Immanuel Quickley scores 26, Pascal Siakam adds 24 as Raptors hold on to defeat Grizzlies 116-111

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Immanuel Quickley scored 26 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Toronto Raptors weathered a late Memphis rally to defeat the Grizzlies 116-111 on Wednesday night.Quickley, who came to Toronto in a late-December trade that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, was 8 of 18 from the field, including 5 of 8 on 3-pointers. Scottie Barnes finished with 20 for Toronto.Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter. Desmond Bane added 22 for Memphis and Ziaire Williams scored 18 points.Toronto led 102-84 with nine minutes left, but Memphis crafted a 16-4 run that brought the team back into the game. The Grizzlies got withing five points on several occasions but Toronto never relinquished the lead and won its second straight.Both teams were coming off wins — Toronto defeating Cleveland on Monday; Memphis earning a win over San Antonio on Tuesday. But both tea...

Jalen Johnson has career-high 28 points as Hawks hold on late, snap Thunder’s 5-game winning streak

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 28 points and the Atlanta Hawks held off Oklahoma City 141-138 on Wednesday night, ending the Thunder’s five-game winning streak.Atlanta opened the game with 11 straight points and never trailed. Trae Young had 24 points and 11 assists, one of four Hawks players who scored more than 20. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23 points and Dejounte Murray had 22. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points and 13 rebounds to lead Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams scored 21.Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup with 48.5 seconds remaining cut Atlanta’s lead to 141-136, after the Thunder trailed by double digits most of the game. Following a miss by Murray, Gilgeous-Alexander’s basket trimmed the deficit to three.Isaiah Joe’s last-second 3-pointer from the corner was no good for Oklahoma City.The Hawks improved to 5-9 at home, where they play 10 of 15 games in January.The Thunder’s surge of eight wins in their last nine games included Tuesday...

Zion Williamson scores 27 points, Pelicans beat West-leading Timberwolves 117-106

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans kept rolling with a 117-106 victory over the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.CJ McCollum added 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19. The Pelicans pulled away in the second half for their fourth straight victory and ninth in 12 games.On the second night of a back-to-back after beating Brooklyn 112-85, a game that allowed Williamson and Ingram to both play under 30 minutes, New Orleans went on the road and shot 55.6% from the field. Williamson and Ingram combined to shoot 18 of 26.Anthony Edwards scored 35 points for Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22. Minnesota dropped to 14-2 at home and lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Timberwolves were the last team in the NBA to lose two in a row.The Timberwolves shot just 38.7% through three quarters. They finished with 13 turnovers, leading to 16 points for the Pelicans.New Orleans used a 25-9 run late in the fi...

Rillie’s 30 lead Northern Colorado past North Dakota 97-87

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:22:03 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Jaron Rillie’s 30 points led Northern Colorado over North Dakota 97-87 on Wednesday night.Rillie shot 12 for 16 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Bears (7-6). Saint Thomas added 23 points and 12 rebounds. Zack Bloch had 13 points.Treysen Eaglestaff led the Fightin’ Hawks (8-8) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Tyree Ihenacho added 23 points, six assists and two steals for North Dakota. In addition, B.J. Omot had 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source