Author: TECH

Setting meaningful goals is an important part of helping patients make progress in occupational therapy. Whether the focus is on daily activities, mobility, communication, or greater independence, clear goals give both the therapist and patient something specific to work toward. They also make it easier to track progress and adjust the approach when needed. That’s where SMART goals come in. By making goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, occupational therapists can create a clearer path from treatment to meaningful results. For beginners and new practitioners, knowing how to turn broad treatment objectives into practical SMART goals can feel challenging.…

Social Security beneficiaries are already looking ahead to the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which will determine how much monthly benefits increase next year. The official COLA is expected to be announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in October 2026, after the government releases the inflation data needed to complete the calculation. While the final percentage is not yet known, several early projections are already being discussed. However, beneficiaries should remember that these estimates can change significantly before the official announcement. The COLA is tied to inflation, so the final adjustment depends on CPI-W data recorded during the third quarter…

Earlier this month, emergency responders received reports of a dog in distress in the waters of Pollock Beach in Gqeberha, South Africa.Initial observations noted that the dog had been swept over 650 feet offshore and was struggling to stay afloat.A duty crew from the National Sea Rescue Institute was nearby on routine training and responded to calls from NSRI’s Emergency Operations Center, launching a rescue craft and rescue swimmers at once.Lifeguards also joined the rescue, with a bystander who had paddled out on a rescue board also in tow. “When the NSRI rescue craft arrived on the scene, half a kilometer…

As the Social Security COLA 2027 announcement date draws nearer, Texans should know forecasts put the 2027 Social Security COLA between 3.6% and 3.8%. (JJ Gouin/Getty Images) Anticipation has been building for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) announcement of its cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment for 2027. One of the most important dates for determining it is just around the corner. Here’s what Texans need to know. This video created with the assistance of AI. Social Security COLA 2027 announcement date On Wednesday, October 14, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for September…

235 years ago today, John Fitch was granted a US patent for a boat propelled by steam power which used mechanical paddles to propel it atop lakes and rivers—an invention that revolutionized commercial transportation of both passengers and freight. The American inventor, clockmaker, silversmith, surveyor, entrepreneur, and engineer, also provided beer, rum, and other supplies in 1778 to General Washington’s troops at Valley Forge. READ more about the first steam ship and its inventor… (1791) He first tested his steam-powered concept using a 45-foot-long boat on the Delaware River, and he soon was operating the first steamboat service in the…

Slugs are the slimy bane of many a farmer’s life, but their days of munching on precious crops could be numbered thanks to a new tool that predicts where the pests will strike. It’s the result of groundbreaking research from a consortium led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). One strand of the three-year, £2.6m project – funded by Defra – employed a network of ‘slug sleuth’ farmers working as field researchers to suss out the molluscs’ favoured soil types. The monitoring has led to the development of a digital field mapping tool, which pinpoints vulnerable slug hotspots, meaning…

Discover how gratitude can enhance health and happiness. Learn simple practices to improve lifestyle and mental well-being. Are you someone who regularly practices gratitude or keeps a gratitude journal? New research suggests that people who regularly experience and express gratitude are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors, including eating well, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and managing stress.Researchers from Durham University analyzed data from 24 studies involving 6,967 people to examine the relationship between gratitude and health behaviors. The participants included university students, adults from the wider community and people living with long-term health conditions. The findings were…

In the United States, certain benefits recipients are to get their latest monthly money today, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) concludes this month’s payment schedule for the Social Security program.Who gets Social Security today, Wednesday, August 26?Of the 71.3 million recipients of Social Security benefits nationwide, most are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in the month, depending on their birthday. As today is this month’s fourth Wednesday, benefits are to go out to recipients born between the 21st and the 31st of any month. This is the final Social Security payment on the SSA’s timeline for…

A scenic trek across five Sussex peaks is raising funds and awareness for suicide prevention.The Worthing Five Peaks Challenge, set to take place on September 5, is organised by national suicide prevention charity Olly’s Future and will take walkers through the South Downs National Park.The 17-mile route includes Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring, Chantry Hill, Black Patch Hill and Highdown Hill, while a shorter six-mile walk takes in just Cissbury Ring.The walk is held in memory of Oliver (Olly) Hare, who took his own life in February 2017, just before his 23rd birthday.Ann Feloy, founder of Olly’s Future, said: “Come join…

A new study highlights concerns about TikTok mental health advice, raising questions about the accuracy, safety and impact of viral wellness content. Recent research is raising concerns about the reliability of mental health advice on TikTok. A 2025 analysis done by The Guardian journalists found that more than half of the 100 most popular #mentalhealthtips videos contained misinformation, highlighting potential risks for young viewers. A new University of Birmingham study published in August 2026 further suggests that TikTok’s design may make it harder for young people to critically evaluate mental health content they encounter. (1✔ ✔Trusted SourceNew study uncovers TikTok…