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MIT sleep study finds connection between sleep and creativity

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology study on sleep is finding that as you’re nodding off you could be at your most creative.Research from MIT and Harvard Medical School found that the sweet spot is when you’re between sleeping and waking.Researchers at MIT found that sleep and creativity are connected and that people are inventive as they drift off but the tricky part is timing.The study also found that people can be guided to dream about a given topic and that those targeted dreams can make them more creative in the waking hours.The researchers are also working to find out what information about dreams in the later stage of the sleeping process will yield with regards to creativity.

Division 1 state track: Lexington boys, Andover girls capture championships

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

NORTH ANDOVER – Sometimes it’s very interesting how a simple change in regimen can make a world of change for athletes.When Lexington freshman Amari Mow received a pair of jump spikes earlier this week, he suddenly realized he had a newfound jump in his step. Little did he know back then that he was about to become a local hero.When the intensity was at its highest, the rising star delivered, winning the long jump to close the meet Saturday, while delivering Lexington the 2023 outdoor boys track and field title in the process.“It’s crazy,” said Lexington boys track and field coach James Hall. “Honestly, I thought they had us in the first half. After Thursday, it wasn’t looking great. We did what we were expected to do, but (Acton-Boxboro) and Newton North put on a show Thursday. They really went after it, put the pressure on us. We regrouped, came out today stronger.”Entering Mow’s final event, Lexington was trailing in the school standings, in third with 82 points as a team b...

Revolution battle back to earn a 3-3 draw with the Chicago Fire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

FOXBORO – New England Revolution substitute striker Jozy Altidore scored in the 83rd minute to salvage a 3-3 draw with the Chicago Fire before 27,293 fans on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.The Revolution (7-3-4) secured a needed point in the first of three games in eight days. The Revs play at Atlanta United FC on Wednesday night and a matinee match at New York City FC on Saturday.Center back Andrew Farrell, the reigning Ironman of MLS, eclipsed 30,000 minutes in his career that encompassed the MLS regular season, MLS Cup playoffs, U.S. Open Cup and Concacaf tournaments.“To get a point on a night where we made too many costly mistakes, we should feel fortunate to walk off the field,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “On the evening we played all right but there were just a couple of really lame plays on our part.“Jozy getting the goal was so important and he contributed quite well.”Arena made personnel and strategic alterations to the Starting XI from last Saturday’s 3-0 ...

Whitlock sharp in return as Red Sox shut down D’Backs in 2-1 win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

Lately the Red Sox offense has come and gone, and after busting out of their slump Friday the bats fell cold again Saturday, managing only two runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.Fortunately, this time that was enough for Garrett Whitlock and the Red Sox pitching staff.Whitlock was excellent in his return from the injured list, allowing one run over five strong innings in Boston’s 2-1 win over Arizona on Saturday. The bullpen did its part with four perfect innings of relief, and Kenley Jansen looked solidly back to himself by locking down career save No. 402 to close out the win.Making his return after a month on the IL with right elbow ulnar neuritis, Whitlock looked shaky initially. The right-hander gave up some loud contact early, including a solo home run to Ketel Marte in the bottom of the first, but settled down from there to effectively shut down the talented young Diamondbacks lineup.At one point Whitlock retired 12 straight hitters and ultimately allowed just the on...

Vouchers, not tickets, issued to motorists with light issues

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Burned out vehicle lights can be hazardous on the roads, especially at night.San Diego, Chula Vista and National City Police Departments are now issuing vouchers, instead of tickets, to motorists for lighting equipment violations under the Lights On! program, the City of San Diego said in a press release Thursday. The initiative, which aims to improve police-community relations and less the burden of certain traffic tickets, takes place during the heavily trafficked Memorial Day weekend.Officers have started giving out vouchers over the past several weeks, but only after a traffic stop, according to the city. Vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash value and are not available upon request. Road reopened after Mission Bay crash The program doesn't exempt other violations or prevent officers from requesting the person's identification or checking police databases for any outstanding warrants. "Vouchers can be redeemed at participating locations for up to $250 for burned-o...

Debt-ceiling deal: What’s in and what’s out of the agreement to avert US default

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached an agreement in principle on legislation to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid a default.Negotiators are now racing to finalize the bill’s text. McCarthy said the House will vote on the legislation on Wednesday, giving the Senate time to consider it ahead of the June 5 deadline to avoid a possible default.While many details are unknown, both sides will be able to point to some victories. But some conservatives expressed early concerns that the deal doesn’t cut future deficits enough, while Democrats have been worried about proposed changes to work requirements in programs such as food stamps.A look at what’s in and out of the deal, based on what’s known so far:TWO-YEAR DEBT INCREASE, SPENDING LIMITSThe agreement would keep non-defense spending roughly flat in the 2024 fiscal year and increase it by 1% the following year, as well as provide for a two-year debt-limit increase — past th...

Sudan military ruler seeks removal of UN envoy in letter to UN chief, who is ‘shocked’ by the demand

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s military ruler demanded in a letter to the U.N. secretary general that the U.N. envoy to his country be removed, officials said Saturday. The U.N. chief was “shocked” by the letter, a spokesman said.The envoy, Volker Perthes, has been a key mediator in Sudan, first during the country’s fitful attempts to transition to democracy and then after worsening tensions between military rivals exploded into open fighting last month. The fighting pits troops loyal to military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan against a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, headed by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.Burhan’s letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was received Friday.“The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter he received this morning,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative.”Dujarric didn’t reveal the c...

Hamilton police negotiating with barricaded man suspected in double homicide

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

Hamilton police are negotiating with a man who has barricaded himself inside a home in Stoney Creek.Police say the man in his 50s is holed up on a home on Jones Road just off of Barton Street. He is suspected of being involved in the deaths of two people in the city. No additional details were provided about the incident that led up to the homicides.“The barricaded male has fired shots from the residence,” police tweeted just before 10:30 p.m. “Police are asking residents near 322 Jones Rd and Barton to shelter in their basement as a safety precaution.” Investigators say they continue to work toward a peaceful resolution the situation. Police are investigating a double homicide in the area of Jones and Barton in #HamOnt.This is an active situation as police deal with a barricaded person believed to be involved with the incident. Stay out of the area. Anyone living nearby must remain in their residence.— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) May 27, 2023

'I'm just chilling:' Beach-goers enjoy Chicago's lakefront on Memorial Day weekend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

CHICAGO — All 22 of Chicago’s beaches officially opened Friday for the season.This weekend, thousands are expected to make their way to the lakefront and even with the mild weather Saturday, it was still busy at Montrose Beach.“I’m just chilling back," said Austin Suchoval. "And also trying to remember what this weekend’s about and what the men and women have done for our country.” Naperville unveils Gold Star monument on Memorial Day weekend WGN's Courtney Spinelli reports from the lakefront on how Chicagoans are hitting the beaches on Memorial Day weekend.

State of Texas: Paxton impeachment - how we got here and what comes next

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:30:29 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic vote in the Texas House to impeach Ken Paxton is adding to the intensity of the final days of the legislative session. House members spent nearly four hours Saturday considering the impeachment resolution, before voting to approve the measure. It's the first time in Texas history that lawmakers took up, let alone passed, a resolution to impeach a sitting Attorney General.Paxton is a Republican. So is State Rep. Andrew Murr, R - Junction, who leads the House General Investigating Committee that recommended the articles of impeachment. The idea of Republicans potentially ousting a top leader from their own party surprised some Texans.But the vote comes amid a session of infighting among Republicans at the Capitol. Party members have been divided over priority issues like school choice legislation, even property tax relief. While most Republicans in the House voted in favor of the resolution to impeach Paxton, some of the chamber's most conservative mem...