BANGKOK, June 22 (Reuters) – Thailand’s status as a hub for medical tourism could be helping the country contain the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), government and health officials said, after confirming its first case of the deadly virus last week. Tourism accounts for about 10 percent of the Thai economy, and the country is also the top destination in Southeast Asia for patients seeking low-cost, quality healthcare, with an average 1.4 million medical tourists a year, compared with 600,000 for Singapore, a Thai medical tourism association said. That meant the stakes were high for Thailand when the health ministry reported on Thursday the first case of MERS in a 75-year-old man from Oman, who had traveled to Bangkok for treatment for a heart condition. South Korea, currently battling the largest MERS outbreak outside Saudi Arabia, reported two more deaths and three new cases on Monday, bringing the number of fatalities to 27 and the total infections to 172. In Thailand, although authorities said 176 people had been exposed to the MERS patient, Deputy Health Minister Vachira Pengchan said on Monday there were no new cases. “It is the very fact that we are a travel and medical hub that works in our favor and that allows us to be prepared,” Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told Reuters. “It is our experience handling foreign visitors and medical tourists from high-risk regions like the Middle East and South Korea. Thailand is also prepared because we saw what happened in South […]

Only children have a reputation for being perfectionists and high-achievers, constantly seeking attention and approval from their parents and from others. But children with siblings, too, express unique personality types based on their birth order. While a number of factors play a role in a child’s development — including genetics, environment and parenting — birth order can also influence their defining traits and behaviors. Since the 1970s, thousands of scientific studies on birth order have been conducted, but psychologists often disagree about how much of a role birth order actually plays in development. However, some common aspects of the personalities of oldest, middle and youngest children that are consistent across the literature. Why do these differences occur? Many psychologists have suggested that siblings’ personalities differ insofar as they adopt different strategies to win their parents’ attention and favor. By this theory, the oldest child may be more likely to identify with authority and support the status quo, while younger children are more likely to seek attention by rebelling. “Kids learn their role in their family,” Dr. Kevin Leman, a psychologist and the author of The Birth Order Book and The First-Born Advantage, told The Huffington Post. “Firstborns are held to a higher standard. As kids come into the birth order, parents loosen up.” Here’s more on what science says about the personalities of youngest, middle and oldest children: Oldest Child Firstborn children tend to be achievement-oriented, often performing well in school and thriving in leadership positions, according to Leman. “Firstborns […]

Snapchat is aggressively trying to be your digital magazine. The photo and video-sharing app has been pushing media outlets, Snapchat users, and now more advertisers to jump on its Discover news network. At an advertising event with DailyMail.com and EliteDaily.com on Thursday, Snapchat content director Nick Bell announced that the company would now charge advertisers 2 cents per view for the 10-second ads that run between articles and videos on Discover, Ad Age reported. The program is called Two Pennies. The price is down markedly from the 15-cent launch price in January. “It’s 10 second ads, 2 cents per view to reach a really engaged audience,” Bell said at Thursday’s event. Discover provides a medium for media outlets to publish photos and video content for Snapchat’s reported 200 million users to view. Publishers can also sell 10-second ads between their content. The network launched with 11 media partners, including CNN, Cosmopolitan and Warner Music Group. While Snapchat’s users may be really engaged with using the app for one-to-one messaging, the Discover network may not be as popular. As The Information reported from unnamed sources close to the matter, traffic on Discover has dropped 30 to 50 percent since launch. Meanwhile, Snapchat has been trying to improve the feature. In an update this week, Snapchat now allows users to share content from Discover to friends on the app similar to posting a news story on someone’s Facebook wall. Media outlets’ partnerships with Snapchat on Discover are said to expire in June. […]

It’s safe to say that spring has finally sprung! The days are lighter, the breeze is warmer and we feel sleepier than ever. What gives? We anticipate having boundless energy as we leave our semi-hibernative states that protected us so well from the harsh winter, but many of us fall victim to substantial sleepiness as the seasons fluctuate. According to Natalie Dautovich, Ph.D., an environmental scholar with the National Sleep Foundation, much of this drowsiness is due to the fact that our bodies take time to adjust our sleep-wake cycles to match the new season patterns, and that timing is often out of sync with Mother Nature. Pair that biological shift with our subconscious behavioral changes that come along with the changing of the seasons, and you have a solid recipe for sleep deprivation. However, recognizing the elements that are effecting the quality and quantity of your shut-eye can go a long way in turning that spring sleepiness into the steady energy you so desire. Sure, we gained an extra hour of sunlight in the evening last month, but that doesn’t mean we feel ready to jump out of bed when that alarm clock screams at us in the morning. “With Daylight Saving Time, we experience a desynchronization with the daylight cycle, the clock time, and our sleep-wake rhythm,” Dautovich told The Huffington Post. Every person returns to that natural equilibrium at a different pace, and those who do so more slowly tend to really feel its effects as they […]

Employee morale directly affects your company’s output. That’s why businesses are finding new ways to attract and retain happy staffers. Check out this article for a few ideas of low-cost ways to boost employee satisfaction. When you’re starting a company, employee benefits are likely the last thing on your mind. You want to attract top talent and offer a competitive salary, sure. However, figuring out how to raise funds to afford hiring the best people is your main priority. As the company grows, employee retention and motivation become increasingly important. A low budget may not allow you to shower your staff with high-dollar bonuses or expensive benefits, but you can still make a difference by getting creative and finding out what they crave most. The good news? Some of today’s most sought-after employee perks are fairly affordable. More importantly, even low-cost options can boost employee satisfaction and help you compete for talent in today’s cutthroat job market. Here are a few ideas of benefits worth considering if you’re looking to keep staffers happy and productive. 1.  Flexible Work Arrangements Millennials will become the majority in the workforce next year, and they are known to value flexibility. Additionally, freelancing and self-employment are still on the rise. Working on a 9 to 5 basis may soon become a thing of the past. Workers are more interested than ever in maintaining a healthy work/life balance; supporting their efforts can go a long way when it comes to ensuring their loyalty. Some companies go as far as allowing staff […]

Ever feel like your opinionated hubby’s holding something back? Men aren’t naturally gifted at expressing themselves like women, so they may keep quiet about sensitive subjects. But those secrets can cause marriage problems. “If it’s safe for him to speak honestly, that might improve his experience in the relationship,” says clinical psychologist Andra Brosh, PhD. Here’s what your husband may be hiding and how best to handle it. ON WOMAN’S DAY: 10 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex 1. “I need you to make me feel like a big, strong man.” Your husband may feel insecure if his masculine qualities, like physical strength, never impress you. “This isn’t the ’50s anymore, but there are still some genetically determined pieces of men’s self-worth,” says marriage therapist Mike Dow, PsyD. Since he’ll feel even less like a tough guy divulging this need for extra attention, he’ll stay mum. So compliment his brawn—even if it’s just for popping the lid off the jam jar. Also, give him a chance to assemble that dresser before offering your expertise. Dr. Dow says if you take charge instead of letting him take care of it, he’ll feel emasculated. 2. “Yes, I was checking out that woman.” The male brain is hardwired to notice pretty young things, since they’re likely to be fertile and capable of producing healthy children, says Dr. Dow. In fact, your hubby’s head may turn before his brain realizes! Call him out for ogling or flirting, but let him off the hook for the occasional […]