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Water Conservation Tips for Multifamily Housing Owners

By establishing a water conservation program, owners and managers of multifamily residential properties can encourage residents to change their water use habits. From taking shorter showers and leaving the water off while brushing teeth to running only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, residents’ behavior can have a big impact on water waste. Beyond educating and motivating…

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How Lifestyle Changes Can Alleviate Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can significantly impact daily life, but specific lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being. Some also benefit from coupling the changes with professional treatments to increase resilience and help lower the severity of anxiety. Regular physical activity helps regulate mood and decrease anxiety levels. Exercise releases endorphins and…

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News Literacy Project Quiz Explores Fact-Finding on the Feed

Informed by former Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg, the News Literacy Project (NLP) provides K-12 students with the ability and education to sift through news sources, including websites and social media feeds, so that they can make informed decisions on what is valid, documented, and true. In March, 2025, NLP added a fact-checking quiz to its Resource Library. The quiz points out…

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Innovative Treatments Offer New Hope for Anxiety and ADHD Management

Millions of individuals worldwide experience anxiety disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Despite traditional therapies being successful for some, there is still a large proportion with persisting problems. Emerging treatments are now providing new options. Recent pharmacological developments have yielded new drugs that act on targeted neural pathways. Gepirone-ER and…

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Key Benefits of Hiring a Property Manager

Managing a property can be challenging, especially if you’re far from the location, lack time or energy, or prefer not to handle tasks yourself. A property manager can step in to make things easier. Hiring one offers several advantages. A property manager can assist in marketing your property. They know where and how to advertise your property to attract suitable tenants and avoid extended…

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The Benefits of Emotional Support Animals for Mental Health

Emotional support animals (ESAs) can significantly enhance mental health by providing constant companionship and comfort. Their presence creates a calming environment, especially for those struggling with anxiety or depression. The bond you develop with an ESA can help reduce loneliness and isolation, fostering a sense of connection and stability in your daily life. Interacting with an emotional…

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Ways Coops and Condos Afford Capital Improvements

Co-ops and condos require maintenance, repairs, and upgrades as the buildings age. Property managers can finance them using external and internal sources, such as capital from common charges or monthly dues assessed to all residents.

In addition, property managers may add a special assessment, tying the temporary charge to a specific capital improvement project. Use of this lever varies widely, with some boards using special assessments for every repair and others rarely taking this route.

In New York City, buyers or sellers pay sales or transfer fees (flip taxes), which may go toward building-specific projects according to the bylaws. These fees may take the form of flat fees, a percentage of transactional price, a percentage of net profit, or a percentage of ownership. Some condos and coops maintain bylaws requiring that buildings apply sales of unsold units toward capital improvements as well.

External financing pathways include project loans, refinancing an existing mortgage, and lease arrangements. An example of the latter is when a solar array installer pays the building to rent out a rooftop space. As part of the arrangement, the installer may need to upgrade or repair the roof, and the installer may sell a portion of the electricity generated back to the building at a beneficial rate.

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Arguments For and Against Breaking Up Big Tech Companies

Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, known as Big Tech, have become the most influential technology companies globally. Therefore, some have argued against dominance as it resembles monopolies.

Big Tech offers a range of interconnected software and online services that many users rely on. However, concerns have emerged regarding their potential to stifle competition through financial power and political connections, alongside ongoing issues related to data privacy.

The debate over whether to break up Big Tech includes several compelling arguments. Proponents point to the landscape where Google captures 92 percent of global search traffic and Amazon dominates e-commerce, suggesting limited opportunities for new entrants and innovation. Big Tech gobbles up these players to stifle competition, which may continue. In addition, breaking up Big Tech can lead to reduced data privacy concerns and fewer national security concerns.

On the other hand, Big Tech has made several contributions. These companies have facilitated several advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), by acquiring startups that drive innovation in wearables, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. Without Big Tech support, such technological advancement and innovation may take longer or never happen.

Moreover, breaking up large organizations may serve as a practical solution. It may lead to an illusion of choice. Big Tech companies have already achieved economies of scale to provide premium free services and tools, which are hard to replace. Smaller players will typically introduce an innovative range of services and products. But they’ll struggle to operate viably on a free business model, so end users could eventually part with significant sums of money to use essential digital services.

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How to Create and Sell NFTs

Creating and selling NFTs has gained popularity as a way to tokenize digital assets such as art, music, or other unique items. The process involves several steps, starting with understanding NFTs and deciding where to mint and sell them on the platform.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, represent unique digital assets stored on a blockchain. To mint and list your NFTs, first decide on a distributed ledger - such as Ethereum or Hedera - then pick a marketplace- like OpenSea or Zuse Market. Researching which networks and markets suit your demands will help you choose a platform that will affect transaction costs and the general popularity of your NFT.

Once you have decided on your platform, you will create a crypto wallet that supports NFTs. Common wallets in use include MetaMask for Ethereum or HashPack for Hedera. After configuring your wallet, you must contribute cryptocurrencies to pay the transaction costs of minting your NFT.

Minting an NFT is publishing your digital file to the market and adding the required metadata, such as the name and description of the token. Most markets will also let you decide how you sell your NFT using a pricing or auction structure. Depending on how you interact with possible purchasers, you can pick set pricing, open auctions, or timed auctions.

The rising tendency of fractionalizing NFTs - where producers can divide ownership among several buyers - is a novel approach to NFT development. This method makes highly valuable NFTs more reachable to a larger audience. As the NFT industry develops, artists and producers are discovering creative means to use blockchain technology for digital asset ownership.

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Google in Violation of US Antitrust Law with Search Engine Monopoly

In August 2024, a US District Judge in Washington, DC, decided that Google had violated antitrust law. Having spent billions of dollars on search engine dominance, Google has become the de facto default platform for online search.

Google controls around 90 percent of the market and 95 percent among cell phone users. The economics of search engine dominance have become compelling. Google advertising accounted for 77 percent of total sales for Alphabet (Google’s parent company) in 2023. Nonetheless, Google aimed to position itself in that position - the default search engine of all browsers and phones. According to Reuters, Google spent $26.3 billion in 2021 to secure its position.

Therefore, Google has raised the barriers to market entry for competitors, such as DuckDuckGo. Even if competitors showcase an equal product, they must make billion-dollar-plus bids when default agreements expire. They also need to arrange a significant revenue share to compensate for any shortfalls from the switch.

The case remains ongoing, and Google shares dropped by three percent after the court decision. A final Department of Justice decision on antitrust remedies and the legal framework will likely not arrive until 2026.

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News Literacy Project Helps People Identify Misinformation

In an era of rising misinformation and disinformation, many people are concerned that an increasing number of Americans cannot distinguish legitimate news from false information. According to research shared by the News Literacy Project (NLP), 56 percent of Americans have difficulty identifying false information posted on social media. Moreover, a 2019 study found that 96 percent of American high school students failed to question a given news source’s credibility even when presented with evidence of its unreliability. To address these issues, the NLP has created a methodology to help people evaluate the creditability of news and other information online.

Founded in 2008 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alan C. Miller, the NLP advances news literacy to create a society wherein everyone understands the importance of a free press to democracy and knows how to vet news and other information. The NLP’s methodology for determining a claim’s creditability is part of its RumorGuard movement, which combats viral rumors. It also teaches people how to recognize misinformation, which involves vetting the information against five factors.

First, the NLP encourages users to consider the authenticity of a story, claim, or image. While digital technology allows access to information more easily than ever, it also enables content creators to rapidly spread false information and fabricate media like photos and videos. RumorGuard also emphasizes the importance of determining the credibility of the source. Examine whether it strives for fairness and unbiased reporting or tailors its content to its audience’s prejudices and fears.

Reliance on sound evidence is another factor in weighing the validity of information. RumorGuard offers resources to help users distinguish evidence-based reporting from groundless claims and misleading statements. In addition, considering the context of information is crucial. For example, technology makes it easy to take a photo from one event and connect it to another by reposting it alongside a false claim.

Finally, RumorGuard helps users detect flawed reasoning used to perpetuate propaganda, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories. This practice exploits people’s cognitive biases and vulnerabilities to logical fallacies to make baseless claims seem plausible.

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Tips on Roofing Manufacturer Warranties

The recipient of a AS in business marketing from Westchester Community College, Ana Docoito-Nelson is an experienced property manager who has served Gramatan Management, Inc., since 2008. Ana Docoito-Nelson’s areas of competence encompass project management, particularly capital improvements such as roof replacements. Roofing materials manufacturers provide a warranty which covers the roofing…

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The Popularity of Ethereum in NFT Projects

Ana Docoito-Nelson, property manager at Gramatan Management, Inc. in New Rochelle, NY, handles budget preparation and capital improvements, among other responsibilities. She supervises an on-site support staff of over 15 individuals. Outside of her profession, Ana Docoito-Nelson maintains an interest in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency, specifically Ethereum. Ethereum, or Ether, is…

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TSA Set to Expand Facial Recognition Program to 400 Airports

Based in New Rochelle, New York, Ana Docoito-Nelson guides Gramatan Management, Inc., and delivers project-focused property management and capital improvement solutions. With a focus on technology, Ana Docoito-Nelson is interested in how facial recognition platforms are being integrated into US society. One major initiative underway involves the Transportation Security Administration (TSAfacial…

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The dry heat of a sauna which may reach 185° F has dramatic effects on the body. Within minutes, the skin temperature rises to around 104° F. During a brief session in a sauna, the average individual will sweat a pint. The heart’s pulse rate increases by 30 percent or more, allowing it to pump roughly twice as much blood each minute.

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Essential Portrait Photography Tips

Ana Docoito-Nelson is a property manager at Gramatan Management, Inc. in New York, with a background in numerous administrative roles. Outside of work, Ana Docoito-Nelson enjoys a variety of interests, one of which is portraits photography. Portrait photography is a type of photography that focuses on human subjects. The photographer's use of the camera, perception of the subject, and ability to artistically blend all of these components are central to this type of photography. When choosing a location for shooting, keep in mind that soft lighting is better. Harsh lights or the full sun are not recommended because they cast dark shadows on your subject. Instead, soften the light using a diffuser like a white sheet or a softbox. Natural daylight is also the best option for a perfect portrait if you don't have studio lighting. This can be done both inside and outside. When photographing portraits, the focal length of your lens is critical. The most common lens used by portrait photographers is 50mm; anything shorter would result in image distortion. Many photographers use lenses with focal lengths ranging from 80mm to 100mm. This is beneficial when photographing natural, calm people. In other words, use a longer lens. Focusing on the eyes is another essential but enjoyable piece of advice. This makes an engaging shot by creating a sense of intense eye contact between the subject and the photographer. Make sure the light is reflected in your subject's eyes to make them stand out.

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Sauna Health Benefits

The dry heat of a sauna which may reach 185° F has dramatic effects on the body. Within minutes, the skin temperature rises to around 104° F. During a brief session in a sauna, the average individual will sweat a pint. The heart’s pulse rate increases by 30 percent or more, allowing it to pump roughly twice as much blood each minute. The skin receives most of the additional blood flow; the…