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Travelers Institute Announces Winter 2024 Wednesdays with Woodward® Webinar Schedule

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

The Travelers Institute , the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV ), today announced its Wednesdays with Woodward winter 2024 schedule.

Key Points: 
  • The Travelers Institute , the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV ), today announced its Wednesdays with Woodward winter 2024 schedule.
  • The webinar series, hosted by Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers, features thought leaders from both the public and private sectors discussing relevant topics for companies and consumers.
  • This webinar is part of the “Citizen Travelers at the Travelers Institute” program series.
  • Feb. 14: “2024 Economic Outlook with Goldman Sachs’ Chief U.S. Economist” – David Mericle, Goldman Sachs’ Chief U.S.

Dogs are incredible – if unlikely – allies in conservation

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, January 7, 2024

Think hunting dogs, herding dogs, police dogs or search and rescue dogs.

Key Points: 
  • Think hunting dogs, herding dogs, police dogs or search and rescue dogs.
  • But have you heard of conservation dogs?
  • Conservation dogs fall mainly into two categories: guardian dogs and sniffer dogs (also called scent, detection or detector dogs).

The nose that knows

  • The film is based on the true story of Maremma dogs, trained to protect little penguins from foxes on Middle Island near Warrnambool in southwest Victoria.
  • The penguin population had dwindled to fewer than ten before the Maremma dogs got involved.
  • They can be trained to find animals or plants, or “indirect” signs animals have left behind such as poo or feathers.


Sniffer dogs have been trained for various missions such as:
finding rare and endangered species
detecting invasive animals during eradication or containment such as fire ants or snakes
locating pest plants
supporting wildlife surveys by detecting scats (poo), urine, vomit, nests, carcasses and even diseases.
They have worked in extreme conditions on land (including on sub-Antarctic islands) and at sea, and can even detect scent located underground. Sniffer dogs have also trained to recognise individual animals such as tigers by scent.

The ultimate scent detection machine

  • A much larger proportion (seven to 40 times larger) of the dog’s brain is dedicated to decoding scent.
  • Dogs analyse the air from each of their nostrils independently, detecting tiny variations in scent concentration.
  • Besides being the ultimate scent detection machine, dogs are great ambassadors for conservation – melting hearts all the way to Hollywood.



Finding the right candidate for the job

  • Trainers use toys and play as a reward, so dogs learn to associate this reward with the target scent.
  • It’s so easy that the scent-learning part of the job is usually the quickest.
  • And if the dog had a troubled background before being rescued, rehabilitation is the most time-consuming and difficult component of the training.

What type of dog can become a sniffer dog?

  • The most important aspect of the association learning process is having the right dog – one with obsessive behaviour.
  • And any breed, sex and age of dog can present this personality type.


Read more:
Scientists find burnt, starving koalas weeks after the bushfires

Top jobs for conservation dogs


Meet dogs working in conservation around the world:
detecting orca poo
making and keeping World Heritage-listed islands and Antarctica pristine
wildlife search and rescue
working as guardians
containing fire ants
leading weed eradication on land or water
monitoring wind farms
finding vomit (rejected owl pellets, to be precise)
supporting environmental assessments
helping Tasmanian devils find mates
detecting diseases.
These are just a few of the dogs making a difference in our fight to protect biodiversity. But we have barely scratched the surface of their potential!
Romane H Cristescu works for Detection Dogs for Conservation, at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is receiving external funding through multiple government-funded, foundation association, not-for-profit group, and research council grants. She is a founding member and current executive of the Australasian Conservation Dogs Network.

Can your staff spot the five most common text message scams?

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, January 7, 2024

Can your staff spot the five most common text message scams? According to reports in the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel database, text message scams took consumers for $330 million in 2022.

Key Points: 

Can your staff spot the five most common text message scams?

  • According to reports in the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel database, text message scams took consumers for $330 million in 2022.
  • With reported losses more than doubling in 2021 and nearly five times what people reported in 2019, would you be able to spot the five most common text message scams?
  • First, some background about what may be behind the proliferation of this form of fraud.
  • It’s estimated that text message open rates are as high as 98%, compared to email open rates of 20% – and they cost next to nothing to send.
  • So people may have grown accustomed to responding to that ping with an automatic click.
  • The Data Spotlight focuses on these five common text message scams.


According to the Data Spotlight, reporting can help stop scam text messages. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider block similar messages. Report it on either the Apple iMessages app or Google’s Messages app for Android users. And report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Here is additional advice for your employees: 

XOX Labs Launches a One-Stop Platform to Fulfil DeFi Needs of Worldwide Users

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024

In addition, the platform also offers Staking OX for Protocol Fee Earnings, which enables users to earn a share of the protocol fees to promote active participation in the XOX ecosystem.

Key Points: 
  • In addition, the platform also offers Staking OX for Protocol Fee Earnings, which enables users to earn a share of the protocol fees to promote active participation in the XOX ecosystem.
  • This program not only rewards users but also encourages the organic growth of the XOX community.
  • With a roadmap filled with upcoming utilities like XOX Dex V2, Multi-Chain Launchpad, Mobile App/Wallet, and Coin Listing/Rating Site, the platform is continuously evolving.
  • These developments are set to add massive value to the ecosystem over time, reinforcing XOX Labs' position at the forefront of the DeFi space.

Are you a Lounger, Dreamer, Plodder, or Go-Getter? Achieving your New Year's resolutions depends on your personality

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024

MONTREAL, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As another year draws to a close, introspection begins. Like an accountant tallying up the year's debits and credits, many people assess what they've achieved, what they could have done better, and what they just want to forget. This annual post-mortem of achievements and opportunities missed typically results in a resolve to turn the page—lofty goals are set and resolutions for the upcoming year are made. However, well over 90% of us see our willpower tapering off by mid-February. So, what does it take to actually walk the walk and not just talk the talk? Researchers at Queendom.com identified two key traits that are absolutely crucial to success among the 9% of people who actually stick with their New Year resolutions: ambition and drive.

Key Points: 
  • Here's a breakdown of each type:
    What they have going for them:
    > Not setting goals means they don't risk failure or disappointment.
  • > A lack of drive makes it far more difficult to motivate themselves to do anything that requires effort.
  • Tips to help Loungers achieve their New Year's resolutions:
    > Start with small goals, then work your way up.
  • Remember, if you're setting the same resolutions as you did last year, it's a sign that you need to change things up."

Xoxoday enhances its global reward offering by adding 3000+ products in the US

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic move to enhance the overall reward experience, Xoxoday proudly announces the expansion of its global reward catalog.

Key Points: 
  • REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic move to enhance the overall reward experience, Xoxoday proudly announces the expansion of its global reward catalog.
  • Addition of 3000+ best-selling merchandise and physical gift cards:
    Xoxoday has expanded its selection of merchandise by adding products designed to cater to various tastes and preferences.
  • Adding another dimension to its gifting repertoire, Xoxoday strengthened its physical gift cards collection even further by adding the top US brands.
  • This ongoing effort ensures a more seamless, rewarding experience, giving recipients an even broader array of options to choose from.

Focus on right now, not the distant future, to stay motivated and on track to your long-term health goals

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

You’ve committed to a healthier lifestyle and are determined that this time is going to be different.

Key Points: 
  • You’ve committed to a healthier lifestyle and are determined that this time is going to be different.
  • Your refrigerator is stocked with fruits and veggies, you’ve tossed out processed foods, and your workout routine is written in pen in your daily planner.
  • Thinking about these long-term consequences, the argument goes, should help you avoid indulging right now and better stick to your goals.

To resist temptation, think short term

  • We tested this approach in seven studies with over 4,000 participants.
  • In one study, we invited university students to view one of two public service announcements detailing reasons to avoid energy drinks.
  • Those who read about the short-term costs were 25% less likely to choose the energy drink than those who read about the long-term costs.
  • For fast food, think about how it can make you feel bloated or give you indigestion.
  • The takeaway is simple: To avoid indulging, think short term.

Focus on the fun of healthy options

  • On the flip side, can you nudge yourself toward consuming more healthy foods?
  • These findings were independently replicated in an intervention at five university dining halls that used food labels focused on either tastiness or healthfulness.
  • In one study, Kaitlin asked gymgoers to choose a weightlifting workout from a list of similarly difficult routines.
  • The participants who were instructed to select a fun exercise completed more reps than those told to pick an exercise most useful for their long-term fitness goals.

Timing the reward sweet spot

  • One strategy for persistence is to use rewards to stay committed.
  • It seems rewards are most effective when people have to work to unlock them, after which they become regular.
  • They ended up persisting longer and completing more workouts than people in a lump-sum group who received a larger, occasional reward for every four workouts they finished.
  • People in the work-to-unlock-rewards group – three days of flossing without rewards followed by daily rewards – flossed for more days than those who received continual rewards right way.

Resistance, enjoyment and persistence

  • Our research highlights three effective strategies to help you achieve your goals: prioritizing short-term consequences to resist temptation, finding enjoyment in long-term choices, and continually rewarding yourself for sustained persistence.
  • What’s great about these strategies is that you can adapt them to any personal goal you hold.


The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Visa Reimagines Customer Loyalty with New Web3 Engagement Solution

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Visa (NYSE: V), a world leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of the Visa Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution.

Key Points: 
  • Visa (NYSE: V), a world leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of the Visa Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution.
  • “SmartMedia Technologies is thrilled to partner with Visa in revolutionizing the future of loyalty and engagement.
  • We are committed to delivering experiences that are as rewarding as they are engaging and relevant for today's evolving consumers.”
    For more information on the Visa Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution3, click here .
  • 2 Euromonitor International and Visa, Loyalty Redefined: Turbocharge Customer Retention with High-Value Programmes, www.euromonitor.com/whitepaper/loyalty-redefined
    3 Product availability varies by region.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Kicks Off New Year with Grand Opening of North Jacksonville on January 12

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ), a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, announced today that its club in North Jacksonville, Florida, will open on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ), a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, announced today that its club in North Jacksonville, Florida, will open on Friday, January 12, 2024.
  • The club, located at 12884 City Center Blvd in North Jacksonville, is BJ’s 37th club in Florida.
  • “We’re excited to start the new year by providing unbeatable value and convenience to North Jacksonville,” said Tom Condon, Club Manager, North Jacksonville BJ’s Wholesale Club.
  • The rewards program is provided by BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. and its terms may change at any time.

'Mum, Dad, I'm bored!' How to teach children to manage their own boredom these holidays

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

We all get bored from time to time and there is nothing particularly wrong with feeling bored.

Key Points: 
  • We all get bored from time to time and there is nothing particularly wrong with feeling bored.
  • In fact, it is a useful emotion because it is helps us reflect and make changes to what we’re doing or our surroundings.

Boredom helps kids learn

  • Boredom is mildly unpleasant, but it’s OK for kids to feel bored.
  • Read more:
    Why are my kids good around other people and then badly behaved with me?

Why do children complain about being bored?

  • When presented with unstructured time, children can have difficulty thinking of and organising things to do.
  • The trick is to help support children generate their own ideas (rather than suggesting ideas to them).

How can parents help kids learn to manage boredom?

  • There’s a lot parents can do to prepare for boredom and support their child learning to manage their own boredom.
  • Talk to your child about what they enjoy doing, their interests and their passions.
  • Develop a menu of activities with your child that they can refer to when they’re bored.
  • Let your child know the plan for the day and the length of time they’re expected to do the activities on their menu.
  • A series of pictures to illustrate the day’s schedule might help.
  • Some children might need help to get started in an activity.
  • Try not to do everything yourself, but rather use questions to help them to problem solve.
  • When your child gets started on an appropriate activity themselves, offer praise and attention.
  • Do this before they have lost interest, but over time, aim to gradually extend the amount of time before commenting.
  • While it is important for children to learn how to manage boredom, children also need to feel valued and know their parents want to spend time with them.
  • Trevor Mazzucchelli is a co-author of Stepping Stones Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and a consultant to Triple P International.
  • Triple P International (TPI) Pty Ltd is a private company licensed by UniQuest Pty Ltd on behalf of UQ, to publish and disseminate Triple P worldwide.