Kolitsopoulos Becomes First Greek to Win World Wrestling Championship

Greco-Roman wrestling
Arionas Kolitsopoulos became world champion by winning gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at the U17 World Championship. Credit: Simba16 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Arionas Kolitsopoulos became the Greco-Roman wrestling world champion by winning the gold medal in the 71kg category at the U17 World Wrestling Championship held in Turkey.

The Greek athlete attained victory by defeating Iranian competitor Iranian Mohammadian 6-5.

Once again, the Greek champion etched his name in history much as he did the previous year. At that time, he became the first Greek athlete to achieve the prestigious title of European champion in the Greco-Roman category at the U17 level.

Arionas Kolitsopoulos becomes Greco-Roman wrestling champion

Over the past several years, nearly two hundred wrestlers from Greece have strived to claim the coveted U17 World Championships gold medal. However, they were unable to achieve this goal.

Things changed when Arionas Kolitsopoulos emerged on the scene. He shattered barriers and made history by becoming the first Greek wrestler ever to secure a gold medal at the U17 world event.

Though six Greek wrestlers had previously clinched seven world titles across various age groups and styles, none had managed to achieve this feat at the U17 level. Kolitsopoulos also put an end to a 24-year-long drought for Greco-Roman world gold medals, a record that had been held by Theofanis Anagnostou since the 1999 U20 World Championships.

Surprisingly, just two months before this historic accomplishment, nobody would have expected the seventeen-year-old Kolitsopoulus to come so far. At the U17 European Championships in Tirana, Albania, he experienced an opening-round loss at the hands of Turkish wrestler Salih Yazici and ended up finishing eighteenth in the tournament. However, he showed incredible resilience and determination. He ultimately bounced back to achieve a remarkable victory on the world stage.

“At the European Championships, I lost,” Kolitsopoulos said. “I was not ready. I got angry,” the young wrestler previously commented at the European Championships.

The competition

Kolitsopoulos embarked on his world championship journey on Tuesday. He showcased his prowess with impressive victories over Moldovan athlete Cristian Risca in the opening round, Korean wrestler Seongmin Jang in the pre-quarterfinals, and Dias Seitkalyev representing Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. He even defeated the reigning U17 European champion Abdurakhman Abdulkadyrov in the semifinals.

Overcoming Abdulkadyrov in the semifinals was only one of the challenges on his path to becoming a champion. The following day on Wednesday, he faced a formidable opponent in Mohamadian, who managed to take the lead at one point in the final with a score of 5-3.

During the first period, Mohamadian found himself in a par terre position, and Kolitsopoulos capitalized on the opportunity, earning a 3-0 lead. However, Mohamadian quickly turned the tables, executing a reversal and a throw that earned him four points and put him ahead at 5-3 by the break.

“My plan was to be the aggressor from the start but it was only in the second par terre that I managed to win,” Kolitsopoulos reflected.

Mohamadian received a second passivity call in the second period. It is unusual for the same wrestler to be called passive consecutively. Nonetheless, this narrowed Mohamadian’s lead to 5-4. Seizing the opportunity, Kolitsopoulos executed another successful turn, taking a 6-5 lead with only thirty-seven seconds remaining on the clock. Despite Mohamadian’s efforts to find an opening, he couldn’t succeed. Thus, this resulted in a historic victory for the Greek wrestler.

The world champion’s reflections and his future plans

“I have dreamed it like [a] thousand times,” Kolitsopoulos said. “I am feeling great and I hope kids out there in Greece start training more to become like me or better.”

Arionas Kolitsopoulos looks up to Olympic and World Champion Mohammareza Gerari as his role model. His father, Alexios, a former Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics, also serves as an inspiration for the young athlete and is his coach.

In Istanbul, during the U17 World Wrestling Championship, the Greek wrestler had the support of both of his parents, who cheered for him from the stands. Their encouragement meant a lot to him, as he aimed for victory in the tournament.

“The most important thing is the results at the senior level,” Kolitsopoulos explained. “So step by step. Maybe next year I will be ready for seniors. I am not ready now because it’s different power between senior and U17.”

“I made history because my father was a talent,” he added. “So I am talented but why not be better than him?”

The Mystery of Longevity on Ikaria Island, Greece

Ikaria elderly resident on longevity
Over the past few years, researchers have worked to uncover any secrets behind the longevity of the people who live on the island of Ikaria. Credit: Anastasios Papapostolou / Greek Reporter

Ikaria is a beautiful island located in the eastern Aegean, may look like any number of other Greek islands, but there is one vital difference—people there live much longer than the population on the mainland or even on other Greek islands.

In fact, people on Ikaria live on average ten years longer than those in the rest of Europe and the United States. Approximately one in three Ikarians lives into their nineties.

They not only live longer, however, but better, as well—at least where it concerns their health.

According to scientific studies, the island dwellers also have much lower rates of cancer and heart disease, suffer significantly less depression and dementia, maintain their sex lives into old age, and remain physically active and well into their nineties.

Ikaria, which is named after Icarus, the young man in Greek mythology who flew too close to the sun and plunged into the sea, is one of the five so-called “Blue Zones,” a name given to five regions in the world where people routinely surpass average global life expectancies.

The other areas are Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California in the United States.

Longevity and diet on Ikaria

There are secrets to the longevity of the islanders that scientists have attempted to identify over the last several years. One factor which all researchers seem to agree on is their diet, characterized by simplicity and natural ingredients, following what is generally known as the Mediterranean Diet.

Ikaria, Greece
Ikaria island. Credit: Stelios Kiousis, CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikipedia

The diet includes olive oil, the most common source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which is also rich in antioxidants. The oil has been proven to have cardioprotective properties and to contribute significantly to the increase of “good” HDL cholesterol.

Vegetables are also prominent in the Mediterranean diet. Rich in water, which hydrates the body, they are also excellent sources of vitamins and minerals needed to support the immune system.

Garlic is known to protect both cardiac and brain cells. Ubiquitous in this diet, and traditionally known as an elixir of youth, garlic actually detoxifies and strengthens the immune system. Eaten regularly, it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure and deter the formation of blood clots.

Omega-3 fatty acids and fish are perhaps the ace in the hole of the Mediterranean diet. Sardines, salmon, herring, and trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids and are cardioprotective.

They are known to help lower triglyceride levels in the blood and are essential to the operation and development of the nervous system. They are even believed to deter the development of degenerative dementia.

Nuts, including almonds and walnuts, are common in the diet of these areas. All tree nuts are rich in gamma-tocopherol and vitamin E, which help regulate the levels of lipids, lowering levels of LDL cholesterol to prevent clogging of the arteries by plaque formation.

Whole grains are better in general than processed cereals because they retain more of their nutritional value.

Wholegrain breads, pasta, and rice can easily be added to any diet, and they can have a protective effect against various types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Diet is an important but not the sole factor affecting the lifespan of Ikarians in particular. Research has shown that there are other factors which lead to their longevity.

These include good physical condition due to daily exercise as a result of manual labor and rural living. The walking which Ikarians do on a daily basis, combined with the mountainous topography of the island, enhances one’s physical condition.

Furthermore, the Mediterranean midday rest, comprised of a short nap, has been proven to protect and improve cardiac function while emotional attachments to others, including strong family and social ties between Ikarians, have been proven to increase lifespan.

Lastly, the relaxed pace of daily life, including a minimized level of anxiety and stress, has also been known to lead to longevity. Ikarians are an optimistic group of people!

In a recent interview with the BBC, retired doctor Christodoulos Xenakis spoke about how Ikarians avoid unnecessary anxiety in their lives.

“No one really sets appointments here,” one island resident stated. The concept of time is an important part of life on Ikaria, Xenakis explained, but not in the way most people think.

“It’s more like ‘see you in the morning, afternoon, or evening,'” the doctor explains. “We don’t stress.”

Watch a documentary on the Ikaria phenomenon below:

 

Oldest Species of Jellyfish Discovered in 505M-Year-Old Fossils

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The oldest jellyfish species offers new insights into the complexity of the ancient Cambrian food chain
The oldest jellyfish species offers new insights into the complexity of the ancient Cambrian food chain. Credit: Mark Doliner / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified the oldest species of jellyfish that ever existed. It was found in fossils dating back to about 505 million years ago in the renowned Burgess Shale of Canada.

The location is famous for its well-preserved fossils, and this latest discovery adds to its scientific significance.

Details of the newly found species of jellyfish

The newfound species has been named Burgessomedusa phasmiformis. This ancient jellyfish had a rather distinctive appearance. It resembled a large swimming jellyfish with a saucer-like or bell-shaped body. It stood up to twenty centimeters tall and had about ninety short tentacles. These were likely used to capture sizeable prey.

The discovery of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis provides valuable insights into ancient marine life that existed half a billion years ago.

Scientists are thrilled with the exceptional preservation of the fossils. They offer a rare opportunity to study creatures from such a distant era. It is a finding that opens up new avenues of research and contributes to our understanding of the Earth’s ancient ecosystems.

Oldest group of animals on Earth

Jellyfish are a type of animal that belongs to a subgroup of cnidarians, which is the oldest group of animals on Earth. These particular jellyfish, known as medusozoans, are fascinating creatures made up of ninety-five percent water.

Because of their delicate nature and quick decay, it is very difficult to find fossilized specimens of jellyfish. However, the ones discovered in the late 1980s and early 1990s were remarkably well preserved.

Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, a curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Royal Ontario Museum and one of the co-authors of a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, expressed his awe at the discovery.

The fact that such delicate animals were found preserved in rock layers on top of mountains is truly extraordinary and fills scientists with wonder.

Challenges faced during the study of jellyfish fossils

Due to the scarcity of jellyfish fossils, scientists have primarily studied their evolutionary history using microscopic, fossilized larval stages and information obtained from molecular studies of present-day jellyfish.

Jellyfish and their family of species pose a challenge for researchers, as they have been difficult to find in the fossil record from the Cambrian period, even though they belong to one of the earliest groups of animals.

Joe Moysiuk, a paleontology student at the University of Toronto and a co-author of the study, highlighted the elusive nature of these creatures in the ancient fossil record.

Evidence of Cambrian food chain

The discovery of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis has provided compelling evidence that the Cambrian food chain was far more intricate than previously thought, according to Joe Moysiuk.

He emphasized that this finding leaves no doubt that these jellyfish-like creatures were actively swimming in the Cambrian seas.

Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron also expressed his excitement about the significance of this discovery. He noted that the presence of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis adds another remarkable lineage of animals to the already impressive collection preserved in the Burgess Shale.

This diverse array of fossils is like a historical record chronicling the evolution of life on Earth, offering invaluable insights into the ancient past.

Bourtzi Island Fortress in Nafplio, Greece Reopens to the Public

Credit: FocalPoint , CC BY 2.5/Wikipedia

The island fortress of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle located in the middle of Nafplio’s harbor in the Peloponnese, will reopen to the public starting this Saturday, as announced on Thursday.

In a joint statement, the Culture Ministry and the Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD) revealed that the monument has undergone extensive restoration and maintenance. These efforts have made it accessible to persons with disabilities while preserving all the authentic parts of the fortress.

Visitors can explore the fortress every day from Monday to Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Until August 17, admission will be free of charge. Starting from August 18, visitors will need to purchase a ticket. However, the price for the tickets has not been disclosed yet.

The fortress of Bourtzi was initially designed by Antonio Gambello, an architect from Bergamo, in 1471. The construction was completed by the engineer Brancaleone.

Originally, it served as a small castle where an executioner lived, and prisoners were put to death.

Bourtzi is a highlight of Nafpio

“Bourtzi”, comes from the Turkish-Arabic language and means “island fortress” where it is the trademark along with the castle of Palamidi for Nafplio.

The fort was designed to fit the narrow shape of the island. The center is taken up by a tower, in the shape of a rough hexagon, with covered cannon positions on either side at a lower level.

The interior of the castle has three floors which were connected by moveable stairs for reasons of safety. Water was supplied from a large circular water tank that was located in the cellar, under the tower.

There were entrances to the north and south. A small harbor was created on the northeastern side to enable safer access to the fort.

Between the fort and the sea wall, there was a narrow passage, which could be closed with a chain to protect the port from enemy ships.

The fort bears the signs of many alterations and repairs from different times.

The Ottomans surrounded the fort with the so-called ‘porporella’, an undersea barricade of stones to make it impossible for large ships to approach.

In the 18th century, the Venetians proceeded with additions to the Bourtzi. They raised the height of the central tower and almost the entire island was covered with defensive positions.

During the time of the Greek revolution, the Bourtzi was known as Casteli or Thalassopyrgos (sea tower in Greek). It was here for a short while in 1826 that the Greek government sought shelter when the rebellious nation fell into civil strife.

In 1935 it was turned into a hotel after alterations by the German architect Wulf Schaeffer.

Related: Exploring Nafplion, the First Capital of Modern Greece

AI Brain Implant Helps Patient Regain Both Feeling and Movement

A patient regained feeling and movement through an AI brain implant
A patient regained feeling and movement through an AI brain implant. Credit: NIH Image Gallery / Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0

In 2020, Keith Thomas, a resident of New York, experienced a severe driving accident that led to injuries in his C4 and C5 vertebrae, resulting in a complete loss of sensation and movement from his chest down.

Thanks to advanced AI brain implant technology developed by Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Thomas has regained the ability to move his arm voluntarily and feel his sister’s touch.

Complex surgery to implant microchips

The research team extensively examined Thomas’s brain in order to understand it better. They used MRIs for months to precisely identify the specific areas responsible for arm movements and the sense of touch in his hands.

Then, about four months ago, surgeons performed a complex fifteen-hour surgery to implant microchips into his brain.

Remarkably, during some parts of the procedure, Thomas remained awake so that he could communicate the sensations he experienced in his hand as the surgeons worked on different areas of his brain.

This groundbreaking achievement offers a promising glimpse into the potential of AI-driven medical advancements, giving hope to individuals with spinal injuries and other debilitating conditions.

With continued research and development, such technology may pave the way for improved treatment options and better quality of life for patients like Keith Thomas.

Thought-driven therapy

During the same procedure, the research team also installed external ports on the top of Keith Thomas’s head alongside the microchips in his body.

These ports are connected to a computer equipped with specially developed artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The purpose of these algorithms is to interpret Keith’s thoughts and translate them into actions.

The researchers have named this innovative approach “thought-driven therapy,” as it relies on the patient’s intentions as a starting point. For instance, when Keith thinks about wanting to move his hand, the brain implant sends signals to the computer.

Subsequently, the computer sends signals to electrode patches placed on his spine and hand muscles, effectively stimulating movement.

To ensure a comprehensive sensory experience, the team also attached sensors to Keith’s fingertips and palms. These sensors play a vital role in stimulating the sensation in his hands.

This cutting-edge technology demonstrates the potential of thought-driven therapy, offering new possibilities for patients like Keith who have suffered from spinal injuries and paralysis.

As he continues to recover and adapt to the system, this advancement could pave the way for exciting developments in medical science, bringing hope to countless individuals facing similar challenges.

Results of the new therapy

Thanks to this remarkable system, Keith Thomas achieved the ability to move his arm voluntarily and experience the sensation of his sister holding his hand while in the lab.

Although he needed to be connected to the computer during these milestones, the researchers noticed something promising. Even when the system was turned off, Thomas showed signs of recovery.

Since the study’s inception, Thomas’s arm strength has shown significant improvement, reportedly more than doubling in strength. Moreover, he can now feel new sensations in his forearm and wrist.

These positive developments provide hope for the future, as the team’s thought-driven therapy holds the potential to help him regain even more of his sense of touch and mobility.

As research continues, Thomas’s progress and advancements in thought-driven therapy could open doors to improved medical treatments and life-changing breakthroughs for individuals facing similar challenges.

The positive outcomes witnessed so far give reason to be optimistic about the future possibilities this technology might bring.

Potential to help paralytic patients

Although there is still progress to be made, the team leading this innovative approach is filled with hope about its potential to transform the lives of individuals living with paralysis. Chad Bouton, the mastermind behind this technology and the principal investigator of the clinical trial, shared his thoughts:

“Our goal is to use this technology one day to give people living with paralysis the ability to live fuller, more independent lives.”

A Medieval Labyrinth: The Village of Mesta on the Greek Island of Chios

Mesta village chios
Mesta is a beautiful medieval village on the island of Chios. Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

One of the most beautiful, remote, and well-preserved villages on the island of Chios is Mesta, which combines medieval architecture with impressive natural surroundings.

The village, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the main town of Chios, has been declared a preserved medieval monument and its appearance, reminiscent of a fortress, has remained unchanged over the centuries.

The houses were built one right next to the other, thereby creating an unbroken protective wall surrounding the village.

Medieval architecture
Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

Mesta, Chios is like traveling in time to the Middle Ages

The cobblestone streets are very narrow, as well, creating a kind of labyrinth.

This type of fortress, a four-cornered structure, was built for protection against the frequent attacks by pirates and Turks, as well as for better cultivation of the valuable mastic bushes which grow on the island. It lies in a small, treeless valley far from the sea.

Mesta village chios
Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

The gray houses have doors and windows that faced only the interior of the wall, that is, inside the village. The outer walls contained adjoining parapets with small towers at the corners and gates at two or three points.

Greek church
Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

At the center of every medieval village rises the defense tower, a form of Acropolis, where the inhabitants took refuge in case of attack using a movable bridge.

The people of Mesta still preserve the traditions of the fourteenth-century village.

Mesta village chios
Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

The village’s most important annual event takes place during the Carnival festivities, where the “Agas” trials, a satirical recreation of the trials which used to take place during the Turkish Occupation are presented. This event also takes place in other villages, such as Olympoi and Lithi.

Mesta village chios
Photo: A. Papapostolou/Greek Reporter

The village is well known for its unique wine, called “Mestousiko,” which is one of the best wines of Chios and “souma,” a drink that is produced by the distillation of figs and grapes. It is a drink for robust drinkers but pure and with a unique flavor.

Surrounded by the sparkling, deep sapphire waters of the Aegean Sea, Chios is the fifth-largest island in Greece, and it is a hidden gem full of stunning beaches and villages waiting to be unveiled by you.

Together with the smaller islands of Psara and Oinousses, it offers almost endless experiences and stunning vistas, and it is hospitable to visitors all year long.

Chios is famous for its mastic, a gum resin from a tree related to the cashew tree, but this magical, natural flavor is not the only magic one can find on this magnificent, mountainous island.

You will undoubtedly feel as if you are on a different island every day while visiting Chios.

AI Offers Huge Promise on Breast Cancer Screening

AI holds great promise in revolutionizing breast cancer screening, potentially enhancing early detection rates and patient outcomes
AI holds great promise in revolutionizing breast cancer screening, potentially enhancing early detection rates and patient outcomes. Credit: Ars Electronica / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A new Swedish study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) may be able to help with breast cancer screening. Researchers at Lund University led the study and found that a computer program could spot cancer in screening images at a similar rate to two human radiologists.

This means that AI has the potential to be used in breast cancer screening programs in general, but more research is most certainly needed. Experts in the UK also agree that AI shows great promise in the realm of breast cancer screening.

Other studies have looked into using AI to diagnose breast cancer in mammograms (X-rays of the breast) before, but they were mostly looking back at scans that doctors had already assessed. This study, however, evaluated the accuracy of AI-supported screening in direct relation to more widely-accepted methods used by radiologists.

Trial conducted for the study

The trial involved more than eighty thousand women from Sweden, with an average age of fifty-four. Half of them had their scans checked by two radiologists, which is the usual standard of care. The other half had their scans initially checked by the AI-supported tool followed by evaluations of two radiologists.

The results showed that 244 women using the AI-supported screening were found to have cancer, while only 203 women were diagnosed with cancer using the regular screening method.

The use of AI did not lead to more false positives, meaning scans incorrectly diagnosed as abnormal. The rate of false positives was the same in both the AI group and the group assessed by radiologists, at 1.5 percent.

More research required to tap the full potential

According to Dr. Kristina Lang, the lead author of the study, AI has the potential to be used in breast cancer screening. This could help deal with the worldwide shortage of radiologists.

However, Dr. Lang emphasized that more research is necessary to fully grasp the true potential and cost-effectiveness of AI in this area.

She pointed out that the most significant benefit of AI at the moment is that it could ease the burden on radiologists by reducing the overwhelming amount of reading they have to do for cancer detection.

She further said, “While our AI-supported screening system requires at least one radiologist in charge of detection, it could potentially do away with the need for double reading of the majority of mammograms, easing the pressure on workloads and enabling radiologists to focus on more advanced diagnostics while shortening waiting times for patients.”

A spokesperson from NHS England expressed enthusiasm about the research findings, stating that they are very encouraging. Plans are already underway to assess the best ways of incorporating this technology into the NHS Breast Screening Programme.

Dr. Katharine Halliday, the president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said of AI that it holds tremendous promise. “AI holds huge promise and could save clinicians time by maximizing our efficiency, supporting our decision-making, and helping identify and prioritize the most urgent cases,” she maintained.

She further added that “there is a great deal of research interest in how AI could support reporting for mammograms because they are complex, requiring significant oversight and interpretation by clinical radiologists. The UK’s shortfall in radiologists, at 29%, makes this challenging.”

“While real-life clinical radiologists are essential and irreplaceable,” she continued, “a clinical radiologist with the data, insight and accuracy of AI will increasingly be a formidable force in patient care.”

Greece to Impose Caps on Visitors to Acropolis From September

Tourists at the Acropolis
Overcrowding of tourists at the Acropolis has prompted Greek authorities to introduce E-tickets and time slots. Credit: Schminnte / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, announced that starting September 4th, a cap of visitors to the Athens Acropolis will be imposed.

Mendoni said the controls are needed to prevent bottlenecks and overcrowding at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

She said that the number of visitors will be capped at a maximum twenty thousand daily and will be subject to varying hourly entry limits.

As many as twenty-three thousand people a day have been squeezing into the monument complex, mostly large groups visiting before noon.

“That’s a huge number,” Mendoni said in an interview with the Real FM radio network. “Obviously tourism is desirable for the country, for all of us. But we must work out how excessive tourism won’t harm the monument.”

The implementation of the new policies aims to alleviate the issue of long queues, which has been aggravated by the arrival of massive cruise ships that disembark thousands of passengers at the port of Piraeus, the gateway to the Greek capital.

“In the past, these cruise ships had the capacity to carry a few thousand, the population of a large village,” said Lysandros Tsilidis, the president of the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist and Travel Agencies.

“Now the vessels are so big you’ve got the size of a small state on board and at least 30% of all of those passengers will have pre-purchased tickets to visit the Acropolis,” he continued.

Hourly caps on visitors to Acropolis

There will be no limit on how long visits may last, although Mendoni said people who come with organized tours or from cruise ships, who account for about fifty percent of the daily visitor count, spend an average of forty-five minutes at the site.

Different numbers of visitors will be allowed in hourly during the site’s 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. opening hours. Half of the Acropolis’ foot traffic currently arrives between 8 a.m. and noon, Mendoni said. Under the new system, three thousand people will be granted access from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and two thousand will be allowed in during the following hours. The numbers will vary during the rest of the day.

“The measure will address the need to protect the monument, which is the main thing for us, as well as [improving] visitors’ experience of the site,” she added.

She added that the program will be implemented at all archaeological sites that have electronic tickets from April 1, 2024.

The Acropolis zoning program is being launched on the basis of a study implemented by the Organization for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP).

Greek authorities closed access to the Acropolis and other ancient sites during midday hours last month at the height of a heat wave that also caused huge wildfires across the country.

They also installed awnings as sun protection for people lining up to see the Acropolis’ 5th century B.C. temples. Mendoni said those steps would be repeated if necessary.

Face of 45,000-Year-Old Woman Reconstructed

Face of 45,000-Year-Old Modern Human Woman Reconstructed
Graphics experts reconstructed the face of a 45,000-year-old dead woman. Credit: Cicero Moraes / CC BY 4.0

Back in 1950, archaeologists found a skull cut in half, buried deep in a cave in the Czech Republic. Initially, they believed it belonged to two different people.

Years later, however, when scientists analyzed the skull’s genes, they realized it actually belonged to a single person—a woman who lived 45,000 years ago, reported Live Science.

Scientists named her “Zlatý kůň woman,” meaning “golden horse” in Czech, as a tribute to a hill near the cave.

When they further studied her DNA, they found out that about three percent of her genes originated from Neanderthals.

This suggests she belonged to a group of early humans who probably interbred with Neanderthals. Moreover, her genome holds the record as the oldest one ever sequenced from a modern human.

Face reconstruction of 45,000-year-old modern human

Face of 45,000-Year-Old Modern Human Woman Reconstructed
The front side of a roughly 45,000-year-old dead woman’s face. Credit: Cicero Moraes / CC BY 4.0

Although scientists have gathered much information about the woman’s genes, there’s still limited knowledge about her physical appearance.

However, a recent online paper published on July 18th describes a new way to determine what she might have looked like. Scientists used facial approximation to give us some insight into her possible appearance.

To create an image of the woman’s face, experts relied on data from various computed tomography (CT) scans of her skull available in an online database.

However, much like archaeologists who discovered her remains over seventy years ago, scientists have again discovered missing cranial parts. A significant portion of the left side of her face is missing.

Cícero Moraes, one of the researchers involved in the study, revealed something quite interesting about the skull. That is, after the woman’s death, it seems that an animal gnawed on it.

The animal could have been either a wolf or a hyena, both of which existed in the area during the specified time period.

Digitally creating missing parts of a woman’s skull

To fill in the gaps, Moraes and his team relied on statistical data from a previous reconstruction of the skull completed by researchers in 2018.

Additionally, they referred to two CT scans—one of a woman and another of a man—to help them digitally recreate the missing parts of the woman’s face.

Moraes mentioned that the strength and solidity of the facial structure, particularly the lower jaw, were the most striking features.

When archaeologists originally discovered the skull, they initially believed it belonged to a man. It’s not hard to see why. The skull contains traits, such as a notably sturdy and robust jaw, closely resembling those of present-day males.

‘Reclaim the Beach’ Movement Gathers Pace in Greece

“We defend the right of the citizens and visitors to have free access to the beaches we love.” Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

Government and judicial authorities in Greece responded to the growing movement for free access to the beaches which in many cases have been taken over by beach bars and other businesses renting out seaside chaise lounges and umbrellas.

Finance Minister Costis Hadzidakis issued a statement saying breaches of the law will not be tolerated. “I have given instructions … for inspections to be stepped up,” he said.

The government “will not exempt anyone” from inspections to ensure that beach bars and related food facilities are following regulations and not blocking the public’s free access at any beach, he added.

Public access to the beaches of Greece for free is protected by the Greek constitution, he noted.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court prosecutor Georgia Adeilini launched an investigation into the issue.

Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

Reclaim the Beach movement started on Paros, Greece

The campaign started on the Aegean island of Paros last month.

Hundreds of Paros residents gathered at the popular Santa Maria beach to protest against the uncontrolled spread of privately run loungers and umbrellas on the beaches. They demanded space to put down their towels.

A few days later, the campaign succeeded. The privately run loungers and umbrellas were removed from half of the beach.

The protests that spread to the islands of Naxos and Serifos were dubbed the “beach towel revolt,” referring to the items beachgoers brought with them to sit on before the spread of rented chairs. However, campaigners dismiss that the movement is simply about towels.

“We are united by the concern for the shrinking of public space and our displacement from the beaches of our country,” the Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches says.

“We are concerned about the lawlessness on the beaches of Paros by companies that exploit parts of the beaches and arbitrarily occupy the common space with deckchairs and umbrellas, far beyond the limits provided by the concession contracts they have signed.

“We defend the right of the citizens and visitors of our island to have free access to the beaches we love. The Greek summer is part of our soul, it is part of our identity: let’s not let anyone take it away from us,” the Movement says.

Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

Private beaches are illegal in Greece, where the constitution stipulates that all coastal strips are state property with guaranteed public access.

However, rocketing numbers of vacationers in the tourism-reliant country have driven up demand for beaches offering sun loungers, shelters, refreshments, snacks and — all too often — loud music.

Local authorities lease limited sections of beaches to entrepreneurs who bring in the amenities during the summer months and in some cases charge customers more than 100 euros ($109) for an umbrella and a pair of chaise lounges.

On many Greek islands, it’s now difficult to find a beach without the rentals during the height of the summer tourist season.

Protesters say that some entrepreneurs often far exceed the scope of their leases, taking up entire beaches with their wares and sometimes banning non-paying visitors from setting up on their turf.

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