UBCNews

Key Takeaways Excision surgery removes endometriosis lesions at their roots, while ablation only burns or lasers the visible surface, often leaving disease behind Reoperation rates after excision at experienced centers are generally reported between 5% and 20% over comparable follow-up periods, though recurrence across the broader literature ranges from roughly 10% up to well beyond that figure in some studies Ablation of deeper disease has been linked to recurrence rates starting around 40% within two years, with overall reported recurrence after ablation climbing substantially higher across the broader literature Excision is currently the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis because it provides tissue for pathology review Robotic excision technology , including 3-D vision and wristed instruments, plays a growing role in treating complex or deeply invasive disease Deciding how to treat endometriosis surgically can feel overwhelming, especially when two procedures sound simi...

Key Takeaways Fall gives Texas lawns cooler soil, steadier weather, and less competition for contractor time, which together make it the smartest season for irrigation system installation. Softer, moisture-rich fall soil lets trenching go faster and helps new sprinkler lines settle into place with less disruption to the yard. Lawns irrigated through the fall build stronger root systems before winter dormancy, setting up faster, greener growth once spring arrives. Installation costs depend heavily on yard size and system complexity, so getting quotes early in the off-season can open the door to better scheduling and pricing. Texas lawns take a real beating every summer. Long stretches without rain, punishing heat, and thirsty warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Buffalo grass can leave a yard looking tired by the time September rolls around. That's exactly why the cooler months ahead matter so much for anyone thinking about a new irrigation system. Fall's Hidden Advantage for Sp...

Key Takeaways Selling an HVAC or plumbing business is a 12- to 18-month process when factoring in necessary preparation time. The five key stages of a sale are preparation, valuation, buyer outreach, due diligence, and closing. Owners can shorten the timeline by preparing their business for sale at least a year in advance. Selling directly to a strategic operator-buyer can remove months from the typical broker-led marketing process. A business's financial health and low owner dependency are factors that can speed up or slow down a sale. For many HVAC and plumbing business owners, the thought of selling is a distant goal. But when the time comes, the most common question is: how long will it actually take? The answer is often longer than expected. Selling a privately held service business is a marathon, not a sprint, with a realistic timeline running between 12 and 18 months from the initial preparation to the final closing. This timeline reflects the multiple stages required to suc...

Key Takeaways Grabie watercolor sets suit beginners and hobbyists with vibrant color payoff and easy blending, though the pigments fall short of the purity and lightfastness professional-grade paints require The 100-color set with brush typically lists around $49.99, with pocket and 50-color sets costing less and the 168-color set costing more Reviewers praise the color range and value but flag muddy mixing at heavy saturation, weaker extras, and missing lightfastness data Painters ready to step up from beginner sets can look toward Sakura Koi for portability or Paul Rubens for artist-grade pigment purity Tobio's Watercolor Kit provides a complete, portable alternative for beginners who want everything bundled into one box Picking a first watercolor set can feel overwhelming, especially with dozens of brands promising the same thing: vibrant colors, easy blending, and a beginner-friendly price. Grabie has become one of the more talked-about names in that space, showing up on Amazo...

Key Takeaways Heart rate variability reflects how well the nervous system adapts to stress and returns to a resting state, rather than a simple fitness score. Cumulative stress from poor sleep, overtraining, and daily strain can quietly lower HRV even when no single event feels extreme. Slow breathing, moderate movement, consistent sleep timing, and lower sensory load are natural starting points for supporting HRV. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation has been linked to measurable short-term and longer-term shifts in vagus nerve activity. Building HRV over time depends on repeated, consistent input rather than a single quick fix, and a workable daily routine can combine several of these supports. Heart rate variability, or HRV, measures the natural variation in time between heartbeats. It sounds like a small detail, but it says a lot about how well the nervous system copes with sleep, stress, movement, and recovery. Anyone searching for how to improve heart rate variability is usually ask...

LOS ANGELES — No Matter What Recovery, a dual-diagnosis substance use and mental health treatment program with a strong focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, has established a free weekly online support group for individuals struggling with chemsex and sexualized drug use. The recovery-focused meetings will be led by Mell McCracken (they/them), No Matter What Recovery’s National Director of Chemsex and LGBTQ+ Programs and an internationally recognized educator and treatment provider specializing in sexualized drug use. The meetings will be held Wednesdays at 4pm PST, 6pm CST, and are free and open to the public. Here is more information on how to log on via Zoom. Chemsex refers to the intentional use of drugs in connection with sexual activity, often involving substances such as methamphetamine and GHB/GBL. In recent years, chemsex and sexualized drug use have emerged as significant behavioral and public health concerns, particularly among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (...