First Treatment for Alopecia to Hit the Market Soon

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes mild to extreme hair loss. Individuals suffering from alopecia finally have reason to celebrate, as the United Stated Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the very first alopecia treatment drug.

Ritlecitinib, also known as Litfulo, is approved for people aged 12 and above. In a clinical trial run by Yale University, approximately 30% of participants taking Litfulo saw significant hair regrowth. Associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Brett King, called the development of Litfulo a “huge advancement” and “nothing short of transformative.”

As the treatment becomes available to the public, patients will certainly notice the high cost of this new drug. Manufactured by Pfizer, the list price of a one-year supply of Litfulo is close to $50,000, but the actual cost will depend of the insurance held by individual patients. A spokesperson from the pharmaceutical company said, “We are committed to helping patients access the treatments they need… There will be copay savings for commercially insured patients and a patient assistance program for eligible patients to help achieve this”.

This Summer, Consider a “Walk and Talk”

As we head into summer, consider scheduling a “walk and talk” to connect with a partner or close friend. Research shows that talking to someone while walking side-by-side lends itself to less eye contact. This reduces the stress in a conversation. According to couple’s therapist, Esther Perel, “When walking next to someone, a conversation becomes parallel play.” The dynamic is that both people are, “looking ahead yet connected by the exchange.”

Furthermore, walking makes it nearly impossible to persistently check our phones. Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters,” says that walks lend themselves to more natural silence. Some of the greatest conversations follow a period of silence. She adds that silence can be its own form of intimacy for a couple.

While these walks should feel pressure-free, they can be maximized by considering a topic ahead of time. Some ideas include raising a struggle or discussing a memory. Another option that Perel offers to make walks more fun is to think of a prompt, for example:

  • If my younger self could see me today, they would say…
  • A trip that changed my life was…
  • What’s a promise you wish you hadn’t broken?

A creative alternative posited by Parker is choosing a previously-unexplored area for a “wander walk.” The unfamiliarity of the surroundings encourages conversation topics that would not arise during a regular routine.

Embrace these positives and the beautiful weather, and schedule your walk and talk!

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Open this Week

The first Sea World outside of North America will open on Yas Island on May 23, 2023. Sea World Abu Dhabi is a five-floor wonderland whose eight realms boast 100,00 animals, 15 rides and experiences, 18 dining options, and 13 shopping areas.

Sea World Abu Dhabi aims to offer an unparalleled entertainment experience while simultaneously educating visitors about conservation and ecology.

The eight realms of Sea World Abu Dhabi are: One Ocean, MicroOcean, Rocky Point, Artic, Antarctica, Endless Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, and Tropical Ocean. Each realm contains its own themed restaurants and cafes. The theme park uses advanced technology to recreate the natural habitats of the wildlife, controlling water currents, light conditions, and wave movement.

Other attractions on Yas Island include Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers World, and the Emirates Park Zoo.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, the development company which built Sea World Abu Dhabi, said: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi represents the next generation of theme parks, joining the world-class experiences on Yas Island, further positioning it as a top global destination, contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision.

“The Park will also play a key role in promoting environmental awareness and protecting marine life in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region, undoubtedly inspiring guests to care for and protect our precious marine life for years to come.”

Buddy Holly Wins Best of Show

The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held on May 8th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. This year, the grand prize was won by a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a breed of dog that that has never before been crowned the winner. Buddy Holly, a six-year-old male from California, beat 3,000 dogs from 210 breeds to take first place in this prestigious contest.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, or PBGV’s were bred to track hares in the region of Vendee in western France.

At the dog show, contestants are first separated into breeds. The winners of each breed are further divided into groups, such as hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working, and terrier. Buddy Holly is considered a hound. The dogs are examined by a group of judges who touch the animals and watch them as their handlers lead them around the arena. Dogs are graded on appearance, temperament, size, coat, and other characteristics.

Buddy Holly’s handler, Janice Hayes, was very excited about the win, even though it does not come with a cash prize. “I never thought PBGV would do this. Buddy Holly is the epitome of the dog show.”

Despite “Engagement Gap,” Signet Jewelers President is Hopeful for Rebound

Top U.S. retailers report that engagement ring and wedding dress sales have not rebounded since the pandemic. The beginning of the lockdowns in the early spring of 2020 led to an “engagement gap,” according to Signet Jewelers, the largest jewelry company in the United States. Signet reports that engagement ring sales were down in 2023 and are projected to remain low in 2024. As another indication of lower engagement and marriage rates, David’s Bridal, the largest wedding dress retailer, recently declared bankruptcy.

According to president and chief consumer officer of Signet, Jamie Singleton, the average couple in the United States dates for 3.25 years before getting engaged. Thus, the company needs the number of engagements to grow by 25% by the year 2026 in order to return to pre-Covid sales.

Singleton, though, is hopeful that numbers will trend upward in the coming years, quoting the statistic that dating is back up 8% to pre-Covid levels.

An Opera a Day Keeps the Blues Away

In case you ever needed an excuse to go to that concert, play or art installation – you’ve now got it! Dr. Dacher Keltner, the co-founder and director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center explains that the power of awe has long-lasting and far-reaching consequences. Whether music, drama, nature, religion or art gives you that feeling of awe – the awe itself can be transformative.

How does awe help us? Research has shown that having a sense of awe can improve positive social behavior because it makes people feel that they are part of something larger than themselves. Awe can help us to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also be associated with creativity and curiosity.

The good news, for those who can’t afford to go to expensive venues to pursue wonder and awe, is that Keltner explains that awe can be cultivated in many ways. As he explains, “I think one of the promises of our digital lives is (having access to) more aesthetic awe, and getting you to artists that you wouldn’t ordinarily find in a museum.” Slowing down, taking a walk outside, putting your phone down and relaxing are all ways to try to bring more awe into your life.