Science

Science

The M word

The ageing effects of the menopause

Referred to as “the change”, “ovarian retirement”, “reverse puberty” and many other slightly derogatory terms, menopause is clinically defined as the time of life when a woman’s ovaries reduce hormone production and menstrual periods stop for at least a year. In this article, Dr Alba Pereira MD, a GP and menopause specialist working at Imperial College London, focuses on its physical effects and how to slow them down.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. Symptoms can be numerous and varied. Some of them, such as mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, weight gain and low libido are well known. But others, such as forgetfulness, thinning and itching skin, loss of muscle tissue, joint aches and hair loss – not so much. The reasons for such diversity are unclear; however, we know they are related to factors including ethnicity, socioeconomic status, diet, exercise and smoking.

The symptoms caused by the decrease of hormonal levels associated with the menopause can make a woman feel unable to cope. It is important to speak…

Science

Antikythera

The real celestial mechanics behind the dial of destiny

Until Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was released a couple of weeks ago, only a bunch of nerds in the world knew of the Antikythera, an Ancient Greek orrery used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. In this article, our watch editor, Dr Andrew Hildreth, investigates the history of this […]

Science

Far Above The World

The International Space Station (ISS) turns 25

When Russia launched the first module of the International Space Station (ISS), Zarya, on November 20th, 1998, it was the beginning of a new space age. The unit provided the first basic systems for the nascent orbital platform. Two weeks later, NASA launched Unity, aboard Space Shuttle flight STS-88, and attached it to Zarya using […]

Science

When Doctors Get It Wrong

Stories of Medical Confusion

We all trust in doctors to diagnose whatever is wrong with us when we feel ill. After years of training, perhaps some form of specialisation, we have confidence that a doctor will be able to pinpoint the cause of the ailment and prescribe a way to fix it. Understandably, as there might be a miscommunication […]

Science

Can a leopard change its Spots?

A study of hyperpigmentation and the most effective treatments

Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of patches of skin due the production of excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It can affect anyone, but it is more common on darker-skin types, as they already have a higher melanin content. Burns, bruises, acne, rashes, or other trauma can cause the production of more melanin […]

Business, Science

Space Junk Odyssey

Omega joins forces with Privateer for a new orbital space technology platform.

The Privateer mission was bound to happen, it was only a matter of time. Founded in 2021 by ex-NASA and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Alex Fielding and Steve Wozniak (the latter also known as “Woz” for being considered a wizard of the tech sector), and Dr Moriba Jah, an astrophysicist and academic, Privateer is looking at […]

Lifestyle, Science

Forte-fying

A New Age of Skincare

I-M Magazine’s Shelley Campbell was recently invited to Sicily to learn more about the Irene Forte Skincare range. First stop was the Rocco Forte Verdura Resort, which comprises 230 hectares of sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline, countryside, golf and spa, and this is where I first met the delightfully engaging and passionate Irene Forte. An Oxford graduate, […]

Science

There Is No Gain In Pain

One woman’s quest for the good of many

With the UK’s CBD market doubling in two years and projected to be worth almost 800 million by 2025, it is an exciting time for the hemp industry. But CBD is still woefully misunderstood and badly regulated, stunting the economic, environmental and health benefits that the industry could reap. Cue activist and entrepreneur Jade Proudman […]

Science, Travel

Ground Control To Traveller Tom

Space travel breaks the champagne barrier

Last year we finally sent “tourists” to space. First, it was Sir Richard Branson with Virgin Galactic, who managed to get to the boundary of space (80km up) and then Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin went even further, to the Kármán line (above 100 kilometres), where astronauts get their wings. We are seeing the first steps […]

Lifestyle, Science

Food For Thought

Balancing Changing Hormones

From growth and development to sleep patterns, metabolism, mood, and even reproduction, hormones play a key role in how your body looks, feels and functions throughout your lifetime. In fact, while you may already know that hormones fluctuate throughout the day and month for both men and women, many people are surprised to learn that […]

Lifestyle, Science

Freezing Fabulous!

The cryotherapy revolution

Cryotherapy is the use of low temperatures in medical therapy. It is applied to treat a variety of conditions, most commonly to relieve muscle pain, sprains and swelling after soft tissue damage or surgery. For decades, it has been employed to accelerate recovery in athletes post exercise but in the last few years, it is […]

Science

Floating In A Tin Can

Astronaut Dr Edward Gibson reflects on the future of space exploration.

Edward Gibson was the last man out of Skylab. After 84 days orbiting planet Earth, floating inside the space station (at the time a record duration flight) he closed the hatch, entered the capsule with his crew mates and headed back home. There was no ceremony, no parting goodbye ritual; as far as Gibson and […]

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