Reported 8 months ago
Lindy, a woman who froze her eggs when she turned 34, shared her experience of the physically demanding process, highlighting the importance of preserving healthy eggs and the financial burden. Other single women in their thirties, such as a tutoring industry worker and a finance industry professional, also chose to freeze their eggs due to various reasons, ranging from health concerns to not finding suitable partners. While some cities offer subsidies for egg freezing, these women hope for more government assistance to alleviate the high costs of the procedure.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
The trend of delayed marriage and childbirth in Taiwan has become a national security crisis, prompting Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, and Miaoli County to offer oocyte cryopreservation subsidies. However, the numbers of applicants have been low with just over 500 people applying in Taoyuan and Hsinchu City within a year, and Miaoli County having only three applicants. Factors such as the cost of the procedure and limited regulations on assisted reproduction methods have impacted the willingness of applicants. Suggestions from medical experts include increasing subsidies and expanding the scope to include single women and same-sex couples for a wider adoption of fertility technologies.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
A 50-year-old woman suddenly gained 10 kilograms and experienced high cholesterol levels and anxiety within a few months, indicating the onset of menopause as ovarian function declines, leading to weight gain and hormonal imbalances. Common menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and urinary tract infections. It is advised to adjust diet and lifestyle by consuming calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium-rich foods, opting for plant-based hormones like soy isoflavones, ensuring proper dosage to avoid complications, and engaging in regular sleep patterns, moderate exercise, and stress management techniques to maintain hormonal balance and overall well-being.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Dr. Liu Chung-Yu, a breast surgeon at Juan General Hospital, recalls the tragic experience of her mother's sudden passing due to blood cancer, emphasizing the equal vulnerability of everyone in the face of illness. Dr. Liu, known from the Taiwanese drama 'A Furious Female Surgeon in the Village,' points out the self-blame and helplessness that medical professionals may experience when their loved ones fall ill. Reflecting on the importance of early medical check-ups, Dr. Liu highlights the crucial role of clear communication between doctors and patients in facing illness and making treatment decisions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In the first dengue fever cluster outbreak since summer began, there have been 2 confirmed cases in Fengshan District, Kaohsiung, prompting intensified measures by the local government and health authorities. The weather conditions have been conducive to the breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes, emphasizing the importance of eliminating breeding sources to prevent dengue fever. Additionally, Tainan and Kaohsiung are stepping up collaboration to strengthen epidemic prevention efforts within their shared living area. As of June 17th, there have been a total of 166 indigenous dengue fever cases in Taiwan this year, with the majority in Kaohsiung, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate the spread of the disease.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Reporters Liu Yixuan and Li Chengyin/New Taipei reported on June 18, 2024, at 6:39 pm that the Shilin Ma La Hotpot shop at the Yulong City new store was suspected of a food poisoning incident where 2 people experienced vomiting and diarrhea. Due to a previous report of 2 people suspected of food poisoning on April 9, the New Taipei Health Bureau has now required the shop to shut down. The shop has responded by refunding the fees for that day and compensating customers. After receiving a new report of suspected food poisoning from the Taipei City Health Bureau, the New Taipei Health Bureau inspected the shop for violations and conducted inspections on food items, warning of fines if standards were not met. This marks the second reported incident within a year, requiring the shop to close until improvements are made and verified by health authorities for reoperation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Trimming toenails too short can increase the risk of ingrown nails and curled nails, possibly leading to chronic paronychia and even cellulitis. Dr. Tsai Chang-yu, chief dermatologist at Shu-Tien Clinic, advises cutting toenails straight across to prevent them from becoming triangular or curved. Improper trimming may cause nails to grow back curved, potentially leading to severe nail conditions. It is recommended to adopt good nail care habits to avoid nail issues.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Since 2011, the Tourism Bureau has been promoting the certification system for hospitality bed and breakfasts in Taiwan. As of March, out of approximately 10,717 legal B&Bs in Taiwan, 1,587 have received the certification, with a selection rate of about 14.8%. Following a recent incident of a B&B operator installing spy cameras to secretly film guests, operators suggest strengthening penalties and reinstating secret shopper inspections. The top counties with the most legal B&Bs are Taitung County with 210, followed by Yilan County with 209, Hualien County with 187, Pingtung County with 168, and Kinmen County with 165. Certified B&Bs go through training, registration, and expert evaluations to meet the standards for the hospitality B&B certification, which is valid for 3 years. The Taiwan Hospitality B&B Association emphasized 6 key criteria for selecting quality B&Bs: cleanliness, hygiene, safety, friendliness, kindness, and manners. They suggested that past assessments focused mainly on hardware facilities, making it difficult to assess the operators' integrity in just 1-2 hours of discussion. Although this recent incident cannot solely be attributed to the evaluation system, it is recommended to strengthen penalties and reinstate secret shopper inspections. The Tourism Bureau mentioned that the certification for hospitality B&Bs tends to be promotional and that every 3 years, 2 inspection committee members will be sent to conduct spot checks on B&B operators.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center spokesperson, Tseng Shu-hui, highlighted the latest trends in the COVID-19 pandemic and future projections. During the sixth wave of Omicron outbreak, there was a significant increase in severe cases with 623 new confirmed cases requiring hospitalization last week, compared to 329 the week before, along with a rise in deaths from 20 to 38. Tseng mentioned the dominance of the JN.1 variant and its derivatives, such as KP.2 and KP.3, urging the public to quickly get vaccinated as the XBB vaccine coverage remains low at 11%. Research by the WHO and CDC has confirmed the immune evasive nature of these strains, increasing the overall community transmission risk. Despite this, the severity of the illness post-infection has not shown significant differences. The need for heightened vigilance, especially against the more transmissible 'KP virus,' was emphasized, alongside the reminder that XBB vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe outcomes or death post-infection. Data showed a notable increase in elderly individuals testing positive, leading to a 20-30% rise in hospitalization rates for these groups.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In order to survive, many medical institutions see self-pay medical devices as a cash cow, but prices for the same device vary among hospitals. To address this, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare is planning to trial a 'self-pay medical device approval and pricing platform' by the end of the year. The platform aims to simplify administrative procedures, accelerate review and pricing processes, and narrow the price gaps between counties and hospitals, preventing patients from being overcharged. Discrepancies in self-pay medical device prices across hospitals are evident, with examples like knee joint implants and cardiac rhythm devices showing significant price variations. The platform seeks to streamline the approval process and make pricing information transparent for the public, ultimately minimizing price gaps between counties and hospitals.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Insurance companies in Taiwan are warned by the Financial Supervisory Commission to avoid unfair treatment towards disabled individuals applying for insurance, as they may face penalties. The Deputy Director of the Insurance Bureau, Lin Chih-Hsien, stated that disabled individuals encountering rejection during insurance applications can file complaints through three channels: contacting the FSC hotline, reaching out to the Insurance Association for Disabled Individuals, or directly addressing the insurance company's customer service. The FSC has fined a total of 12 cases in 2021 and 2022 for unfair treatment towards disabled insurance applicants, with fines totaling NT$720,000 per case.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 18, 2024, the Financial Supervisory Commission announced that by the end of this year, 39 domestic investment trusts and investment consulting firms in Taiwan will be able to expand the introduction of 'alternative funds' issued by foreign companies (such as gold or real estate investments) for sale in Taiwan. This move aims to provide more flexibility for foreign asset management firms to choose sales channels in Taiwan, increase the willingness to introduce diverse products, expand cooperation opportunities for domestic investment firms, and provide more investment channels for investors. The policy, introduced by the new Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission, Peng Chin-Lung, is part of a series of eight regulatory relaxations aimed at promoting innovation in asset management and investment opportunities in Taiwan.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 18, 2024, the Central Bank of Taiwan auctioned 10-year bonds with a successful bid rate of 1.675%, slightly lower than the previous auction in May. Banks showed strong interest in the bonds, with the bid-to-cover ratio reaching over 83%, the highest in a year and a half. The Central Bank recently decided to maintain interest rates but increased selective credit controls in the housing market and raised the reserve requirement for New Taiwan Dollar deposits by 0.25 percentage points. Despite the rise in reserve requirement effective from July 1, the bid rate for the 10-year bonds remained below the previous issuance. This move is seen as part of the Central Bank's monetary policies to manage liquidity effectively.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
In the midst of overseas travel and Mother's Day promotions, the total credit card spending of Taiwan's banks reached a record high of 372.8 billion NT dollars in May 2024, marking a significant increase compared to April, with Chang Hwa Bank taking the top spot in circulating cards, effective cards, and card usage. This strong spending trend is expected to lead to a substantial increase in credit card transaction fees for banks, with the total amount already surpassing 1.78 trillion NT dollars by May and likely to challenge a new record high for the year.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
A female detective assistant surnamed Pan from the Zhubei Police Branch in Hsinchu County was wrongly accused of moonlighting at a skincare shop in Hsinchu City but was cleared of the allegations after a month-long investigation revealed no concrete evidence. However, Pan had someone sign for her attendance, leading to suspicions of document forgery, which resulted in her being referred to the Hsinchu District Prosecutor's Office for investigation. While Pan was cleared of moonlighting, she and the person who signed for her attendance will still be investigated for alleged document forgery.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Zeiss, a German optical technology giant, has established its first innovation center in Taiwan at the Hsinchu Science Park, emphasizing the challenge of competing with TSMC, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel for talents. Despite facing the moniker of 'TSMC being a talent black hole,' Zeiss sees benefits in proximity to TSMC to attract talent and enhance visibility. With a focus on semiconductor market potential in Taiwan, Zeiss plans to invest over 10 billion NTD in the next decade, promoting cooperation and talent exchange between Taiwan and Germany, highlighting the significance of Taiwan in the global semiconductor industry.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Intel is aggressively advancing in optical communication, partnering with companies from both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the pursuit of Silicon Photonics and Co-packaged Optics (CPO) opportunities. Joining forces with Taiwan's Lianmao Factory Lian Ya (3081) and investing in Dongguan Lian Xun Technology under the Red Chain Benchmark Factory, Intel aims to leverage these partnerships for AI and data center expansions. Through collaborations in communication and data centers, Intel's involvement in the optical communication field continues to grow, with the recent addition of Dongguan Lian Xun Technology and its integration with Intel's chips paving the way for enhanced product development capabilities.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
光通訊應用蓬勃發展，生成式AI和AI伺服器在AI模型訓練中需大量運算，共同封裝光學元件（CPO）能節省功耗、降低成本並提高資料傳輸密度。隨著AI應用需求增加，矽光子和CPO成為新興技術，許多科技大廠積極投資開發相關技術，Light Counting預估 CPO 技術將在2027年成為市場主流。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
According to recent reports, with the increasing demand for data transmission driven by AI applications, silicon photonics and Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) have emerged as vital technologies in the industry. Taiwan Semiconductor (2330) and Luxshare (3363) have joined forces to develop photonics and IC connectivity technologies. With Taiwan Semiconductor and Intel each bringing their unique strengths to the table, the competition in the silicon photonics field has intensified. Taiwan Semiconductor is actively advancing in silicon photonics integration technologies to meet the explosive growth in data transmission needs brought about by the AI trend.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 18, 2024, in Perak, Malaysia, members and volunteers of Tzu Chi Medical Association provided health check-ups, medical consultations, cupping, and acupuncture services to 25 care recipients in the community of Kampar, aiming to alleviate their pain, provide spiritual comfort, and listen to their voices. Volunteer Yu Shuxin mentioned that during the cupping process, the physicians also took the opportunity to listen to the care recipients' feelings and guide them on how to express themselves. The care recipients expressed feeling more comfortable and relaxed after receiving the services.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 18, 2024, at 6:35 PM, Tzu Chi USA New Jersey Chapter held its annual scholarship award ceremony. After six months of initial review, reevaluation, home visits, and feedback, a total of 14 students were honored with scholarships, providing them with support for their future learning journey. Scholarship recipient Emilia expressed her gratitude for the financial aid from Tzu Chi, enabling her to participate in more school and extracurricular activities. Across rigorous assessments, 14 students stood out, receiving blessings from Tzu Chi New Jersey Chapter. Brittany, fulfilling her late father's wish, applied for university to major in special education and criminal justice. The significance of receiving this award, especially in completing her degree, was profound for her. A first-time attendee, parent Sherry, witnessed Tzu Chi's environmental conservation principles and was deeply touched by the genuine care and generosity displayed by all involved. More heartwarming Tzu Chi news: Malaysian Community Learning Center empowers youth, Good Morning Tzu Chi│Retired Principal Shifts Gear to Support Refugees and Transform Lives.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
王柏傑昨日酒駕擦撞遊覽車，警方測試酒精濃度為0.44毫克，被控公共危險罪並支付5萬元交保。他走出士林地檢署時親自受訪，表示被刑法處罰的嚴重性嚇到自己，並坦承非常討厭酒駕行為。王柏傑雖聲稱當時未意識到自己仍有酒精成分，但對酒後開車的過失行為深感抱歉，並強調今後不會再喝酒開車。
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Actor Wang Bojie, known for winning Best Actor at the Taipei Film Awards last year, was arrested for drunk driving when his car collided with a tour bus turning into a parking lot. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.44 milligrams, leading to charges of endangering public safety. Wang apologized and stated he wouldn't drink and drive again when questioned by the media, emphasizing this three times. He expressed shock at the level of alcohol still present in his body the next day. Wang emphasized that there was no excuse for his actions and accepted full responsibility for his mistake.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
On June 18, 2024, Taiwanese YouTuber Tsai A-Ga shared a photo of his grandmother in the hospital, expressing his concern and helplessness as she needed observation due to slight illness. His two sons, Tsai Tuo-Gui and Tsai Bo-Neng, accompanied him to visit her, hoping her spirits would lift on hearing their voices. Tsai A-Ga has a strong bond with his grandmother, who had previously recovered from a serious condition in the intensive care unit. Fans have been sending encouraging messages for her swift recovery.
Source: YAHOO
Reported 8 months ago
Hualien County Fire Department faced challenges in extinguishing a fire at Dong Hwa University's chemical laboratory due to the limitations of their foam-type chemical fire trucks. As a result, the county government is aiming to purchase different types of chemical fire trucks to handle water-resistant chemicals, planning to add 5 chemical fire trucks and 2 chemical disaster response vehicles by 2029 to enhance their disaster response capabilities. This move is in response to the unique chemical storage needs in factories, hospitals, and school laboratories within the county.
Source: YAHOO