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“Looking back, I realized I had never burped in my entire life,” says Isabelle Zeidner, a 23-year-old Columbia social work grad student who lives in New York City. “I noticed it more as I got older. Whenever I ate or drank, I could never release any air. Instead, my throat would make a loud gurgling sound.”

Most people take burping for granted, but for those with a condition called retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD), also known as “no-burp syndrome,” it’s physically impossible. Some people have a muscle in the throat that fails to relax, causing excess air to be trapped in the esophagus. Pressure in the chest can increase, and those living with the condition may also experience bloating and unusual gurgling sounds.

Until recently, RCPD wasn’t even on most doctors’ radar. The condition isn’t new, but it wasn’t officially recognized — or even named — until 2019. A community of more than 30,000 users with the same puzzling symptoms found each other on Reddit, and when Zeidner discovered the forum, she realized she wasn’t alone and that there might finally be a medical explanation for her symptoms.

With this new perspective, Zeidner developed a strong suspicion that she had RCPD. Still, it wasn’t until she met Seth Kaplan, MD, director of the Center for Voice, Airway and Swallowing at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill Hospital, that she gained certainty: Dr. Kaplan could not only definitively diagnose her RCPD, but he could provide a treatment that would bring Zeidner long-lasting relief.

As the medical field gains more insight into RCPD, experts like Dr. Kaplan are diagnosing the condition with growing frequency. To understand why symptoms like Zeidner’s occur, how no-burp syndrome is diagnosed and what treatment looks like, it helps to learn more about RCPD itself.

What is RCPD?

RCPD occurs when a small muscle in the throat called the cricopharyngeus doesn’t relax properly.

“The cricopharyngeus muscle acts as a gateway between the throat and esophagus, opening and closing as we swallow to let food or drink pass down to the stomach,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “But for those with RCPD, this muscle remains tightly closed when air tries to escape, trapping pressure in the stomach and chest.”

Also known as the upper esophageal sphincter, the cricopharyngeus hugs the top of the esophagus and only relaxes briefly to allow food, liquids or trapped air through. Each time you swallow, small amounts of air travel down the esophagus along with food and drink. When enough air accumulates in the stomach, the cricopharyngeus normally relaxes to release it upward, a natural process we recognize as a burp.

While the exact cause of cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction isn’t fully understood, researchers suspect it may

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing workplace safety management. Its innovative methods and technologies aim to improve productivity, prevent workplace accidents and enhance safety measures.

In this informative guide, Hazmat School details the role of AI in safety, its impact on hazardous material (hazmat) management and the future of AI in workplace safety.

What Is the Role of AI in Safety Management?

AI technology covers various aspects, from real-time monitoring to wearable devices, to ensure compliance and best practices in safety management. Especially in industries that handle hazardous materials, AI can be a productive tool. Below is an overview of how AI technology shapes workplace safety measures:

Hazmat School

Assesses Safety Measures

A key responsibility of AI technology is analyzing previous data to recognize patterns of safety concerns. AI has the powerful capability to analyze data quickly and efficiently. This allows safety managers to implement preventive measures and schedule maintenance before system or equipment failures occur.

Performs Real-Time Analysis

Continuous monitoring of safety measures in workplaces through AI Internet of Things (IOT) devices, sensors and video surveillance allows safety managers to take instant action. For example, supervisors and managers can pinpoint the safety measures that are working and identify areas for improvement. Real-time data is accessible as easy-to-read forecasts.

Helps Manage Administration

To save time and effort on administrative tasks, AI takes over this responsibility, allowing workers to focus on more practical projects. The automation of AI technology examines the overall safety of a workplace and highlights problem areas by analyzing images and video footage, such as CCTV.

Monitors Worker Safety

AI-wearable technology can monitor worker safety and ensure that safety regulations are in place. It tracks the health and safety of workers, checking fatigue levels, posture and body temperature. From smartwatches to exoskeletons and AI rings, safety is measurable across various devices.

Supports Human Decision-Making

AI works wonders across the board for workplace safety. Because AI is a practical tool for enhancing safety measures, it is a valuable Read more

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Between gifts, travel, parties, and hosting events, the holiday season is often hard on your wallet and your health goals. Holiday baking is no exception. With grocery prices up by more than 6 percent since 2022, baking is more expensive than just a few years ago.

On the health front, research shows that body weight increases by an average of 1.35 percent during the holiday season. To help bolster your health and finances this year, consider a few simple ingredient swaps to help up the nutritional content and lower the cost of your recipes.

To help you determine whether baking is more or less affordable in your city than in others, Hers analyzed price data on five key baking ingredients in 50 metropolitan areas across the U.S. Additionally, Hers outlined health considerations for each of the individual ingredients and suggested alternatives that could boost the nutritional value of your favorite treats, regardless of where you live.

Key Findings

• Cities in Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma had the lowest overall baking ingredient prices.
• Honolulu had the highest prices for both milk and eggs, while New York had the highest prices for cooking oil and margarine.
• Cooking oil prices varied more than all other ingredients: In Oklahoma City, Buffalo, and San Jose, cooking oil was $7.74 for a 15.5- to 18-ounce bottle, while in New York, the same product cost $11.55.

Average Cost of Baking Ingredients by City: Cheapest to Most Expensive

1. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: $22.37
2. San Antonio, Texas: $22.69
3. Kansas City, Kansas: $22.89
4. Tulsa, Oklahoma: $23.36
5. Austin, Texas: $23.40
6. Rochester, New York: $23.69
7. Buffalo, New York: $23.78
8. Salt Lake City, Utah: $23.97
9. Omaha, Nebraska: $24.08
10. Birmingham, Alabama: $24.15
11. San Jose, California: $24.25
12. Houston, Texas: $24.26
13. Dallas, Texas: $24.52
14. Sacramento, California: $24.61
15. Indianapolis, Indiana: $25.12
16. Richmond, Virginia: $25.19
17. Phoenix, Arizona: $25.20
18. Orlando, Florida: $25.20
19. Nashville, Tennessee: $25.22
20. Columbus, Ohio: $25.29
21. Memphis, Tennessee: $25.37
22. St. Louis, Missouri: $25.40
23. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: $25.44
24. Atlanta, Georgia: $25.48
25. Las Vegas, Nevada: $25.52
26. Detroit, Michigan: $25.62
27. Denver, Colorado: $25.62
28. Cincinnati, Ohio: $25.93
29. Boston, Massachusetts: $26.28
30. Louisville, Kentucky: $26.30
31. Tampa, Florida: $26.44
32. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: $26.44
33. Raleigh, North Carolina: $26.45
34. Cleveland, Ohio: $26.74
35. Baltimore, Maryland: $26.76
36. Los Angeles, California: $26.79
37. Jacksonville, Florida: $26.80
38. San Francisco, California: $26.87
39. Chicago, Illinois: $27.01
40. Miami, Florida: $27.18
41. Seattle, Washington: $27.45
42. Minneapolis, Minnesota: $27.63

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In the past, the auto insurance industry was all about paperwork and drawn-out processes. But now, things are changing fast thanks to technology. At the heart of this transformation is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of large language models (LLM) for processing claims. By 2026, the way we handle auto insurance claims will be nearly unrecognizable, thanks to advancements in machine learning, computer vision, and predictive analytics. For everyday drivers, this technological shift promises quicker and more efficient service, but it also brings up important concerns about data privacy and the fairness of algorithms.

Cheap Insurance dives into what this major shift means for auto insurance policyholders as we approach 2026. It examines the advantages, potential pitfalls, and the proactive steps drivers can take to successfully navigate this evolving landscape of smart auto insurance.

The New Era of ’Touchless’ Claims

One of the biggest and most noticeable changes for drivers is the shift toward “touchless” claims processing. This means that the entire claims process, from the first notice of loss (FNOL) all the way to the final payment, is handled with very little human involvement. This shift is really transforming the kind of service your auto insurer offers.

Speed and Efficiency: A Game-Changer

In the past, filing an auto claim meant waiting for an adjuster, scheduling an inspection, and enduring a claims cycle that could drag on for weeks. AI changes this timeline dramatically.

• Instant damage assessment: Image recognition software, using AI-powered computer vision, analyzes photos or videos of vehicle damage that the driver has uploaded through a mobile app in near-real time. This technology quickly estimates the repair costs and total-loss potential, reducing on-site inspection delays significantly, and helping your insurer make rapid initial decisions.
• Rapid payouts: For minor, clear-cut accidents (like a broken windshield or a small dent), the entire claim can be triaged, approved, and paid out within minutes or hours, not days. This reduction in the claim cycle time is the single biggest advantage for policyholders, drastically improving the overall customer experience and reducing the stress associated with an accident.
• 24/7 Support: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, often utilizing LLMs, provide immediate, 24/7 customer service. They guide drivers through the FNOL process, answer policy questions, and provide status updates, meaning help is available anytime, anywhere, reducing frustration and hold times with your auto insurer.

Fairer Auto Insurance Pricing Through Better Risk Assessment

AI’s impact extends beyond claims to how your car insurance policy is priced. Insurers are increasingly using AI to analyze vast datasets, including telematics data from i

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Financial gifts for first-time homebuyers are becoming more common. With affordability challenges rising and savings stretched thin, A sizable share of Gen Z and Millennial buyers now rely on family assistance or other pooled contributions to assemble a down payment.

As the December holidays approach, first-time Millennial buyers are adding “down payments” to their wishlists. For many parents, grandparents, and other extended family and friends, helping a young buyer build equity is more meaningful than traditional holiday gifts.

NewHomeSource, a new home listings site with customer reviews, examines how financial gifts are helping younger buyers afford down payments.

Cash is Replacing Traditional Gifts

Gift-giving norms are shifting from acquiring goods to building wealth. For Millennials and young buyers, equity is the new luxury. Group gifting is growing as well, with families pooling contributions for large financial goals, including new home down payments.

Long-term financial stability seems to be the name of the game here; Millennials are focused on building their equity, rather than acquiring individual goods, and their families are supporting this goal.

The Federal Reserve’s report on financial stability echoes this shift, indicating the financial headwinds younger households face as they work to enter the housing market.

How to Use Gifted Funds for a Down Payment

Gift funds are subject to documentation requirements. Conventional, FHA, and VA loans all require proof that any gifted funds are genuine gifts, not informal loans that could affect underwriting.

Lenders typically ask for:

• A gift letter stating that the money doesn’t need to be repaid
• Documentation of the donor’s ability to give the funds (varies by loan type)
• Verification of transfer, such as a bank statement or wire receipt

If you plan to use a gift, notify your lender early so they can tell you exactly what documentation your loan requires.

How New Construction Can Help Stretch Gift Funds Further

Among its other advantages, new construction can also help buyers stretch their gift funds even further. Many builders offer closing-cost credits, rate buydowns, and upgrade incentives or other promotions that can reduce upfront cash needs or improve monthly affordability.

New homes also come with fewer immediate repairs, an advantage for buyers whose reserves may be slim after assembling a down payment from multiple sources. With lower repair and maintenance costs, buyers can rebuild savings in the months — and years — after move-in.

The Holiday Shift

The holiday season can reinforce the shift in trad