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The world envies Swiss chocolate, army knives, and now . . . interest rates? Swiss National Bank, Switzerlands central bank, moved interest rates to zero this week, a reduction of 25 basis points, and a notable detraction from other central banks around the world, such as the Federal Reserve in the U.S. and the Bank of England in the U.K. In a statement, the Swiss National Bank said that the move was made in relation to declining inflation worriesand that its expecting the economies to buckle under the volatility created, in part, due to the Trump administrations trade policies. With today’s easing of monetary policy, the SNB is countering the lower inflationary pressure. The SNB will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust its monetary policy if necessary, to ensure that inflation remains within the range consistent with price stability over the medium term, the statement read. The global economic outlook for the coming quarters has deteriorated due to the increase in trade tensions. In its baseline scenario, the SNB anticipates that growth in the global economy will weaken over the coming quarters. Inflation in the U.S. is likely to rise over the coming quarters. In Europe, by contrast, a further decrease in inflationary pressure is to be expected. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Federal Reserves latest meeting wrapped up this week with no change in interest rates, despite pressure from the White House and others to lower them. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed governors have been reluctant to do so, as inflation data still has not gotten close enough to its 2% target, and employment data has remained positive. Across the Atlantic, however, another European country, Norway, also cut rates this week. And some experts think that the Swiss could go even further, instituting negative interest rates at some point this year. There are risks that the SNB will go further in the future if inflationary pressures dont start to increase, and the lowest the policy rate could go is -0.75%, the rate it reached in the 2010s, Swiss National Banks Chairman Martin Schlegel told CNBC on Thursday. But what I can say is that going negative, we would not take this decision lightly.
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An unlikely body byproduct may be able to help doctors diagnose Parkinson’s Disease early. According to a new Chinese study, which was published in Analytical Chemistry, ear canal secretion, or ear wax, contain chemical compounds which can be telltale signs of Parkinson’s. During the study, researchers examined ear canal secretions from 209 people. About half (108 of the participants) had Parkinson’s. In their examinations, scientists were able to identify four volatile organic compounds (VOC) that were notably different in those with the disease. Those compounds, or biomarkers, were ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltoluene, pentanal, and 2-pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane. The scientists then trained an artificial intelligence olfactory (AIO) system on the biomarker data. And once training was complete, the AIO system was able to successfully determine which patients had Parkinson’s and which did not. The system was accurate 94% of the time. Currently, Parkinson’s is a tough disease to diagnose. According to Mayo Clinic, it requires expensive imaging, neurological tests, blood tests, genetic testing, and more. And often, a diagnosis is still often not conclusive. Likewise, treatment is a work-in-progress, with current therapies aimed at slowing progression rather than curing it. Therefore, ear wax testing could be a breakthrough first-step screening tool that’s inexpensive, noninvasive, and accessible. The researchers who worked on the study say the findings are a major step in Parkinson’s early detection, which currently, doesn’t exist, but that more research is needed. This method is a small-scale single-center experiment in China, study coauthor Hao Dong said in a press release.Hoa Dong continued, The next step is to conduct further research at different stages of the disease, in multiple research centers and among multiple ethnic groups, in order to determine whether this method has greater practical application value.
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Not long ago, a client of minelets call her Mayashared something that struck me. I had a rare Sunday with nothing urgent on my plate. My kids were with their grandparents. My inbox was quiet. I could have done anything. Instead of feeling relaxed, I panicked. I literally didnt know what to do with myself. She laughed softly but tears were in her eyes. I realized . . . I dont know how to exist without a task list. If Im not accomplishing something, I feel like I dont matter. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and being an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}} Maya isnt alone. In my coaching work, Ive heard this story many timeswomen who have full, meaningful lives yet feel theyre only as good as what they checked off today. In a culture that rewards output and treats busyness like a badge of honor, its easy to confuse productivity with worth. But what happens when you slow downor are forced to? Who are you without the to-do list, the perfect calendar, and the high performance? This article invites you to pause and honestly examine where your worth may be tied to how much you get done. Its about recognizing patterns that keep you in constant motionand beginning to loosen their grip so your value is rooted in something more lasting. Warning signs you might be outsourcing your self-worth to productivity You dont have to be burned out or in crisis to be stuck in this trap. Often, its invisibleespecially when things seem to be going well. Here are some subtle signs: You feel anxious or restless when youre not actively getting something done. You judge your days success by accomplishments, not feelings. You feel guilty or uncomfortable during downtime. You struggle to enjoy activities unless theyre productive (reading must educate, exercise must burn calories). You only feel good about yourself when exceeding expectationsat work or home. Another client, Elenaa physician and mom of threesaid, I know rationally that Im a good mom and doctor. But the only time I feel that way is when Im accomplishing something measurablepublishing, presenting, finishing charts. Otherwise, I feel like Im failing. Elena wasnt asking to do less. She wanted to feel enough even when she wasnt at full throttle. That distinction matters. Reclaiming your self-worth doesnt mean abandoning ambition. It means building a foundation where your identity isnt tied to output highs and lows. Why this runs so deep Tying worth to productivity isnt a personal flawits shaped by powerful cultural forces. We live in a society that prizes output, where worth is measured by results, not relationships or inner experience. Women are socialized to be competent, accommodating, and endlessly availableto anticipate needs, keep things running, and never drop the ball. Add motherhood, with its endless work and little feedback, and its easy to internalize that your value depends on how much you handle without breaking. The pandemic intensified this. With work, school, and home merging, many working moms became the nerve centermanaging logistics, meals, meetings, and everyones emotions. The doing never stopped. And when people praised our resilience and ability to keep it together, we absorbed the message that being useful was what made us worthy. The costs of outsourcing your worth This isnt sustainable. Even if it works temporarily, it erodes well-being. Your sense of self rises and falls with accomplishment. Burnout looms as rest feels like failure. Disconnection creeps inyou struggle to be present with loved ones unless everything is tied up. When things go off script, disappointment turns to shame, as if falling short means youre fundamentally flawed. Most damagingly, this mindset convinces you rest, joy, and self-compassion are rewards to be earned, not essential parts of being human. When worth is always up for reevaluation, peace remains out of reach. What reclaiming your worth looks like This work is slow and layerednot a quick fix or a slogan. Its a recalibration of how you relate to yourself. Start here: 1. Notice the NarrativesPay attention to thoughts that arise when youre not productive: I should be doing more, Im falling behind, I dont deserve to rest yet. Notice whose voice this echoesa parent, boss, or cultural script? Naming these is the first step to disarming them. 2. Redefine SuccessCreate space for a fuller definition of success: being present for bedtime without planning tomorrow, holding a boundary at work, or letting something be good enough. Reflect daily: What felt aligned? When did I feel like myself? Where did I honor my values? 3. Practice Being, Not Just DoingChoose small moments to simply be: sit with coffee without scrolling, walk without exercising, and rest without earning it. Your nervous system may resist at firstthats normal. Over time, youll build capacity to sit with yourself without judgment. 4. Anchor to Identity, Not OutputAsk: Who am I when Im not performing or producing? This can feel scary but also freeing. You are more than a multitasking manageryou are a person with humor, intuition, creativity, and resilience. Begin rooting your worth in being human, not heroic. One client, a lawyer and mom of two, shared: I still work hard, but now I can pause during the day to breathe. I let dishes wait without calling myself lazy. And strangely, I feel more powerfulnot lessbecause my worth isnt riding on every task. Being enough High-achieving moms are admired for how much they handlebut that admiration can come at a cost. Beneath competence and reliability often lies a quiet desire: to feel whole even when nothing is getting done. You dont need to give up your drive or goals. But you deserve a life where worth isnt constantly measured: a life where rest is allowed, not earned; where joy has space without justification; where being enough isnt something you proveits something you simply trust. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/acupofambition_logo.jpg","headline":"A Cup of Ambition","description":"A biweekly newsletter for high-achieving moms who value having a meaningful career and being an involved parent, by Jessica Wilen. To learn more visit acupofambition.substack.com.","substackDomain":"https:\/\/acupofambition.substack.com","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}}
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