Why does Google Maps consume so much battery? This is the new power saving mode that saves battery for up to 4 hours

 Why does Google Maps consume so much battery? This is the new power saving mode that saves battery for up to 4 hours

In this era, smartphones are no longer just a means of communication for us, they have also become an integral part of our journey. Whether traveling to unfamiliar places or short distances within the city, we often depend on Google Maps.

But one of the bitter truths of using Maps is that it consumes the phone's battery at a very fast rate. Using Maps while going on a long journey or when there is no charging facility is like pushing the phone to the brink of death.

To solve this serious problem, Google has introduced a new power saving mode in its navigation service. As claimed, this feature can increase the battery life of smartphones by up to four hours.

But as attractive as this feature looks, some of the conditions or limitations that come with it are equally challenging. Today, we are discussing in detail about this new feature of Google Maps, how it works and the impact it has on the user.

Why does Google Maps consume so much battery?

There are many technical reasons behind Google Maps consuming battery. The first and main reason is the constant GPS tracking. Every second, the phone has to constantly communicate with satellites to determine your geographical location. This never lets the phone's processor rest.

The second reason is real-time data streaming. Maps doesn't just show the route, it also downloads real-time road speeds, accident information, and traffic congestion details based on data from millions of other drivers. Using machine learning, it constantly calculates the estimated time of arrival (ETA) to your destination and alternative routes.

The third and most visible reason is the bright screen. In daylight, the phone's screen needs to be run at full brightness to see the road clearly. Full-color maps, 3D buildings, and constantly changing scenes put a lot of strain on both the phone's processor and display. All these factors together can make even a phone with a large battery die before it can be fully charged.

New Power Saving Mode

This new mode recently introduced by Google is specifically aimed at users who are on long-distance trips and do not have the option of charging their phones. This feature minimizes unnecessary and energy-consuming visuals without removing basic information needed for navigation.

Technically speaking, this mode uses the phone's Always On Display technology. When you turn on this mode and press the phone's power button while navigation is active, the phone's screen turns into a monochrome, i.e. black and white interface, instead of turning off completely. This saves a lot of battery, especially on phones with OLED displays. Because the phone's pixels do not have to light up to display black.

Limited to the Pixel 10 series

One downside for now is that this feature is not available to all Android users. Google has limited this feature to its new models Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold for now. These phones use Google's new Tensor G-5 chipset. Which can handle such complex tasks in a way that consumes less energy.

Although this feature has been rolling out since last year, it has not yet reached other older Pixel models or phones from other brands like Samsung and Xiaomi. However, Google is expected to gradually make it widespread.

How to activate this mode?

If you have a Pixel 10 series phone, you will have to adjust this feature from the internal settings of Google Maps. To do this, first open the Google Maps app.

Tap on your profile picture in the upper right corner. Now select the Settings option and go to the Navigation settings.

You will see a toggle button for Power Saving Mode within the Driving options there, turn it on.

Once this setting is turned on, you just have to press the power button when you start your journey. After doing this, the main navigation information will start appearing on your phone's lock screen.

Effects of turning on power saving mode

While this mode is said to save battery, it may not always be useful for everyone. Google has removed many important features of Maps in this mode to save battery. Normally, Maps shows red if there is traffic jam, yellow if there is moderate traffic, and green if there is clear traffic.

However, this color-coded information is not available in power saving mode. You will not get visual alerts about accidents, construction work, or sudden jams on the road.

Similarly, this mode removes 3D buildings, detailed street names, and complex map layers. Only a simple black and white line appears on the screen and an indication of where your next turn is.

Where is the gas station in the middle of a trip? Where is the nearest restaurant or coffee shop? Such details are not visible in this mode. If you want to eat or fill up on gas along the way, you'll have to turn this feature off and return to the normal map.

Many drivers prefer to keep their phones in a horizontal position on the dashboard of their car. However, this power saving mode only works in portrait mode. This makes it difficult for those using the landscape mount. This can be inconvenient for some.

Surprisingly, this feature only works when you are driving. This mode does not work if you are walking, cycling or on public transport. While pedestrians may need more battery life.

In what situations does it work?

This mode seems to be designed by Google as an emergency tool rather than a default setting. Imagine, you are on a long road trip and your car's mobile charger suddenly breaks down.

Your phone has only 10 percent charge left and the destination is still far away. In such a situation, this mode can keep your phone alive for an additional 4 hours. It helps you reach your destination without getting lost. But it does not provide other features on the road.

So, using this mode on short daily trips or when there is a phone charging facility does not make much sense. It keeps you away from the real road conditions, which can sometimes be risky from a safety point of view.

Can Nepal not make its own vaccine?

 Can Nepal not make its own vaccine?

At that time, the demand for the vaccine against Covid was very high, while India did not have enough vaccine for its own citizens.

It is said that although there was a need for vaccine production in Nepal, policymakers ignored it and a vaccine production company should be established.

The context is during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nepal was importing 2 million Covid-19 vaccines from India. After sending the first batch of 1 million, the second 1 million vials could not arrive. The import of the vaccine to Nepal was stopped due to a court order there.

The main reason for this is that there was not enough vaccine for their country. After this, Delta, which is considered the most deadly of the Covid variants, badly affected Nepal after India. If the second 1 million vaccines had arrived at that time, perhaps many deaths could have been saved.

Similarly, the recent resurgence of Japanese encephalitis has seen an increase in the number of infected deaths in the last few years. Nepal must rely on imports for this vaccine as well. Apart from these, vaccines are considered the surest way to prevent the outbreak of many other infectious diseases.

Past and present experiences of these studies also show that as we enter the 21st century, vaccines are the only solution for new (like Covid) and previously controlled and resurgent diseases (like Japanese encephalitis).

Although some medicines are currently being produced domestically, there is no vaccine production. It seems that policymakers have almost ignored the need for vaccine production.

Is it that Nepal itself cannot produce a vaccine for use in humans? Or has the health sector not yet realized the need for it, been unable to do it, or is not interested?

There are not enough health centers or hospitals in Nepal. Moreover, health centers equipped with the necessary physical infrastructure and resources are even more limited. In such a situation, if any infection spreads or takes the form of an epidemic, there will be a shortage of hospital beds, resources, and health workers.

This increases the risk of patient death. When I was working at Teku Hospital two and a half decades ago, dozens of patients with diarrhea and cholera were admitted every hour during the rainy season.

Similarly, Japanese encephalitis has a high mortality rate, so dozens of people were admitted every week during the mosquito season. Most of those admitted had to die because they arrived at the hospital late.

Generally, the impact of Japanese encephalitis is greater in the Terai. Due to the lack of sufficient hospital beds and manpower there, they were forced to come to Kathmandu.

But later, after the vaccine against Japanese encephalitis was used in Nepal, the mortality rate decreased sharply. At that time, support for the vaccine came from neighboring China. The support itself is not bad, but the question is for how long?

Nepal had expected foreign support for the vaccine during the Covid epidemic. At Nepal's request, India agreed to provide the Indian-made vaccine called Covoshield. However, when the second batch was to be sent, the vaccine could not reach Nepal because the court there had ordered to give priority to its citizens first and not to export it.

This decision is not surprising. Because at that time, the demand for the vaccine against Covid was very high, while India did not have enough vaccine for its own citizens. At that time, 'vaccine diplomacy' was also very popular.

There was a competition among developed countries to develop the vaccine against Covid the fastest. At that time, Covid was present as a great enemy against humanity, and the world was working day and night to develop a vaccine to protect itself from it.

After the Covid vaccine was stopped from India, another neighboring country, China, received the Covid vaccine as assistance. This also shows how important vaccines are during major epidemics.

The role played by the Serum Institute of India during the Covid pandemic is also an example of how much relief can be provided in an epidemic when a vaccine manufacturing company is available.

Although Covid itself is a new disease, scientists were able to develop a vaccine faster than expected due to their hard work day and night. Naturally, the possibility of developing a new vaccine is also greater in developed countries due to the presence of high-quality research laboratories and excellent scientists.

During an epidemic of a highly infectious and deadly disease that terrifies the world, only a limited number of vaccines are produced by limited production organizations in limited countries. In this case, the possibility of sending it to other countries or the rest of the world is also reduced.

But if the vaccine formula or the 'components' used in the vaccine can be obtained and a vaccine manufacturing company is available, India can be taken as an example that vaccine production can be continued. If there was a vaccine manufacturing company in Nepal during the Covid pandemic, human losses could have been prevented to a large extent. It was a situation where we had to sit and stare at foreigners.

It has only been a few years since the Covid pandemic ended. Those moments are still very tragic, especially for those who have lost their relatives to Covid or who have managed to survive severe Covid.

But it has also taught us some lessons. 

Use of AI in healthcare: How useful, how dangerous?

 Use of AI in healthcare: How useful, how dangerous?

Doctors use AI in conjunction with their knowledge, experience, and patient conditions, and the risk increases when patients base their decisions on that.

Use of AI in healthcare: How useful, how dangerous?

AI is not a replacement for doctors, but a tool to expand their capabilities, and its responsible use in the healthcare sector is necessary.

Some time ago, during the confusing time when the Medical Education Commission announced the PG results, I created a ‘seat predictor’ tool using available data and AI.

Recently, when the actual results of the government seat came out, this tool of mine seemed to be ‘conservatively’ very safe. The tool had ‘underestimated’ the actual rank somewhat, so that doctors did not have false expectations and could make safe decisions.

I have also included its detailed description and how to use it in the description of the MD/MS video of my Bimarsha Acharya YouTube channel. This small experiment made me realize one big thing, that AI is not an ‘enemy’ for the Nepali healthcare sector, but rather a powerful ‘co-pilot’ for those who know how to use it correctly.

In this context, I have been conducting clinical research training sessions, in which I have also been regularly covering the use of AI, its ethical aspects and its responsible integration into daily medical practice.

In the process, I have trained more than 700 doctors and medical students in Nepal. This experience has further highlighted the need to use AI not just as a tool, but also in a safe and responsible way with proper guidance.

AI has become like a companion to me while seeing patients daily in the hospital. I use it regularly to remember medication doses or precautions, compare different treatment methods, align my decisions with international guidelines and understand the results of the latest research and trials. In complex cases, comparing your initial clinical thinking with evidence-based information makes decisions clearer and more confident. In this way, AI is a powerful tool to augment the capabilities of doctors, not replace them.

AI for doctors: Which is more useful?

The various AI tools in use today, such as Grok, Gemnai, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and OpenEvidence, have their own roles. However, their use varies depending on the context. ChatGPT, Gemnai, or Grok can be useful for understanding general information, clarifying concepts, and facilitating quick clarification. Perplexity presents information with sources, making it easier to search and compare. However, evidence-based, contextual, and up-to-date information is extremely important for clinical decisions.

OpenEvidence is considered particularly useful in this regard. This platform focuses on providing evidence-based information based on international journals, clinical trials, and established guidelines. It shows doctors not just the answer, but also the scientific basis for it, which makes clinical decisions safe, reliable, and accountable.

Therefore, while various AI tools can be used for general understanding, OpenEvidence is considered one of the most suitable options in the current situation as an evidence-based platform for clinical practice and decision-making.

The danger of relying on AI's advice

Nowadays, many patients have started using AI like doctors. There is an increasing trend of seeking medical advice directly after experiencing common symptoms, which can be a serious danger.

For example, if someone has a stomach ache, AI can recommend a medicine to relieve common pain. But a serious problem like appendicitis may be hidden within that symptom. Even if the medicine provides relief for some time, the disease may become more complicated.

This is where the difference between AI used by doctors and patients becomes clear. Doctors use AI by combining their knowledge, experience, and patient's condition, while patients directly base their decisions on it, which increases the risk. Self-medication can sometimes even put lives at risk.

AI in Nepal's health sector

In a country with geographical challenges like Nepal, AI can bring about a major change in healthcare. In remote areas where there is a lack of specialist doctors, AI can help in decision-making at the primary level. Its use in X-rays, cardiac tests or emergency assessment can guide timely treatment.

Combining AI with telemedicine can reduce the distance between villages and cities. Patients can get specialist services nearby, while doctors can also provide better service with limited resources.

AI can also play a big role in the research sector. It can help increase participation in complex studies, data analysis and international publications. This has the potential to make Nepal’s health system knowledge-based and technology-friendly.

Our responsibility now

The future competition will not be between doctors and AI, but between doctors who know how to use AI and those who do not. A system that cannot adapt with time will fall behind.

Therefore, it is necessary for both the government and the private sector to work together to formulate a clear policy to integrate AI into the health system. It is imperative to provide training, resources and incentives to doctors.

If we fail to embrace this technology today, we will be unable to compete globally tomorrow. But if we move in the right direction, Nepali health care The sector can establish its identity on an international level.

The question now is clear: will we lead the change or lag behind it?

Study Conclusion: Exercise Reduces Risk of Death from Alcohol Consumption

Study Conclusion: Exercise Reduces Risk of Death from Alcohol Consumption

A study conducted in the UK has shown that regular physical exercise reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease caused by alcohol consumption.

We all know that alcohol consumption affects health. It is advised to consume alcohol in limited quantities or to stay away from it to stay healthy.

The extent to which alcohol consumption affects a person depends on their physical condition, age, their lifestyle, etc. A study conducted in the UK has also shown that the effects of alcohol are reduced in people who exercise regularly.

The study, which was conducted with the aim of finding out whether physical activity reduces the harm caused by drinking alcohol, has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

This research was conducted on 36,370 people in the UK and Scotland. The study, which was conducted over a few years, also assessed the incidence of cancer and heart disease deaths caused by alcohol consumption.

The people participating in the research were divided into different groups, ranging from non-drinkers to heavy drinkers. In which those who never drank alcohol, those who drank before but have stopped, those who drink only occasionally, those who drink within a certain time limit, those who drink a lot and those who drink excessively were divided into separate groups.

On the other hand, groups were also determined based on physical activity. The study was divided into 3 groups: not at all active, moderately active and very active.

Heavy drinkers were found to have a 40 percent higher risk of death from cancer and heart disease. People who drink alcohol in limited quantities but are not physically active also had a higher risk.

People who also drink alcohol and keep themselves physically active had a lower risk of death from these diseases.

This study concluded that physical activity reduces the risk of alcohol on health.

According to experts, alcohol consumption creates a lot of pressure on the digestive process. It increases 'oxidative stress' in the body. Alcohol also affects the process of digesting fat in the body and plays a role in increasing cholesterol. High blood pressure also increases the risk of heart disease.

The study concluded that physical activity can reduce these risks to some extent.

Although physical exercise reduces the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, the study recommends limiting alcohol consumption and getting regular physical exercise to stay healthy.

Negative thinking affects the heart

 Negative thinking affects the heart

Stress increases the heart rate, increases blood pressure, and causes long-term heart problems.

According to a 2023 study by the American Heart Association, constant stress increases the risk of heart disease by up to 35 percent.

Doctors recommend 10-15 minutes of meditation, 30 minutes of exercise, and positive thinking daily to reduce stress.

A problem that is not visible on the surface but silently haunts most people on the inside is stress. From the outside, people appear normal, busy with their work. But inside, they are carrying the burden of worry, fear, and pressure. This invisible negative burden gradually weakens the body.

Negative thinking, anxiety, anger, or frustration is not only a problem for the mind, but also a big threat to the heart. Its effect on the heart is even deeper.

When you are constantly stressed, your heart starts beating faster, your blood pressure increases, and your body is forced to be on alert all the time. If this situation persists for a long time, the risk of heart problems increases.

How does stress affect the heart? What is the relationship between the heart and stress?

The relationship is very simple, the mind controls the body. When negative thoughts come, the body goes into 'stress mode'. The heart beats faster, blood pressure increases and the heart has to work harder. If this thought is short-lived, the heart is fine.

But if the pressure of daily work, financial problems, family disputes, comparisons with friends, negative news on social media or past tragic events continue to bother you, negative thoughts take up residence in the mind. This puts a burden on the heart and increases the stress associated with it.

Negative thoughts, especially anger, rage, hatred and malicious thoughts, have a profound effect on the heart because they overactivate the 'sympathetic nervous system'. This system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response, that is, the body's natural response to immediately fight or flee when it senses danger.

When we get angry or have negative thoughts, the brain immediately sends signals that increase levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and noradrenaline.

These hormones increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and constrict blood vessels. Over time, this activation damages the inner lining of the heart’s blood vessels (endothelium). The endothelium loses its ability to dilate blood vessels, which reduces blood flow and accelerates the process of plaque buildup.

If the mind is not healthy, the heart will not be healthy

If the mind is not healthy, the heart will not be healthy either. Studies say so. According to a 2023 study by the American Heart Association, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress increase the risk of heart disease by up to 35 percent. Similarly, a large study by the British Heart Foundation also showed that stress at work or at home increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, albeit slightly.

Studies have shown that even a short bout of anger can reduce the dilation of blood vessels for up to 40 minutes, which reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. Anger and hatred cause blood vessels to constrict through sympathetic activation. This weakens the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeat.

What happens in the long term?

If you have persistent negative thoughts, your heart is under constant pressure, which can lead to high blood pressure. Blood vessels gradually narrow, reducing blood flow to the heart and increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

High risk with chronic illness if you have negative thoughts

If you already have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, the risk doubles if you add negative thoughts. Because these diseases are already weakening the heart, negative thoughts increase stress and put additional 'overload' on the heart. According to the British Heart Foundation, such stress increases the risk of heart disease and worsens the condition of those who already have heart problems.

When should you see a doctor?

If you feel pain or pressure in the chest, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, excessive fatigue, dizziness, cold sweats, or pain in the hands are more common after negative thoughts or stress, this may be a sign of a heart problem.

It is advisable to go to the hospital immediately without delay. In addition, a heart check can be done during regular checkups. ECG, echo, and blood tests also tell about the condition of the heart in a timely manner.

In addition, these problems can be reduced to a large extent by consulting a mental health professional.

How to reduce negative thoughts and stress?

First of all, it is important to establish positive habits in your daily life. Practicing deep breathing or meditation for 10-15 minutes every day calms the mind and reduces stress.

Similarly, walking or doing light exercise for about 30 minutes daily keeps the body active, the mind light, and heart health is also good. If a negative thought comes to your mind, you should not let it develop further. At such times, remind yourself, "This thought may not always be right, I can try."

Such positive thoughts gradually strengthen the mind.

Keeping things bottled up inside can increase stress. Talking to family members or close friends can help you relax and understand your problems and find solutions.

Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding social media can also help you feel more at ease. If you still feel stressed and negative thoughts aren't going away after trying these things, talk to a therapist or counselor.