South Miami's culinary scene has gained prestigious global recognition as Mano Libera has officially been added to the Michelin Guide’s Recommended Restaurant selection. The honor highlights the neighborhood destination's commitment to high-quality cuisine, culinary excellence, and noteworthy contributions to the local dining landscape. The accolade arrives alongside another major milestone for the restaurant, which was also included in 50 Top Italy, the highly regarded global guide celebrating the world’s most outstanding Italian restaurants outside of Italy. The "Free Hand" Philosophy of Chef Marco Giugliano Led by Naples-born chef and co-owner Marco Giugliano, Mano Libera translates to “free hand” in Italian. The name perfectly encapsulates Giugliano's creative, unrestricted approach to cooking. The concept blends traditional flavors from the Campania and Neapolitan regions with modern culinary techniques, playful presentations, and subtle international influences. Before launching Mano Libera, Giugliano refined his craft in acclaimed European kitchens, including the Michelin-starred Quattro Passi in London and Taverna Estia in Italy. Locally, Miami diners first fell in love with his contemporary style during his tenure at Doma in Wynwood. “At Mano Libera, I finally have the freedom to express everything I’ve learned throughout my journey,” says Giugliano. “I love honoring Italian traditions while pushing myself creatively. Every dish should feel authentic, but also exciting and unexpected.” In the Kitchen: Authenticity Meets Innovation The heart of the menu relies heavily on the Italian philosophy that exceptional cuisine begins with a small number of outstanding ingredients treated with restraint. Giugliano seamlessly pairs signature products imported directly from the Vesuvian territory—such as buffalo mozzarella DOP, pomodorini del piennolo tomatoes, and premium extra virgin olive oil—with seasonal South Florida produce. All pasta is made fresh in-house by hand daily. Notable highlights and standout menu offerings include: Gnocchetto Alla Genovese: A contemporary take on the iconic Neapolitan classic, featuring delicate handmade gnocchi tossed in a rich, slow-cooked onion and meat reduction. Regional Classics: Comforting favorites like Linguine Alla Nerano and Spaghetti Alle Vongole. Unexpected Twists: Playful, globally influenced plates such as Tuna Tartare served with avocado mousse, lemon caviar, and wasabi popcorn, alongside creative Eggplant Bao Buns topped with a pecan crumble. Italian Omakase: An intimate, personalized chef’s table experience where Giugliano curates exclusive off-menu tastings inspired by the freshest daily market ingredients. An Immersive Dining Atmosphere The restaurant’s lively yet refined dining room is anchored by a sculptural, hand-shaped chef’s table that mirrors its artistic identity. The interior features bold red accents, marine-inspired design details, contemporary artwork, a dramatic wine cellar display, and an open kitchen layout that invites guests directly into the creative process. “With Mano Libera, we wanted to bring South Miami a vision of Italian cuisine that feels more authentic, modern, and deeply connected to our Neapolitan roots,” adds co-owner Roberto Maiorano. “Being part of the evolution of South Miami’s culinary scene is both a great source of pride and a responsibility we take very seriously.” Location & Hours Address: 7201 SW 59th Ave, Miami, FL 33143 Phone: (786) 783-6960 Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. (Lunch service) | 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Dinner) To learn more or reserve a table, visit manoliberamiami.com or follow the journey on Instagram @mano_libera_restaurant. By ML Staff. Photos: The Cardinelli Group / Mano Libera

Filing a medical negligence claim in Florida involves procedural rules that catch many patients off guard. A strong case can stumble over an avoidable error, such as a missed deadline or an incomplete record. Understanding where claims tend to go wrong can help you protect your rights and avoid steps that weaken your position. The points below outline five mistakes that frequently affect patients pursuing claims in Miami and across Florida. 1. Waiting Too Long to Act One of the most damaging mistakes patients make is waiting too long to act. Many people underestimate how limited the filing window can be in Florida medical negligence cases. Under Florida Statute 95.11, the general statute of limitations is two years from the date the injury is discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered. According to a Miami medical malpractice lawyer, a separate four-year outer limit usually bars claims regardless of discovery, with exceptions for fraud or concealment. Delay also makes it harder to gather records and locate witnesses while memories remain clear. 2. Skipping the Pre-Suit Requirements Florida treats medical malpractice claims differently from ordinary injury cases, and the pre-suit process is mandatory. Before filing, you must serve a Notice of Intent to Initiate Litigation and complete an investigation, as set out in Florida Statute 766.106. You also need a verified written opinion from a qualified medical professional supporting the claim. Proceeding without this corroborating affidavit can lead a court to dismiss the case before it reaches the merits. These requirements are designed to show that the claim has a reasonable medical basis before litigation begins. Missing a step in the pre-suit process can create serious delays or put the entire case at risk. 3. Failing to Preserve Medical Records Medical records form the backbone of a medical negligence claim, and patients sometimes assume the providers involved will retain everything indefinitely. Requesting and securing your complete file early helps protect against gaps or alterations. Important materials include test results, imaging, treatment notes, medication logs, and billing records. Florida law gives patients the right to access their records, and an organized set of documents strengthens the factual basis of a claim. Keeping copies in one place also makes it easier for an attorney or medical expert to review what happened. The sooner records are collected, the easier it may be to identify missing information or inconsistencies. 4. Talking to Insurers Without Caution After an injury, patients often receive contact from hospital representatives or insurance adjusters seeking statements. Casual remarks or recorded answers can later be framed in ways that undercut a claim. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement or accept an early offer. Understanding your rights before these conversations helps you avoid concessions that limit your options later. It is usually safer to keep communications brief and avoid discussing fault, symptoms, or settlement terms without guidance. Early offers may not account for future treatment, lost income, or the full impact of the injury. 5. Misjudging What Counts as Negligence Many patients assume that any unfavorable outcome reflects a mistake, but Florida law requires more than disappointment with a result. Under Florida Statute 766.102, negligence means a provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure caused the injury. Some complications occur even when treatment is appropriate, so a poor result alone does not establish a claim. Knowing this distinction helps you assess whether your situation involves a genuine departure from medical standards. Medical expert review is often necessary to determine whether the provider’s actions fell below what a reasonably careful provider would have done. It can also help connect the mistake to the specific harm the patient suffered. Steps to Protect Your Claim Going Forward Avoiding these errors comes down to acting within the deadlines, completing Florida's pre-suit requirements, preserving your medical records, staying careful in communications with insurers, and understanding what the law actually treats as negligence. Each of these steps influences whether a claim can move forward and how strong it appears once it does, so reviewing your records and the applicable timelines early gives you the clearest understanding of your position under Florida law and the choices available to you. The sooner you identify potential problems, the easier it may be to correct course before procedural mistakes affect your case. Getting informed early can also help you make decisions based on evidence rather than pressure, confusion, or assumptions. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Freepik

The Estates at Acqualina In Miami, where architecture performs against a horizon of glass and water, there is another form of authorship at work. It does not announce itself in silhouette, but in discipline. In the alignment of stone, the calibration of light, the seamless continuity of surfaces that appear inevitable. This is the territory of Navicon Construction and its co-founder, Antonio Torres Betancourt, a builder whose work exists at the intersection of architecture and execution. Antonio J. Torres is, by training, a civil engineer and, by instinct, a builder. Over two decades, his career has unfolded across Latin America, Europe, and the United States, shaping a perspective that regards construction not as a final phase, but as a translation of design into lived experience. Before founding Navicon in 2016 alongside Miguel Circelli, Torres worked with global construction firms including Dragados and Soares da Costa, where he developed a command of large-scale execution and technical rigor. What distinguishes his approach today is the way that rigor is paired with sensitivity. He operates not as a contractor, but as an interpreter, bridging the architect’s vision with the realities of construction through clarity, trust, and disciplined coordination. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, and holding both an MBA and a degree in civil engineering, Torres leads Navicon with a philosophy that defines excellence as a daily practice rather than an endpoint. Navicon founders: Antonio J. Torres & Miguel Circelli Navicon Construction: A Culture of Precision Founded in Miami, Navicon has established itself as a boutique construction firm serving private clients, family offices, and leading architects and designers. Its reputation rests not on scale, but on method. Each project begins long before construction, in a meticulous pre-construction phase where engineering logic and design intent are resolved with uncommon depth. Materials are studied, sequencing is refined, and technical challenges are anticipated and engineered in advance. The result is what the firm describes as invisible precision, a level of execution that allows spaces to feel composed, effortless, and enduring. Internally, Navicon operates as a multidisciplinary studio. Its team draws from civil and industrial engineering as well as architectural backgrounds, creating a shared language between design and construction. This culture, shaped directly by Torres and Circelli, is grounded in rigor, collaboration, and a deep respect for craft. As Torres articulates, building excellence is not a slogan but a discipline, one renewed daily through attention, intention, and service. Three Residences, Three Expressions The Estates at Acqualina At the Estates at Acqualina, scale meets exactitude. One of South Florida’s most ambitious residential developments, the project demands orchestration at every level. Navicon’s contribution lies in translating this scale into intimacy. Stone surfaces align with exacting precision, bespoke millwork integrates seamlessly into expansive interiors, and each residence is approached as an individual composition. The challenge is not only to build at scale, but to maintain a sense of refinement within it. The Brickell Pad In Brickell, the firm’s work shifts from expansiveness to constraint. Within a high-rise context, complexity intensifies through logistics, structural limitations, and coordination across multiple systems. The finished residence, however, reveals none of this effort. Surfaces remain continuous, transitions dissolve, and spatial flow feels uninterrupted. It is a study in control, where precision allows complexity to recede. Oceana Bal Harbour At Oceana Bal Harbour, architecture enters into dialogue with environment. Ocean, light, and materiality converge, requiring construction to respond with equal sensitivity. Expansive glazing must align flawlessly. Natural materials must withstand coastal conditions while retaining their integrity. Interiors must resonate with the horizon beyond. Navicon’s work here is defined by balance, where technical execution supports the broader spatial and environmental experience. What emerges across Navicon’s body of work is a consistent ethos. Building is not treated as an act of assembly, but as a disciplined realization of vision. Torres has shaped a practice rooted in continuity rather than spectacle. Each project reflects a commitment to refinement, collaboration, and integrity, where every detail is considered and resolved. In a city defined by reinvention, Navicon offers a different proposition. One grounded in rigor and trust, where architecture is not only conceived, but carried through with precision to its final form. It is here, beneath the surface, that their work reveals itself most fully. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Oriol Tarridas, Apure X Serge Brison & Max Burkhalter

Burberry has unveiled a new range of summer tops worn by British actor Simone Ashley, highlighting lightweight casual pieces for warmer days. The collection features breathable cotton T-shirts, knitted polo shirts and House Check designs that reference the brand’s heritage. The pieces are intended to provide comfortable options suitable for warm weather and everyday wear through the season. Customers can explore the full line-up of seasonal tops on the Burberry website and view the women’s selection of shirts and T-shirts designed for summer styling. By ML. Photo(s)/Burberry

Florida Grand Opera has announced a 2026–2027 season focused on Italian-language works, featuring three full productions and a Verdi concert in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The season opens with Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, with a libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, set in the Scottish Highlands and centered on the doomed relationship between Lucia and Edgardo and the heroine’s celebrated mad scene. Mozart’s Don Giovanni, to a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, follows the title character’s series of deceptions and violence, including the killing of a woman’s father, leading to a climactic scene in which the unrepentant Don is confronted by supernatural justice. Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco portrays the Babylonian king’s conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of the Hebrews, highlighting internal power struggles involving Abigaille and Fenena and exploring themes of exile, identity, and the possibility of redemption. The company will also present a one-night Verdi tribute at the Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater, featuring arias from La traviata, Rigoletto, Aida, Nabucco, Il trovatore, Don Carlos, Otello, and other works, performed by international soloists with Florida Grand Opera’s chorus and orchestra. Subscriptions for the season are available through Florida Grand Opera’s ticketing site. By ML. Photo(s)/Florida Grand Opera

Givenchy has introduced its Fall 2026 Occasion Wear collection, featuring a curated range of looks designed for formal events and special celebrations. The collection highlights elegant, structured silhouettes and refined tailoring, offering options for both women and men seeking polished outfits for the upcoming season. Pieces from the Fall 2026 Occasion Wear line are available in Givenchy boutiques and on Givenchy.com for online purchase. Customers can explore dedicated selections for womenswear and menswear, including occasion dresses, suits and accessories that complement the new seasonal designs. By ML. Photo(s)/Givenchy

Golden Tempo added the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga to his Kentucky Derby (G1) triumph, closing from last to first for the second consecutive time and securing a place in Triple Crown history for connections and trainer Cherie DeVaux. DeVaux became the first woman to win two Triple Crown races, accomplishing the feat in the same season as Golden Tempo replicated his deep-closing style in the Belmont. The victory followed his dramatic late surge in the Kentucky Derby, where he also rallied from the back of the field. Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, who earned his second Belmont win, Golden Tempo had to overcome conditions that were less favorable to his running style. Unlike the Derby, which featured a stronger pace that set up his late charge, the Belmont unfolded at a slower tempo on a Saratoga track that had been favoring front-runners and horses racing near the lead. Despite the more moderate fractions and track profile, Golden Tempo produced another sustained rally through the stretch to run down the leaders and claim the final jewel of the Triple Crown at Saratoga, underlining his status as the leading three-year-old of the season. By ML. Photo(s)/Churchill Downs

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The game combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis into an easy-to-learn activity that can improve cardiovascular fitness and coordination. Whether you're looking for competitive matches or simply a fun way to stay active outdoors, Miami offers plenty of options. Here are Miami Living's favorite places to play pickleball in Miami, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. 1 - Miami Beach Tennis Center The Miami Beach Tennis Center is one of the city's premier destinations for organized pickleball. It is the only location in Miami Beach offering certified pickleball instruction, with private lessons, group clinics and court rentals available to the public. Reservations are required and can be made through the facility's online booking system. Located near the Miami Beach Golf Club, the facility is ideal for players looking to improve their game through structured instruction rather than casual drop-in play. Facility type: Public Total courts: 4 pickleball courts Court/Member fees: Yes Type: Outdoor hard courts Lights: Yes (light fee applies) Amenities: Lessons, clinics, online reservations, parking nearby Address: 501 72nd St, Miami Beach, FL 33141 Website: Miami Beach Tennis Center 2 - Equalité Miami For players seeking a more upscale experience, Equalité Miami offers pickleball courts at its oceanfront racquet sports facility on Collins Avenue. Court reservations and lessons are available throughout the week, making it a strong option for both newcomers and experienced players. Its beachfront setting distinguishes it from traditional municipal facilities and appeals to residents and visitors looking to combine fitness with Miami Beach's resort lifestyle. Facility type: Club Court/Member fees: Reservations required Type: Outdoor Amenities: Lessons, court reservations, events, beachside location Address: 5401 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140 Telephone: (917) 751-1447 Website: Equalité Miami 3 - Haulover Park Haulover Park is one of South Florida's most popular public pickleball destinations. The courts are located within the expansive waterfront park, giving players access to beaches, marina facilities and green space before or after matches. The facility is especially attractive for casual and recreational players looking for free public access and evening play under the lights. Facility type: Public Total courts: 8 outdoor courts Court/Member fees: No public court fee reported Type: Outdoor hard courts Lights: Yes Amenities: Parking, lighting, beach access, nearby recreation areas Address: 10800 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33154 4 - Key Biscayne Community Center The Key Biscayne Community Center serves as the island's primary public pickleball hub. The facility welcomes players of varying skill levels and offers convenient access for residents and visitors exploring Key Biscayne's parks and beaches. Its central location near Village Green Park makes it a practical choice for families and active residents. Facility type: Public Address: 10 Village Green Way, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 Telephone: (305) 365-8900 Website: Village of Key Biscayne 5 - Dinko Complex For players who prefer climate-controlled conditions, Dinko Complex stands out as Miami's premier indoor pickleball venue. The facility offers court rentals, coaching, tournaments and community events, while welcoming both members and non-members. The addition of a café, lounge areas and pro shop makes it one of the most complete pickleball experiences in South Florida. Facility type: Membership-based / Public Access Available Type: Indoor Court/Member fees: Membership optional; court rentals available Amenities: Café, pro shop, coaching, tournaments, lounge, warm-up area Address: 6301 NE 4th Avenue, Miami, FL 33138 Telephone: (786) 409-7828 Website: Dinko Complex Words by Luiz Porto. Images courtesy of each venue mentioned in this story.

Living by the sea in the tropics means being exposed to some of nature’s most powerful forces. Hurricanes can bring storm surges, flooding and destructive waves that threaten homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. A researcher checks on corals in Banco Chinchorro, off Quintana Roo, Mexico. Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip For many communities, coral reefs are a natural first line of defense against these storms. The reefs’ rugged structures break the incoming waves, reducing the waves’ energy by as much as 97%. Globally, reefs prevent about US$4 billion a year in storm damage. Without them, studies suggest, the damage would double. Yet, these vital ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution and coastal development are driving the loss of reef-building corals – the species that create the physical structure of coral reefs and underpin their ability to protect coastlines and provide habitat for marine life. Protecting key coral reefs from these human-caused stresses could help the reefs continue to reduce future storm damage. But which reefs should be prioritized? Reefs visible just offshore protect the coastline of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, in part by breaking waves during storms. Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip We study coral reefs and marine environments. In a new research paper, we examined the likely impact that future warming will have on reefs across the Caribbean over the coming decades, including which reefs are most likely to persist under rising temperatures. Then we looked at which reefs were likely providing the greatest protective benefits for coastlines based on their functional characteristics. The results show that about half of all the reefs with the greatest potential to continue to protect coastlines as the oceans warm are currently unprotected from human harms. The Caribbean’s hidden coastal defenders The value of coral reefs is evident along the Mexican Caribbean coast, where tourism is a major economic driver and the main source of income for local communities. The tourism industry there can generate up to $15 billion in a single year. Much of that value depends directly or indirectly on healthy coral reefs. Losing the reefs would not only affect fish that rely on coral structures for habitat, and the livelihoods of people who depend on them, it would also cost millions of dollars in increased storm damage. An estimated 105,800 people, along with buildings and other infrastructure worth $858 million, are located in coastal areas protected by reefs in the Mexican Caribbean alone. Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) are among the most important corals in the Caribbean. They can form dense clusters that are highly effective at taking the energy out of waves. Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip The role of reefs becomes especially clear during extreme events. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma, a Category 5 storm, struck the coast of Quintana Roo in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Near the small town of Puerto Morelos, the coral reefs broke the waves, helping lower the wave height that had reached nearly 36 feet (11 meters) offshore to less than 6 feet (2 meters) near the coast. The reefs near Puerto Morelos are part of a protected national park where public access to the reefs is heavily regulated. Not all reefs protect the coast equally However, not all reefs provide the same level of protection for coastlines. Our research shows that the differences depend on the reef engineers – the coral species that built the reef. Reefs dominated by large, complex and rigid corals, such as thickets of elkhorn corals, create rough, elevated structures that can break and slow incoming waves, providing the greatest protection. In contrast, reefs made up of smaller or flatter species offer less resistance. Knowing which reefs deliver the greatest structural protection can help countries and communities prioritize protecting them from human pressures, such as pollution and ship traffic. A study looked at reef functional potential around the Caribbean and Gulf and found where reefs with high functional potential were protected and where they were not. Sara Melo-Merino, et al., 2026 We found that of the highest-priority reefs – based both on functionality and how well they are expected to survive rising water temperatures by midcentury – only 54% were protected. In the Caribbean’s western, southwestern and Florida ecoregions, priority reefs were most likely to be in formal marine protected areas, while the Greater Antilles and Bahamas had several unprotected reefs. The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba have many high-value reefs that remain unprotected, meaning there are opportunities to increase protection on these important reefs. The reefs that we identified as important for conservation based on their physical functionality have also been reported to support high levels of biological diversity. Reefs dominated by complex and rigid structures are often the most functional for protecting coastlines. They also provide important habitat for fish. Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip While a large percentage of coral reefs off Belize, Honduras and Puerto Rico are protected, we found that several reefs with the greatest potential for protecting coastlines were not within marine protected areas. Why does this matter in a warming world? Ocean warming is driving more severe and frequent coral bleaching events. When water temperatures rise too high, corals expel zooxanthellae – the algae that live in their tissues, provide them with energy and give corals their color. If heat stress is too intense or prolonged, many corals won’t recover. As corals die, the reef structures they built break down and lose complexity over time. The coastal defenses they provide disappear. At the same time, high-intensity hurricanes are becoming more frequent. This creates a dangerous combination: stronger storms hitting coastlines that are less protected. Protecting coral reefs is essential, not only for the sake of marine biodiversity, but for safeguarding coastal communities, their economies and the millions of people who live there. Words by Sara M. Melo Merino, Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Science, Smithsonian Institution, Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip, Professor of Marine Ecology , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and Steven Canty, Director, MarineGEO and Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, Smithsonian Institution. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

When it comes to losing weight, the fear of “ruining your metabolism” is widespread. Indeed, many people who have lost weight and then put it back on feel that every failed attempt leaves them worse off than before, with more fat, less muscle, greater hunger, lower energy, and an ever-diminishing ability to lose weight again. Inspiration GP/Shutterstock For those looking to lose weight, the so-called “yo-yo effect” has become an almost constant threat. According to this view, losing and regaining weight is not only frustrating but also dangerous. It even leads some people to believe that they are better off not trying to lose weight at all. However, a critical review published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology calls for a reevaluation of this idea. The authors review the available evidence on “weight cycling” – repeated cycles of weight loss and regain – and conclude that there is no solid evidence that this phenomenon, in itself, causes long-term clinical harm in people with obesity. Nuance is important here. This does not mean that regaining weight is desirable, nor that every diet is a good idea. It highlights something more specific: current evidence does not support the claim that losing weight and then regaining it “breaks” the metabolism or necessarily leaves a person worse off than before. This finding is important because the fear of the yo-yo effect can become a barrier to seeking help, making changes, or resuming healthy habits after regaining weight. And given that obesity is a chronic and recurrent condition, suggesting that every failed attempt causes irreversible damage can lead to feelings of guilt, despair and resignation. What we know – and don’t know – about weight cycling Part of the confusion stems from the way many observational studies have been interpreted. People who have been through multiple cycles of weight loss and regain tend to have greater difficulty maintaining their weight loss, as well as a higher amount of excess body fat and more years of exposure to obesity. More metabolic abnormalities are observed in these groups, but it is not always easy to distinguish causes from effects. To put it another way, the fact that a person with poor metabolic health has been on more diets does not prove that the diets caused that deterioration. The opposite may be true: greater excess body fat, a longer history of being overweight, or prior presence of risk factors could all be the reason for both a higher number of weight-loss attempts and poorer health outcomes. Unjustified fear of muscle loss One of the most widespread fears when starting a diet is the loss of muscle mass. When losing weight, the body does not just lose fat; it can also lose some lean body mass. The fear associated with the yo-yo effect stems from the fact that, when weight is regained, fat is regained rather than muscle, leading to an increasingly unfavourable body composition. However, according to the recent Lancet review, the available data does not consistently show a disproportionate and permanent loss of lean body mass attributable to weight cycling in itself. The outcome depends on many factors, including the final weight achieved, the amount of protein in a person’s diet, the type of intervention, the level of physical activity and, in particular, the presence (or absence) of strength training. Something similar happens with energy expenditure. The common belief is that every diet slows down the metabolism, but metabolic rate is heavily influenced by body size and composition. If a person weighs less, they also need less energy to keep their body running, and if they put on weight, their energy expenditure adjusts accordingly. This adaptation does not necessarily equate to a permanent metabolic breakdown. Keeping weight off There is an important caveat here: debunking the myth of a “broken metabolism” does not mean we can trivialise weight regain. When a person loses weight, their blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, mobility, sleep and quality of life can all improve. If they regain the lost weight, some of those benefits may diminish or disappear, returning the person to their original metabolic state. But that does not prove that losing and then regaining the weight has caused any additional harm. This is one of the article’s key points. The main problem is not so much having tried to lose weight, but the difficulty of maintaining sufficient and healthy weight loss over time. This nuance is also important in the era of new obesity drugs, including GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and other similar treatments. In many cases these medicines lead to significant weight loss, but coming off them can result in partial or complete weight regain. But it is an oversimplification to interpret this regain as proof that the treatment disrupts the metabolism – it more likely indicates that obesity requires long-term treatment strategies, just like other similar conditions. No miracle diets The conclusion should not be that yo-yo dieting is no big deal. It is often accompanied by frustration, guilt, a loss of self confidence, loss of healthy habits, and a deteriorating relationship with food. It may also rely on poorly thought-out methods, such as extremely restrictive diets, unrealistic goals, lack of proper support, or an exclusive, blinkered focus on the number on the scales. We also should never suggest that regaining weight means someone has failed irrevocably. Many people who manage to maintain significant weight loss in the long term only do so after multiple unsuccessful attempts. When it comes to making healthy choices, change is rarely linear. The best theoretical and practical approach is to replace the mindset of temporary dieting with that of a sustainable lifestyle. This means setting realistic goals, maintaining muscle mass, avoiding extreme restrictions, choosing filling and nutritious foods, getting better sleep, being more active, and seeking professional support where possible. In short, long-term adherence is more important than any other variable. It also means understanding that body weight is regulated by powerful biological systems. After losing weight, the body may increase feelings of hunger, partially reduce energy expenditure, and promote recovery. This is not a sign of personal weakness, but an adaptive response. It is why maintaining weight loss usually requires a long-term approach, not just willpower. A well-designed intervention should include sufficient protein, strength training, regular physical activity, dietary satisfaction, nutrition education, ongoing monitoring, and psychological or behavioural support where necessary. In some cases, it may also require drug treatment or bariatric surgery. The choice depends on the degree of obesity, comorbidities (the presence of several conditions at the same time), medical history, and each person’s individual preferences. Fighting despair Regaining weight does not mean your metabolism is broken. Nor does it mean it is not worth trying again. It simply means that your previous approach was not enough, was unsustainable, or you lacked the right support. The new review does not exonerate fad diets, nor does it portray the yo-yo effect as harmless. What it does is debunk the more specific and counterproductive notion that losing and regaining weight will inevitably damage the metabolism. When it comes to obesity, as in so many other areas, a failed attempt should not be seen as the end of the road, but as a guide for planning the next step. Words by Juan Alfonso Revenga Frauca, Expert Director, Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, International University of Valencia; San Jorge University, and José Miguel Soriano del Castillo, Professor of Nutrition and Food Science of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

The Bass Museum of Art has launched The Rotunda, a new satellite gallery in Collins Park that offers free admission year round, adding a dedicated space for large-scale and immersive installations in Miami Beach. Located near the museum’s main building, The Rotunda builds on the institution’s use of public space to present contemporary art and site-specific projects. The circular structure provides a flexible environment for installations that respond to both its architecture and the surrounding Collins Park campus. The Bass has released architectural renderings and archival materials tracing the Rotunda’s history and recent renovation, and has produced the following video offering insight into the newly transformed space. The Rotunda currently features projects from the museum’s collection and will host rotating installations aligned with major exhibitions and citywide cultural events. Additional information about the new gallery, including visiting hours and featured works, is available on The Bass website. By ML. Photo(s)/The Bass Museum of Art

Planning a trip should feel like the start of something fun, not the beginning of a slow financial drain. Yet so many travelers walk into the same traps year after year, often without realizing the damage until the credit card statement lands. A vacation that looked affordable on paper can quietly balloon into something far heavier on the wallet, all because of small oversights made during the planning stage. Understanding where the money tends to leak out is the first real step toward keeping more of it in your pocket. Image by Luca Bravo / Unsplash Booking Without Comparing Accommodation Options One common headache travelers face is committing to the first place that pops up on a search engine, assuming it represents fair value. The result is often a room that costs significantly more than nearby alternatives offering the same comfort, sometimes with fewer perks attached. For instance, if you're visiting New York, look for hotel deals that offer advance purchase discounts, suite savings, and much more. Taking a few extra minutes to scroll through these specials can shift the math considerably in your favor. Patience during the search stage often reveals options that never surface on the first page of results. A booking made with full awareness of available perks feels far more rewarding than one rushed through in a single tab. The savings that come out of that effort tend to fund the parts of the trip that actually create memories. Skipping the Fine Print on Flights Cheap airfare looks fantastic until you reach the checkout page and watch the total climb with every click. Travelers regularly overlook baggage fees, seat selection charges, and the cost of basic amenities that older fare classes used to include by default. Some carriers price tickets aggressively low precisely because they expect to recover the difference through add-ons. Reading the full breakdown before confirming a purchase, rather than after, helps you compare what each fare actually covers. A slightly pricier ticket that includes a checked bag and a chosen seat often ends up cheaper than the bare-bones option once everything is added. Ignoring Travel Insurance Until It's Too Late Plenty of travelers skip insurance to save what feels like a small fee, treating it as an unnecessary expense. The problem shows up when a delayed flight cascades into a missed connection, a sudden illness forces a cancellation, or luggage disappears somewhere in transit. Without coverage, every one of those situations turns into an out-of-pocket loss that easily outweighs the original premium. Reasonable policies cover medical emergencies abroad, trip interruptions, and lost belongings without much fuss. Choosing a plan suited to the length and nature of your trip is far smarter than rolling the dice on a clean run. Exchanging Currency at the Wrong Places Airport currency counters and last-minute hotel exchanges almost always offer the worst rates available. Travelers in a rush hand over local cash and receive a noticeably smaller stack in return, then repeat the process every few days throughout the trip. The cumulative loss across a one-week vacation can amount to a meaningful sum, particularly on larger conversions. Researching better options ahead of departure, whether that means a no-fee debit card, a reputable exchange service near home, or simply withdrawing local currency from a partner bank's ATM, keeps far more of your money intact. Overpacking the Itinerary There is a strange belief that cramming a trip with activities equals getting your money's worth. In practice, packed schedules lead to rushed meals, overpriced taxis between sights, last-minute ticket purchases at gate prices, and exhaustion that often forces an unplanned rest day. Each of those moments quietly drains funds that could have stretched the trip further. A looser itinerary leaves room for walking instead of riding, eating where locals eat instead of where tourists gather, and discovering free attractions that never made it onto a top ten list. Slower travel almost always proves cheaper than the racing version. Forgetting to Account for Hidden Daily Costs Budgets often focus heavily on flights and lodging, treating everything else as a small footnote. Reality tells a different story, since meals, local transport, tips, entry fees, water, snacks, and small souvenirs accumulate rapidly across a multi-day trip. Travelers who fail to estimate these costs honestly tend to overspend in the first half of their vacation and then scramble to economize toward the end. Building a realistic daily allowance into your plan and tracking it loosely through the trip prevents the unpleasant surprise of returning home to a depleted account. Booking Activities at the Destination Walking up to a tour desk and paying the listed price is one of the easiest ways to overspend on a trip. Operators charge premium walk-in rates because they know convenience carries weight when someone is already standing there. Pre-booking the same activities online, often through the operator's own website, frequently unlocks lower pricing and bundled options. Reading recent reviews also helps avoid spending on experiences that look polished in promotional photos but disappoint in person. A short research session before arrival saves both money and the frustration of a dud excursion. Underestimating the Cost of Convenience Choosing the closest taxi, the nearest restaurant, or the most prominent shop often means paying a tax on convenience. Tourist-heavy zones inflate prices because foot traffic guarantees customers, regardless of value. Walking a few blocks away from a major attraction or transit hub frequently reveals comparable food, similar souvenirs, and identical services at noticeably lower prices. The same applies to airport pickups, ride-share surge zones, and impulse purchases at gift shops near famous landmarks. A small amount of patience, paired with a willingness to move beyond the obvious, keeps your travel budget healthier than any single discount code ever could. Travel rewards careful preparation, and the cost of getting it wrong tends to show up in places you didn't think to watch. Catching these mistakes before they happen turns every trip into something that feels less like a financial gamble and more like an experience worth repeating. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash