Lose belly fat now, apple-shaped bodies more prone to diabetes

People who are genetically predisposed to storing belly fat, or having an apple-shaped body type, could face a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, researchers said Tuesday. The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests a person’s genetic makeup may cause health problems down the road. 

 Previous observational studies have uncovered a link between belly fat and Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but fell short of proving cause and effect. To investigate further, researchers examined six studies conducted from 2007 to 2015, including some 400,000 participants whose genomes were analyzed. 

 Previous research had identified 48 gene variants, resulting in a genetic risk score. They found that people with certain genes that predisposed them to higher waist ratio also had higher lipids, insulin, glucose and systolic blood pressure, as well as a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Since researchers did not find any links between body type, genetic risk score and confounding factors such as diet and smoking, that “provides strong evidence that abdominal adiposity itself contributes to causing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” he added. 

 Emdin said the findings could one day lead to the development of drugs designed to target belly fat, and perhaps lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Jennifer Lopez denies she dates younger men

Jennifer Lopez says her trend of dating younger men isn't intentional —- it's just what happens. During an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show, airing Tuesday, the 47-year-old explained her dating experience. "I don't date younger men," Lopez said. "It's not like you have to be younger. It's not about that.

You just meet people and if I go out with them, I go out with them." The singer and "Shades of Blue" actress dated choreographer Beau "Casper" Smart, 29, for several years before the two split in August. "I dated Beau and he was younger and that was the first guy ever dating younger than me, and then I got labeled right away,"

Lopez said. She was also looking cozy late last year with rapper Drake, 30, who shared a photo of the two of them on Instagram. "We were just hanging out," Lopez responded when Degeneres mentioned the photo, also sharing that she and Drake have collaborated on an unreleased song. She said she chooses romantic partners for many reasons, but age isn't one of them. "If they're older, they're older. If they're younger, they're younger," Lopez said. "It's whether or not I'm attracted to them or not, attracted to their spirit, their soul, whatever their energy is."

Princess Diana's fashion style on display at Kensington Palace

A new exhibition at Kensington Palace chronicles Princess Diana's evolving style during her life before her tragic death in 1997. The exhibition, titled "Diana: Her Fashion Story," offers a unique look at Diana's style and features some of her most stunning outfits. The dress Diana dubbed her "Elvis dress" will be on display. 

Diana accessorized the white, sleeveless gown, featuring thousands of tiny pearls and sequins, with a matching pearl-encrusted, high-collar jacket. She first wore the Catherine Walker dress to Hong Kong in 1989 and later wore the dress with her favorite tiara, the pearl and diamond Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara. One of Diana's dazzling green velvet gowns on display shows a moment in history 20 years after her death. 

The tiny handprints of a then-3-year-old Prince William and 1-year-old Prince Harry are embedded in the fabric of the Victor Edelstein dress. The handprints appear to show the young princes clutching their mother for a hug. "Diana: Her Fashion Story" showcases 25 dresses and gowns from Diana's most iconic moments, including the dress she wore to dance with John Travolta at the White House in 1985 and the dress Diana wore when she first appeared in public after her mid-1990s separation from Prince Charles. 

 The exhibition, which is tied to the 20th anniversary of Diana's death, includes several dresses from Catherine Walker, one of Diana's favorite and most prolific designers. Among the dresses by Walker is a floral scoop neck dress Diana wore to a Christie's auction in 1997; the black halter necklace sequined gown Diana donned at Versailles in 1994; and the blush pink suit Diana wore to a children's charity event at the Savoy hotel in 1997. "Diana: Her Fashion Story" opens at Kensington Palace on Feb. 24. It is organized by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that oversees exhibitions at Kensington Palace.

Messi already signed new contract with Barcelona six months ago

Barcelona’s former Camp Nou striker Hristo Stoichkov claims that the Argentine has already signed a new contract six months ago, the Sun reports. 

 The former Bulgarian international disclosed this shocking news when many rumors have been shrouding among his fans and the arena of club football. "Messi renewed six months ago," Stoichkov told media. Although Messi is nearing the final year of his Barcelona but club authorities kept their mouth shut about renewing his contract. 

 There had been rumours that his former boss Pep Guardiola was planning a £100m move to bring the Argentine captain to Manchester City. It was hoped that links between the two would allow the Etihad side to take advantage of any potential stumbling blocks in the contract negotiations between Barcelona and Messi.

 If what Stoichkov says is correct then the former Camp Nou manager will have to look elsewhere to strengthen his side for next season. The 29-year-old didn't celebrate his penalty which secured Barcelona a last minute 2-1 victory on Sunday in their game against Leganes - which could arguably cast doubts about Messi's current relationship with the club and its fans. 

 Argentina national team boss Edgardo Bauza claims that Lionel Messi is annoyed with the Catalonian supporters for their criticism of the him - following the side's 4-0 first-leg defeat to Paris St-Germain in their recent last-16 Champions League tie. 

 Stoichkov certainly has ties with Barcelona after the former Bulgarian international spent five years with the La Liga side - in which time he scored 109 goals in 212 appearances and won the Ballon D'or while with the club. Whether the former striker's influence stretches as far as being made aware of any potential contract negotiations or transfer dealings, is debatable - but if what he says is true then the Barcelona fans can expect to see more magic from the Argentine maestro. Source: The Sun

Rihanna named Harvard University's humanitarian of the year

Rihanna is Harvard-bound -- not to study, but to pick up the university's prestigious Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian Award. The Barbados-born singer will receive her award next Tuesday at the university. 

 "Rihanna has charitably built a state-of-the-art center for oncology and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat breast cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados," S. Allen Counter, the Harvard Foundation’s director, told the Harvard Gazette. "She has also created the Clara and Lionel Foundation Scholarship Program [named for her grandmother and grandfather] for students attending college in the U.S. from Caribbean countries," he continued, "and supports the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen Project, a multi-year campaign that will provide children with access to education in over 60 developing countries, giving priority to girls and those affected by lack of access to education in the world today." 

 The Harvard Foundation recognizes prominent public-spirited leaders each year in honor of the late professor Peter J. Gomes. Past honorees include actor James Earl Jones and the late tennis star and activist, Arthur Ashe.

Microsoft updates windows 10 mail, calendar apps

Microsoft is rolling out an update for Mail and Calendar apps for all Windows 10 users bringing 'architectural improvements' and many new features. Starting with the Mail app, Microsoft has introduced Focused Inbox that essentially bisects your incoming mail into two folders - Focused and Others. 

The Focused section will house all the important mails, while the Others section will house all the not-so-important mails like newsletters, brand discount announcements etc. This is similar to Gmail's methods of segregation into Primary, Social, and Promotions sections in its mail service. 

 Once you include that person's name with the @ prefix, that user will automatically be added as one of the recipients of the mail. Coming to the Calendar app for Windows 10, Microsoft's latest update brings colour coding of events to help users form categories, and essentially scan the calendar to better understand. 

Several other improvements have also been introduced including some improvements to the locations feature for calendar entries and an added option to use Skype for conference calls and online meetings.