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10 million animals die on our roads each year. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t) to cut the toll

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/graeme-coulson-1378778">Graeme Coulson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helena-bender-98800">Helena Bender</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> There’s almost no warning. A dark shape appears on the side of the road, then you feel a jolt as something goes under the car. Or worse, the shape rears up, hits the front of your vehicle, then slams into the windscreen. You have just experienced a wildlife-vehicle collision. This gruesome scene plays out <a href="https://www.bbcearth.com/news/australias-road-kill-map">every night across Australia</a>. When these collisions happen, many animals become instant roadkill. An <a href="https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/handle/2123/23121/Thesis%20updated%20for%20library%20submission.pdf?sequence=1">estimated 10 million</a> native mammals, reptiles, birds and other species are killed each year. Others are injured and die away from the road. Some survive with <a href="https://theconversation.com/10-million-animals-are-hit-on-our-roads-each-year-heres-how-you-can-help-them-and-steer-clear-of-them-these-holidays-149733">terrible injuries and have to be euthanised</a>. The lucky ones might <a href="https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/who-should-i-contact-about-injured-wildlife/">be rescued</a> by groups such as <a href="https://wildliferescue.net.au/">Wildlife Rescue</a>, <a href="https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/">Wildlife Victoria</a> and <a href="https://www.wires.org.au/">WIRES</a>. Wildlife-vehicle collisions also increase the risk to whole populations of some threatened species, such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17143">Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo</a> on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland. People are affected, too. Human <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.13361">deaths and injuries</a> from these collisions are rising, with motorcyclists at greatest risk. Vehicle repairs are <a href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/-/media/wildlife-road-safety-report--final.pdf">inconvenient and costly</a>. Added to this is the distress for people when dealing with a dead or dying animal on the roadside. How can we reduce the wildlife toll on our roads? Many measures have been tried and proven largely ineffective. However, other evidence-based approaches can help avoid collisions. <h2>Evidence for what works is limited</h2> Many communities are worried about the growing impacts of wildlife-vehicle collisions and are desperate for solutions. Recent reports from <a href="https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1822182/FULLTEXT01.pdf">Europe</a> and <a href="https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4w7576_Huijser_etal_WVC_ConnectivityLiteratureReview_PooledFundStudyFinalReport_2021.pdf">North America</a> review the many methods to reduce such collisions. Do these findings apply to Australia’s unique fauna? Unfortunately, we don’t have a detailed analysis of options for our wildlife, but here’s what we know now. Well-designed fences keep wildlife off our highways but also fragment the landscape. Happily, animals will use crossing structures – overpasses and <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-news-highway-underpasses-for-wildlife-actually-work-187434">underpasses</a> – to get to food and mates on the other side of the road. Fences and crossings do work, but are regarded as too costly over Australia’s vast road network. As for standard wildlife warning signs, drivers <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4494358/">ignore most of them</a> after a while, making them ineffective. Signs with graphic images and variable messages get <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ani3041142">more attention</a>, but we need road trials to assess their effect on drivers and collision rates. <h2>Whistling in the dark</h2> Some drivers install cheap, wind-driven, high-pitched wildlife whistles on their vehicles. Tests in the United States 20 years ago found humans and deer <a href="https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1582071">could not hear any whistling sound</a> above the road noise of the test vehicle. Yet these devices are still sold in Australia as kangaroo deterrents. The Shu-Roo, an Australian invention, is an active wildlife whistle. It is fitted to the bumper bar, producing a high-pitched electronic sound, which is claimed to scare wildlife away from the road. Sadly, <a href="https://rest.neptune-prod.its.unimelb.edu.au/server/api/core/bitstreams/3c3154e0-2f48-5b73-a6cd-a7423c2a75ee/content">our tests</a> show the Shu-Roo signal can’t be heard above road noise 50 metres away and has no effect on captive kangaroo behaviour. We also recruited fleets of trucks, buses, vans, utes and cars to field test the Shu-Roo. Nearly 100 vehicles covered more than 4 million kilometres across Australia over 15,500 days. The drivers reported just over one wildlife-vehicle collision per 100,000km travelled, but <a href="https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2021.042">there was no difference in the rate</a> for vehicles fitted with a Shu-Roo versus those without one. The virtual fence is the latest attempt to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. It uses a line of posts spaced along the roadside, each with a unit producing loud sounds and flashing lights aimed away from the road. Vehicle headlights activate the units, which are claimed to alert animals and reduce the risk of collision. Early results from Tasmania were encouraging. A 50% drop in possum and wallaby deaths was reported, but <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19009">this trial had many design flaws</a>. Recent trials in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/10/752">Tasmania</a>, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/10/1323">New South Wales</a> and <a href="https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/downloads/download/292/virtual_fence_to_reduce_vehicle_collisions_with_wallabies_on_heinemann_rd_-_final_report_2020">Queensland</a> show no effect of virtual fencing on collisions with possums, wallabies or wombats. Our concern is that this system is being <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-02/wildlife-fence-trial-underway-in-queensland-and-phillip-island/12268110">rolled out</a> in <a href="https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2023/june/councils-innovative-trial-helping-keep-local-wildlife-safe">many</a> <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-26/nsw-south-coast-council-first-virtual-fence-to-protect-wildlife/101571600">parts</a> of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-stealth-tech-aiming-to-stop-roos-from-becoming-roadkill-20231222-p5etda.html">Australia</a>. It gives the impression of action to reduce collisions with wildlife, but without an evidence base, solid study design or adequate monitoring. <h2>A very messy problem</h2> The problem has many dimensions. We need to consider all of them to achieve safe travel for people and animals on our roads. At a landscape level, collision hotspots occur where wildlife frequently cross roads, which can help us predict the collision risk for species such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13465">koalas</a>. But the risk differs between species. For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01530">on Phillip Island</a> most wallaby collisions happen on rural roads, while most involving possums and birds are in urban streets. Traffic volume and speed are key factors for many species, including <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2306">kangaroos</a>. Driver training and experience are also important. In the Royal National Park in New South Wales, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/6/40">half the drivers surveyed</a> had struck animals, including wallabies and deer. Yet most still <a href="https://theconversation.com/10-million-animals-are-hit-on-our-roads-each-year-heres-how-you-can-help-them-and-steer-clear-of-them-these-holidays-149733">weren’t keen</a> to slow down or avoid driving at dawn and dusk. Road design has a major influence on wildlife-vehicle collions too, but the planning process too often <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.959918">neglects wildlife studies</a>. Smarter cars are <a href="https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1822182/FULLTEXT01.pdf">being developed</a>. One day these will use AI to spot animal hazards, apply automatic emergency braking and alert other drivers of real-time risk. To explore potential technological solutions, Transport for NSW is running a <a href="https://www.eianz.org/events/event/symposium-using-technology-to-reduce-wildlife-vehicle-collisions">symposium</a> at the University of Technology Sydney on May 21. The symposium will cover wildlife ecology and the evidence base for options to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in Australia. <hr /> If you see an injured animal on the road, call <a href="https://www.wildliferescue.net.au/">Wildlife Rescue Australia</a> on 1300 596 457. for specific state and territory numbers, go to the <a href="https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/who-should-i-contact-about-injured-wildlife/">RSPCA injured wildlife site</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222367/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/graeme-coulson-1378778">Graeme Coulson</a>, Honorary Principal Fellow, School of BioSciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helena-bender-98800">Helena Bender</a>, Senior Lecturer, Environmental Social Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/10-million-animals-die-on-our-roads-each-year-heres-what-works-and-what-doesnt-to-cut-the-toll-222367">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Science finally proves "Money doesn't buy happiness"

A new study has proven that the old adage "money can't buy you happiness" is true. Historically, economic wealth and higher income households are often seen to have an increased level of wellbeing and happiness, with the extra money making way for less stress and more general comfortability. However, researchers from Canada and Spain have concluded this may not be true, with such surveys often including responses from people in industrialised areas only. People in small-scale societies where money does not play a central role in every day life are often excluded from these studies, as the livelihood of residents in these small communities usually depend more on nature. Now, 2,966 people from Indigenous and local communities in 19 locations across the globe have been included in a study, with researchers now finding that societies of Indigenous people and those in small, local communities report living very satisfying lives despite not having a lot of money. The researchers wrote, "The striking aspect of our findings... is that reported life satisfaction in very low-income communities can meet and even exceed that reported at the highest average levels of material wealth provided by industrial ways of life." Researchers concluded the findings are strong evidence that economic growth is not needed to be happy, with only 64 percent of households included in the survey reported having any cash income. Eric Galbraith, lead author of the study, said, "Surprisingly, many populations with very low monetary incomes report very high average levels of life satisfaction, with scores similar to those in wealthy countries." Researchers added that high life satisfaction is shown in these communities "despite many of these societies having suffered histories of marginalisation and oppression." Galbraith added, "I would hope that, by learning more about what makes life satisfying in these diverse communities, it might help many others to lead more satisfying lives while addressing the sustainability crisis." Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

“This doesn’t make sense": Mum fined for parking in own driveway

A Gold Coast mum couldn't believe her eyes when she found an almost $200 fine in her mail for parking in her own driveway. “I got a lovely fine from Gold Coast City Council for parking in my own driveway,” Megan Pass told 7News. “This doesn’t make sense. “Everybody I’ve shared this with is going, ‘What the hell?’” The council claims that part of her driveway is located on council land so she was breaking the law by parking on it. The mother-of-three said that she has lived in the house for seven years and parked her car there every day and has never been fined before. The <a href="https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-building/Development-applications/Development-application-types/Driveways-vehicular-crossings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">council website </a>states that there is an important difference between someone's driveway, which "ends at the property boundary", and a vehicular crossing, which is the section of the driveway between the boundary and the road. The local law prevents people from parking over council land for more than two minutes, so Ms. Pass got fined $193. People took to social media to share their thoughts on Ms Pass' situation. “What a joke - revenue raising at its best,” one user tweeted. While another said: “Yip I got one of those fines lol. Just paid it. Don’t have time spare to go court to be told… you broke the law… pay the fine." “Will the mayor mow the footpath once a week and water it? That bloke’s a goose,” a third added. Images: 7News

Legal

Modern prime ministers have typically left parliament soon after defeat. So why doesn’t Scott Morrison?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-strangio-1232">Paul Strangio</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> With each passing month, Scott Morrison is developing into a post-prime-ministership peculiarity. Well over a year since voters cast him from power, he remains limpet-like in the House of Representatives, defying speculation that he is ready to quit parliament and trigger a byelection in his New South Wales seat of Cook. Hanging around on the backbench is generally not the way of ousted national leaders in the modern political era. It is true that in bygone times former prime ministers did not scurry to leave parliament after losing office. The most spectacular example is Australia’s leader during the first world war, William Morris Hughes. Bumped from office in 1923, the “Little Digger”, as he was known, remained in the House for another three decades, relentlessly scheming for power. Only death in 1952 brought closure to his parliamentary career. Since the 1980s, however, the habit of former PMs has been to hastily abandon politics once the mantle of office has slipped their grasp. Malcolm Fraser established this modern pattern, triggering a byelection in his seat of Wannon two months after his Coalition government was defeated by the Bob Hawke-led Labor Party in March 1983. From that time there have been few exceptions to this norm. Deposed from office by Paul Keating in December 1991, Hawke was out of the parliament by February 1992, with his seat of Wills won by the independent, Phil Cleary. Keating, too, followed the trend. After his Labor government lost power to the John Howard-led Coalition in March 1996, Keating resigned from the House the following month. For Howard, the decision was taken out of his hands, as voters not only finished his prime ministership in November 2007 but terminated his more than three decades as the member for Bennelong. Howard’s slayer, Kevin Rudd, did buck the trend after he was overthrown by caucus colleagues in June 2010. Convinced of the righteousness of his resurrection and thirsting to avenge his usurper, Julia Gillard, he stayed on for another parliamentary term, wresting the prime ministership back in June 2013. However, when electors put an end to his second government three months later, Rudd swiftly exited politics. Meanwhile, Gillard had resigned as the member for Lalor only weeks after being dethroned by Rudd. Prone to eccentricity, Tony Abbott is the clearest exception to the rule of modern ex-PMs not dallying in parliament once their reign is over. Deposed by Malcolm Turnbull in September 2015, less than two years after becoming prime minister, Abbott lingered mostly aimlessly on the backbench for the rest of that term and the next. Recontesting his seat of Warringah again at the May 2019 election, he lost to the independent, Zali Steggall. In contrast to Abbott, Turnbull left parliament with almost unseemly haste once he was unseated from power. After being dumped from the leadership in favour of Morrison in August 2018, he tendered his resignation as the member for Wentworth within a week. In the ensuing byelection, his seat too went to an independent, Kerryn Phelps. How do we explain the modern pattern of former prime ministers sprinting to the exit door once their time in office is over? In earlier times, there was a role for ex-leaders as elder statesmen in parliament. The best example is the Great Depression-era PM, Labor’s James Scullin. Despite failing health, he remained in the House for nearly another two decades and served as a trusted confidant to John Curtin throughout the harrying days of the second world war. Modern former prime ministers can be a source of counsel to their successors, offering advice both welcome and unwelcome. But there is no appetite among colleagues for them to hang around in parliament fulfilling that function. The media are quick to portray them as an unhelpful distraction or curiosity, while opponents point-score off them. Better they are out of the way. Another reason modern former leaders are impatient to move on is that, with extended lifespans and expanded opportunities post-office (for example, book-writing deals, lecture circuits, ambassadorships, business ventures, NGO and think-tank appointments), ex-PMs can now enjoy a second wind once out of parliament in a way that was not so open to earlier predecessors. Politics is now less of a lifetime vocation. Why, then, is Morrison clinging on? We can discount his declarations that he is relishing being the member for Cook. Being a humble backbencher visits daily humiliation on him. Indeed, Morrison’s post-prime ministership has been most notable for his reputation being tarnished by revelations of his bizarre commandeering of several portfolios while PM, and by the adverse findings against him by the Robodebt Royal Commission. These scandals have undoubtedly complicated an early departure for Morrison because, in going, he would be seen to be retreating in disgrace. He needs time and space from the scandals for the semblance of a dignified escape. The opportunities Morrison had hoped for following politics have potentially also thinned because of his sullied reputation. Finally, there is the political calculation surrounding his exit for his party. Stay or go, Morrison is a headache for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. As long as the scandal-ravaged Morrison hangs around, he is damaging the Liberal brand. Yet a byelection in his electorate is also unwelcome. Though Cook is very safe on paper, the history of the seats of three former PMs going to independents over the past 30 years is intriguing and not to be lightly dismissed.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212544/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-strangio-1232">Paul Strangio</a>, Professor of Politics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/modern-prime-ministers-have-typically-left-parliament-soon-after-defeat-so-why-doesnt-scott-morrison-212544">original article</a>.

Legal

Daily aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in older, healthy people after all

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> The daily use of <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/drugs-in-secondary-stroke-prevention">low dose aspirin</a> has been a mainstay of preventing strokes for decades. While there has always been a risk of bleeding associated with aspirin use, the benefits were thought to outweigh the risk. Now <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25803">new research</a> led by Monash University has shown daily, low-dose aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in relatively healthy people aged over 70. And it increases their risk of bleeding on the brain after falls or other injuries. But if you’re taking aspirin, it doesn’t mean you should abruptly stop. It may still have a role to play in treating people at high risk of stroke. Or, after talking to your doctor, there might be better options available. <h2>Why has aspirin been used to prevent strokes?</h2> Aspirin is an anti-platelet medicine, which is commonly known as a blood-thinner. <a href="https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/learn-about-blood/platelets">Platelets</a> are the component of blood primarily responsible for its clotting action. They are what stop you from continuously bleeding any time you have a cut or scrape on your skin. A <a href="https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/what-is-a-stroke">stroke</a> is when oxygen can’t get into the brain because of a burst or blocked blood vessel. A blockage can occur when platelets in the bloodstream form a clot and it gets stuck in the artery. Because aspirin acts on platelets, it can help prevent the clots that can lead to a stroke. But because aspirin acts on platelets, it can also increase the risk of <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797#:%7E:text=While%20daily%20aspirin%20can%20help,of%20developing%20a%20stomach%20ulcer.">unwanted bleeding</a>, usually in the stomach. It can also increase your risk of bleeding more when you have another injury, like hitting your head. Aspirin isn’t just used for the prevention of strokes. It is also the first aid treatment for someone undergoing a <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/acute-myocardial-infarction-early-treatment">heart attack</a>. <h2>Findings of the Monash trial</h2> New <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25803">research from Australia and the United States</a> reports results from the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. The researchers examined the protective use of daily low-dose aspirin (100 mg) in nearly 2,000 people who were aged 70 years and older and had no history of heart disease or stroke and whose blood pressure and cholesterol were well managed. When compared with placebo, aspirin didn’t reduce or increase the risk of stroke. Of the participants who took the aspirin, 195 or 4.6% had a stroke. Of those who took the placebo, 203 people or 4.7% had a stroke. But it did statistically increase the rate of non-stroke bleeding in the participants’ brains, for example when they injured their head. Those on aspirin showed a rate of bleeding in the brain of 1.1% (108 participants) compared with 0.8% (79 people) for those on placebo. This is a relatively, low but serious, risk. These findings are not entirely new. <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1800722?query=featured_home">Research</a> published five years ago based on the same ASPREE trial showed a similar result: a higher rate of bleeding among those taking low-dose aspirin compared with placebo. However as the study authors note, aspirin continues to be widely used for the prevention of stroke. <h2>What are the study’s limitations?</h2> The researchers examined aspirin in mostly people of white European heritage. So we don’t know whether the results are translatable to people with different ethnic backgrounds. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2594139/">Genetics and ethnicity</a> can significantly impact the efficacy and safety of some drugs. The clinical trial only included people who were not significantly at risk of a stroke, and had no history of heart disease. Younger age groups were not studied either, so we cannot make any conclusions about their use of low dose aspirin to prevent stroke. It’s also possible the potential benefits and risks are different for those who have underlying heart problems or who have previously had a stroke and are therefore at higher risk of another stroke. <h2>I’m taking aspirin, what should I do?</h2> If you’re taking daily low-dose aspirin and are concerned by the results of the study, it’s important you don’t just stop taking your medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist. For people who are at high risk of having a stroke, or have previously had one, low-dose aspirin may remain their treatment of choice despite the slight bleeding risk. If you’re at high risk of bleeding, for example because of falls and other accidents due to advanced age, frailty, or another underlying condition, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of aspirin you take by adding in <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/dipyridamole">dipyridamole</a> or prescribing a different medicine completely, such as <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/clopidogrel">clopidogrel</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210388/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/daily-aspirin-doesnt-prevent-strokes-in-older-healthy-people-after-all-210388">original article</a>.

Body

No, you can’t reverse ageing by injecting ‘young blood’ and fasting. But that doesn’t stop people trying

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-jefferson-buchanan-297850">Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-sturt-university-849">Charles Sturt University</a> Like many celebrities and entrepreneurs, 45-year-old US tech billionaire Bryan Johnson is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/taking-the-blood-of-your-17-year-old-son-anti-ageing-has-gone-too-far-20230530-p5dcd6.html">trying to reverse the ageing process</a>. Spending an average of US$2 million a year on an anti-ageing regimen, Johnson <a href="https://medium.com/future-literacy/at-45-i-now-age-slower-than-the-average-10-year-old-6932448fc608">claims</a> he now ages slower than some children. He explains: “the pace my body accumulates ageing damage is less than the average ten year old”. Many of Johnson’s age-reversal methods are questionable, involve dodgy science, and have known side effects. While you can’t stop the ageing process, and the gradual decline our bodies experience as we advance in years, there are some things we can all do – for free – to maintain our health as we age. <h2>What does Johnson do? And is it scientific?</h2> Fasting Johnson reports fasting for 23 hours a day. He then eats <a href="https://medium.com/future-literacy/one-meal-23-hr-fast-100-nutrition-18187a2f5b">one meal a day</a>: 2,250 calories of nutrient-dense food “customised” to his body’s needs. Eating for time-restricted periods in the day can have a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9650338/">positive effect</a> on how we <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955217/">metabolise nutrients</a>, inflammation levels, hormonal regulation, and <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-good-is-your-cardiometabolic-health-and-what-is-that-anyway-202208182803">cardiometabolic health</a> (blood sugar, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186">triglycerides</a>, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference). However, a Spartan-like food intake can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2121099/">impair</a> how our body responds to sugar (known as glucose tolerance). And it’s not necessarily any more effective for weight maintenance than <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29419624/">reducing calorie intake at each meal</a>. Large-scale, long-term human trials are needed to confirm the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34728336/">limited risk-benefit</a> findings of fasting. Acid peels Johnson has weekly <a href="https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/chemical-peels/chemical-peels-for-aging-skin">acid peels</a> (which use a mild acid to exfoliate the skin) to maintain a “youthful glow”. But you cannot smooth sagging facial skin or remove deep scars or wrinkles. Acid peels also <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473">come with risks</a>, including organ damage, infection, scarring and swelling. Plasma infusions Perhaps the most bizarre youth-inducing procedure Johnson has attempted is receiving blood transfusions from his 17-year-old son. US biotech companies have explored <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/02/could-young-blood-stop-us-getting-old-transfusions-experiments-mice-plasma">plasma infusions</a> to tackle age-related diseases in humans for decades. But there are no proven clinical benefits. <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions/risks-complications.html">Side effects from blood transfusions</a> include blood-borne infections, fever and allergic reactions. <h2>Historical attempts to stay youthful</h2> Humans have been experimenting with <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/59/6/B515/662071">anti-ageing methods for centuries</a>. These have included all sorts of behavioural and lifestyle practices that are quirky, questionable, and even sadistic. Ancient practices included <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a14382/anti-aging-beauty-through-history/">crocodile dung face masks</a>, which the Greeks and Romans used to brighten their complexions. Romans also used <a href="https://beautytap.com/2019/03/donkey-milk">donkey milk</a> and <a href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/history/swans-fat-crocodile-dung-and-ashes-snails-achieving-beauty-ancient-rome-003240">swan fat</a> to minimise wrinkles, due to their acclaimed rejuvenating properties. <a href="https://www.livescience.com/44071-cleopatra-biography.html">Cleopatra</a> apparently took daily baths in sour donkey milk. To sustain this lavish habit, she had a <a href="https://www.naturanecosmetics.com/en/content/26-faits-historiques">herd of 700 donkeys</a>. Sour milk contains <a href="https://science.jrank.org/pages/3780/Lactic-Acid-Lactic-acid-in-foods.html">lactic acid</a>, a naturally occurring <a href="https://www.mecca.com.au/edits/ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids/">alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)</a> that exists in many modern-day exfoliants. So this idea was grounded in basic science, at least. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530478/original/file-20230607-27-bv0w1t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Milk bath with dried fruits and flowers" /><figcaption>Don’t waste milk on a bath. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/bath-milk-flowers-1051210370">Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> During the 16th and 17th century, “Countess Dracula” aka <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_B%C3%A1thory">Elizabeth Bathory</a> allegedly resorted to serial killing to quench her thirst for youthfulness, <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/the-bloody-legend-of-hungarys-serial-killer-countess">bathing in the blood of her young victims</a>. <h2>The quest continues with cryotherapy</h2> Fountain of youth fixations have inspired many contemporary anti-ageing trends. Exposure to cold is a firm favourite. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-023-00383-4">Some research</a> suggests this could have <a href="https://neurosciencenews.com/cold-aging-22928/">benefits</a> relating to longevity, by slowing cellular degeneration, <a href="https://www.cryo.com.au/anti-ageing-benefits-of-whole-body-cryotherapy/">stimulating collagen and elastin production</a>, increasing the metabolism, and reducing inflammation. Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof includes <a href="https://www.wimhofmethod.com/cold-water-immersion">cold water immersion</a> as one of the three pillars of his <a href="https://www.wimhofmethod.com/">Wim Hof Method</a> to “increase mind-body connection”. Athletes such as <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2469985/Cristiano-Ronaldo-buys-Cryotherapy-chamber.html">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> use <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy">cryotherapy</a>, exposing their bodies to extremely cold temperatures for two to four minutes to decrease the signs of ageing and enhance their general health. However, the <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_side_effects_of_cryotherapy/article.htm">risks of cryotherapy</a> include bone fractures, frostbite, nerve damage, bleeding, cramping, swelling and skin infections. <h2>So what can we do to age well?</h2> Two of the more mainstream anti-ageing methods that Johnson recommends are the daily self-care habits of sleep and exercise. He has a <a href="https://medium.com/future-literacy/sleep-and-impulse-control-87e844218ff2">strict sleep schedule</a> that involves retiring to bed at 8pm, with a one-hour wind-down in a darkened room. Adults report poorer sleep quality and difficulty being able to sleep for long enough <a href="https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-Does-the-Suprachiasmatic-Nucleus-(SCN)-Control-Circadian-Rhythm.aspx">as they age</a>. Sleeping too much or too little is <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1043347/full">associated with</a> a greater risk of obesity, heart disease and <a href="https://theconversation.com/research-check-can-sleeping-too-much-lead-to-an-early-death-101323">premature death</a>. Developing a regular sleep routine, reducing bedroom distractions such as mobile phones, and exercising regularly can all help to <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/aging-and-sleep">alleviate sleep problems</a>. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=383&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=383&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=383&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/530491/original/file-20230607-29-cw0f29.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Child and grandfather walk on a beach" /><figcaption>Exercise is also important for healthy ageing. <a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/s-vhziQHngM">Vidar Nordi Mathisen/Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure> Exercise, often cited as a <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exercise-is-the-wonder-drug-for-healthy-aging-11633642719">wonder drug for healthy ageing</a>, is something Johnson takes very seriously. He does a “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNywRJgCRaQ">Blueprint</a>” workout that includes specially designed daily techniques, as well as <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/high-intensity-interval-training/">high-intensity interval training sessions</a>, hiking and playing sport. From middle age onwards, we all need to exercise regularly, to increase our muscle mass, bone density, strength, endurance, coordination and balance. One of the greatest health risks for older people is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560761/">falling</a>, which balance, flexibility, endurance and strength training <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC381224/">can help</a> reduce. Physical activity can bring <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5408452/">social benefits</a> in older adults if undertaken in groups, and there are well-known <a href="https://www.whiddon.com.au/yourlife/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise-for-older-adults/">mental health gains</a>. Small changes in sleep, diet (eating <a href="https://health.gov/news/202107/nutrition-we-age-healthy-eating-dietary-guidelines">plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, healthy fats, and enough protein</a>), and exercise can support <a href="https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-020-01900-5">healthy ageing</a>, reducing the chance of early death, and helping us all to lead an active and independent life in our senior years. Now that is something worth investing in.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207038/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-jefferson-buchanan-297850">Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan</a>, Lecturer in Human Movement Studies (Health and PE) and Creative Arts, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-sturt-university-849">Charles Sturt University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-you-cant-reverse-ageing-by-injecting-young-blood-and-fasting-but-that-doesnt-stop-people-trying-207038">original article</a>. Images: Getty

Body

Why doesn’t Australia have greater transparency around Taser use by police?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-ryan-273878">Emma Ryan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> The use of a Taser to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-18/cooma-aged-care-home-police-woman-in-hospital-taser/102361018">subdue</a> a 95-year-old dementia patient at an aged care home in Cooma, New South Wales, last week is yet another sickening example of what can go wrong when police rely too heavily on force to resolve challenging situations. Although the senior constable who used the Taser on Clare Nowland has now been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/23/nsw-police-officer-who-tasered-95-year-old-dementia-patient-claire-nowland-suspended-from-duty-with-pay">suspended from duty</a>, calls are growing for an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/22/clare-nowland-95-year-old-tasered-by-nsw-police-aged-care-nursing-home-end-of-life-care">independent investigation</a> into the incident, as well as police treatment of people with dementia. It is crucial for any investigations that follow to also include a thorough examination of the use of Tasers by police in Australia. Why do general duties police officers need to carry Tasers? What purpose do they serve and do they improve outcomes in any way? If so, for whom? <h2>Lack of reporting on Taser use</h2> When Tasers were introduced in Australia in the early 2000s, the public was told they would replace firearms and reduce the need for police to resort to using lethal force. In fact, <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-had-a-record-number-of-police-shootings-in-the-past-year-should-we-be-concerned-169354">the opposite has occurred</a> – fatal police shootings reached an all-time high in 2019-20. Given this, it is presently not clear what benefit Tasers offer over other less-lethal weapons, such as OC spray, except to protect police officers themselves from coming into close proximity to people armed with weapons. The problem is a lack of transparency and accountability around their use. There is no public reporting on Taser use by police in any state or territory (except in the ACT where minimal detail is provided). Taser use <a href="https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/127630/How-are-Taser-weapons-used-by-NSW-Police-Force-Special-report-to-Parliament-October-2012-.pdf">has been formally reported to the public in New South Wales</a> only once, in a report by the state ombudsman in 2012. This analysis of more than 600 Taser incidents in a six-month period in 2010 found a third of people tasered by police were believed to be suffering from mental health issues. Three-quarters of the people were unarmed. More recent internal police figures obtained <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-police-database-unlocked-the-where-when-and-why-officers-used-force-20190917-p52s1p.html">by the media</a> showed NSW police used Tasers almost 3,000 times from 2014-18. More than 1,000 of those incidents involved people with mental health conditions. In other comparable countries, like the <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-22705-9_7">United Kingdom and New Zealand</a>, reporting on Taser use by police is mandated. Statistics show Tasers in these countries are used disproportionately against minority groups and other vulnerable populations. By comparison, the Australian public does not know how many times Tasers are drawn, fired or misfired by police. We know virtually nothing about their real efficacy and impacts. We only learn about their potential harms from the media or the coroner’s reports that follow tragic outcomes. In 2018, for example, a 30-year-old Sydney man, Jack Kokaua, died during an altercation with police in which a Taser had been <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/jack-kokaua-died-from-heart-condition-after-being-tasered-and-held-down-by-police-coroner-finds-20210512-p57r59.html">deployed three times</a>. The coroner found multiple factors, including the use of a Taser, positional asphyxia and a heart condition, had caused his death. After the incident, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/21/call-to-lift-secrecy-around-police-taser-use-after-mentally-ill-mans-death">civil liberties groups</a> called for more transparency around how and when NSW police use Tasers. These calls went unheeded. <h2>Why transparency matters</h2> In Nowland’s case, there are other fundamental questions beyond Taser use that speak to a broader problem of inappropriate use of force by police, particularly against vulnerable people in distress. For example, one retired officer has suggested <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/roberto-died-after-being-tasered-14-times-it-was-supposed-to-change-everything-20230519-p5d9ok.html">police could have thrown a blanket</a> over Nowland, who weighed just 43 kilograms and was just 160 centimetres tall. Reports of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/21/nsw-police-footage-shows-officers-used-two-sets-of-handcuffs-on-81-year-old-woman-with-dementia">previous settlements</a> in civil cases involving inappropriate use of force in aged care settings show the extent of the problem. Body-worn cameras are helpful in providing insight into the various situations that police encounter. But in <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-police-database-unlocked-the-where-when-and-why-officers-used-force-20190917-p52s1p.html">the Kokaua case</a>, the cameras were not turned on. And oftentimes, the footage rarely finds its way into the public domain, as complainants fight for access in the courts. This means the public is under-informed about the problematic incidents that do occur in police interactions with the public. This is especially the case with Tasers. For example, there is body-camera footage of the tasering of Nowland, but NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has not only said she would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/20/nsw-police-commissioner-says-she-wont-watch-video-of-clare-nowland-95-being-tasered">not watch the footage</a>, she also won’t release it to the public unless there was “a process at the end of this that would allow it”. She suggested there was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-22/nsw-police-boss-defends-call-not-to-watch-95yo-being-tasered/102376328">no value</a> in reviewing the footage until she knew “what else happened pre and post that incident”. <h2>Questions must be asked</h2> In the absence of greater transparency and reporting on Taser use by police, it is unlikely much will change. Asking the right questions about the patterns of Taser use in all jurisdictions is now vital if we are to learn anything from the events that unfolded in Cooma and ensure Tasers are not disproportionately used against vulnerable and marginalised people.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206085/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-ryan-273878">Emma Ryan</a>, Lecturer in Criminology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-doesnt-australia-have-greater-transparency-around-taser-use-by-police-206085">original article</a>.

Legal

"This doesn’t feel right, does it?": Photographer admits Sony prize-winning photo was AI generated

A German photographer is refusing an award for his prize-winning shot after admitting to being a “cheeky monkey”, revealing the image was generated using artificial intelligence. The artist, Boris Eldagsen, shared on his website that he would not be accepting the prestigious award for the creative open category, which he won at <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/art/winners-of-sony-world-photography-awards-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023’s Sony world photography awards</a>. The winning photograph showcased a black and white image of two women from different generations. Eldagsen, who studied photography and visual arts at the Art Academy of Mainz, conceptual art and intermedia at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, and fine art at the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication in Hyderabad released a statement on his website, admitting he “applied as a cheeky monkey” to find out if competitions would be prepared for AI images to enter. “They are not,” he revealed. “We, the photo world, need an open discussion,” Eldagsen said. “A discussion about what we want to consider photography and what not. Is the umbrella of photography large enough to invite AI images to enter – or would this be a mistake? “With my refusal of the award I hope to speed up this debate.” Eldagsen said this was an “historic moment” as it was the fist AI image to have won a prestigious international photography competition, adding “How many of you knew or suspected that it was AI generated? Something about this doesn’t feel right, does it? “AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this. They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.” The photographer suggested donating the prize to a photo festival in Odesa, Ukraine. It comes as a heated debate over the use and safety concerns of AI continue, with some going as far as to issue apocalyptic warnings that the technology may be close to causing irreparable damage to the human experience. Google’s chief executive, Sundar Pirchai said, “It can be very harmful if deployed wrongly and we don’t have all the answers there yet – and the technology is moving fast. So, does that keep me up at night? Absolutely.” A spokesperson for the World Photography Organisation admitted that the prize-winning photographer had confirmed the “co-creation” of the image using AI to them prior to winning the award. “The creative category of the open competition welcomes various experimental approaches to image making from cyanotypes and rayographs to cutting-edge digital practices. As such, following our correspondence with Boris and the warranties he provided, we felt that his entry fulfilled the criteria for this category, and we were supportive of his participation. “Additionally, we were looking forward to engaging in a more in-depth discussion on this topic and welcomed Boris’ wish for dialogue by preparing questions for a dedicated Q&A with him for our website. “As he has now decided to decline his award we have suspended our activities with him and in keeping with his wishes have removed him from the competition. Given his actions and subsequent statement noting his deliberate attempts at misleading us, and therefore invalidating the warranties he provided, we no longer feel we are able to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with him. “We recognise the importance of this subject and its impact on image-making today. We look forward to further exploring this topic via our various channels and programmes and welcome the conversation around it. While elements of AI practices are relevant in artistic contexts of image-making, the awards always have been and will continue to be a platform for championing the excellence and skill of photographers and artists working in the medium.” Image credit: Sony World Photography Awards

Technology

10 failsafe picks for the mum who “doesn’t want anything”

For some people, Mother’s Day is easy, with mums dropping gift hints all throughout the year, plus a few timely reminders sprinkled in right before the big day for good measure. For others, it’s a wild guessing game, usually off the back of the annual “oh, you don’t have to get me anything”. And as anyone who’s steered headfirst into that one before knows, it isn’t a risk worth taking. Luckily, the good people over at <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/gifts/mothers-day-gifts?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations</a> - Australia’s most trusted home shopping brand for more than 35 years - have it covered, no matter what your mum’s tastes may be. With an impressive range boasting everything from homewares to garden essentials, beauty, fashion, entertainment, and crafts galore, you’re sure to find something that delights, while giving her the pamper treatment she deserves. And with these ten top picks, you may even snag yourself the title of ‘favourite child’ for 2023. <h3>1. Say goodbye to a chilly reception this winter </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HERHR?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Herbie-Heat-Pack_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> There are few things worse in the winter than wanting your hot water bottle, but lacking any motivation to wait around for the water to boil - and then just to cool enough to safely put in there - and often just opting to go without. But that’s where Cuddly Herbie comes in! With its microwave heating capabilities, this cotton friend is the perfect size for a warm hug, is filled with silicone beans, and even comes with a removable polyester cover for mums all across Australia to beat the winter chill. And better yet, it’s good for the whole year - just pop your Herbie Heat Pack in the freezer and in no time you’ll have yourself a cool compress for all those pesky aches and pains. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HERHR?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herbie Heat Pack, $36.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>2. No laundry room? No problem</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/MWSHM?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Mini-Washing-Machine_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Anyone who does laundry has - at one point or another - stood in front of their machine debating whether or not they have enough to warrant a full load. And whether the solution was to search the house top to bottom for a few more all-important smelly socks, or to save the chore for another full-basket day, an easier one was within reach all along. With a mini washing machine, a small load is no hassle! No-one needs to feel guilty about it either, with the small appliance using an even smaller share of power and water to get the job done. Standing proud at 28cm tall, and complete with a draining basket and draining pipe, this portable machine isn’t greedy, and only asks for some laundry soap, a wall outlet, and some water to get started. It’s even portable, so if your mum’s been after something to lighten the packing load on her next caravanning trip, this may just be the perfect pick for her. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/MWSHM?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mini Washing Machine, $89.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>3. Sudoku? Don’t mind if you do </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/DSUDK?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Deluxe-Sudoku-Game_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Some mums enjoy a crossword, and some mums are a little more into numbers, opting to test their brain with a good old sudoku puzzle instead. But no matter which takes your mum’s fancy, you have the power to save her from the frustration of crossing out poor guesses, smudges that refuse to budge, and scribbles that made sense - and only made sense - at the time. With this natural wooden board, measuring in at 24 x 24cm, those issues are a thing of the past! With over 100 printed puzzles to slide in and play, and 81 double-sided number tiles, there’s hours of enjoyment to be found. And best of all, for those who want the fun without the headache, the board comes complete with its very own solution booklet. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/DSUDK?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deluxe Sudoku Game, $39.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>4. Can’t lose that, won’t lose that </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/COSMO?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Cosmetic-Organiser_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> How many times have we heard our mums ask themselves where they’ve put something? Be it their phone, their keys, or even the shoes they last had on, we’ve all joined that search and rescue mission - sometimes even being the ones to ask ourselves. Luckily, your mum need never lose her favourite lipstick again, and reaching for her best moisturiser has never been easier, with this durable cosmetic organiser. Made of an adorable pastel pink plastic, this space-saving wonder features three spacious drawers, a clear acrylic lid for easy viewing - tall enough to hold even those pesky tall bottles - and a handy carry handle, so your mum can keep it out on display, or carry it right along with her on her next big trip. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/COSMO?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmetic Organiser, $49.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>5. Make cold hands a thing of the past </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HWPB?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Comforting-Hand-Warmer-with-Power-Bank_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Whatever the reason - of which there are dozens - many people are in constant battle with their own cold fingers and toes. And most aren’t particularly keen on the idea of wearing gloves around the house until they warm up, especially if they’re particularly bulky and doomed to get in the way of a task. But with this little hand warmer, knocking out that chill can be done in record time, and all without taking up an unnecessary amount of space in your mum’s cupboard or her bag. This pocket-sized device comes with its very own carry pouch, and warms to 30, 37, or 50°C - it even stays that way for up to an impressive seven hours. It’s easy to charge with the provided USB cable, and even doubles as a powerful rechargeable battery that can charge your smartphone, tablet or any other USB-compatible device on the go. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HWPB?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Comforting Hand Warmer with Power Bank, $19.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>6. Don’t keep ‘pilling’ on </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/FABSH?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Rechargeable-Fabric-Shaver_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Some clothing lasts an entire lifetime without a loose thread or a lint ball in sight, while other items subscribe more to the ‘blink and you’ve got pilling’ way of life. No mum wants to send herself or her kids - or even her grandkids - out in the world covered like that, and this shaver may be just the thing to give her some peace of mind in the face of another pilling crisis. Perfect for everything from coats to jumpers and plush toys, this fabric shaver makes the most of its stainless steel blades and three-speed motor to get the job done well, and to get it done quickly. It even comes with a lint box that’s no hassle to empty, and can be used just about anywhere - not only is it cordless, but it’s rechargeable, and comes with a USB cord - as well as a cleaning brush to get rid of the most stubborn of lint. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/FABSH?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rechargeable Fabric Shaver, $34.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>7. See the light, smell the light</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/ADIFF?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Aroma-Diffuser-with-Coloured-Light_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> With a sleek wood-grain finish and colour-changing light brand, this show-stopping piece doesn’t just look good - it smells good, too. And if there’s one thing a mum deserves, it’s the opportunity to relax in luxury, even if she’s doing it from the comfort of her own home. All it takes is a few drops of water and some essential oil, and this diffuser does the work from there. And with options that range from a soft and steady light to an entire rainbow cycle of colour, whatever your mum’s mood, she can customise her surroundings to her heart’s content. At just 16 cm tall, it won’t even take up too much space, and comes with a USB cord, with the potential to be powered by a simple phone charger. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/ADIFF?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aroma Diffuser with Coloured Light, $39.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>8. Slip into comfort</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/23W23?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Cosy-Wool-Lined-Slipper_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> One of the hardest things in the colder months is getting out of bed, so if the option was there to slide your feet out of there and straight into some cosy slippers, wouldn’t you take it? Wouldn’t you want your mum to take it? With a fluffy collar, these slippers are a warm and comfy at-home essential, made from a soft suede with a gorgeous wool lining. And with a moulded rubber sole, there’s that little bit of extra support that doesn’t come with your standard slipper socks. Plus, if blue isn’t quite your mum’s colour, these also come in a beautiful dusty pink. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/23W23?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosy Wool Lined Slipper, $74.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>9. Don’t look so puzzled </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/61921?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Gridded-Puzzle-Mat_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Jigsaw puzzles not only provide hours - sometimes entire days - of entertainment, but they can also leave you with a fun statement art piece at the end. Granted, of course, that you didn’t lose any pieces along the way. One way to prevent that unfortunate end? A puzzle mat. Able to roll up, these keep puzzles held securely in place for those times you need your table back but don’t quite have the time to finish, or simply need to move to another, comfier location. Sometimes you might start your puzzle alone and later decide to call in reinforcements, and sometimes it goes the other way, after all - too many cooks spoil the broth, too many puzzlers complicate the jigsaw. This mat has guides for jigsaws ranging between 500 and 2000 pieces - with grids at 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 intervals. So no matter the size of your mum’s project, she doesn’t need to worry about losing track - instead, she can focus her full attention on securing those crucial corner pieces. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/61921?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gridded Puzzle Mat, $23.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>10. That’s ‘sew’ perfect</h3> <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/craft/accessories/folding-sewing-table?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Folding-Sewing-Table_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> While a sewing project can start so, so small, it never takes long for things to expand, and for you to suddenly need far more than you ever thought you might. It can quickly become a pain, getting up and down, to grab whatever it is you’re missing, and can just as quickly drain any enthusiasm in the process. But with this versatile wooden workstation, your mum can have everything with her from the very beginning, and she can do it in style - and from wherever she wants, with its convenient wheels. While folded down, the table measures 59 x 40 x 79 cm high, and while folded out, its entire workspace measures 117 x 40 cm. Additionally, the inside of the station boasts three shelves to store essential tools and supplies, as well as an entire internal shelf dedicated to storing machines while they’re not in use, keeping things neat, tidy, and practical for any avid sewer. <h3><a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/craft/accessories/folding-sewing-table?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Folding Sewing Table, $199 – Buy now at Innovations</a> </h3> <h3>To check out all of the incredible Mother’s Day gifts and inspiration for yourself, head on over to the online version of the <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/catalogues.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations 2023 Mother’s Day Catalogue</a>. </h3>

Home & Garden

“Doesn’t seem okay to me”: Police slammed for parking in disabled spot

NSW Police have come under fire after an outraged Sydney driver called out a patrol car that was parked in a disabled parking spot. A furious driver spotted the police vehicle outside a state election early-voting centre in Mascot on Monday, and snapped a photo of the Hyundai Sonata police car in the clearly labelled disabled parking zone. They then posted the picture to Reddit, with the infuriated motorist captioning the post, “Police parking in a disabled spot so they can vote in Mascot. Where should I complain?” “I have no issue with them voting while on the clock, I do have an issue with them having to park in a disabled spot,” the driver commented. “They have five more days to vote, even if they can’t find time when they’re not working, they can at least wait until they’re not disadvantaging a disabled person.” The driver, who has firsthand experience of battling to claim a disabled parking space for their chronically ill parent, called out the brazen officers for not thinking how this act could significantly impact accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. “My mum had MS and this kind of sh*t would mean we’d need to turn around and go home,” they said. “For people with severe and debilitating disabilities, these spots are vital to them even being able to leave the house. Blocking a spot so they can vote in an election that isn’t until the weekend doesn’t seem okay to me. “There were no other spots between there and the polling station. The election isn’t now, or even tomorrow. (The officers) had time to wait for a non-disabled spot.” The post went viral on Reddit, with a spokesperson for NSW Police saying they’re looking into the situation after being notified about the incident. The comments on the post were divided after many people sided with the officers, saying officers on patrol should be remaining close to their vehicles in case of an emergency. “Arguably, emergency services are probably better off parking in convenient accessible locations,” one person said. “I agree a disabled spot sounds a bit sh*tty, but you wouldn’t want them having to rush to level 4 of a nearby multi-story carpark to take an urgent call like a domestic violence response.” “It’s very important for the officers to (be) close to their patrol car in case of an emergency. Stop having a whinge,” another comment read. Meanwhile, others were more sympathetic towards the person who posted the photo and agreed the officers should have parked elsewhere. “As a disabled person, this is really disappointing to read,” one person said. “I greatly appreciate someone sticking up for people like myself. Not a lot of people will.” Another supporter added, “Yeah that’s not on. I have a disability and I’m tired of people parking in our spots when they don’t have a disability.” According to the NSW state government website, “heavy fines apply for stopping in spaces reserved for people with disabilities, or using a permit that infringes its conditions of use.” Image credits: Reddit

Legal

Renovating your home could ruin your relationship… but it doesn’t have to

Many <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-home-renovations-1.5856136">Canadians have turned to home renovations</a> to find space — both literally and metaphorically — after a year of working, learning, exercising and doing just about everything else from home. As we head into spring and summer, the most popular seasons for home improvement, it’s important for couples to set ground rules before breaking ground. While more living space, a dedicated home office or upgraded kitchen might ease the strain the pandemic has put on homes and families, the renovation process, which <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/life-after-50/201811/renovation-and-couples-conflict">tests relationships at the best of times</a>, could put more stress on partnerships already cracking under the weight of the past year. Contractors and architects say the recent surge in renovation work has them fielding up to five times as many calls per day than they were pre-pandemic. And according to a recent <a href="https://abacusdata.ca/home-renovations-covid-19/">Abacus Data survey</a>, 44 per cent of Canadian households have done or are planning to do renovations this year. Most say they are doing the work so they can feel more relaxed in their homes. At the same time, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/couples-counselling-covid19-1.5557110">phones are also ringing at couples counselling and family law offices</a> as more seek professional help to either preserve or dissolve their relationships. “Couples are experiencing a whole variety of stresses — childcare, household management, personal challenges, strains in the relationship — and the temperature has gone up during the pandemic,” says <a href="https://tribecatherapy.com/">New York City therapist Matt Lundquist</a>. He believes that while the stresses of the pandemic may not be the cause of marriage problems, they are revealing cracks that were already there. <h2>Relationship cracks on full display</h2> Renovations can widen relationship cracks as couples find themselves navigating financial stresses, extended disruptions and making thousands of decisions — from how much they can afford to spend to lower a basement to selecting drawer pulls for new kitchen cabinets. The process can amplify conflicting approaches to <a href="https://doi.org/10.9790/1684-1305064448">decision-making, unhealthy communication habits and latent tensions in relationships</a>. These strains are on display on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/">Reddit’s r/relationship_advice</a>where desperate users seek advice for resolving renovation conflicts with their partners. From “I’m an <a href="https://www.16personalities.com/intp-personality">INTP</a>, he’s an <a href="https://www.16personalities.com/entj-personality">ENTJ</a>, we’re renovating and fighting so badly I fear our relationship will never recover” to “renovation taking way longer than expected, BF taking it personally when I try to speed the process along. We’re at a breaking point” and “renovation frustration with me (29f) and him (31m) — is this understandable or abuse?” Gloria Apostolu, principal architect at <a href="https://www.postarchitecture.com/">Post Architecture</a> in Toronto, pauses for a moment when asked how couples handle the demands of making so many decisions during a renovation. “Every client has their Achilles heel,” she says. “And it’s never where or what I expected.” <h2>Different breaking points</h2> Some of Apostolu’s clients can’t make sense of tiles. Others balk at the price of a front door or are overwhelmed by having to settle on a faucet type for the main-floor powder room all before the contractor even arrives to tear the place apart. Making high-stakes decisions as a couple, Lundquist explains, requires advanced skills, such as weighing pros and cons, gauging the level of acceptable risk and being decisive under pressure, or “pulling the trigger” in contractor parlance. It also requires what he calls relationality — listening and curiosity, taking turns, empathy and working to understand your partner’s point of view, even if you don’t see its logic or agree with it. “It tremendously taxes our skills not to react when our partner says something we disagree with, or isn’t what we expected,” says Lundquist. What really feeds a relationship, he adds, is trying to be curious about where your partner is coming from and resisting the temptation to shut them down or make a counter-argument before fully understanding their point of view. On the other hand, he often encounters partners who, in trying to keep the peace, are <a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/let-go-resentment">not assertive enough about what they want, which can lead to lingering dissatisfaction and resentment</a>. The last thing a relationship needs, Lundquist jokes, is a big, expensive, fixed piece of resentment that a couple is forced to stare at as they sit next to each other on the couch every evening. <h2>Honesty and a smooth renovation</h2> Apostolou echoes the need for openness as a foundation for a smooth renovation. She suggests devising a system at the start for resolving the inevitable conflicts that will arise. This could mean taking turns, or giving veto rights to the person who is most dedicated to that part of the home. For example, the person who does most of the cooking gets the final say on kitchen details. She advises it is most important to work it all out in drawings before you get started. “Don’t rush the design process. You don’t want to be making decisions that are more costly than they would have been if they were planned out in advance.” Apostolu’s no-surprises approach has garnered <a href="https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/post-architecture-inc-pfvwus-pf%7E847407266">effusive five-star reviews</a> from clients on home design and improvement website Houzz. One is from Stephanie Nickson, a financial services consultant, and her partner David Raniga, who now runs his massage therapy practice in the light-filled basement of their recently renovated home in Toronto’s Wychwood neighbourhood. Raniga jokes that the hardest part of the process was dealing with his wife’s inability to make decisions. But because they remained open to each other’s needs throughout the process and stuck with the vision and budget they set at the beginning, they say they actually miss the process now that it is over. And they are almost giddy with the result. “I literally say I love this house every day. We were so lucky,” Nickson says. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/renovating-your-home-could-ruin-your-relationship-but-it-doesnt-have-to-157942" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

"Style doesn’t age": Julie Bishop stuns for International Women’s Day

Former politician Julie Bishop has made a name for herself in the fashion world with a series of stunning new photographs in Stellar Magazine. The snaps, taken in celebration of International Women’s Day, see the 66-year-old Bishop styled in a collection of sleek dresses, and in one shot, just a smart blue blazer and some heels. Bishop has been turning heads and making a name for herself with her looks for a while, and has even earned a spot as an ambassador for David Jones. And now, the former foreign affairs minister has opened up about her inspiration for the shoot, and what it means to feature as their cover star for the magazine’s International Women’s Day Issue. “International Women’s Day is about empowering women, and women feeling self-confident - drawing on their strengths and talents,” Bishop told Stellar when asked about the pose that saw her prop a stiletto against a wall, “when we were doing that pose, I just felt that I needed to look in control, empowered. That was the message I hope it sends.” “I see myself as a woman who pursues her own career, her own path in life,” she added. “I set my own standards, I meet my own benchmarks and I don’t let others define who I am or what I do.” When asked how it feels to be a 66-year-old woman “representing a demographic of women who are typically underserved when it comes to fashion”, Bishop took the opportunity to stress her belief that people “can be fashionable at any age.” “The designs and the models and the stylists focus on one demographic,” she explained, “I’m from one that is generally under-represented. I think David Jones appreciates that, as well. “[I’m] a career woman who has had a number of careers, and yet still wants to be fit and healthy and dress well. Style doesn’t age. Women were considered to have a shelf life, and women in [the] media know this better than most. I think we’ve smashed that paradigm. “Now you can be an achiever in whatever you set out to do. You can be fashionable at any age.” The conversation didn’t stick to the realm of fashion, however, with Bishop also speaking up on her desire to see “more women moving into federal politics” - although she was uninterested in returning herself, having already served “nearly 21 years”. “The more diversity we have in the decision-making forums of Australia - including the national cabinet - the better the discourse, the better the discussion, the better the outcomes,” she said. “I would like to see many more women in politics. No nation can reach its full potential unless, and until, it fully engages and embraces the skills and talents and ideas of all of its citizens, including the 50 per cent that is female - in Australia, the 51 per cent.” “I see myself as a woman who pursues her own career, her own path in life. I set my own standards,” Bishop declared during the interview, “I meet my own benchmarks and I don’t let others define who I am or what I do.” “I was the first female to hold a number of roles: the first female deputy leader of the Liberal Party, [the] first female foreign minister, I’m now the first female chancellor of ANU [Australian National University in Canberra],” she explained of her decades-long work. And when asked of her own ambitions moving forward, Bishop had one piece of important advice to share, “there are plenty of things for me to do. I will continue to aspire to do things that will make me happy and satisfied, and can help other people. It’s important for women to be authentic, to be themselves and not try to be who others expect them to be – and trust their instincts.” Images: Instagram, Stellar Magazine

Beauty & Style

British expat shares strange Aussie slang words she doesn't understand

When Charlee moved from the UK to Australia, she never expected for there to be such a language barrier. The 25-year-old expat shared a list of unique Aussie slang words that she had "never heard in her life" until moving Down Under, with the list of Australianisms quickly going viral. “If you’re thinking about moving to Australia. Listen up. But first – Australian’s don’t all come at me,” she said in the video. “I am very aware I am an uncultured British person which is why I have moved to the other side of the world. I am ready to see the sights.” Charlee said despite having lived in Australia for a few months now, there are still quite a few words she hears daily that have her wondering what they mean. “First thing – an eskie. An eskie is a cool box (what they call it in the UK),” she said. “I do actually quite like the word. It sounds better than ‘cool box’ but still, [I’ve] never heard of it in my life.” The word "esky" became common in Australia after a brand by the same name released the first portable coolers in 1952. Another word Charlee struggled to understand was “doona". “A doona is a duvet. I don’t understand why you would just change the last three letters of the word. It’s quite a nice word, ‘doona’, it sounds very Australian … but it’s just a bit of a strange word.” Like most expats, the term “thongs” threw Charlee off when she first heard it. “I know we should all know what thongs are by now – they’re flip-flop. However, on the odd occasion someone will say thong to me and I genuinely think they're asking me about the piece of material wedged between my butt cheeks.” The other words Charlee listed were footy, ‘too easy’, ‘scull’ (ie scull a drink) and pants, which they refer to as trousers in the UK. Charlee's videos about life in Australia have garnered her an impressive following, with comments rolling in from natives saying "Yep, welcome to Australia!" Image credits: TikTok <div class="media image venti" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 493.639679px; margin: 24px auto;"> </div>

Travel Trouble

Chris Hemsworth’s Alzheimer’s gene doesn’t guarantee he’ll develop dementia

Chris Hemsworth, famous for his role as the god Thor in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, has announced he will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/21/chris-hemsworth-to-take-time-off-from-acting-after-discovering-alzheimers-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taking a break</a> from acting after being told he has two copies of the <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/study-reveals-how-apoe4-gene-may-increase-risk-dementia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">APOE4 gene</a>, increasing his risk of Alzheimer’s. Having one copy of the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.8346443" target="_blank" rel="noopener">APOE4 gene</a> increases your risk for Alzheimer’s 2-3 times. Two copies increases your risk 10-15 times. But the key here is “risk”. Having one or more copies of the gene doesn’t guarantee Chris or anyone else in a similar situation will go on to develop Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. Sharing the news Hemsworth’s willingness to share his concerns about developing Alzheimer’s with millions should be applauded. It’s a reminder to all of us to keep an eye on our health and reduce our risk of future illness. Alzheimer’s, and dementia more broadly, is <a href="https://www.dementiastatistics.org/statistics/global-prevalence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set to challenge</a> health-care systems worldwide. In Australia alone there are <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to</a> 500,000 people with dementia, supported by almost 1.6 million carers. By 2036, about <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/NATIONAL/documents/The-economic-cost-of-dementia-in-Australia-2016-to-2056.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">450 people</a> are predicted to be diagnosed daily. So understanding how APOE4 alters the risk for the major cause of dementia may be pivotal in preventing cases. But not all people with the APOE4 gene go on to develop Alzheimer’s. This means that there may be a combination of environmental factors interplaying with the gene that lead some people to develop Alzheimer’s, while others do not. What’s APOE4 got to do with Alzheimer’s? Most Australians have APOE3 or APOE2 genes. In Caucasians it’s only <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5531868/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 15%</a>, like Hemsworth, who have inherited an APOE4 gene. The APOE gene types are best known for their role in modulating the metabolism of lipids (fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides. They code for synthesis of different versions of the protein APOE, with subtle differences in structure. The APOE proteins become an integral part of lipoproteins in the blood. These are the fat-carrying particles your GP measures to consider your risk of heart disease. APOE proteins have a similar function in the brain, to modulate lipid levels. But in the context of Alzheimer’s, researchers study it for its effect on the integrity of brain cells. Accumulating evidence <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458022000550" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggests</a> APOE4, is associated with brain inflammation and cellular damage. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> APOE4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. A study in <a href="https://twitter.com/Nature?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nature</a> establishes a functional link between APOE4, cholesterol, myelination and memory, offering therapeutic opportunities for Alzheimer’s disease. <a href="https://t.co/bNsmDVPfFW">https://t.co/bNsmDVPfFW</a> <a href="https://t.co/58odE1JASl">pic.twitter.com/58odE1JASl</a> — Nature Portfolio (@NaturePortfolio) <a href="https://twitter.com/NaturePortfolio/status/1594762841487249410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2022</a></blockquote> Can we prevent Alzheimer’s? 1. Look after your capillaries Damaged and leaky blood vessels (capillaries) in the brain lead to inflammation, the death of brain cells and cognitive impairment. In fact, in Alzheimer’s, damaged capillaries are the earliest sign of the type of brain damage that causes disease. The protein encoded by the APOE4 gene may be less able to support healthy capillaries in the brain. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163782709000563" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We suggested</a> APOE4 increases the abundance of specific complexes of lipoproteins and proteins in blood that silently damage brain capillaries, causing them to leak. We also see more brain capillary leakage in mice fed Western-style diets richer in saturated fats. The relationship between how the APOE proteins mediate lipid metabolism and capillary health in humans is poorly understood. But we have 60 years of research knowledge to say with confidence that eating foods good for the heart should also be good for the brain. This is particularly relevant for people with the APOE4 gene. So if you have the APOE4 gene and want to minimise your risk of Alzheimer’s, a healthy diet is a good place to start. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497142/original/file-20221124-24-rlqyk5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Capillaries" /></a><figcaption>Looking after your capillaries with a healthy diet is a good place to start. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/system-many-small-capillaries-branch-out-1745173364" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> 2. Give your brain a break Reducing unnecessary stimuli to “give your brain a rest” may have big impact over decades of your life. The latter may be a more important consideration if you have the APOE4 gene. That’s because the APOE gene is also linked to how the brain uses energy, which may lead to more <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2018.00216/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">oxidative stress and damage</a>. While we’ve yet to collect robust data in humans, take a digital detox now and again, plan some down time, and avoid unnecessary stress if you can. Should we test for the APOE4 gene? Some people might be tempted to get tested for the APOE4 gene, especially if there’s a family history of Alzheimer’s. But unless genetic testing is going to change your treatment (for instance, by taking certain medications to slow progression of brain damage), or your behaviour to minimise your risk Alzheimer’s, then testing is not justified. We can’t change the genes our parents gifted us, but we can change our environment. Poor diet, every drop of alcohol you drink, obesity and diabetes, high blood pressure and sedentary behaviour <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/risk-reduction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all contribute, over time</a>, to poorer vascular health and increase your risk of dementia. We’re still learning about how these risk factors for Alzheimer’s interact with the APOE4 gene. But there is no reason we shouldn’t all take greater responsibility for minimising our risk of dementia now, whether we have the APOE4 gene or not.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/195094/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by John Mamo. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/chris-hemsworths-alzheimers-gene-doesnt-guarantee-hell-develop-dementia-heres-what-we-can-all-do-to-reduce-our-risk-195094" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Instagram

Mind

“Love doesn’t know math”: Cher defends 40-year age gap

Cher has defended the massive 40-year age gap between her and her new and much younger beau. The 76-year-old singer is currently in a relationship with 36-year-old music producer Alexander Edwards. Despite the 40-year age gap, Cher is not shying away from the “blossoming romance” and answered fans’ questions about the relationship along with a cheeky photo of Alex in his boxers. “He’s 36 and in end he came after me. I’m the skittish one. We love each other …. LADIES NEVER GIVE UP. Must say he was different for me,” she wrote. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A.E.Hanging Ot <a href="https://t.co/TB5XXJqlxk">pic.twitter.com/TB5XXJqlxk</a> — Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1595612020325240832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> On paper This Looks strange (Even 2 ME) A.E Says ♥️Doesn’t Know Math — Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1595690505576161281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> BABE,SOME MARCH 2 A DIFFERENT DRUMMER,I Dance 2 One — Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1595695842584731648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></blockquote> “He’s kind, smart, hilarious … and we (kiss emoji) like teenagers,” she responded to a question asking about her favourite quality about Alex. “On paper this looks strange (even to ME) AE says love ️doesn’t know math,” Cher tweeted shortly after. The pair sparked rumours earlier this month when they were seen holding hands outside the West Hollywood restaurant Craig's where they met with rapper Tyga for dinner. During the night, Alex was seen kissing Cher’s hand as they drove off together. It was only days after the dinner that Cher confirmed the relationship on Twitter. Image: Getty

Relationships

Fighting inflation doesn’t directly cause unemployment – but that’s still the most likely outcome

You may have seen the news: in its attempts to tackle inflation, the Reserve Bank is going to increase unemployment. The idea can even seem to come right from the mouths of experts, including the bank’s governor, Adrian Orr. <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/adrian-orr-beating-inflation-will-mean-higher-unemployment/WO3WLQQUGWEC5NVK3AQTR2BN5A/">Speaking recently</a> to an industry conference, he said: <blockquote> Returning to low inflation will, in the near term, constrain employment growth and lead to a rise in unemployment. </blockquote> Similar sentiments have been expressed by <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/inflation-taming-the-costs-are-becoming-more-visible">independent economists</a> and <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/31-10-2022/the-big-banks-just-cant-stop-winning">commentators</a>. But is it as simple as it might appear? What is the relationship between inflation and unemployment, and is it inevitable that reducing one will lead to an increase in the other? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Unemployment rate holds steady at 3.3%, wages rise strongly - Stats NZ <a href="https://t.co/IQOPBaNYTn">https://t.co/IQOPBaNYTn</a> — RNZ News (@rnz_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/rnz_news/status/1587568087808999424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2022</a></blockquote> Historic highs and lows Like other developed countries, New Zealand has been going through a period of historically high inflation. The latest figures, for the September quarter of 2022, show an annual <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/annual-inflation-at-7-2-percent/">rise of 7.2%</a>, only slightly lower than the 7.3% recorded for the June quarter. Inflation is the highest it has been since 1990. The story is similar across the OECD, where inflation averages <a href="https://www.oecd.org/economy/consumer-prices-oecd-updated-4-october-2022.htm">10.3%</a>, including <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/september2022">8.8%</a> in the UK and <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">8.2%</a> in the US. At the same time, New Zealand is experiencing a period of very low unemployment, with a <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/unemployment-rate-at-3-3-percent">rate of just 3.3%</a> for September 2022, following 3.2% in the June quarter. These are near-record lows, and the rate has not been below 4% since mid-2008. So, right now New Zealand is in a period of historically low unemployment and historically high inflation. At first glance, that might suggest that in order to return to low inflation, we may inevitably experience higher unemployment. The Phillips Curve The idea that inflation and unemployment have a negative relationship (when one increases, the other decreases, and vice versa) dates back to work by New Zealand’s most celebrated economist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Phillips_(economist)">A.W. (Bill) Phillips</a>. While working at the London School of Economics in the 1950s, Phillips wrote a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1468-0335.1958.tb00003.x">famous paper</a> that used UK data from 1861 to 1957 and showed a negative relationship between unemployment and wage increases. Subsequent work by economics Nobel Prize winners <a href="https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Samuelson.html">Paul Samuelson</a> and <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/1987/solow/facts/">Robert Solow</a> extended Phillips’ work to show a negative relationship between price inflation and unemployment. We now refer to this relationship as the “Phillips Curve”. However, even though this relationship between inflation and unemployment has been demonstrated with various data sources, and for various time periods for different countries, it is not a causal relationship. Lower inflation doesn’t by itself cause higher unemployment, even though they are related. To see why, it’s worth thinking about the mechanism that leads to the observed relationship. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LISTEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LISTEN</a> 🔊 The Finance Minister says addressing inflation without increasing unemployment is a difficult balancing act. 📎 <a href="https://t.co/CfaopcqjGv">https://t.co/CfaopcqjGv</a> <a href="https://t.co/1gMNat2G99">pic.twitter.com/1gMNat2G99</a> — Morning Report (@NZMorningReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZMorningReport/status/1587893034351411200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2022</a></blockquote> Collateral damage If the Reserve Bank raises the official cash rate, commercial banks follow by raising their interest rates. That makes borrowing more expensive. Higher interest rates mean banks will lend less money. With less money chasing goods and services in the economy, inflation will start to fall. Of course, this is what the Reserve Bank wants when it raises the cash rate. Its <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/library-research-papers/research-papers/monetary-policy-and-the-policy-targets-agreement/">Policy Targets Agreement</a> with the government states that inflation must be kept between 1% and 3%. So when inflation is predicted to be higher, the bank acts to lower it. At the same time, higher interest rates increase mortgage payments, leaving households and consumers with less discretionary income, and so consumer spending falls. Along with reduced business spending, this reduces the amount of economic activity. Businesses therefore need fewer workers, and so employment falls. So, while the Reserve Bank raises interest rates to combat inflation, those higher interest rates also slow down the economy and increase unemployment. Higher unemployment is essentially collateral damage arising from reducing inflation. Great expectations That’s not the end of the story, though. After its 1960s heyday, the Phillips Curve was criticised by economists on theoretical grounds, and for its inability to explain the “stagflation” (high unemployment and high inflation) experienced in the 1970s. For example, <a href="https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Friedman.html">Milton Friedman</a> argued there is actually no trade-off between inflation and unemployment, because workers and businesses take inflation into account when negotiating employment contracts. Workers’ and employers’ expectations about future inflation is key. Friedman argued that, because inflation is expected, workers will have already built it into their wage demands, and businesses won’t change the amount of workers they employ. Friedman’s argument would suggest that, aside from some short-term deviations, the economy will typically snap back to a “natural” rate of unemployment, with an inflation rate that only reflects workers’ and businesses’ expectations. Symptom or cause? Can we rely on this mechanism to avoid higher unemployment as the Reserve Bank increases interest rates to combat inflation? It seems unlikely. Workers would first have to expect the Reserve Bank’s actions will lower inflation, and respond by asking for smaller wage increases. Right now, however, consumer inflation expectations <a href="https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/series/households/household-inflation-expectations">remain high</a> and wage growth is at <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/latest-job-numbers-out-unemployment-flatlining-near-record-lows/O4NDE3Y4W5GMHGDRDDS733LX7A/">record levels</a>. So, we can probably expect unemployment to move upwards as the Reserve Bank’s inflation battle continues. Not because lower inflation causes higher unemployment, but because worker and consumer expectations take time to reflect the likelihood of lower future inflation due to the Reserve Bank’s actions. And since workers negotiate only infrequently with employers, there is an inevitable lag between inflation expectations changing and this being reflected in wages. Alas, for ordinary households, there is no quick and easy way out of this situation. Writen by Michael P. Cameron. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/fighting-inflation-doesnt-directly-cause-unemployment-but-thats-still-the-most-likely-outcome-193617" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193617/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />

Money & Banking

Losing a loved one can change you forever, but grief doesn’t have to be the end of your relationship with them

When the Queen died, some were struck by feelings so strong they <a href="https://www.stylist.co.uk/news/queen-elizabeth-meghan-markle-kate-middleton-twitter-tribute/705766" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described it as</a> like <a href="https://www.itv.com/news/2022-09-09/tributes-flood-in-across-the-uk-as-public-pays-tribute-to-very-special-queen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">losing a family member</a>. For many it was a chance to reflect on the losses in their own lives. The public mass mourning has reminded all of us of the disruptive and disorientating influence of grief. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/sjp.12462" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> shows that grief is a unique kind of loss that leaves a void in our lives. In many cases, it can also trigger new beginnings, including a different, yet enduring relationship with the person we lost. In many ways, we are never the same after being touched by grief. A <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00302228211053058" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent study</a> we conducted, based on 80 in-depth interviews, revealed that losing someone with whom we have been deeply intertwined equates to losing a part of ourselves and forces a change of identity. We also explored the power of grief in <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ageing-and-society/article/gradual-separation-from-the-world-a-qualitative-exploration-of-existential-loneliness-in-old-age/5567288AD35DFB878F3F756FF233FB1C" target="_blank" rel="noopener">another interview-based study</a>. The results showed grief can upend our lives no matter our age. It doesn’t get easier to lose people as we near the end of life and still prompts the kinds of existential crises that make people question their sense of meaning and purpose. Philosopher Thomas Attig argues that grief can be so powerful we have to “<a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/how-we-grieve-9780195397697?cc=gb&lang=en&" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relearn the world</a>”. The impact of grief challenges the meaning of our lives and our sense of who we are. <h2>The right words</h2> People often reach for <a href="https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-metaphors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">metaphors</a> to explain their experience of grief. They say things such as “Grief is like being extremely homesick, knowing your home no longer exists,” or “Grief is a fog that hides the world and makes every sound seem distant.” These analogies point to an experience that disconnects people from and shatters the world as they once knew it. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/105413730601400301" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has outlined the importance of listening out for these emblems when supporting a bereaved person and reworking them in constructive ways. Not long ago, we both lost loved ones. <a href="https://blogs.bath.ac.uk/casp/2022/08/08/a-long-waited-but-unexpected-loss-my-first-encounter-with-grief-as-a-bereavement-researcher-and-why-its-important-to-talk-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chao lost his grandmother in summer</a>, Sam lost his father in spring. He also faced the end of a long-term relationship in the summer, which can also be described as a grief experience as outlined by psychologist, Ginette Paris, in <a href="http://www.ginetteparis.com/books-2/heartbreak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her work on heartbreak, mourning, and loss</a>). Through his grandmother, Chao lost a safe haven, where he always felt loved, supported, and understood. As Sam waded through his grief, a friend asked him if he knew how a caterpillar transitions into a butterfly. Once cocooned, she told him, it digests itself, breaking down into a sort of soup. Within the “soup”, specialised cells called <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(10)00291-5.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">imaginal discs</a> survive, and find their way to the right places, eventually forming wings and other core structures. Out of the soup, the butterfly emerges. “Right now, you are the soup,” Sam’s friend told him. According to <a href="http://www.ginetteparis.com/books-2/heartbreak/introduction-to-heartbreak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ginette Paris</a>, grief similarly breaks us down and forces us to take an “evolutionary leap”. Death is not the end of our relationship with the person we lost, and is often the beginning of our grief, but <a href="https://www.sueryder.org/how-we-can-help/bereavement-information/support-for-yourself/how-long-does-grief-last" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how long does grief last?</a> The answer varies considerably from person to person. The fact that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075805/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">psychological researchers</a> use terms like “complicated grief”, is evidence enough that for some people, acute grief gains a foothold and can be chronically debilitating over long periods of time. A connected issue is the “<a href="https://www.routledge.com/Continuing-Bonds-New-Understandings-of-Grief/Klass-Silverman-Nickman/p/book/9781560323396" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continuing bonds</a>” that we establish with our late loved ones and embed into our everyday lives. For example, for Chao, the frequent reminders of cherished moments with his grandmother – through family chats, while watching TV, or when spotting an older person on the street – highlight that we do not leave our long-standing relationships with loved ones behind. In some circumstances, we may create spaces where they remain part of our lives. When Sam’s father died, he felt compelled to name a star after him, so that he might symbolically always be “up there in the night sky.” <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07481180600848322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studies show</a> the relationship between continuing bonds and grief is complex. <h2>Grief transforms</h2> Because it pushes us to adapt and change. As captured in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26077627-a-grief-observed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C.S. Lewis’s</a> writing about his daily struggles after losing his wife, grief also has a transformational dimension. Our future selves are inspired and propelled by our loss and grief. In her book “<a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674498587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Cue for Passion</a>”, Professor Gail Holst-Warhaft paints a dynamic picture of the grieving process in different groups of bereaved people. These include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/28/mothers-plaza-de-mayo-argentina-anniversary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mothers of “disappeared” children</a> in Argentine civil unrests, American families of victims of the Vietnam War, and gay people who lost their partner to AIDS. Palpable in these experiences is not only the adoption of traditional rituals to process sorrow but also the transformation of grief into political reform. The Queen’s death has given us a unique opportunity to reflect on grief. For some, the pain of losing a loved one may remain vivid or acute for longer periods of time. For others, the feeling of being connected to a loved one may be so interwoven into their everyday lives that they grieve at the same time they <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0030222816686609" target="_blank" rel="noopener">engage with and even sense</a> their loved one by their side. Despite how differently we mourn and how uniquely grief can affect us all, at the heart of our grief is a desire to love, to remember, and ultimately, as author Nora McInerny said in her Ted Talk, to “move forward with it”. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/losing-a-loved-one-can-change-you-forever-but-grief-doesnt-have-to-be-the-end-of-your-relationship-with-them-191135" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Relationships

Having ‘good’ posture doesn’t prevent back pain, and ‘bad’ posture doesn’t cause it

Back pain is the leading cause of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24665116/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">disability</a> worldwide. Most people experience an episode of back pain in their lifetime. It often emerges during <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adolescence</a> and becomes more common in adults. For <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5771685/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">25%</a> of people who develop back pain, it can become persistent, disabling and distressing. It can affect a person’s ability to participate in activities of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31369481/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daily living, physical activity and work</a>. Activities such as sitting, standing, bending and lifting frequently aggravate back pain. There is a common belief that “good” posture is important to protect the spine from damage, as well as prevent and treat back pain. Good posture is commonly defined as sitting “upright”, standing “tall and aligned”, and lifting with a squat technique and “straight back”. Conversely, “slump” sitting, “slouch” standing and lifting with a “round back” or stooped posture are frequently warned against. This view is widely held by people <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23806489/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with and without back pain</a>, as well as clinicians in both <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30553985/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">occupational health and primary care</a> settings. Surprisingly, there is a lack of evidence for a strong relationship between “good” posture and back pain. Perceptions of “good” posture originate from a combination of social desirability and unfounded presumptions. Systematic reviews (studies looking at a number of studies in one area) have found <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20360197/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ergonomic interventions</a> for workers, and advice for manual workers on the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19734238/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best posture for lifting</a>, have not reduced work-related back pain. <h2>Sitting and standing posture</h2> Our group has conducted several studies exploring the relationship between spine posture and back pain. We investigated whether “slump” sitting or “non-neutral” standing postures (overarching or slouching the back, for example), in a large population of adolescents, were <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21350031/%20https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18758367/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">associated with</a>, or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28915771/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">predicted</a> future back pain. We found little support for this view. These findings are consistent with systematic reviews that have found no consistent differences in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31451200/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sitting</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25012528/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standing</a> posture between adult populations with and without back pain. People adopt a range of different spine postures, and no single posture <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31366294/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protects a person from back pain</a>. People with both slumped and upright postures can experience <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16540876/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">back pain</a>. <h2>Lifting posture</h2> Globally accepted occupational health practices about “good” or safe back postures during lifting also lack evidence. Our systematic review found no evidence lifting with a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31775556/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">round-back posture</a> is associated with or predictive of back pain. Our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34288926/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent lab study</a> found people without back pain, employed in manual work for more than five years, were more likely to lift with a more stooped, round-back posture. In comparison, manual workers with back pain tended to adopt more of a squat lift with a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34288926/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">straighter back</a>. In other words, people with back pain tend to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31730537/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow “good” posture advice</a>, but people who don’t lift in the “good” way don’t have more back pain. In a small study, as people with disabling back pain recovered, they became <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32621351/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less protective</a> and generally moved away from the “good” posture advice. <h2>If not posture – what else?</h2> There is no evidence for a single “good posture” to prevent or reduce back pain. People’s spines come in all shapes and sizes, so posture is highly individual. Movement is important for back health, so learning to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31366294/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vary and adopt different postures</a> that are comfortable is likely to be more helpful than rigidly adhering to a specific “good” posture. While back pain can be intense and distressing, for most people (90%) back pain is not associated with identifiable <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27745712/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tissue damage or pathology</a>. Back pain can be like a sprain related to awkward, sudden, heavy or unaccustomed loads on our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25665074/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">back</a>, but can also occur like a bad headache where there is no injury. Importantly, people are more vulnerable to back pain when their health is compromised, such as if someone is: <ul> <li> feeling <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20393261/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stressed</a> </li> <li> experiencing low mood </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25665074/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tired or fatigued</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16741460/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sleeping poorly</a> </li> <li> being less active. </li> </ul> Back pain is more likely to persist if a person: <ul> <li> becomes overly <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12446259/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worried and fearful</a> about their back pain </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5771685/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overprotects their back</a> and avoids movement, physical activity, work and social engagement. </li> </ul> <h2>What can people do about back pain?</h2> In a small group (1-5%), <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27745712" target="_blank" rel="noopener">back pain</a> can be caused by pathology including a fracture, malignancy, infection or nerve compression (the latter is associated with leg pain, and a loss of muscle power and sensation). In these cases, seek medical care. For most people (90%), back pain is associated with sensitisation of the back structures, but not identifiable tissue damage. In this situation, too much focus on maintaining “good” posture can be a distraction from other factors known to be important for spine health. These include: <ul> <li> moving and relaxing your back </li> <li> engaging in regular physical activity of your preference </li> <li> building confidence and keeping fit and strong for usual daily tasks </li> <li> maintaining healthy sleep habits and body weight </li> <li> caring for your general <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31892534/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">physical and mental health</a>. </li> </ul> Sometimes this requires some support and coaching with a skilled clinician. So if you are sitting or standing, find comfortable, relaxed postures and vary them. If you are lifting, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34288926/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">current evidence</a> suggests it’s OK to lift naturally – even with a round back. But make sure you are fit and strong enough for the task, and care for your overall health. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/having-good-posture-doesnt-prevent-back-pain-and-bad-posture-doesnt-cause-it-183732" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Record coral cover doesn’t necessarily mean the Great Barrier Reef is in good health (despite what you may have heard)

In what seems like excellent news, coral cover in parts of the Great Barrier Reef is at a record high, according to <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/highest-coral-cover-central-northern-reef-36-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new data</a> from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. But this doesn’t necessarily mean our beloved reef is in good health. In the north of the reef, coral cover usually fluctuates between 20% and 30%. Currently, it’s at 36%, the highest level recorded since monitoring began more than three decades ago. This level of coral cover comes hot off the back of a <a href="https://theconversation.com/another-mass-bleaching-event-is-devastating-the-great-barrier-reef-what-will-it-take-for-coral-to-survive-180180" target="_blank" rel="noopener">disturbing decade</a> that saw the reef endure six mass coral bleaching events, four severe tropical cyclones, active outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, and water quality impacts following floods. So what’s going on? High coral cover findings <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-lot-of-coral-doesnt-always-mean-high-biodiversity-10548" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be deceptive</a> because they can result from only a few dominant species that grow rapidly after disturbance (such as mass bleaching). These same corals, however, are extremely susceptible to disturbance and are likely to die out within a few years. <h2>The data are robust</h2> The <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/4747/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great Barrier Reef spans</a> 2,300 kilometres, comprising more than 3,000 individual reefs. It is an exceptionally diverse ecosystem that features more than 12,000 animal species, plus many thousand more species of plankton and marine flora. The reef has been teetering on the edge of receiving an “in-danger” <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-declaring-the-great-barrier-reef-as-in-danger-only-postpones-the-inevitable-164867" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a> from the World Heritage Committee. And it was <a href="https://theconversation.com/this-is-australias-most-important-report-on-the-environments-deteriorating-health-we-present-its-grim-findings-186131" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently described</a> in the State of the Environment Report as being in a poor and deteriorating state. To protect the Great Barrier Reef, we need to routinely monitor and report on its condition. The Australian Institute of Marine Science’s long-term monitoring program has been collating and delivering this information since 1985. Its approach involves surveying a selection of reefs that represent different habitat types (inshore, midshelf, offshore) and management zones. The <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/monitoring-great-barrier-reef/gbr-condition-summary-2021-22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest report</a> provides a robust and valuable synopsis of how coral cover has changed at 87 reefs across three sectors (north, central and south) over the past 36 years. <h2>The results</h2> Overall, the long-term monitoring team found coral cover has increased on most reefs. The level of coral cover on reefs near Cape Grenville and Princess Charlotte Bay in the northern sector has bounced back from bleaching, with two reefs having <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-08/AIMS_LTMP_Report_on%20GBR_coral_status_2021_2022_040822F3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 75% cover</a>. In the central sector, where coral cover has historically been lower than in the north and south, coral cover is now at a region-wide high, at 33%. The southern sector has a dynamic coral cover record. In the late 1980s coral cover surpassed 40%, before dropping to a region-wide low of 12% in 2011 after Cyclone Hamish. The region is currently experiencing outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish. And yet, coral cover in this area is still relatively high at 34%. Based on this robust data set, which shows increases in coral cover indicative of region-wide recovery, things must be looking up for the Great Barrier Reef – right? <h2>Are we being catfished by coral cover?</h2> In the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s report, reef recovery relates solely to an increase in coral cover, so let’s unpack this term. Coral cover is a broad proxy metric that indicates habitat condition. It’s relatively easy data to collect and report on, and is the most widely used monitoring metric on coral reefs. The finding of high coral cover may signify a reef in good condition, and an increase in coral cover after disturbance may signify a recovering reef. But in this instance, it’s more likely the reef is being dominated by only few species, as the report states that branching and plating Acropora species have driven the recovery of coral cover. Acropora coral are renowned for a “boom and bust” life cycle. After disturbances such as a cyclone, Acropora species function as pioneers. They quickly recruit and colonise bare space, and the laterally growing plate-like species can rapidly cover large areas. Fast-growing Acropora corals tend to dominate during the early phase of recovery after disturbances such as the recent series of mass bleaching events. However, these same corals are often susceptible to wave damage, disease or coral bleaching and tend to go bust within a few years. Inferring that a reef has recovered by a person being towed behind a boat to obtain a rapid visual estimate of coral cover is like flying in a helicopter and saying a bushfire-hit forest has recovered because the canopy has grown back. It provides no information about diversity, or the abundance and health of other animals and plants that live in and among the trees, or coral. <h2>Cautious optimism</h2> My <a href="https://theconversation.com/almost-60-coral-species-around-lizard-island-are-missing-and-a-great-barrier-reef-extinction-crisis-could-be-next-163714" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a>, published last year, examined 44 years of coral distribution records around Jiigurru, Lizard Island, at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef. It suggested that 28 of 368 species of hard coral recorded at that location haven’t been seen for at least a decade, and are at risk of local extinction. Lizard Island is one location where coral cover has rapidly increased since the devastating 2016-17 bleaching event. Yet, there is still a real risk local extinctions of coral species have occurred. While there’s no data to prove or disprove it, it’s also probable that extinctions or local declines of coral-affiliated marine life, such as coral-eating fishes, crustaceans and molluscs have also occurred. Without more information at the level of individual species, it is impossible to understand how much of the Great Barrier Reef has been lost, or recovered, since the last mass bleaching event. Based on the coral cover data, it’s tempting to be optimistic. But given more frequent and severe heatwaves and cyclones are predicted in the future, it’s wise to be cautious about the reef’s perceived recovery or resilience. This article originally appeared on The Conversation. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Nick Kyrgios' mum reveals why she doesn't watch him play

Nick Kyrgios' mother has revealed she doesn't watch her son compete because it brings her too much anxiety. Nick's mother Nill admitted that seeing her 27-year-old son's matches put her in such a bad place that she had to seek help for her mental health. She told Nine News, "I haven't watched him play for a while, actually. I can't expose myself to that anxiety." "I go into a really strange panic ... It actually got to a stage where I sought help. I was seeing a psychologist for six months. I was not in a good place. My anxiety level watching Nick was so high." Nill said she doesn't even like checking the scores throughout his games, so she waits for someone to message her the final result instead. She said, "The problem is I don't want to know, but I want to know ... as soon as it (news of Nick's win over Brandon Nakashima to reach the quarter finals) came through, there was just relief." Kyrgios shares a very close bond with his mother, which put an emotional strain on the family when Nill was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year. "The doctors said, 'You won't live after Christmas'. But I was so determined because my kids needed me still." "I love it, he's very kind and loving, he tells me he loves me every day. He cuddles, he doesn't care if I cuddle him in front of people or give him a kiss. That's the kid I love," she said. Image credits: Nine News / Instagram

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Nick Kyrgios' mum reveals why she doesn't watch him play

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10 million animals die on our roads each year. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t) to cut the toll

Science finally proves "Money doesn't buy happiness"

“This doesn’t make sense": Mum fined for parking in own driveway

Modern prime ministers have typically left parliament soon after defeat. So why doesn’t Scott Morrison?

Daily aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in older, healthy people after all

No, you can’t reverse ageing by injecting ‘young blood’ and fasting. But that doesn’t stop people trying

Why doesn’t Australia have greater transparency around Taser use by police?

"This doesn’t feel right, does it?": Photographer admits Sony prize-winning photo was AI generated

10 failsafe picks for the mum who “doesn’t want anything”

“Doesn’t seem okay to me”: Police slammed for parking in disabled spot

Renovating your home could ruin your relationship… but it doesn’t have to

"Style doesn’t age": Julie Bishop stuns for International Women’s Day

British expat shares strange Aussie slang words she doesn't understand

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“Love doesn’t know math”: Cher defends 40-year age gap

Fighting inflation doesn’t directly cause unemployment – but that’s still the most likely outcome

Losing a loved one can change you forever, but grief doesn’t have to be the end of your relationship with them

Having ‘good’ posture doesn’t prevent back pain, and ‘bad’ posture doesn’t cause it

Record coral cover doesn’t necessarily mean the Great Barrier Reef is in good health (despite what you may have heard)

Nick Kyrgios' mum reveals why she doesn't watch him play

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