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Royal family in mourning after unexpected death of prince

Prince Constantin has died aged 51. The European royal, who is the youngest son of Liechtenstein’s monarch, Prince Hans-Adam II, died "unexpectedly" on Tuesday. “The Princely House regrets to announce that Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein passed away unexpectedly on December 5, 2023,” they said in a statement. His cause of death has not been revealed, but he is survived by his three children with Princess Marie, Prince Moritz, 20, Princess Georgina, 18, and Prince Benedikt, 15. Bishop Benno Elbs, Apostolic administrator paid tribute to the prince in a statement to the parliament. "It was with great sadness that I learned today of the death of SD Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein," he said. “On behalf of the Archdiocese of Vaduz, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to SD Prince Hans-Adam II, the wife of the deceased, Princess Marie, and their children Prince Moritz, Princess Georgina and Prince Benedikt. “I am united with them and the entire royal family in mourning and praying for the deceased. “This afternoon, at 3 p.m., the bells rang in all the parish churches of the archdiocese,” he continued. “I invite all believers in the Principality to join in prayer for Prince Constantin and thus express their solidarity with the Princely House. “I wish Prince Hans-Adam II, Princess Marie, the children and everyone who mourns the deceased a lot of strength and comfort in the hope of resurrection. “You may feel supported by the many people who are praying for the deceased throughout the principality. God grant Prince Constantin eternal rest.” The Prince's death comes just two years after his mother died of a stroke aged 81 in August 2021. Image: Gruppe Liechtenstein/ Action Press/ Shutterstock

Caring

The unexpected health benefits of reading

Not only does reading expand your mind but it also comes with many health benefits. So next time you lose hours (or days) of your life chomping through a novel, don’t feel so bad because you’re doing yourself the following favours. It reduces stress According to a 2009 study from the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent. Researchers found that silently reading to yourself slows down heart rate and eases muscle tension, and it achieves this more effectively than other relaxing activities such as listening to music or having a cuppa. It refines brain function A 2014 study published in Brain Connectivity found reading fiction improves reader’s ability to flex the imagination and “puts the reader in the body of the protagonist”, increasing a person’s emotional intelligence and ability to be compassionate. It helps your memory In her landmark paper "What Reading Does For The Mind", psychologist Dr. Anne Cunningham concluded, “reading is a very rich and complex and cognitive act.” She found the benefits of reading become reciprocal – reading helps your brain retain information over time (as every time you read, you create a new memory), which in turns makes you read better, which in turn make you sharper and smarter. It enhances mental agility in old age The 2013 study from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago measured memory and thinking in over 200 participants aged 55 and over, annually for six years until their deaths. The participants answered the same questions about whether they read books, wrote letters and took part in other mentally stimulating activities. The researchers found that those who kept their brain busy had a rate of cognitive decline estimated at 15 per cent slower than those who did not. “Based on this, we shouldn't underestimate the effects of everyday activities, such as reading and writing, on our children, ourselves and our parents or grandparents,” says study author Robert. S. Wilson, Ph.D. Image credits: Getty Images

Books

Our planet is burning in unexpected ways - here’s how we can protect people and nature

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-kelly-159658">Luke Kelly</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ella-plumanns-pouton-1470045">Ella Plumanns Pouton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-williamson-109967">Grant Williamson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-shawn-fletcher-99786">Michael-Shawn Fletcher</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> People have been using fire for millennia. It is a vital part of many ecosystems and cultures. Yet human activities in the current era, sometimes called the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/did-the-anthropocene-start-in-1950-or-much-earlier-heres-why-debate-over-our-world-changing-impact-matters-209869">Anthropocene</a>”, are reshaping patterns of fire across the planet. <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">In our new research</a>, published in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, we used satellite data to create global maps of where and how fires are burning. We calculated about 3.98 million square kilometres of Earth’s land surface burns each year. We also examined research spanning archaeology, climatology, ecology, Indigenous knowledge and paleoecology, to better understand the causes and consequences of fires. Our international team found strong evidence fires are burning in unexpected places, at unusual times and in rarely observed ways. These changes in fire patterns are threatening human lives and modifying ecosystems. But the future does not have to be bleak. There are many opportunities to apply knowledge and practice of fire to benefit people and nature. <h2>Here’s how fire patterns are changing</h2> Exploring multiple approaches and scales enables a deeper understanding of where, when and how fires burn. Satellite data provide evidence of changes in fire patterns at a global scale. <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2020RG000726">Annual fire season length</a> increased by 14 days from 1979 to 2020 and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04325-1">night fires</a>, which indicate fires that cannot be quickly controlled, increased in intensity by 7.2% from 2003 to 2020. Other changes are apparent only when we look at data from particular regions. An increase in fire size and the frequency of large fires has recently been observed in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2103135118">forests and woodlands of the western United States</a>. Meanwhile fire-dependent grasslands and savannahs across <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.14711">Africa</a> and <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL082327">Brazil</a> have experienced reductions in fire frequency. It’s also important to consider the timescale and type of fire when interpreting changes. In Australia, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-27225-4">satellite records show</a> the frequency of very large forest fires has increased over the past four decades. At longer time scales, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-020-01339-3">charcoal and pollen records</a> indicate the frequency of low-intensity fires <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2395">decreased in parts of southeastern Australia</a> following British colonisation in 1788. <h2>Changes in fire affect air, land and water</h2> Many animals and plants have evolved strategies that enable them to thrive under particular fire patterns. This means changes to fire characteristics can <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abb0355">harm populations and ecosystems</a>. <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/conl.12905">Large and intense fires</a> are reducing the available forest habitat preferred by the greater glider. But a <a href="https://theconversation.com/research-reveals-fire-is-pushing-88-of-australias-threatened-land-mammals-closer-to-extinction-185965">lack of fire can be problematic too</a>. Threatened species of native rodents can benefit from food resources and habitats that flourish shortly after fire. There is evidence that emissions from recent fires are already modifying the atmosphere. The historically exceptional 2019–20 Australian wildfires produced <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe1415#:%7E:text=Intense%2C%20widespread%20bushfires%20in%20Australia,from%20a%20moderate%20volcanic%20eruption.">record-breaking levels of aerosols</a> over the Southern Hemisphere, as well as substantial carbon emissions. The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-020-00610-5">wildfire smoke-related health costs</a> of the 2019–20 wildfires in Australia included an estimated 429 smoke-related premature deaths as well as 3,230 hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Changes in fire patterns are modifying water cycles, too. In the western United States, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2009717118">fires are reaching higher elevations</a> and having strong impacts on <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2200333119">snow</a> and water availability. New studies are revealing how the air, land and water that support life on Earth are connected by fires. Smoke plumes from the 2019–20 Australian wildfires transported nutrients to the Southern Ocean, resulting in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03805-8">widespread phytoplankton blooms</a>. <h2>Humans are responsible for the changes</h2> Human drivers such as climate change, land use, fire use and suppression, and transportation and extinction of species <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">are causing shifts in fire patterns</a>. Increasing global temperatures and more frequent heatwaves and droughts increase the likelihood of fire by promoting hot, dry and windy conditions. A pattern of extreme fire weather outside of natural climate variation is already emerging in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15388">North America</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-014-1183-3">southern Europe</a> and <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac1e3a/meta">the Amazon basin</a>. Humans modify fire regimes by changing land use for agricultural, forestry and urban purposes. Until recent decades, large fires in tropical forests were uncommon. But <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03876-7">deforestation fires</a> used to clear primary forest for agriculture often promotes more frequent and intense uncontrolled fires. Humans have transported plants and animals across the globe, resulting in novel mixes of species that modify fuels and fire regimes. In many parts of the world, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1908253116">invasive grasses</a> have increased flammability and fire activity. Social and economic changes propel these drivers. Colonisation by Europeans and the displacement of Indigenous peoples and their skilful use of fire has been linked with fire changes in <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2395">Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2116264119">North America</a> and <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2015.0174">South America</a>. <h2>Using knowledge and practice of fire to achieve sustainability goals</h2> <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">The pace and scale of these changes</a> represent challenges to humanity, but knowledge and practice of fire can help to achieve sustainability goals. This includes: <ul> <li><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2015.0174">good health and wellbeing</a>, by supporting community-owned solutions and fire practices that increase social cohesion and health</li> <li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479718314658">sustainable cities and communities</a>, by designing green firebreaks and mixed-use areas with low fuels, strategically located in the landscape</li> <li><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aam7672">life on land</a>, by tailoring use of fire to promote and restore species and ecosystems</li> <li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00867-1">climate action</a>, by applying low-intensity fire to promote the stability of soil organic matter and increase carbon storage</li> <li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3921">reduced inequalities</a>, by allocating resources before, during, and after wildfires to at-risk communities and residents.</li> </ul> As the world changes, society as a whole needs to keep learning about the interplay between people and fire. A deep understanding of fire is essential for achieving a sustainable future – in other words, <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">a better Anthropocene</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/213215/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-kelly-159658">Luke Kelly</a>, Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ella-plumanns-pouton-1470045">Ella Plumanns Pouton</a>, PhD candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-williamson-109967">Grant Williamson</a>, Research Fellow in Environmental Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-shawn-fletcher-99786">Michael-Shawn Fletcher</a>, Professor in Biogeography, <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/our-planet-is-burning-in-unexpected-ways-heres-how-we-can-protect-people-and-nature-213215">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

Annoying chores with unexpected scientific health benefits

Wash dishes: Reduce anxiety People who cleaned their plates mindfully (they focused on smelling the soap, feeling the water temperature, and touching the dishes) lowered their nervousness levels by 27%, found a recent study of 51 people out of Florida State University’s psychology department. People who didn’t take as thoughtful approach to their dish washing did not experience a similar calming benefit. Clean with a lemon scented cleaner: Be happier A citrusy scent is a potent mood booster, according to a 2014 Japanese study. When participants spent as little as ten minutes inhaling yuzu (a super-tart and citrusy Japanese fruit), they saw a significant decrease in their overall mood disturbance, a measure of tension, anxiety, depression, confusion, fatigue and anger, PureWow recently reported. Make your bed every morning: Boost productivity Your nagging mum was right: starting your day with a freshly made bed is what Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, calls a “keystone habit”; one that has a ripple effect to create other good behaviour. In his book, Duhigg notes that making your bed every morning is linked to better productivity, a greater sense of wellbeing, and stronger skills at sticking to a budget. Bedmakers also report getting a better night’s sleep than those who leave their covers messy in the morning, per a National Sleep Foundation poll reported by WebMD. Clean up your yard: Prevent a heart attack Need motivation to clean up? People who did the most yard work, housecleaning, and DIY projects had a nearly 30% lower risk of a first-time cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke compared with those who were the most sedentary, according to a new Swedish study of 3800 older adults. Banish kitchen clutter: Lose weight A recent study showed that people with super-cluttered homes were 77% more likely to be overweight or obese. The likely reason: it’s harder to make healthy food choices in a chaotic kitchen. Organising guru Peter Walsh, author of Cut the Clutter, Drop the Pounds, has been inside of hundreds of people’s homes. He says once people finally get organised, they tend to experience a number of other unexpected perks, including weight loss, without strict dieting. Mow the lawn: Feel more joyful There’s something to that grassy scent. Australian researchers discovered that a chemical released by freshly cut grass makes people feel more relaxed and more joyful. Grow flowers and vegetables: Lower depression risk In a study out of Norway, people diagnosed with different forms of depression spent six hours a week gardening; after a few months, they experienced a notable improvement in their depression symptoms, and their good moods continued for months after the study ended. Doing a new activity and being outside in nature can certainly help, but some experts believe that dirt itself might be a depression fighter, according to Health.com. Christopher Lowry, PhD, a professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has been injected mice with a common, harmless bacteria found in the soil. He’s found that they experience an increase in the “release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood, much like serotonin-boosting antidepressant drugs do,” the site reported. Share chores with your spouse: Have a better sex life When men perceived their contribution to household chores as fair, couples have more frequent and satisfying sex, according to a 2015 study from the University of Alberta. “If a partner isn’t pulling their weight in housework, either one will have to pick up the slack, or the chores will remain undone. This will develop tension and bitterness in the relationship, which will transfer into the bedroom,” according to MedicalDaily. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/8-annoying-chores-with-unexpected-scientific-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

"My unexpected $223,000 overseas bill"

Jeffrey Yates had just embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday with his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Instead, he ended up racking up a whopping $223,255 bill, the biggest claim his insurance company had seen during 2017. The 71-year-old from Western Australia said the pair’s much-anticipated trip had started off well. “The trip was a particularly special one as it was our 50th wedding anniversary, so it was something we’d been looking forward to for quite some time,” Mr Yates told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/health-safety/my-unexpected-223000-overseas-bill/news-story/94cd850899f9e1367bf6f3fb49621307">news.com.au.</a> “We started in Dubai, and then went over to Athens. From there, we jumped on a cruise from Athens to Barcelona.” But things soon took a turn when Jeffrey was struck with a series of illnesses while in Italy. “We were only a week in when my health started to deteriorate,” he said. “I contracted legionnaires’ disease and pneumonia which led to me discovering that I had emphysema on the trip. “The experience was quite scary and my wife and our two friends had to leave the cruise early to assist during my recovery.” He ended up in hospital for more than a month. “Within three days they’d dropped us off in Naples to see a specialist hospital, which led to 16 days in intensive care. This was followed by an extended stay in hospital. “All up, I was out of action for 47 days. After all was said and done, the total came to well over $220,000 … It was an extremely difficult situation.” Jeff says that while the couple always take out travel insurance, it was more for his wife who has ongoing health issues. He hadn’t anticipated he would need it. “It’s not something you think about, especially given how quickly those transportation and hospital bills can add up,” he said. “Of course, we were disappointed that such a long-awaited trip had been cut short, but we are grateful that it wasn’t worse and that we weren’t left out of pocket.” He says his experience show that all travellers need to protect themselves when travelling – as you really never know what could happen. Jeff still has ongoing health issues that he is being monitored for, including breathing issues for which he still requires oxygen. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

Camilla's unexpected coronation guest

As the royal family prepares for the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles, an unexpected guest has been revealed to be attending. Camilla's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, will be present for the coronation in Westminster Abbey in May, as he remains “joined at the hip” with his ex-wife. Andrew and Camilla were married for 22 years before they divorced in 1995. Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman the following year, who died from breast cancer in 2010, while Camilla married the then-Prince of Wales in 2005. Ever since their divorce, the couple have remained close. A friend of Parker Bowles told <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/camillas-naughty-ex-andrew-parker-bowles-is-coming-to-the-coronation-blwlqc9dv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sunday Times</a>, “He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.” One of Camilla’s Queen Companions, the Marchioness of Lansdowne said everyone “loves Andrew” and that he’s a “real charmer but he’s always terribly misbehaving”. She added, “Through adversity they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren.” Parker Bowles was unfaithful to Camilla during their marriage, and their friends describe the retired army officer as “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty”. He remains close, however, with several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne with whom he had a brief romance. Parker Bowles has attended both of Charles’ weddings, including to Princess Diana in July 1981 when he accompanied the then-Prince and Princess of Wales’s carriages on horseback after the ceremony. Parker Bowles was also present at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, attending the ceremony with Pitman. Camilla and Andrew have two children together, Tom Parker Bowles, who is King Charles' godson, and Laura Lopes, who have given the former couple five grandchildren. Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

Bindi Irwin’s unexpected wedding news

Bindi Irwin has opened up about the future of her relationship with husband Chandler Powell, sharing that the two have every intention of renewing their vows. The beloved Australian conservationist wed Chandler in March 2020, just before Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions saw weddings restricted to include no more than five people. This meant, of course, that the happy couple could not have some of their nearest and dearest share in their happy day. “Personally, I'd love to renew our vows one day when Grace is older,” Bindi explained in a candid interview with Hello! Magazine. “It would be lovely to have our closest friends and family with us to celebrate.” And while there may have been no small number of absences at the ceremony, Bindi and Chandler were far from alone, with Bindi adding that “our animals are part of our family. Even though we couldn't have all the human guests we wanted at our wedding, we were grateful to spend the day with the wildlife we love so dearly. “Getting married during the pandemic was certainly a strange experience, but an important reminder that love always wins.” In 2020, Bindi had shared a post to social media about the “very difficult decision” to go ahead with their wedding with the reduced guest list, and wrote of how they were “encouraging the world to hold onto hope and love, which will carry us forward.” Now, it seems, the wildlife warrior is ready to take that hope and to move forward, especially as “we have our gorgeous daughter which makes persevering with our wedding even sweeter.” She didn’t have any specifics to share about the next ceremony, but Bindi did spend some time in her interview reflecting on the 2020 event, sharing everything from the story of her dress to the emotion of her brother walking her down the aisle. “Ever since I was a little girl I've known that I wanted a wedding dress similar to my mum's gorgeous gown,” Bindi confessed, going on to note that the gown in question had been in the family for almost 60 years. She went on to reveal that her dress, one created by an Australian boutique, was “even more perfect than I had imagined.” The family’s day wasn’t only a tribute to Bindi and Chandler’s love, with the Irwins making sure to include the late Steve in their celebration - as well as the family’s furry friend. “On the day we had a candle-lighting ceremony in honour of Dad,” Bindi said, “alongside my favourite photo of him and our family dog, Sui.” She noted that it had “meant the world” to be able to pay tribute to her dad on a day that meant so much to her, and for her brother to have accepted the momentous honour of escorting her down the aisle to her future husband. “I’m forever thankful,” she shared, “for his friendship and support.” Images: Instagram

Relationships

“I’m meant to be an expert”: David Koch reveals unexpected info about finances

Sunrise host and financial guru David ‘Kochie’ Koch spilt some unexpected information about his own finances recently. Sunrise had Sally Tindall on as a guest, and Kochie spoke to her about how Australian mortgage holders can protect themselves against the Reserve Bank’s continued interest rate rises. RateCity research director Ms Tindall advised anyone with stress surrounding their mortgage to speak to their bank first to discuss all their options, allowing them to “make an informed decision.” “That word, ‘informed’. I reckon the first step is to go and check how much you’re paying on your loan,” Kochie said. “I’m meant to be an expert… Two weeks ago, I went and checked mine. I was paying 6% per cent!” “Kochie, you can do better than that,” Ms Tindall joked. “I went to the bank and said, ‘I need a discount.’ Three-quarters of a per cent, they cut. In one go! And I’ve asked for a discount before and thought, ‘Oh, I must still be on a great rate.’ But go and check what you’re paying.” Kochie has had a long public career as a financial expert, so this confession came as a surprise to viewers. Before becoming a host on Sunrise, he created financial titles, including Business Magazine, New Accountant and Money Management magazine. Kochie is also a published author, writing multiple books on finance, including Kochie’s 11-Step Money Plan For A Better Life, Money Basics For Tough Times and Financial Survival For Australians. Ms Tindall called any interest rate that mortgage holders can secure from their bank “the gift that keeps on giving.” “Not only does it drop your repayments in the next instalment, but it also does that for the life of your loan, provided you keep that discount,” she told Kochie. The on-air chat comes in the wake of the RBA lifting interest rates to 3.35% last week from a record low of 0.1% back in April 2022. Kochie had also recently warned viewers that scammers have been using his images on social media to lure unsuspecting users into clicking on risky links. “Beware… 2023 and the financial scams keep on coming more than ever,” Koch wrote on Instagram, sharing multiple images of dodgy ads that purported to reveal “how he makes his money” and other financial tips but instead led those who click on them to scam websites.” Photo credit: Getty

Money & Banking

Flow state, exercise and healthy ageing: 5 unexpected benefits of singing

Singing with others feels amazing. Group singing <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00549-0">promotes social bonding</a> and has been <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03057356211042668">shown to</a> raise oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) and decrease cortisol (the “stress hormone”). But it’s not just about singing in groups. There are many unexpected ways singing is good for you, even if you’re on your own. Singing is a free and accessible activity which can help us live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. And before you protest you are “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1360.018">tone deaf</a>” and “can’t sing”, research shows <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429420951630">most people</a> can sing accurately in tune, so let’s warm up those voices and get singing. <h2>1. Singing gets you in the zone</h2> If you’ve ever lost track of time while doing something slightly challenging but enjoyable, you’ve likely experienced <a href="https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state">the flow state</a>. Some people refer to this feeling as being “in the zone”. According to <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/">positive psychology</a>, flow, or deep engagement in a task, is considered one of the key elements of well-being. Research has shown singing can induce the flow state in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0305735619899137">expert singers</a> and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518/full">group singing</a>. One way to get into this flow state is through improvisation. Try your hand at some <a href="https://psyche.co/ideas/the-jazz-singers-mind-shows-us-how-to-improvise-through-life-itself">vocal improvisation</a> by picking one phrase in a song you know well and playing around with it. You can improvise by slightly changing the melody, rhythm, even the lyrics. You may well find yourself lost in your task – if you don’t realise this until afterwards, it is a sign you’ve been in flow. <h2>2. Singing gets you in touch with your body</h2> Singers make music with the body. Unlike instrumentalists, singers have no buttons to push, no keys to press and no strings to pluck. Singing is a deeply <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/10298649211062730">embodied activity</a>: it reminds us to get in touch with our whole selves. When you’re feeling stuck in your head, try singing your favourite song to reconnect with your body. Focus on your breathing and the physical sensations you can feel in your throat and chest. Singing is also a great way to raise your awareness of any physical tensions you may be holding in your body, and there is increasing interest in the intersection between <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0305735617729452">singing and mindfulness</a>. <h2>3. Singing as exercise</h2> We often forget singing is a fundamentally physical task which most of us can do reasonably well. When we sing, we are making music with the larynx, the vocal tract and other articulators (including your tongue, lips, soft and hard palates and teeth) and the respiratory system. Just as we might jog to improve our cardiovascular fitness, we can exercise the voice to improve our singing. <a href="http://thevoiceworkshop.com/somatic-voicework/">Functional voice training</a> helps singers understand and use their voice according to optimal physical function. Singing is increasingly being used to help improve <a href="https://www.jvoice.org/article/S0892-1997(16)30442-8/fulltext">respiratory health</a> for a wide range of health conditions, including those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s, asthma and cancer. Because singing provides such a great workout for the respiratory system, it is even being used <a href="https://www.eno.org/eno-breathe/about-the-eno-breathe-programme/">to help people</a> suffering from long COVID. <h2>4. Singing builds psychological resources</h2> Group singing can help combat social isolation and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0733464815577141">create new social connections</a>, help people <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0305735620944230">cope with caring burdens</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2019.1624584">enhance mental health</a>. Studies show these psychological benefits flow because group singing promotes new social identities. When we sing with others we identify with, we build inner resources like belonging, meaning and purpose, social support, efficacy and agency. <h2>5. Singing for “super-ageing”</h2> “<a href="https://ana-neurosurgery.com/want-to-be-a-superager/">Super-agers</a>” are people around retirement age and older whose cognitive abilities (such as memory and attention span) <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/36/37/9659">remain youthful</a>. Research conducted by distinguished psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett and her lab suggest the best-known way to become a superager is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/31/opinion/sunday/how-to-become-a-superager.html?referringSource=articleShare">to work hard at something</a>. Singing requires the complex coordination of various physical components — and that’s just to make a sound! The artistic dimension of singing includes memorisation and interpretation of lyrics and melodies, understanding and being able to hear the underlying musical harmony, sensing rhythm and much more. These characteristics of singing make it an ideal candidate as a super-ageing activity. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/flow-state-exercise-and-healthy-ageing-5-unexpected-benefits-of-singing-180415" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Music

Bradley Cooper's unexpected new partner

Bradley Cooper is dating Huma Abedin. Huma is Hillary Clinton’s top aide and the ex-wife of disgraced politician Anthony Weiner who was sentenced in 2017 to 21 months in prison for sexting with a minor. The Hollwood actor and Huma were introduced by mutual friend Vogue editor Anna Wintour and have been “quietly” seeing each other, <a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/07/12/bradley-cooper-dating-huma-abedin-thanks-to-anna-wintour-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a> reported. “Bradley has been quietly dating Huma for a few months now, [and] they’ve been keeping it really quiet,” a Hollywood insider told the publication. “Bradley broke up with [actor] Dianna Agron and started dating Huma.” The insider is also saying that Huma has told close friends that she is seeing someone new but did not disclose who it was. “They are perfect for each other. They’re both into power and politics and human affairs.” Page Six reports that the pair arrived at the Met Gala together on May 2 before parting for the red carpet to not make their relationship obvious. Huma is currently in the final stages of her divorce from Weiner who she shares a 10-year-old son with. “I had my heart broken, dragged out, stomped on, humiliated. I lived with shame, in shame, for so long,” she previously told The Cut. “In hindsight, I was in extreme trauma.” Bradley was dating actress Dianna Agron before Huma. Images: Getty

Relationships

The best memes to come out of Melbourne’s unexpected earthquake

Melbourne’s had a rough 24 hours, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/breaking-two-earthquakes-hit-victoria">experiencing multiple earthquakes</a> that precisely nobody was prepared for amidst ongoing protests in the CBD. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, although some buildings have suffered damage. In fact, <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-news-live-fears-melbourne-protests-may-continue-lockdowns-begin-for-northern-nsw-lgas-20210921-p58tku.html">SES chief officer Tim Wiebusch</a> said lockdown was likely the reason there weren’t more injuries, telling media, “We were probably very fortunate that with the situation in Melbourne at the moment there aren’t a lot of people out moving during the day.” Being Australian, everyone rushed to find the humour in the situation, so without further ado, here are some of the best memes and jokes from the past 24 hours. This tweet from the Chaser team had everyone wondering if they were psychic, or had perhaps planned the earthquake as one of their stunts. It was posted on Tuesday, and reads, “Nation braces for next natural disaster after Scott Morrison goes on vacation”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nation braces for next natural disaster after Scott Morrison goes on vacation — The Chaser (@chaser) <a href="https://twitter.com/chaser/status/1440148646767443973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> They followed it up with this one posted soon after the earthquake, reading, “As Scott Morrison is informed in New York about the earthquake back home, he reassures the public that he will be catching the next flight back to Hawaii”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> As Scott Morrison is informed in New York about the earthquake back home, he reassures the public that he will be catching the next flight back to Hawaii — The Chaser (@chaser) <a href="https://twitter.com/chaser/status/1440508991386259458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> Some were concerned about the structural integrity of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks… <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Some of the devastating building damage from the Melbourne earthquake. <a href="https://t.co/mS9V48Of7v">pic.twitter.com/mS9V48Of7v</a> — Masericha ™️ (@masericha) <a href="https://twitter.com/masericha/status/1440493389078675458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> But fortunately highly qualified earthquake inspectors were on hand to survey the damage. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Official earthquake inspector report at the old Astor. All is well. 1936, built to last. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/melbourneearthquake?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#melbourneearthquake</a> <a href="https://t.co/c7whPQJA8f">pic.twitter.com/c7whPQJA8f</a> — Zak Hepburn (@ZakHepburn) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZakHepburn/status/1440488105539096583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> Australians on the other side of the country were starting to feel left out. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Can confirm that in Perth we have not felt the earthquake yet. It usually takes about 2-4 years for stuff people are talking about in Melbourne to make it here. — Lauren Béldi (@LaurenBeldi) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenBeldi/status/1440556502020853761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> While others were feeling fortunate they weren’t in Melbourne just now. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> At what point do we accept that God hates Melbourne? — James Colley (@JamColley) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamColley/status/1440459408614457346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> When the earthquake hit, some people weren’t sure what had happened, with one Twitter user’s mum telling the family group chat that she thought her upstairs was haunted. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> my mum’s reaction to the earthquake… sent to the family group chat <a href="https://t.co/kakTY8ozu5">pic.twitter.com/kakTY8ozu5</a> — Mads (@MaddyUlbrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaddyUlbrick/status/1440456369652461574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> While others knew right away what had happened, and who was responsible. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Dan Andreas Fault. — Darren Levin (@darren_levin) <a href="https://twitter.com/darren_levin/status/1440460083402469386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/R20hHJzyqy">pic.twitter.com/R20hHJzyqy</a> — Leanne Tonkes (@leannetonkes) <a href="https://twitter.com/leannetonkes/status/1440510505827721222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> Finally, it’s important to always try to look on the bright side, just like this tweeter has. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> the Melbourne earthquake, 22/10/21 — we will rebuild... <a href="https://t.co/WzwWxhwfOq">pic.twitter.com/WzwWxhwfOq</a> — Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) <a href="https://twitter.com/Evan_M_G/status/1440455659812577290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> And to try and remain calm in a crisis, like the ABC’s Tony Armstrong. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A magnitude six <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Earthquake?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Earthquake</a> has rattled Melbourne and regional Victoria. This is the moment when News Breakfast presenters <a href="https://twitter.com/mjrowland68?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjrowland68</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Tonaaayy_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tonaaayy_</a> were rocked by it. <a href="https://t.co/Z4gz0sWJve">pic.twitter.com/Z4gz0sWJve</a> — News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakfastNews/status/1440461207572398091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> Image: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Travel Trouble

5 unexpected things that can happen to your body during pregnancy

If swelling ankles, fatigue, and weird cravings weren’t enough, apparently there are even more unusual things that no one tells you about pregnancy. While chapped lips, swollen fingers, skin tags, pigmentation and snoring are also on the cards, changes in your hormones during pregnancy can result in unusual side effects that you should really know about. Here are seven unexpected things that can happen to your body while pregnant. 1 Bleeding gums As scary as this might sound, this symptom is surprisingly common. If you experience this, it will most likely be when you brush your teeth. The culprit? Changing levels of the hormone progesterone, <a href="https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/oral-care-during-pregnancy/bleeding-gums-pregnancy-should-you-worry">which can cause</a> a build-up of bacteria in your mouth that can leave your gums inflamed and showing signs of gingivitis. Don’t despair though, this usually reduces once you have given birth and your hormones return to normal levels. In the meantime, it’s important to keep up with your oral health to minimise the amount of plaque and food on your teeth. 2 Tooth wear and decay Speaking of teeth problems, tooth decay is another that can occur during pregnancy. There is a higher risk of tooth wear and decay during pregnancy as a result of gastric acid from morning sickness, combined with cravings for sugar. Again, brushing and flossing regularly can help you keep your teeth as healthy as they can be. 3 Excess saliva Feeling like you have extra saliva is another common one. Ptyalism, the condition describing excess saliva, can strike during pregnancy and commonly affects those who also suffer from extreme nausea and morning sickness. While the culprit isn’t clear, it is thought that hormones are the main reason behind this symptom. Sufferers from ptyalism deal with a large amount of saliva too, with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30221872/">research</a> finding that symptoms of ptyalism can include saliva volumes of up to two litres a day. 4 Incredibly realistic dreams The symptoms don’t just affect you while you’re awake. Experiencing vivid dreams and nightmares is common during pregnancy, even for those who don’t usually remember their dreams. <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/pregnancy/how-pregnancy-affects-dreams#:~:text=Many%20women%20also%20report%20greater,are%20currently%20on%20our%20mind.">Researchers</a> think that dreaming is how our subconscious works through issues. During pregnancy, a time of excitement and stress, the hormonal changes that make you more emotional during the day are still there while you sleep, making your dreams more vivid and often pregnancy-related. 5 Bigger feet As crazy as it sounds, some people find their feet grow during pregnancy. <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">Some research</a> suggests this is due to the production of relaxin, a hormone that loosens your pelvic joints and the ligaments in your feet, which could allow them to stretch. Other research has found a permanent loss of arch height because of additional pressure on your foot arches. According to a study conducted by the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation</a>, between 60 and 70 per cent of pregnant women found their feet became wider and longer.

Body

Unexpected Prince Harry cameo in Biden's inauguration leaves fans stunned

While people around the world tuned in to watch Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' historic inauguration, eagle-eyed royal fans spotted a sneaky appearance by Prince Harry. A large portrait of Prince Harry was spotted in the background of photos taken during President Biden's official visit to Arlington Cemetery. Royal reporter Omid Scobie shared the photo. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by a royal at President Biden’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InaugurationDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InaugurationDay</a> visit to Arlington Cemetery. Well, kinda. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a giant photo from Prince Harry’s 2013 visit hanging in the background while <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> caught up with the Clintons. <a href="https://t.co/qWtJrFwRrL">pic.twitter.com/qWtJrFwRrL</a> — Omid Scobie (@scobie) <a href="https://twitter.com/scobie/status/1352023086263132163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote> "A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by a royal at President Biden’s #InaugurationDay visit to Arlington Cemetery. Well, kinda. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a giant photo from Prince Harry’s 2013 visit hanging in the background while @JoeBiden caught up with the Clintons," he joked. Prince Harry has close ties to the Biden family after working closely with Dr Jill Biden after the pair met during a reception for wounded soldiers at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington. Jill then travelled to London to attend Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2014 and was joined by her husband at the 2016 games in Orlando. Biden has joked that he was a "little worried" about the pair's friendship, stating: "Jill went to London for the last Games. She spent too much damn time with Prince Harry." An insider close to Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle told <a rel="noopener" href="https://hollywoodlife.com/2021/01/20/meghan-markle-prince-harry-inauguration-emotional-joe-biden-kamala-harris/" target="_blank">HollywoodLife</a> that the inauguration was "very personal" for the couple. "Harry's been friends with Joe and [wife] Jill [Biden] for years and Meghan has a huge amount of respect and admiration for them and for Kamala Harris," the source claimed. "It's just a monumental moment in history — watching the first female VP being sworn in will for sure be emotional for Meghan."

Beauty & Style

Unexpected note in Woolies home delivery leaves shopper speechless

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Shopper Leanne was left speechless after receiving an unexpected note in her latest Woolworths home delivery. She explained that while placing her online order, she left a message thanking staff for the "valuable" work they're doing during the coronavirus pandemic. “I also shared that due to my health I’m unable to go shopping and so I greatly appreciated the shopper doing it for me,” Leanne wrote on Facebook. “Whilst unpacking my shopping, I found the following note tucked safely in one of my bags of shopping.” The note was left by the Woolworths picker who made up Leanne's online order. “Thank you for your very kind message,” the letter read. “It’s lovely customers like you who made our job worthwhile. “I hope everything I have picked for you today is nutritious and what you wanted. “I wish you a peaceful week with no pain and lots of love to surround you.” The note brought Leanne to tears. “I’ll happily admit that I got all misty eyed for so many reasons,” she said. “It restores your faith in humanity. “After a challenging morning it put a smile on my face to accompany the gratitude tears. “It made me feel like a person and not just a delivery number. “Most importantly it has created a memory that will stay with me long after the note is taken off my fridge where it’s currently on display.” A Woolworths representative said the supermarket was touched by the “heartwarming feedback”. “We’re also glad to know that this is something you’ll remember forever,” the spokesperson said. </div> </div> </div>

Caring

COVID-19 has offered us an unexpected opportunity to help more people quit smoking

Smokers are worried. A respiratory disease is running rampant across the globe and people with unhealthy lifestyle habits appear to be especially vulnerable. We know smokers hospitalised with COVID-19 are more likely to become <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/smoking-and-covid-19">severely unwell and die</a> than non-smokers with the disease. At any point in time, most smokers <a href="https://www.quit.org.au/news/8-10-victorian-smokers-want-quit-survey/">want to quit</a>. But COVID-19 provides the impetus to do it sooner rather than later. In our <a href="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Abstract/9000/Preferences_for_Tobacco_Cessation_Information_and.99161.aspx">new study</a>, we surveyed 1,204 adult smokers across Australia and the United Kingdom. We found the proportion intending to quit within the next two weeks almost tripled from around 10% of smokers before COVID-19 to 29% in April. Many more were thinking about quitting some time soon, and most wanted help to do so. Our research shows many people who smoke understand they can reduce their COVID-19 related risk by addressing their smoking. Given this, and the broader health gains associated with stopping smoking, we must ensure people who want to quit in the face of COVID-19 are supported. Information and support When asked whether they’d like to receive information about the risks of COVID-19 for smokers, almost half (45%) of our respondents said they would. This was especially the case among those wanting to quit very soon. As for where they wanted to get this information, participants most commonly chose government representatives (59%) and doctors (47%) as their preferred sources. Television news was the most favoured information delivery channel (61%), followed by online news (36%), social media (31%) and email (31%). As well as being receptive to information, our participants were keen for support to help them quit. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2020-smoking-cessation/index.html">Evidence-based</a> forms of smoking cessation assistance include nicotine replacement therapy (for example, gum, patches and inhalers) and counselling. Almost two-thirds (61%) of our respondents expressed an interest in receiving nicotine replacement therapy to help them quit, which rose to more than three-quarters (77%) if it could be home-delivered and provided free of charge. Half (51%) wanted access to personal advice and support, such as that provided by <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/quitline">Quitline</a>. A similar number (49%) were receptive to being part of a text support program for smokers. These results show us smokers are interested in forms of quitting assistance that can be delivered remotely. Making sure smokers know these sorts of things are available in lockdown could increase uptake, and in turn reduce smoking rates. It’s also important to note the <a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-1212">social isolation</a> associated with the pandemic may make people more vulnerable to the addictive effects of nicotine. So they may need extra support during this time. Two big risks to our health Strong groundwork in the form of anti-smoking campaigns, tobacco taxes, and smoke-free environment legislation has reduced smoking levels in Australia to a record low of <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2019/contents/summary">11%</a>. But even at this rate, smoking remains Australia’s <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/953dcb20-b369-4c6b-b20f-526bdead14cb/aihw-bod-20.pdf.aspx?inline=true">number-one avoidable killer</a>. Smoking eventually kills up to <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-015-0281-z">two-thirds of regular users</a>, and the number of people dying from smoking-related diseases still dwarfs COVID-19 deaths. Roughly <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco">eight million people</a> around the world die each year from tobacco-related diseases (such as cancer, stroke and heart disease), compared to the almost <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/">one million</a> deaths attributed to COVID-19 so far. Of course, the infectious nature of COVID-19 brings its own set of challenges. But combined, we have a potent reason to prioritise encouraging and helping smokers to quit as soon as possible. There has been <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-nicotine-protect-us-against-coronavirus-137488">speculation</a> about whether smoking increases the risk of contracting COVID-19, or whether nicotine might actually protect against the disease. The evidence remains unclear. Regardless of whether smoking affects the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the first place, we know it increases the risk of dying from it. Providing intensive quit support during the pandemic could facilitate a substantial boost to cessation rates and bring us closer to the day when smoking becomes history. Capitalising on this opportunity Smokers’ increased risk from COVID-19 and the importance of encouraging smokers to quit to reduce their risk of a range of non-communicable diseases means <a href="https://infogram.com/ama-covid-19-factsheet-tobacco-1hd12y0rovwm6km?live">health agencies</a> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smokers-at-greater-risk-of-severe-respiratory-disease-from-covid-19">around the world</a> are sending messages about the importance of quitting now. Our results suggest these statements should ideally be accompanied by explicit offers of help to quit in the form of nicotine replacement therapy and counselling. Investment in these is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26031929/">cost-effective</a>, and now is an ideal time to make them as widely available and affordable as possible. Many smokers would also likely benefit from the use of mass media to provide more information about their greater risk if infected with COVID-19. This heightened interest in quitting in the face of COVID-19 — reflected not only in our research, <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/number-of-people-quitting-smoking-at-ten-year-high-thanks-to-change-in-attitudes-during-covid-19-pandemic-12077840">but elsewhere</a> — represents a unique opportunity for governments and health agencies to help smokers quit, and stay off smoking for good. Written by Simone Pettigrew, George Institute for Global Health. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=5c52bba7-3930-40c3-ac55-adfb03be59ed&sp=1&sr=1&url=%2Fcovid-19-has-offered-us-an-unexpected-opportunity-to-help-more-people-quit-smoking-146747">The Conversation.</a>

Beauty & Style

Cyclist cops unexpected fine after dobbing in dangerous driver

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> A cyclist has been slapped with a fine after claiming he has footage of a car illegally overtaking him. Dashcam footage from the incident on August 9th was posted to the Facebook page Cycliq, which is a company that sells light and camera safety systems to cyclists. The video appears to show the car drive close to the cyclist as the car tries to overtake the cyclist as they were both travelling down a hill. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCycliq%2Fvideos%2F3547100758647644%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Under NSW road rules, drivers must leave at least a metre of space when the speed limit is 60kmph or 1.5m when the speed limit is more than 60kmph. However, the cyclist took the video to NSW Police only to be hit with a fine for travelling too far from the left-hand side of the road. “Took this to NSW Police and I ended up getting booked for not riding as near to left of the road as possible,” he wrote. “Descending down an unguttered road with blind driveways at 50kph, and I was as close to the left of the road that was safe in the circumstances. “It seems NSW Police intent on keeping road as perilous as possible for cyclists.” The fine was $116. Cycliq commented on the incident, saying that the decision was a "very sad indictment on the attitude of the NSW Police Force". “Change is happening whether they like it or not, and they are going to have to catch up with the times because the videos won’t stop coming and the pressure will only build,” it said. </div> </div> </div>

Legal

Unexpected results for Aussie COVID vaccine trial

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Scientists at the University of Queensland have released their coronavirus vaccine pre-clinical trial data and are thrilled with the results, saying that they show a "good level of protection". During the trial, scientists gave doses of their vaccine to hamsters and then exposed them to coronavirus to test whether or not the drug provoked the correct immune responses. Keith Chappell from the UQ School of Chemistry said this was just "one step in the process". "Following a single dose, we see a really good level of protection against virus in the lung," he said to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-26/uq-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-safe-and-working-on-hamsters/12594726" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">ABC</a>. "Around half of the animals had no virus at all detected in the lungs and the other half had reduced levels. "We saw a marked reduction in the severity of the disease in the hamsters." Dr Chappell said that the vaccine was likely to provide protection against the virus and symptoms of the disease. "The protection we saw after a single dose was better than we expected," he said. "[It] looks like two doses do a great job of protecting both against virus replication and the disease." He said that the trial was going well and there's "no safety concerns with the participants dosed so far". The trial recruited 120 people and the researchers said that this was the first clinical trial to release detailed results of hamster modelling. "Until now, it has been extremely difficult to compare, but we are the first ones to make public how the vaccine is performing," Dr Chappell said. Scientists are confident that the Australian-developed candidate will be able to be mass-produced. "With the optimisation that we've done and the proof of concept … this vaccine will be able to be produced at scale," Professor Munro said. They said as many as 10 million doses of the vaccine would be able to be produced at one time. "The headline findings are that we can manufacture this vaccine in sufficient quantities to reach a large percentage of the population," Dr Chappell said. However, Magdalena Plebanski, professor of Immunology at RMIT has urged for calm. "But it's early days and we still don't know whether it will induce an immune response in humans," she said. She is impressed by the UQ study and the urgent nature of the team who are looking to accelerate the process of getting a viable vaccine to the community. "They are thinking about the next step, about scale-up and production and they have shown scale-up is possible," Professor Plebanski said. "It looks promising. Thus far, all the signs are good," she said. "As to which is going to offer the best protection, it's still too early to know." </div> </div> </div>

News

Fit and healthy Melbourne nurse shares unexpected COVID-19 symptom

A young and health nurse who works in the emergency department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital has revealed that she suffered from an unusual symptom before testing positive for coronavirus. Emily Morris, 32, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-27/more-than-700-victorian-healthcare-workers-with-covid19/12494330" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">ABC's 7:30 Report</a> that she felt a strange pain in her lower legs a week and a half ago. She knew it was different from anything she ever experienced as she was used to being on her feet for hours on end. "I was at work when I developed some aching to my lower legs and I spoke to my manager and she got me tested straight away," she said. She said she self-isolated herself until she got her results 24 hours, which confirmed she had coronavirus. Other common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough and tiredness. "I was absolutely devastated. I think that as a health care worker, there is a little bit of shame and stigma around being diagnosed as COVID positive," she said. "I'm young, I'm fit, I'm healthy. I was doing the right things and I got coronavirus." She is now isolating in a government apartment so she doesn't risk exposing her housemates to coronavirus. "I feel terrible. I haven't felt like eating and have difficulty keeping down fluids," she said. Morris suspects she contracted the virus within the community. "I work in the respiratory emergency department, which means that I wear an N95 mask. Then on top of that, I wear a face shield, hair coverings as well as a full length gown," she said. "Considering the high quality of the PPE that we have and the procedures that we have in place, I am very certain that this was a community acquired transmission." Morris is sharing her story and is urging others to follow social distancing measures as well as wearing a mask. "The discomfort that you think you feel wearing [a mask] does not compare to the discomfort that you will experience if you test COVID-positive," Ms Morris warned in a video posted on social media. "[To] become short of breath that even walking from the couch to the toilet is a mammoth effort. "Wear a mask, wash your hands, engage in social distancing. There is nothing more inconvenient and uncomfortable than catching corona. "I can tell you. I know from experience."

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Surprise! Woman makes unexpected find while grabbing a trolley at Coles

A mum got a shock as she spotted a large python hiding when grabbing a trolley from Coles. She shared the photo of the brown patterned snake that was spotted in the bay outside the Coles supermarket in Everton Park, just north of Brisbane CBD on Friday. She posted a photo to the Coles Facebook page, joking that she might “just skip the trolley today and grab a basket”. <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158083065548086&set=p.10158083065548086&type=3&theater" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> Might just skip the trolley today and grab a basket! Posted by <a href="#">Victoria Higgins</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158083065548086&set=p.10158083065548086&type=3">Saturday, February 8, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> Coles quickly responded to the incident, asking if the mum had told staff about the slithery friend. “A staff member was made aware,” the mum responded. “They were great. Straight onto it without any hesitation. You’ve got a great team there!” “Thanks for confirming, Victoria!” Coles responded. “We’ll pass on your feedback to our Store Manager and thanks for sharing this image of our slithery friend in store.” Commenters were quick to joke about the incident. “The poor (little) snake just wanted to pop in for some groceries,” one wrote. A spokesperson confirmed to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/coles-shopper-finds-snake-nestled-between-trolleys-brisbane-043244504.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia</a> that a snake catcher was called into the scene and removed the snake without any issues. The snake catcher confirmed it was a non-venomous python that was probably seeking shelter from heavy rain.

Travel Trouble

Child hospitalised after ingesting unexpected object while trick or treating

A pre-school age child has been rushed to hospital in Victoria after she ate a drug that was mixed in with lollies while out trick or treating. The child was enjoying Halloween festivities in Bacchus Marsh when the incident occurred. Victoria Police spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/bacchus-marsh-child-hospitalised-after-ingesting-unexpected-object-while-out-trick-or-treating/news-story/f30013300a87cb5ec46641d2fb6dee5c" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> about the incident. “Investigators have been told that the child may have ingested a prescription medication and are currently making inquiries as to how this happened,” police said in a statement. The child became ill while trick or treating just after 8 pm yesterday and the child’s mother noticed that she was not well. The mother quickly called an ambulance and the child was taken to hospital for observation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> A little girl has been rushed to hospital after falling ill while trick or treating in Bacchus Marsh. Police say the child appears to have swallowed prescription medication which may have been mixed in with her lollies while out door knocking. <a href="https://t.co/fiL2O99hCo">https://t.co/fiL2O99hCo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7NEWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7NEWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/aKcnA3ilFU">pic.twitter.com/aKcnA3ilFU</a> — 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1189996166504538112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">31 October 2019</a></blockquote> The drug ingested has reportedly been used to treat psychosis and may have become mixed up with other sweet that were collected by the girl. Police are investigating but currently do not have reports of similar incidents. The girl’s parents told <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/halloween-fright-as-preschool-aged-girl-is-rushed-to-hospital-while-trick-or-treating-c-534560" target="_blank">Channel 7</a> that they’re using the incident as a warning to other parents who went trick or treating in the same area.

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