Body

Surviving winter with steam breathing

The WellO2 breathing exercise device is a non-medical device, brand new to Australia! Cold weather can be tough on all of us, but if you have asthma, winter can literally take your breath away. Asthma causes the airways to swell and narrow. When people with asthma are exposed to triggers — which make asthma symptoms worse — they might cough, wheeze or have trouble breathing. For many people, cold air is a common asthma trigger. For many people, asthma is harder to control during winter months, for a few reasons. First, the cold, dry air can irritate your airways and cause the muscles inside to spasm. Then there’s all those cold and flu viruses going around. A cold or respiratory tract infection can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Steam has been used to loosen tight phlegm from the airways for years – anyone who has been told to breathe over a bowl of warm water- or sit in a sauna – will know that steam is helpful in alleviating congestion. Steam plus RMT has been shown to help improve respiratory fitness and overall health and wellbeing. Start training with your WellO2 device today. Many people report seeing the benefit of using their WellO2 in two to four weeks! <img style="width: 500px; height:324.67532467532465px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842666/rd_2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/cf8fc5e57fb6450f930588ab05253074" /> 5 Ways to get lung fit! <ol> <li>Stay hydrated – It might seem simple but keeping well hydrated helps maintain the health of the mucosal lining in the lungs.</li> <li>Slow relaxed breaths -Deep breathing helps you to expand and allow your lungs to reach their full capacity.</li> <li>Nasal Breathing – Our nose is an important part of the respiratory system. It warms and humidifies the air we breathe and helps protect the airways from allergens, pollutants, and pathogens.</li> <li>Sit straight, stand tall and breathe with the diaphragm – Our lungs are soft structures, so making room for them to expand and contract as we breathe is incredibly important. Breathing patterns become abnormal with excessive use of the upper rib cage, which leads to insufficient use of the diaphragm while breathing.</li> <li>Invest in a WellO2 – Breathing exercise devices, such as WellO2 are beneficial not only for those experiencing ongoing respiratory concerns, but for individuals looking to engage in conscious breathing for everyday general wellness.</li> </ol> Hear from some of our very happy customers, WellO2 really can change lives! “I have been using the Well02 for just over two weeks now and I’m starting to see a real improvement with my Asthma, which is always at its worst in Spring. For the first week, I used the breathing device for 5 minutes in the morning then 5 mins at night. I must say, it was a very strange feeling when I first started using the device and I did notice that it would make me cough, which I understand is normal. Due to the coughing, I did take a few free breaths between each inhalation which helped. By the second week I was using the device 10 minutes x 2 a day. I am no longer coughing and have adapted very well. I found the set up of the device very easy but I did watch the YouTube video to make sure I was doing it correctly. I am pleased to say, since using the device, my use of ventolin has decreased. This alone is a huge advantage. I have also noticed I’m not as “puffed” out as I usually am on my nightly walks. I’m looking forward to seeing the continued benefits.” – Melissa H, NSW “I suffer from asthma and chronic bronchitis resulting in difficulty breathing and regularly coughing up thick mucus. The mucus is hard to cough up at times and makes it hard to breathe so I was expecting big things on my first use. It was much gentler than I imagined and although I felt slightly dizzy using it I did cough up a bit of mucus, my initial thoughts were I wanted it hotter and harder but I felt a bit more free in my chest after the first few days. After the first week I was really feeling it under my lower ribs like “real” exercise. I’m not sure if I am doing it too hard as sometimes it makes a whistling noise and I can’t find anywhere in the instructions or online if this is a good or bad thing. I’ve now upped it to level 2 and things are going well – this level seems better suited to me for some reason although I did miss a few days which resulted in an itchy throat feeling like I was getting a cold. The one thing I find difficult is finding the time to fill it, clean it and use it. I would prefer it just sat in the room and I could breathe it in as it did the work and I could do other things without having to hold it. I do love how small it is though – you can just store it away out of sight. Overall I highly recommend it as I’ve had some relief from my chronic symptoms – my chest and nose feel clearer, and breathing easier. I’m also not as affected by pollution and smokers as I was before.” – Rachel K “I am into my third week of using Wello2. My Asthma is Bronchial and generally comes on with the dampness or cold weather (particularly night air). Given my location in Qld, there are not too many very cold nights at this time of the year (October) although the humidity can also play a part at times, it isn’t too late. I have found the Well02 to be more beneficial to me now at night prior to going to bed, I think it helps open the airways and helps me relax a little more going to sleep. I did get up one night with a breathing problem and used the Wello2 at 3am to assist with breathing and I did find the steam did help and also helped me relax to return to sleep., I also find dismantling the parts for cleaning is much easier now than it was in the beginning, they were very stiff to move initially. I would certainly say that the device has been useful to me during the period I have been using it.” – Glenys Davison. <img style="width: 500px; height:324.67532467532465px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842665/rd_3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/59a1c231b898475495bade4760bcb51e" /> For a limited time, we are offering a discount of A$100 to Over60 readers for the WellO2 steam breathing device (normally RRP A$399) or the Travel Pack (normally A$450). We offer a 60-day money back guarantee and ongoing support for your breathing journey with our Breathing Club. Simply enter code ‘Over60’ at checkout. If you would like any further information on WellO2, simply head to our website <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.wello2.com.au/" target="_blank">www.wello2.com.au</a> or contact us at hello@wello2.com.au <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z7-JL_06cL0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://wello2.com.au/" target="_blank">Well02</a>.

Body

Five weird signs you’re iron-deficient

Though iron is one of the most important nutrients that is needed for many functions of the body, many of us don’t get enough of it. “Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide,” said Dr Kelly Prichett, assistant professor of sports nutrition at Central Washington University. The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly half of the world’s 1.62 billion cases of anaemia - where an individual is lacking healthy red blood cells - can be traced back to an iron deficiency. When your body is low in iron, common signs include feeling tired, faint, or becoming breathless more easily. However, there are some more unusual signs that could indicate a dip in your iron levels, including these five. 1. Odd cravings for inedible items While the reasons why are still unknown, people with severe iron deficiencies often crave non-food items including dirt, clay, paint chips, cardboard, and cleaning supplies, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia" target="_blank">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>. The condition, called pica, can be difficult to identify as many are ashamed to admit they have these unusual addictions. Pica typically occurs in young children or during pregnancy, but <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2850349/" target="_blank">case studies</a> have shown that older people can experience pica too. 2. Brittle or spoon-shaped nails Fingernails can be a surprisingly good indicator about your health, including when you’re experiencing iron problems. Along with weak and brittle nails, spoon nails can be a sign of iron deficiency. Also called koilonychia, spoon nails occur when the inside of your nail sinks in, leaving your fingernail shaped like a spoon. Since spoon nails can also be caused by exposure to petroleum-based solvents, trauma (such as a jammed finger), and other issues, doctors may need to perform a blood test for iron deficiency anaemia when there aren’t any other obvious causes. 3. Dry and cracked lips While many of us are familiar with chapped lips caused by harsh cold, a dry room, or licking your lips, people with low iron levels may be prone to a more specific kind of cracking that affects the corners of the mouth, called angular cheilitis. These cracks can make it difficult to eat, smile, or even shout. In a study of 82 people with the condition, 32 percent were found to have an iron deficiency. In those cases, creams or ointments won’t do the trick and the underlying iron deficiency must be addressed to stop the cracking from coming back. 4. An oddly swollen tongue Atrophic glossitis, also known as a swollen and tender tongue, is another less-than-obvious symptom of an iron deficiency. In a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.jfma-online.com/article/S0929-6646(13)00406-3/pdf" target="_blank">2013 study</a> of people with iron deficiency anaemia, nearly 27 percent of the 75 participants were found to have atrophic glossitis, as well as dry mouth, a burning sensation, and other oral health issues. The swelling results in the tongue appearing smooth rather than bumpy, and can cause problems with chewing, swallowing, or talking. 5. A constant craving for ice Craving ice is a specific type of pica <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15804997/" target="_blank">called pagophagia</a>, and is one of the most common symptoms of a severe iron deficiency. While the reasons behind this craving are unclear, some experts hypothesise that chewing ice may increase alertness in iron-deficient people - who often feel sluggish and tired - or that it may soothe swollen tongues. What to do about it If you experience several of the above symptoms, booking an appointment with your doctor may be the best next step. If you are feeling more tired than usual, struggle to catch your breath while walking up stairs or exercising, feel dizzy or often feel weak, you may need to check your iron levels with your doctor. In the meantime, eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, nuts, or dark leafy green vegetables can help you take in some more iron.

Body

4 facts to know about scoliosis

Scoliosis is a common condition where a person’s spine is curved, affecting between two and three percent of the Australian population. This condition is sometimes hereditary and primarily affects school-aged children, especially among girls. What are the signs of scoliosis? According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scoliosis-australia.org/policies-programs/role-of-the-family-doctor/" target="_blank">Scoliosis Australia</a>, common signs of this condition include one shoulder being higher than another, the head not being centered over the body, and an obvious curve in the spine. <img style="width: 500px; height:478.75px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842579/outward-signs-of-scoliosis.gif" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c562f83321eb41fc9f9cedc369d8eade" /> Here are four facts you should know about this unusual condition. 1. Most types develop just before puberty Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the most common form of scoliosis, is most commonly detected between the ages of 10 and 15. If asymmetry is detected in a child’s shoulders, shoulder blades, spine, or pelvis, seeing a paediatric spine specialist is recommended. The specialist can then perform an X-ray so the doctor can measure the degree of curvature in the spine. 2. Early treatment is key Detecting the condition while children are young can help reduce the risk of the spine continuing to curve. For children with spines that curve between 20 and 40 degrees, bracing may be needed if the spine continues to curve. However, one third of those with curves in this range do not progress further. When the spine curves more than 40 degrees, surgery may be required to correct the spine. 3. Scoliosis isn’t just a cosmetic issue Without treatment, scoliosis can worsen over time as the child grows up. In those with spines that curve more than 70 degrees, lung function can be impaired, while those with curved spines of 90 degrees or more may experience poorer lung and heart function. 4. You can still live a normal, active life with scoliosis Luckily, there are new opportunities to treat scoliosis that didn’t exist only a few years ago that can reduce the need for surgery. Additionally, minor curves are the most common form, with 3 adolescent girls per 1000 having a curve that requires surgery or a brace according to Scoliosis Australia. Even for those who require surgery, treatments continue to evolve and have good outcomes. “If your child has scoliosis, don’t be afraid of it,” said Michael Vitale MC, of Columbia University. “The key is being aware of it and getting the diagnosis early so you can begin treatment. When treated early, there’s a lot of hope for stopping curve progression and allowing kids to live a perfectly active, normal life.” Images: Scoliosis South Australia / Instagram

Body

Mum’s unconventional hack divides opinion

A new mum’s unconventional solution for her baby’s acne has divided the internet, due to the presence of one unconventional ingredient. Linh Ta took to TikTok to share her hack, filming herself placing a face mask sheet in a bowl of liquid before applying it to her son Levi’s face. In the clip, Linh Ta reveals the bowl contains liquid gold, telling followers that she uses breast milk to soothe her son’s skin. “When your baby has acne so you make a breast milk mask for him,” she captioned the clip. Baby Levi can be seen sleeping peacefully as she puts the mask on him, which she leaves on to help his skin absorb the milk. In the comments, Linh Ta explained she made the mask “purely out of boredom” and “just to have a little fun”. “I’m a first mum so I’m learning things as I go,” she said. The video, which has been viewed more than four million times so far, has divided other users on the platform. Some were fans, while others were less enthusiastic. “Sooo cute! But the acne will pass. It’s just your hormones leaving their body. It’s not like our acne,” one fan explained. “Um my heart is screaming, this is too cute. Not me going to cut up a dry wipe and do this on my nine-week-old,” another agreed. “This just rubs me the wrong way,” one user argued. “Mini serial killer mask,” another added. In a follow-up video, Linh Ta shows Levi’s clear face in response to a fan asking for before and after photos. <img style="width: 277.1285475792988px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842560/placeholder_8729e81ef4f4d57_0.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8df990dcc851409d956f9a785ee96c14" /> “They were red and raised before and now the redness has subsided,” she said in the update. Though there is <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-acne-breast-milk#breast-milk" target="_blank">no scientific evidence</a> supporting the use of breast milk to treat baby acne, some people swear by the remedy. Since breast milk has antimicrobial properties, the breast milk may help reduce or destroy bacteria and other impurities that block the baby’s pores and cause acne. However, research from the <a rel="noopener" href="https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1108&context=sn_pubs" target="_blank">International Journal of Childbirth</a> recommends simply keeping the baby’s skin clean with soap and water and avoiding oils or lotions that could worsen the acne. Images: Tiktok

Body

Adele stuns in public appearance after massive weight loss

Adele surprised fans as she attended the NBA finals and showed off her shocking 44kg weight loss at the game. She has been careful to keep out of the public eye so the event was a welcome treat for fans. She also sparked rumours that she's dating sports super-agent Rich Paul as they sat together at the match. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRc5YvbNDO8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRc5YvbNDO8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Aᴅᴇʟᴇ•Aᴅᴋɪɴs😍 (@adellylove)</a> </div> </blockquote> Adding fuel to the rumour mill, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst referred to Adele as Paul’s “girlfriend.” “Rich Paul, [LeBron James’] agent, brings his girlfriend to the game sitting next to LeBron. His girlfriend is Adele,” Windhorst said his The Lowe Post podcast. “Rich Paul is at the game with Adele. “This is the first time they’ve come out in public together so this will be all over the tabloids, especially in England tomorrow.” The pair haven't commented on the reports.

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Calls for “life-changing” drug to be added to the PBS

Cystic Fibrosis sufferers are calling for a “life-changing” drug to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) so more of the 3500 affected Australians can access the treatment. Trikafta, produced by Vertex, currently costs Aussies $300,000 a year, meaning it is out of reach for most, including Ella Sawyer’s daughter, Evie. Diagnosed with the condition six weeks after she was born, Evie is now 12 and manages her condition with various medications, supplements, and twice-daily breathing exercises that help clear her chest. She is prone to long-lasting infections, takes enzymes with every meal and has increased calorie needs. Though Trikafta is already available and reimbursed in 17 countries, the decision to recommend its listing on the PBS has been deferred while experts on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee engage further with Vertex. In the meantime, the drug is available free of charge to critically ill patients with no other medicinal options, subject to specific eligibility criteria and on request by their doctor. Evie isn’t one of the 200 Australians who currently qualify, so she and her family are waiting for change. “It’s really, really frustrating that if you’re born with CF [cystic fibrosis], your access to the best treatment can be limited depending on where you are in the world,” her mother Ella Sawyer said. “If Ellie were to get the flu or another infection, she could have a big loss of lung function quite quickly whilst we wait for price negotiations to go on,” she added. “It’s just very frustrating when the quality of someone’s life comes down to a price.” The lack of access to Trikafta is putting lives at risk, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Nettie Burke. “We talk about having one of the greatest health systems here in the world,” Ms Burke said. “I think we do, but we can’t profess that when we can’t get drugs that have been in America for two years.” Better quality of life Ms Burke said recent trials of Trikafta have shown it to be a “life-changing” treatment. “People’s lives have definitely been extended, but their quality of life has been increased dramatically as well,” Ms Burke said. “One of the wonderful things we’ve seen from people overseas, or from those on trials, is that there’s a whole lot of babies being born. “Before, that wasn’t necessarily going to be the case because people were too unwell to have a family, but we’ve seen a big increase in babies. “So we know that Trikafta is working …. It’s incredible.” While negotiations continue between the PBAC and Vertex, Ms Burke and families of people with cystic fibrosis are calling for compassionate access to Trikafta to be given to all eligible patients. “We could save lives by getting access immediately,” Ms Burke said. The next update from the PBAC is due in August. Image: Nettie Burke / Twitter

Body

New inhalable device could be lifesaving for new mums

A new inhalable product more than a decade in the making could save the lives of tens of thousands of new mothers. The device, developed by Melbourne researchers, looks like a small whistle and allows oxytocin to be inhaled rather than injected, to prevent postpartum haemorrhages. Postpartum haemorrhages happen when a new mother experiences excessive blood loss after giving birth. As the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, these haemorrhages occur in up to 18 percent of births and result in an estimated 60,000 deaths each year across the world. Oxytocin is the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0315/p875.html" target="_blank">recommended first choice</a> for preventing postpartum haemorrhage due to its greater effectiveness in comparison to other drugs and has fewer side effects, and is currently administered via an injection. Researchers from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University partnered with Johnson & Johnson have developed a new inhalable form of oxytocin that, unlike the injectable form, doesn’t need to be refrigerated, making it a less invasive and easier to distribute option for developing countries. “Many women in Australia will receive an oxytocin injection after every childbirth to prevent or lower risk of postpartum haemorrhages,” project leader Michelle McIntosh said. “We needed something that was really low cost and simple to use, but just as effective.” The World Health Organisation recommends every woman in the world to be given an injection of oxytocin after they give birth, but Professor McIntosh said this isn’t always possible. “Unfortunately, in a lot of low-resource settings, having access to someone present when you give birth, someone who is trained to give an injection and a product that has been maintained in cold storage, is very challenging.” Even in Australia, Professor McIntosh said the rate of postpartum haemorrhages has been increasing significantly. “While our focus has always been on low-resource settings, obstetricians in Australia and other developed countries [are] also quite keen to look at inhaled oxytocin,” she said. “That’s because it would take away the risk of needlestick injuries, it’s less invasive than a painful intramuscular injection and there are cohorts of patients we think would benefit from inhaled administration.” Clinical trials of the device, which could still be several years away from commercial use, have been funded by the Victorian government’s Medical Research Acceleration Fund, which allows researchers to develop new healthcare solutions in partnership with experts from Johnson & Johnson. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Research and innovation to address the leading cause of maternal mortality 💕 Excited about our ongoing partnership <a href="https://twitter.com/JNJInnovation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JNJInnovation</a> Wonderful to visit <a href="https://twitter.com/MIPS_Australia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MIPS_Australia</a> Thanks to Delia for sharing her story with <a href="https://twitter.com/bridgerollo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bridgerollo</a> <a href="https://t.co/4lPRvIC8h7">https://t.co/4lPRvIC8h7</a> — Jaala Pulford MP (@JaalaPulford) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaalaPulford/status/1415507837925531651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> “When medtech, biotech, and pharmaceutical businesses innovate, they change lives,” said Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala Pulford. “This new powder is going to be an extraordinary additional tool for women and their doctors and midwives and nurses [to deal] with something that comes on very suddenly and would be extremely terrifying.” Image: Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Twitter

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New diabetes test could make blood-testing obsolete

A new diabetes test could soon make the finger-prick testing of blood glucose obsolete. Aussie researchers from the University of Newcastle have developed the “world-first, pain-free diabetes test” from 20 years of research by a team led by Professor Paul Dastoor. “What we’ve done is to develop a way of creating biosensors, that we can print using reel-to-reel printing equipment,” Professor Dastoor said. The “lickable” test works using a plastic strip coating in a natural enzyme that interacts with saliva and produces an electrical current. This current can then be detected and measured to determine glucose levels with high accuracy, with the results able to be delivered via a smartphone app. “We’re able to test and have sensitivities at the concentration levels that glucose is in your saliva,” Professor Dastoor said. “And, so, we don’t need to test blood, we will now be able to use saliva to test for glucose.” Elaine Staunton, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her 30s, is overjoyed that the finger-prick tests could soon be replaced. “That would be marvellous if we could get that, especially for children,” Ms Staunton told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/newcastle/programs/mornings/stigma-of-living-with-diabetes/13441428" target="_blank">ABC Newcastle</a>. While the diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to her, what did was the stigma associated with the condition. At a work function, Ms Staunton was victimised for needing to monitor her blood glucose levels, which are controlled by insulin injections. “I’ve always been taught to do my insulin when my meal’s in front of me,” Ms Staunton said. “I was hauled over the coals after the luncheon and told I wasn’t to inject myself in public and, if I had to do it, I had to do it in the toilet. “I was absolutely devastated. I cried all the way home and made the decision on the way home that I couldn’t go back there.” Now in her 50s, Ms Staunton said anything that would reduce the need to draw blood up to four times a day would be a welcome relief. “That’s a big thing, no blood,” she said. Professor Dastoor said the new tests would have positive health outcomes. “That’s huge because … having to test your blood puts people off doing their testing, and that then leads to poor health outcomes,” he said. The inspiration for the test came from Professor Dastoor’s wife, who would help young children monitor their glucose levels during the day as a primary school teacher. “It’s a heartbreaking scenario, where the lunch bell rings and everyone runs to the playground bar an unfortunate few, who stay back to surrender their finger for blood testing at every meal time,” he said. “Our vision was to create a world where no one needs to bleed in order to eat.” The technology will be rolled out on a commercial scale, with the Australian government announcing $6.3 million in funding to build a manufacturing facility for the tests in the Hunter by the end of 2023. Image: University of Newcastle, Elaine Staunton

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Migraine patients set to save hundreds after costly drug revision

The addition of migraine-preventing medication to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has been hailed as a step in the right direction by advocacy groups. Emgality is used to prevent migraines in adults and is injected once a month by the patient. It can cost up to $1000 a month, but from June 1 eligible individuals will pay just $41.30 a script or $6.60 if they are a concession holder. Raphaella Crosby, the founding member of patient advocacy group Migraine Australia said the addition of the treatment to the PBS is a step in the right direction but that there’s still more work to do. “It does kind of pave the way because now that we’ve got one of these new medications on the PBS, there’s not much argument for listing the other ones,” Ms Crosby said. However, Ms Crosby said the number of people eligible for treatment would be limited by strict criteria. To be eligible, a person must meet the definition of suffering from chronic migraines, be under the care of a neurologist, have tried three older medications that failed, and not have received botox (a common treatment for migraines) under the PBS. “The line between episodic and chronic migraine is nonsense, it’s an arbitrary line that somebody drew at some point. It has no clinical meaning,” Ms Crosby said. According to research by Deloitte Access Economics in 2018, 4.9 million Australians live with migraines. Migraines disproportionately affect women as well, with 45 percent of women aged between 25 and 45 living with very active migraines that affect their ability to work, Ms Crosby said. “When the government talks about getting women back to work, to deny these drugs to women who aren’t completely debilitated by them is a bit counterproductive,” she said. “Because essentially what the restrictions are saying is ‘you need to be completely debilitated by your migraine before we’ll give you something that works’.” Emgality, made by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, belongs to a group of medications that block a particular protein associated with migraines, called calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP).

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Meshel Laurie’s incredible transformation

Meshel Laurie has undergone a major transformation, shocking fans after she shared a photo of herself to social media. Posing with Australian True Crime podcast co-host Emily Webb, the 47-year-old looked vibrant and glowing. Not only does the star look more radiant and confident, but fans also took to pointing out just how happy Laurie looked. "As you can see, we are two ladies who are quite pleased to be dressed up and out of the house," Meshel joked in the caption. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842402/meshel-laurie.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/295820b4260c4c3f9136cefe8677038f" /> Image: Instagram Fans flocked to true comments to praise the podcast personality for her new look. "First glance I thought you were Kate Hudson," one stunned fan commented. "OMG YOU LOOK INCREDS!!!!!!!" another user added. A third person said: "Meshel, you’re looking stunning... glowing smile.” "MATEEEEEEE Look at you, looking bloody skinny mini. Glowing my sister," one other comment read. "Regardless of what body size you are, you always look happiest doing what you love and it’s GREAT to see," another added. Meshel has made her mark in the Australian podcast industry, and alongside Australian True Crime, she also hosts Calm Ya Farm; a daily podcast where she interviews celebrities on how they stay sane. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842400/meshel-laurie-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/59271bcd50bb41e38919141c8eced5c2" /> Image: Getty Speaking to the Herald Sun earlier this year, Meshel revealed her secret to looking and feeling healthy. "Most of us need to reign in our alcohol consumption, lose weight and remember how to sleep after 2020, but if you put too much pressure on yourself, you’re likely to go off the rails and give up pretty quickly,” she said. "Drink less, eat better and spend an hour removing things that don’t need to be in your bedroom, especially the things that create ambient light, like all those chargers." She went on to say, "Caring for yourself doesn’t have to be flamboyant and expensive. “And the most important aspect is the decision to care for yourself. Something as simple as a hot bath with a book can feel as sumptuous as a soak in a Mediterranean hot spring (probably)."

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“It is crazy”: 25-year-old woman stricken by Delta strain reveals ongoing symptoms

25-year-old Claudia Waitsman is still experiencing lingering COVID-19 symptoms more than a month after contracting the virus. The Eastern Suburbs woman was exposed to the virus during a trip to Joh Bailey’s hair salon in Double Bay, where the Delta strain outbreak started on June 16. However, Ms Waitsman has said she initially did not show symptoms. “I had been to the hairdressers on the Saturday, then I was told on the Wednesday I had to get a test and isolate. I started to get a headache on Wednesday evening but didn’t think it was related,” she told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/sydney-woman-who-caught-covid-after-joh-bailey-hair-cut-reveals-symptoms/news-story/5f1d25cf7b845c21898a54812f4b4a61" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “On the Friday, I thought I might have symptoms so I got tested on the Saturday - which turned out to be positive. “Once it hit I had shortness of breath, my body aching, that kind of agony, a headache. It was similar to the flu or glandular fever. I lost my sense of taste and smell which I still don’t have back almost a month later.” Since the start of the Delta strain outbreak, there have been 864 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales, with the state recording 97 new cases on Wednesday. Ms Waitsman, a real estate agent, said she was not surprised by the rapid spread of the virus. “It is crazy,” she said. “I was in lockdown in my bedroom, like completely in there I didn’t leave. But somehow my dad caught it, it is an absolute miracle my mum didn’t get infected. “I was even wearing gloves to eat my food to try and stop it from spreading.” Most of the cases recorded in the last few days have been revealed to be close and household contacts of those who are already infected. On Tuesday, three out of four new infections were found to be household contacts, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Image: Claudia Waitsman / Instagram

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Is our gut the key to good mental health?

We all know that food improves our mood. Every one of us has a go-to “comfort food’ to lift us up when we’re feeling low, but what if we could help manage our mental health long term with diet? That is exactly what research has shown may be the case, and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/2016/07/what-is-the-gut-microbiome/" target="_blank">key seems to be the microorganisms that live in our gut</a> and help us digest our food, called the microbiome. The microbiome may be even more important if you live with diabetes For the second year, National Diabetes Week is focussing on the impact that living with diabetes can have on mental health. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/news-resources/current-campaigns/national-diabetes-week/" target="_blank">Diabetes Australia says</a> that 4 in 5 people have experienced diabetes stigma, and nearly 50% experience mental health challenges generally, which is twice the national average. While the burden of long-term management plays a role, there is a clear link between blood sugar levels and mental health. The gut is doubly important for people living with diabetes because diet can control blood sugar levels and manage mental state at the same time. The modern diet is at least partly to blame The importance of a healthy, plant based, diverse diet is <a rel="noopener" href="https://nutritionaustralia.org/division/nsw/plant-based-diets-whats-the-fuss/" target="_blank">well understood</a>. Everyone that has ever tried to improve their health has read some variation of “<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/" target="_blank">the best way to get the nutrients you need is to eat lots of vegetables</a>”. Sadly, this is easier said than done. Modern food is plentiful, transportable, and cheap, but unfortunately, nutrition has suffered as a result. Even so called “healthy” foods are not what they once were. We’ve all heard someone say that fruits and vegetables “just tasted better when I was a kid” (yes, I’m looking at you tomatoes). Unsurprisingly, this decline in flavour is a direct representation of diminished nutritional quality – “fresh food” isn’t fresh, and food just isn’t as nutritious as it used to be. Food can also be the solution Our biochemistry is driven by the food we eat. Almost everything that our body needs to thrive comes from our food and is absorbed through the gut. However, it isn’t as straight forward as it may seem. A good portion of what we need to thrive is made by the microbiome. The microbes eat parts of our food (fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, etc) and then make things that we use <a rel="noopener" href="https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/what-are-short-chain-fatty-acids-and-why-should-you-care/" target="_blank">such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA</a>). Scientific research has been able to measure the benefits of feeding the microbiome. In <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328676973_Efficacy_of_Dietary_Sugarcane_Product_on_Bowel_Function_and_Blood_Sugar_Level_in_Adult_Diabetic_Patients_A_Randomised_Controlled_Trial" target="_blank">one study</a> of people living with diabetes, just adding a functional food, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nutrikane.com.au" target="_blank">NutriKane D</a>, to the diet resulted in significant improvement of Quality of Life, mental health and ease of management of symptoms. In <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26043750/" target="_blank">another study</a> of people recovering during long term hospital stay, cognitive function and mental state were improved by adding microbiome-feeding food. Even people <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.medicaljournals.se/jrm/content/abstract/10.2340/16501977-1999" target="_blank">living with Spina Bifida</a> see mental improvements with microbiome modification. The Gut-Brain Axis is the key The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) describes the two-way communication between the central and enteric nervous systems (the system of nerves around and controlled by the gut). The enteric nervous system has so many neurons and uses so much of our mental biochemistry it is sometimes referred to as the second brain. Because digestion is so important, anything that affects digestion affects our mental state in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044/full" target="_blank">three basic ways</a> : <ol> <li>Systemic inflammation: if the microbes in the gut get out of balance (called dysbiosis) they can cause inflammation. Over time this inflammation spreads to the whole body that the brain recognises as “aches and pains”.</li> <li>Communication through the Vagus nerve: The Vagus nerve is the “direct line” to the brain. Bad digestion has been shown to directly cause feelings of unease, anxiety and even depression. When people experience ‘butterflies in the stomach’ this is the process happening in reverse, when feelings of anxiety translate to digestive distress.</li> <li>Bacteria in the gut make and use most of the biochemistry needed for our mental health: It is estimated that <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/microbes-help-produce-serotonin-gut-46495" target="_blank">up to 90% of the body’s serotonin</a> is produced and consumed by the microbes in the gut. It has been shown that some bacteria do this deliberately - they <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection" target="_blank">produce serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters</a> so that they may modify our eating habits. Changing the bacteria in our gut can free up much needed serotonin to relieve depression and anxiety.</li> </ol> You can take control It isn’t straight forward, but it is possible to use diet management to improve both your physical and mental health. Functional foods that specifically modify the microbiome, such as NutriKane D, can help with not just diabetes management, but also a range of health conditions, and science shows that taking the time to feed the microbiome gets results both physically and mentally. About the Author Dr Malcolm Ball is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.medikane.com.au" target="_blank">MediKane</a>, an Australian natural health company that produces plant-based functional food products developed to prevent, manage, and reverse chronic health conditions including diabetes. MediKane’s flagship product is NutriKane D, which has been clinically proven in multiple studies to lower and control blood glucose levels.

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How kids are getting positive COVID test results with orange juice

Teenagers in the UK have figured out how to “fake” positive results on COVID-19 tests - prompting at least one school to issue a warning to parents. The trick has taken off on social media, as teens use orange juice or soft drinks to generate a false positive result on lateral flow Covid tests. It is not known whether any students have used it to successfully get time off school. Gateacre School in Belle Vale, Liverpool, asked students in years 7-10 to stay home from school after some positive COVID-19 test results were discovered in the school community, and warned parents to be vigilant about the social media trend. “Nationally, some school students have discovered that placing droplets of orange juice or other fruit juice on an LFD test gets a false ‘positive’ result,” <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/schools-warning-children-using-fruit-20896618?_ga=2.269013617.1871628857.1625379206-1709235865.1625379206" target="_blank">the warning email read</a>. “In light of this, can you be extra vigilant when your child is doing their LFD tests. Also, remind them that a positive LFD test must be followed by a confirmatory PCR test.” How it happens The false positive occurs due to the acidity of the juice or soft drink, rather than the beverage containing the virus, which essentially breaks the test. However, Mark Lorch, a professor of science communication and chemistry at the University of Hull, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-kids-are-using-soft-drinks-to-fake-positive-tests-ive-worked-out-the-science-and-how-to-spot-it-163739" target="_blank">has said</a> it is possible to spot “fake” positive tests by washing them with a buffer solution that restores the correct pH to the testing device. Once this happens, the “positive” line disappears to reveal the negative result. A selfish thing to do Jon Deeks, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Birmingham, has criticised the practice and discouraged teens from trying it. “False positives affect not just that child but their family and their bubble at school, so [it is a] pretty selfish thing to do. There are less harmful ways to fake a day off school,” he said. Professor Lorch instead encouraged students to help him publish his findings. “Children, I applaud your ingenuity, but now that I’ve found a way to uncover your trickery I suggest you use your cunning to devise a set of experiments and test my hypothesis,” he said. “Then we can publish your results in a peer-reviewed journal.” Image: Mark Loch

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Can COVID vaccines affect my genetic code?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are set to become the mainstay of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout as the year progresses, according to the latest government projections <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-23/gov-projects-little-need-for-astrazeneca-after-october-covid19/100239442">released this week</a>. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/06/covid-19-vaccination-covid-vaccination-allocations-horizons.pdf">From September</a>, up to an average 1.3m doses of the Pfizer vaccine plus another 125,000 doses of the yet-to-be approved Moderna vaccine are expected to be available per week. These figures are set to rise from October, as use of the AstraZeneca vaccine drops. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which contain tiny fragments of the genetic material known as “messenger ribonucleic acid”. And if social media is anything to go by, <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ19803/status/1334476726022385666">some people</a> are concerned these vaccines can affect their genetic code. Here’s why the chances of that happening are next to zero and some pointers to how the myth came about. Remind me, how do mRNA vaccines work? The technology used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is a way of giving your cells temporary instructions to make the <a href="https://theconversation.com/revealed-the-protein-spike-that-lets-the-2019-ncov-coronavirus-pierce-and-invade-human-cells-132183">coronavirus spike protein</a>. This protein is found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccines teach your immune system to protect you if you ever encounter the virus. The mRNA in the vaccine is taken up by the cells in your body, ending up in the liquid inside each cell known as the cytoplasm. Our cells naturally make <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941114/">thousands of our own mRNAs</a> all the time (to code for a range of other proteins). So the vaccine mRNA is just another one. Once the vaccine mRNA is in the cytoplasm it’s used to make the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The vaccine mRNA is <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-mrna-the-messenger-molecule-thats-been-in-every-living-cell-for-billions-of-years-is-the-key-ingredient-in-some-covid-19-vaccines-158511">short-lived</a> and is rapidly broken down after it’s done its job, as happens with all your other mRNA. <a rel="noopener" href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408058/original/file-20210624-13-1w14e5y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408058/original/file-20210624-13-1w14e5y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Typical mammalian cell, showing different parts, such as nucleus and cytoplasm" /></a> Vaccine mRNA is in the cytoplasm and once it’s done its job, it’s broken down. Here’s why the mRNA can’t insert into your genetic code Your genetic code is made up of a different, but related, molecule to the vaccine mRNA, known as DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. And mRNA can’t insert itself into your DNA for two reasons. One, both molecules have a different chemistry. If mRNAs could routinely insert themselves into your DNA at random, this would play havoc with how you produce proteins. It would also scramble your genome, which is passed on to future cells and generations. Life forms that do this would not survive. That’s why life has evolved for this not to happen. The second reason is vaccine mRNA and DNA are in two different parts of the cell. Our DNA stays in the nucleus. But vaccine mRNA goes straight to the cytoplasm, never entering the nucleus. There are no transporter molecules we know of that carry mRNA into the nucleus. But aren’t there some exceptions? There are some extremely rare exceptions. One is where genetic elements, known as <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/transposons-the-jumping-genes-518/">retro-transposons</a>, hijack cellular mRNA, convert it into DNA and insert that DNA back into your genetic material. This has occurred sporadically <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg2640">throughout evolution</a>, producing some ancient copies of mRNAs scattered throughout our genome, to form so-called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-019-0196-1">pseudogenes</a>. Some <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Retrovirus">retroviruses</a>, such as HIV, also insert their RNA into our DNA, using similar methods to retro-transposons. However, there is a vanishingly small chance of a naturally occurring retro-transposon becoming active in a cell that has just received a mRNA vaccine. There’s also a vanishingly small chance of being infected with HIV at precisely the same time as receiving the mRNA vaccine. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408059/original/file-20210624-29-gcexgw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408059/original/file-20210624-29-gcexgw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Blood sample labelled with HIV - Test" /></a> There’s a vanishingly small chance of being infected with HIV at precisely the same time as having an mRNA vaccine. Even if a retro-transposon were to become active or a virus such as HIV were present, the chances of it finding the COVID vaccine mRNA, among the tens of thousands of natural mRNAs, is extremely unlikely. That’s because vaccine mRNA is degraded within <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18797453/">several hours</a> of entering the body. Even if vaccine mRNA did become a pseudogene, it would not produce the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but just one of the viral products, the harmless spike protein. How do we actually know this? We know of no studies looking for vaccine mRNA in the DNA of people who have been vaccinated. There is no scientific basis on which to suspect this insertion has happened. However, if these studies were to be carried out, they should be relatively straightforward. That’s because we can now <a href="https://cellandbioscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13578-019-0314-y">sequence DNA in single cells</a>. But in reality, it will be very hard to ever satisfy a naysayer who is convinced this genome insertion happens; they can always argue scientists need to look deeper, harder, in different people and in different cells. At some point this argument will need to be laid to rest. So how did this myth come about? <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2105968118">One study</a> reported evidence for coronavirus RNA integrating into the human genome in cells grown in the lab that had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, that paper did not look at the mRNA vaccine, lacked critical controls and <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.05.434119v1">has</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00294-21" target="_blank">since been discredited</a>. These types of studies also need to be seen in context of the public’s wariness of genetic technology more broadly. This includes <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt1099_941d" target="_blank">the public’s concerns</a> about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), for instance, over the past 20 years or so. But GMOs are different to the mRNA technology used to make COVID vaccines. Unlike GMOs, which are produced by inserting DNA into the genome, vaccine mRNA will not be in our genes or passed to the next generation. It’s broken down very quickly. In reality, mRNA technology has <a href="https://theconversation.com/3-mrna-vaccines-researchers-are-working-on-that-arent-covid-157858">all sorts of</a> <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mrna-vaccine-revolution-katalin-kariko">applications</a>, beyond vaccines, including biosecurity and sustainable agriculture. So it would be a pity for these efforts to be held back by misinformation. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/archa-fox-1153308">Archa Fox</a>, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jen-martin-17007">Jen Martin</a>, Leader, Science Communication Teaching Program, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/traude-beilharz-1240711">Traude Beilharz</a>, Assoc Professor ARC Future Fellow, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/can-the-pfizer-or-moderna-mrna-vaccines-affect-my-genetic-code-162590" target="_blank">original article</a>.

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Polio survivors urging Australians to get vaccinated

In a bid to inspire more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, polio survivors have shared their stories of the years when the highly contagious disease was crippling children and spreading around the world. For the survivors, the current pandemic brings back unsettling memories. From 1944 to 1955, polio killed more than 1,000 people in Australia and infected hundreds of thousands of others. Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and weakens muscles, mostly affecting children under the age of five. Jenny Jones contracted polio when she was five years old, but had missed out on getting the jab by just five weeks. “I was a very active, healthy strong girl,” she said. “I ended up in hospital for eight weeks, I couldn’t walk when I came out, I missed most of year one [at school].” Polio outbreaks came in waves, mostly in summer months. Ian Holding terrified his father when he caught the disease as a toddler. “He was sitting in a waiting room with a child of two that couldn’t stand up,” Ian said. “It upset him a lot. We weren’t allowed to visit anyone, but dad was still allowed to go to work.” After the first polio vaccine was developed in 1955, widespread vaccination saw two of the three variants eradicated globally. “A van went around the schools and you all lined up,” Jenny recalled. “It went from 399 cases a year to two a year, so the impact of that vaccination was enormous,” Ian added. Even then, people needed convincing about getting the jab. With the Delta variant spreading around NSW, getting the population fully vaccinated has become more urgent. The focus is shifting towards getting young people vaccinated, with experts calling for children to be included in the vaccine discussion. Just as polio survivors have had to contend with lasting symptoms, survivors of COVID may have to manage ‘long COVID’ and other unknown symptoms going into the future. As for Jenny and Ian, they were quick to get the COVID vaccine after missing out on the polio vaccine as children. They hope their experiences with polio can serve as a cautionary tale for those worried about or considering refusing the vaccine. “I had my second [COVID] jab yesterday,” Ian said. “And that makes me happy, because that protects me, my family, and the rest of the country.”

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Mum's "genius" hack to get the kids moving

A mum has revealed she lets her children watch cartoon TV only if they walk on a treadmill. The US woman said she tricks her kids into exercising using her parenting technique - but not everyone agrees with her method. She shared a video to TikTok showing her 11-year-old son getting his steps in on the machine while enjoying a TV show. “I only let my kids watch cartoons if they’re walking on a treadmill,” she wrote in the video’s caption. “One day my 11-year-old walked 16 miles (25.7 kilometres).” The video has attracted over 2.7 million views with my parents praising her idea. “You win at parenting! That’s genius!” one person wrote. “Well excuse me while I add a treadmill to my Amazon cart,” another added. However, not everyone was convinced of her idea and said she should let her kids “relax” while they watch TV. “They will talk about this in therapy one day,” one person claimed, while another commenter went so far as to say it was “low-key evil”. But the mum wasn’t having any of the criticism and said it was “astounding” people claimed her actions were abusive as her “kids love doing it”. “The volume of people who think allowing a high energy child to choose to walk while watching cartoons = trauma and abuse, is astounding,” she said. The woman also claimed the method was “really effective” for adults. “I tell myself I can only watch my favourite show if I’m on the treadmill or folding laundry,” she explained. Other commenters also defended the mum, saying that those who were criticising her “need to go touch grass”. “I wish my parents would’ve done this to me,” one person wrote.

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Patient zero of Black Death found

New evidence has suggested a man who died 5300 years ago in Latvia was infected with the earliest-known strain of the plague that caused the Black Death. Waves of the plague swept through Europe for several centuries from the 1300s, causing millions of deaths. “Up to now this is the oldest-identified plague victim we have,” Dr Ben Krause-Kyora of the University of Kiel in Germany said of the remains. The man was buried with three others at a Neolithic burial site in Latvia near the River Salac, which connects to the Baltic Sea. The research, published in Cell Reports, involved the sequencing of the DNA from the bones and teeth of the four individuals. <img style="width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842261/60da287e1477f300188c82ae.jpg" alt="Dominik Göldner / BGAEU" data-udi="umb://media/1f7ae3fb0a0c41a49c6b87ea085cbef8" /> When the bodies were tested for bacteria and viruses, the researchers were surprised to find one hunter-gatherer - a man in his twenties - was infected with an ancient strain of the plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium. “He was most likely bitten by a rodent, got the primary infection of Yersinia pestis and died a couple of days [later] - maybe a week later - from the septic shock,” said Dr Krause-Kyora. The researchers suggest that this strain appeared about 7000 years ago at the same time that agriculture started to appear in central Europe. They also believe the bacterium may have sporadically jumped from animals to humans and that it became better at infecting humans over time, evolving into the form known as the bubonic plague. The research has been welcomed by other experts, though it doesn’t rule out the hypothesis that the disease was spreading throughout Europe at the time. Though the disease is still around today, it is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. Images: Dominik Göldner / BGAEU

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New symptoms common for Delta COVID-19 strain

As the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread across Australia, experts have identified the new symptoms that characterise infection. Data from a study conducted in the UK suggests that a headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are now the prevalent symptoms, rather than the persistent cough and loss of taste or smell identified in those infected with the “original” virus. “We have the first data from a study in the UK called ZOE where people self-report their symptoms,”said Professor Stuart Turville, a virologist from the Kirby Institute. “It has found those severe disease symptoms with a loss of smell or shortness of breath, those symptoms have become less common. Instead people have symptoms more like the common cold such as a runny nose, sore throat. Unvaccinated people tended to report having a fever.” NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged anyone with the mildest of symptoms to get tested. “Don’t wait to see if you have got a severe illness … As soon as you get symptoms, go out and get a test,” Dr Chant said. How contagious is it? Experts have come to accept the Delta variant is more infectious than the virus that was spreading last year. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Delta variant has been shown to be twice as transmissible as other variants, with experts estimating it could be about 50 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which itself was about 50 percent more transmissible than the virus originally found in Wuhan. The “secondary attack” rate - referring to the number of people likely to be infected if they come into contact with an infected person - is also higher. If 100 people come into contact with someone who is infected with the Delta variant, it is likely that 12 of those people will then become infected. In comparison, Professor Turville said only eight to nine people would be infected if it was the Alpha strain. But, early research suggests the variant may be less deadly than others. “Looking at the 28-day follow up after infection, the death rate for the original variants was 1.9 percent mortality,” Professor Turville said. “So far the Delta variant is showing 0.3 percent mortality. “That’s super encouraging. The early signs look promising, but it is too early to be definitive.”

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“Horrific” dieting invention slammed online

A newly-invented weight-loss tool that stops people from eating by holding their mouths shut has been criticised and labelled as “horrific” by many online. Researchers from The University of Otago in New Zealand have claimed the DentalSlim Diet Control is a “world-first weight-loss device to help fight the global obesity epidemic”. Fitted by a dentist, the device only allows people to open their mouth 2mm, which the university has said restricts “them to a liquid diet”. “It allows free speech and doesn’t restrict breathing,” they clarified on the University’s website. In a trial of people based in the city of Dunedin, the university said subjects lost an average of 6.36 kilograms in two weeks while using the device. Professor Paul Brunton, the lead researcher and University of Otago Health Sciences Pro-Vice Chancellor, said the invention was “effective, safe, and affordable”. “The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new diets, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time,” he said. “It really kick-starts the process.” But, the announcement of the invention on Twitter has seen commenters call the invention “horrific” and compare it to a medieval torture device. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Brilliant, I'd like to submit my idea for a device to help short people be taller. <a href="https://t.co/5WYp26VbJ3">pic.twitter.com/5WYp26VbJ3</a> — Ika Makimaki (fish monkey) (@pezmico) <a href="https://twitter.com/pezmico/status/1409378892935176196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2021</a></blockquote> Additionally, the British Dental Journal reported that some of the seven participants in the trial “had trouble pronouncing some words” but “felt tense and embarrassed only occasionally”. It also noted: “One patient admitted to ‘cheating’, consuming melted chocolate and fizzy drinks.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> After two or three weeks they can have the magnets disengaged and device removed. They could then have a period with a less restricted diet and then go back into treatment. This would allow for a phased approach to weight loss supported by advice from a dietician. — University of Otago (@otago) <a href="https://twitter.com/otago/status/1409368110402990089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2021</a></blockquote> Following the backlash online, the University clarified that the device could be removed after two or three weeks and was aimed to help people lose weight for surgery rather than act as a long-term weight loss tool. Image: The University of Otago / Twitter

Body

Craving meat? It may be your gut talking

Have you ever had a sudden desire for meat or dairy? Researchers from South Korea have discovered the reason behind these sudden cravings, <a rel="noopener" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03522-2" target="_blank">reported in Nature</a>. All organisms - including people - require a balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fats to keep functioning normally, and these biomolecules work as both an energy source and the building blocks involved in cell repair, hormone production and other important bodily functions. “Taking in sufficient calories alone won’t do the job,” said Professor Greg Seong-Bae Suh from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KSAT). “If the diet does not include enough proteins, it can still lead to severe forms of malnutrition including kwashiorkor.” To determine the mechanisms behind these cravings, Suh and Professor Lee Won-Jae from Seoul National University (SNU) looked at how different genes affected the food preferences of fruit flies that were deprived of protein. Gut-brain communication The researchers found that a hormone called CNMamide (CNMa) was released from the cells lining the intestines of protein-deprived flies. These cells, called enterocytes, were previously thought to solely digest and absorb food. But, enterocytes can use CNMa to communicate the body’s nutrient status - or what it’s missing - to receptors in the brain’s nerve cells. This then triggers a sudden desire to eat food that contains all of the essential amino acids that are missing, which are found in eggs, fish, and meat. Bacteria lend a helping hand The team also found that certain gut microbes can compensate for mild protein deficiencies. Acetobacter bacteria, for example, can temporarily make amino acids the body is lacking, leading to a decrease in the amount of CNMa released and a drop in the flies’ desire to eat protein-rich foods. Why this matters Though the exact way that CNMa communicates with the brain receptors is unknown, these findings serve as a first insight into why living things need and want protein so much - and what can happen if it’s taken away. “We chose to investigate a simple organism, the fly, [to] make it easier for us to identify and characterise key nutrient sensors,” Professor Suh said. “Because all organisms have cravings, the nutrient sensors and pathways we identified in flies would also be relevant to mammals. This research will greatly advance our understanding of the causes of metabolic disease and eating-related disorders,” he concluded.

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