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Couple's heartfelt plea after both losing their right legs

<p>A Perth couple who both lost their right legs in a horrific motorbike crash have opened up about their long, painful road to recovery – and the staggering new challenges they now face.</p> <p>Dean and Sharon English, both seasoned motorcyclists, were enjoying a ride through WA’s Wheatbelt in September when tragedy struck. As they rounded a bend on Great Eastern Highway near Meckering, about 130km east of Perth, their bike collided with an oncoming vehicle towing a caravan. Dean had been riding, with Sharon on the back.</p> <p>The collision was so severe that both were airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition. Placed in induced comas and undergoing multiple surgeries, the couple awoke to find they had both lost their right legs, Dean’s amputated at the hip, and Sharon’s below the knee.</p> <p>Their bodies broken and their lives changed forever, the couple spent nearly five months recovering side by side in hospital.</p> <p>“Some days it’s really, really difficult,” <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/perth-couple-who-lost-legs-in-bike-crash-reveal-costly-new-challenge-c-19303575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dean told 7NEWS</a>. “We have our private moments where we sit there and have a cry. If I didn’t have Sharon with me, I’d be absolutely wrecked.”</p> <p>Their fight to rebuild their lives is now twofold: physical recovery and financial survival. While Sharon, as a passenger, qualifies for third-party compensation, Dean does not. Despite 33 years of service as a prison officer, he had no private health insurance and now faces the daunting task of proving he wasn’t at fault to receive any support from the Insurance Commission.</p> <p>To do that, he’ll need to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a private investigator – money the couple simply doesn’t have, especially now that Dean’s paid leave has run out and he’s on leave without pay.</p> <p>As Dean continues intense rehab at Fiona Stanley Hospital, trying to learn to walk again on a prosthetic while coping with a shattered hand and missing finger, Sharon has returned home in a wheelchair. She too hopes to one day walk again with a prosthetic, though doctors warn she may require further surgery first.</p> <p>Despite everything, their gratitude and determination remain remarkable. <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-fir-dean-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On their GoFundMe page</a> – which has raised nearly $45,000 – they shared a heartfelt message: “We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and generosity. It is a very humbling experience and we truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”</p> <p>Dean also praised his long-time workplace, revealing the prison commissioner has promised him a job when he’s well enough to return.</p> <p>“I want to get back to normal,” he said. “This isn’t normal. It’s not what I was like.”</p> <p>The couple are using their experience to warn others about road safety. Dean urged all riders to wear proper protective equipment, which he believes saved their lives. “We wear the best of equipment all the time, and I would urge anyone who rides a motorbike to make sure they wear proper PPE,” he said.</p> <p>WA’s road toll is at a decade high, and for Dean and Sharon, the cost is deeply personal. But in the face of unimaginable loss, they are refusing to give up – leaning on each other, on the kindness of strangers and on hope for a future where “normal” may look different, but is still within reach.</p> <p><em>Images: GoFundMe</em></p>

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1200 children to undergo testing after child abuse charges laid

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains details of alleged child sexual abuse which may be distressing to some readers.</strong></em></p> <p>More than 1,200 children are being urged to undergo precautionary health screening after a former childcare worker was charged with more than 70 offences relating to alleged child sexual abuse at a centre in Melbourne’s south-west.</p> <p>Joshua Dale Brown, 26, from Point Cook, has been charged over alleged sexual offences against eight children – aged between five months and two years – at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, where he worked between April 2022 and January 2023.</p> <p>Victoria Police revealed Brown has worked at 20 childcare centres between 2017 and 2025, with investigations ongoing and additional allegations, including one involving a centre in Essendon, being pursued.</p> <p>Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said the case is “incredibly distressing”, describing the allegations as confronting and involving “some of our most vulnerable people in our community”.</p> <p>The charges laid against Brown include sexual penetration of a child, producing child abuse material, and recklessly contaminating goods to cause alarm or anxiety.</p> <p>Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad began investigating in May after they allegedly uncovered child abuse material and executed a search warrant at Brown’s Point Cook home. He had not previously been known to police and held a valid Working with Children Check at the time of his employment.</p> <p>Police said the families of the eight alleged victims were notified last week.</p> <p>“As you can imagine, this was deeply distressing for the families to hear,” said Acting Commander Janet Stevenson, adding that not all centres where Brown worked are believed to be connected to the alleged offences.</p> <p>In a coordinated response, Victoria Police and the Department of Health have contacted more than 2,600 families whose children may have been at centres during Brown’s employment. About 1,200 children have been recommended for infectious disease testing “out of an abundance of caution”, authorities said.</p> <p>Chief Health Officer Dr Christian McGrath said while the public health risk is low, the testing was being recommended due to a potential exposure risk during the relevant period.</p> <p>“We do understand this is another distressing element to the situation and we’re taking this approach as a precaution,” Dr McGrath said, assuring families that any infections could be treated with antibiotics and that there is no broader risk to the public.</p> <p>Letters sent to families on Tuesday stated: “At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that your child has been offended against. If this changes, you will be contacted directly by Victoria Police.”</p> <p>Support lines staffed by professionals have been established, and the government has promised free testing and assistance for affected families.</p> <p>G8 Education, the operator of the Point Cook centre, said it was “extremely distressed” by the allegations and is fully cooperating with authorities. In a statement, the company said all legally required employment and background checks were carried out during Brown’s employment.</p> <p>“G8 Education has no tolerance for any behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of children,” the company said.</p> <p>Brown has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court in September.</p> <p>The investigation remains ongoing.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC News / Supplied</em></p>

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How old are you really? Are the latest ‘biological age’ tests all they’re cracked up to be?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>We all like to imagine we’re ageing well. Now a simple blood or saliva test promises to tell us by measuring our “<a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/cristiano-ronaldo-shocking-biological-age">biological age</a>”. And then, as many have done, we can <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/07/25/entertainment/khloe-kardashian-40-learns-her-biological-age-is-28/">share</a> how “young” we really are on social media, along with our secrets to success.</p> <p>While chronological age is how long you have been alive, <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chronological-aging">measures of biological age</a> aim to indicate how old your body actually is, purporting to measure “wear and tear” at a molecular level.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cristiano Ronaldo is biologically 29 years old! 😱</p> <p>CR7’s WHOOP stats put his body at 12 years younger than his actual age! 💪</p> <p>Cristiano’s dedication to his health and longevity is second to none 👏</p> <p>(Via <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cristiano</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/WHOOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHOOP</a>) <a href="https://t.co/PwKqc77031">pic.twitter.com/PwKqc77031</a></p> <p>— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZNFootball/status/1925894821203321009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>The appeal of these tests is undeniable. Health-conscious consumers may see their results as reinforcing their anti-ageing efforts, or a way to show their journey to better health is paying off.</p> <p>But how good are these tests? Do they actually offer useful insights? Or are they just clever marketing dressed up to look like science?</p> <h2>How do these tests work?</h2> <p>Over time, the chemical processes that allow our body to function, known as our “metabolic activity”, lead to damage and a decline in the activity of our cells, tissues and organs.</p> <p>Biological age tests aim to capture some of these changes, offering a snapshot of how well, or how poorly, we are <a href="https://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2022.1107">ageing on a cellular level</a>.</p> <p>Our DNA is also affected by the ageing process. In particular, chemical tags (methyl groups) attach to our DNA and affect gene expression. These changes occur in predictable ways with age and environmental exposures, in a process called methylation.</p> <p>Research studies have used “epigenetic clocks”, which measure the methylation of our genes, to estimate biological age. By analysing methylation levels at specific sites in the genome from participant samples, researchers apply predictive models to estimate the cumulative wear and tear on the body.</p> <h2>What does the research say about their use?</h2> <p>Although the science is rapidly evolving, the evidence underpinning the use of epigenetic clocks to measure biological ageing in research studies is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39743988/">strong</a>.</p> <p>Studies have shown epigenetic biological age estimation is a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5940111/">better predictor</a> of the risk of death and ageing-related diseases than chronological age.</p> <p>Epigenetic clocks also have been found to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1279770725001277?dgcid=rss_sd_all">correlate strongly</a> with lifestyle and environmental exposures, such as smoking status and diet quality.</p> <p>In addition, they have been found to be able to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8484046/">predict</a> the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.</p> <p>Taken together, a growing body of research indicates that at a population level, epigenetic clocks are robust measures of biological ageing and are strongly linked to the risk of <a href="https://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2022.1107">disease and death</a></p> <h2>But how good are these tests for individuals?</h2> <p>While these tests are valuable when studying populations in research settings, using epigenetic clocks to measure the biological age of individuals is a different matter and requires scrutiny.</p> <p>For testing at an individual level, perhaps the most important consideration is the “signal to noise ratio” (or precision) of these tests. This is the question of whether a single sample from an individual may yield widely differing results.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00248-2">study from 2022</a> found samples deviated by up to nine years. So an identical sample from a 40-year-old may indicate a biological age of as low as 35 years (a cause for celebration) or as high as 44 years (a cause of anxiety).</p> <p>While there have been significant improvements in these tests over the years, there is considerable <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00248-2">variability</a> in the precision of these tests between commercial providers. So depending on who you send your sample to, your estimated biological age may vary considerably.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Khloé Kardashian, 40, learns her biological age after confessing bad eating habits <a href="https://t.co/vlipIl9Im2">https://t.co/vlipIl9Im2</a> <a href="https://t.co/s1zRdpht0K">pic.twitter.com/s1zRdpht0K</a></p> <p>— New York Post (@nypost) <a href="https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1816322940532650399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Another limitation is there is currently no standardisation of methods for this testing. Commercial providers perform these tests in <a href="https://www.livescience.com/health/ageing/new-biological-aging-test-predicts-your-odds-of-dying-within-the-next-12-months">different ways</a> and have different algorithms for estimating biological age from the data.</p> <p>As you would expect for commercial operators, providers don’t disclose their methods. So it’s difficult to compare companies and determine who provides the most accurate results – and what you’re getting for your money.</p> <p>A third limitation is that while epigenetic clocks correlate well with ageing, they are simply a “<a href="https://frontlinegenomics.com/opinion-direct-to-consumer-epigenetic-tests-are-not-getting-enough-scrutiny/#:%7E:text=Companies%20claim%20that%20epigenetic%20variants,in%20the%20usual%20DTC%20scrutiny">proxy</a>” and are not a diagnostic tool.</p> <p>In other words, they may provide a general indication of ageing at a cellular level. But they don’t offer any specific insights about what the issue may be if someone is found to be “ageing faster” than they would like, or what they’re doing right if they are “ageing well”.</p> <p>So regardless of the result of your test, all you’re likely to get from the commercial provider of an epigenetic test is generic advice about what the science says is healthy behaviour.</p> <h2>Are they worth it? Or what should I do instead?</h2> <p>While companies offering these tests may have good intentions, remember their ultimate goal is to sell you these tests and make a profit. And at a cost of around A$500, they’re not cheap.</p> <p>While the idea of using these tests as a personalised health tool has potential, it is clear that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jun/13/biological-age-startups-why">we are not there yet</a>.</p> <p>For this to become a reality, tests will need to become more reproducible, standardised across providers, and validated through long-term studies that link changes in biological age to specific behaviours.</p> <p>So while one-off tests of biological age make for impressive social media posts, for most people they represent a significant cost and offer limited real value.</p> <p>The good news is we already know what we need to do to increase our chances of living longer and healthier lives. These <a href="https://theconversation.com/you-cant-reverse-the-ageing-process-but-these-5-things-can-help-you-live-longer-214580">include</a>:</p> <ul> <li>improving our diet</li> <li>increasing physical activity</li> <li>getting enough <a href="https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/47/1/zsad253/7280269">sleep</a></li> <li>quitting smoking</li> <li><a href="https://theconversation.com/how-much-stress-is-too-much-a-psychiatrist-explains-the-links-between-toxic-stress-and-poor-health-and-how-to-get-help-222245">reducing stress</a></li> <li>prioritising social connection.</li> </ul> <p>We don’t need to know our biological age in order to implement changes in our lives right now to improve our health.</p> <p><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><em><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/257710/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />By </em><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-vally-202904">Hassan Vally</a>, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>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/how-old-are-you-really-are-the-latest-biological-age-tests-all-theyre-cracked-up-to-be-257710">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / Cottonbro Studio</em></p> </div>

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What is a blood cholesterol ratio? And what should yours be?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Have you had a blood test to check your cholesterol level? These check the different blood fat components:</p> <ul> <li>total cholesterol</li> <li>LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is sometimes called “bad cholesterol”</li> <li>HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is sometimes called “good cholesterol”</li> <li>triglycerides.</li> </ul> <p>Your clinician then compares your test results to normal ranges – and may use ratios to compare different types of cholesterol.</p> <p><iframe id="8KC9s" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8KC9s/6/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This is a broad term that includes disease of blood vessels throughout the body, arteries in the heart (known as coronary heart disease), heart failure, heart valve conditions, arrhythmia and stroke.</p> <p>So what does cholesterol do? And what does it mean to have a healthy cholesterol ratio?</p> <h2>What are blood fats?</h2> <p>Cholesterol is a waxy type of fat made in the liver and gut, with a small amount of pre-formed cholesterol coming from food.</p> <p>Cholesterol is found in all cell membranes, contributing to their structure and function. Your body <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513326/">uses cholesterol to make</a> vitamin D, bile acid, and hormones, including oestrogen, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone.</p> <p>When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it gets deposited into artery walls, making them hard and narrow. This process is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis">atherosclerosis</a>.</p> <p>Cholesterol is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513326/">packaged with</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triglyceride">triglycerides</a> (the most common type of fat in the body) and specific <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolipoprotein">“apo” proteins</a> into “lipo-proteins” as a package called “very-low-density” lipoproteins (VLDLs).</p> <p>These are transported via the blood to body tissue in a form called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.</p> <p>Excess cholesterol can be transported back to the liver by high-density lipoprotein, the HDL, for removal from circulation.</p> <p>Another less talked about blood fat is Lipoprotein-a, or Lp(a). This is determined by your genetics and <a href="https://www.victorchang.edu.au/heart-disease/high-cholesterol">not influenced by lifestyle factors</a>. About one in five (<a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/may/lipid-management-and-implications-for-australian-g">20%</a>) of Australians are carriers.</p> <p>Having a high Lp(a) level is an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor.</p> <h2>Knowing your numbers</h2> <p>Your blood fat levels <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/high-blood-cholesterol">are affected by</a> both modifiable factors:</p> <ul> <li>dietary intake</li> <li>physical activity</li> <li>alcohol</li> <li>smoking</li> <li>weight status.</li> </ul> <p>And non-modifiable factors:</p> <ul> <li>age</li> <li>sex</li> <li>family history.</li> </ul> <p><iframe id="S7Xp4" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/S7Xp4/1/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h2>What are cholesterol ratios?</h2> <p>Cholesterol ratios are sometimes used to provide more detail on the balance between different types of blood fats and to evaluate risk of developing heart disease.</p> <p>Commonly used ratios include:</p> <h2>1. Total cholesterol to HDL ratio</h2> <p>This ratio is used in Australia to <a href="https://www.cvdcheck.org.au/calculator">assess risk of heart disease</a>. It’s calculated by dividing your total cholesterol number by your HDL (good) cholesterol number.</p> <p>A higher ratio (<a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cholesterol-ratio-calculator#how-to-calculate">greater than 5</a>) is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, whereas a lower ratio is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.</p> <p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36589799/">study</a> of 32,000 Americans over eight years found adults who had either very high, or very low, total cholesterol/HDL ratios were at 26% and 18% greater risk of death from any cause during the study period.</p> <p>Those with a ratio of greater than 4.2 had a 13% higher risk of death from heart disease than those with a ratio lower than 4.2.</p> <h2>2. Non-HDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (NHHR)</h2> <p>Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus HDL. Non-HDL cholesterol includes all blood fats such as LDL, triglycerides, Lp(a) and others. This ratio is abbreviated as NHHR.</p> <p>This ratio has been used more recently because it compares the ratio of “bad” blood fats that can contribute to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) to “good” or anti-atherogenic blood fats (HDL).</p> <p>Non-HDL cholesterol is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31170997/">stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease risk</a> than LDL alone, while <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37228232/">HDL is associated with</a> lower cardiovascular disease risk.</p> <p>Because this ratio removes the “good” cholesterol from the non-HDL part of the ratio, it is not penalising those people who have really high amounts of “good” HDL that make up their total cholesterol, which the first ratio does.</p> <p>Research has suggested this ratio may be a stronger <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39949279/">predictor of atherosclerosis in women than men</a>, however more research is needed.</p> <p>Another <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39415313">study</a> followed more than 10,000 adults with type 2 diabetes from the United States and Canada for about five years. The researchers found that for each unit increase in the ratio, there was around a 12% increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke or death.</p> <p>They identified a risk threshold of 6.28 or above, after adjusting for other risk factors. Anyone with a ratio greater than this is at very high risk and would require management to lower their risk of heart disease.</p> <h2>3. LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio</h2> <p>LDL/HDL is calculated by dividing your LDL cholesterol number by the HDL number. This gives a ratio of “bad” to “good” cholesterol.</p> <p>A lower ratio (<a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cholesterol-ratio-calculator#how-to-calculate">ideal is less than 2.0</a>) is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.</p> <p>While there is lesser focus on LDL/HDL, these ratios have been shown to be predictors of occurrence and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35843962/">severity of heart attacks</a> in patients presenting with chest pain.</p> <p>If you’re worried about your cholesterol levels or cardiovascular disease risk factors and are aged 45 and over (or over 30 for First Nations people), consider seeing your GP for a Medicare-rebated <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-health-checks">Heart Health Check</a>.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/253126/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erin-clarke-1314081">Erin Clarke</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher, Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p><em>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/what-is-a-blood-cholesterol-ratio-and-what-should-yours-be-253126">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Everlabs</em></p> </div>

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"Game changer": Aussie women welcome new early-detection cancer test

<p>Australian women will soon have access to a revolutionary blood test designed to aid in the early detection of breast cancer. The innovative test, known as BREASTEST plus™, was developed by BCAL Diagnostics and is set to complement traditional breast cancer screening methods such as mammograms and ultrasounds.</p> <p>BCAL Diagnostics chair Jayne Shaw <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/public-health/australian-first-blood-test-to-help-early-detection-of-breast-cancer-comes-to-sydney-before-nationwide-rollout-c-18153750" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed to 7NEWS</a> that the development of the test had taken 15 years, describing it as a "game changer" for women worldwide.</p> <p>“The breast test is a game changer for all women everywhere because it’s a blood test to detect breast cancer alongside other diagnostic tools like ultrasound and a mammogram,” Shaw said.</p> <p>She pointed out that a similar blood test for prostate cancer, which has been available since 1989, has significantly improved clinical outcomes for men. “Early diagnosis for all cancers will lead to improved survivability rates, and it was only inevitable that a blood test would be developed to diagnose breast cancer earlier,” she added.</p> <p>One of the major advantages of the new blood test is its ability to detect breast cancer in women with high breast density. Around 40-50% of Australian women undergoing screening have high breast density, which can obscure abnormalities on mammograms and make diagnosis more difficult.</p> <p>With the ability to identify breast cancer markers, the blood test will provide a valuable additional tool for detecting cancers that might otherwise go unnoticed.</p> <p>Breast Cancer Network Australia director Vicki Durston welcomed the new test, especially for its potential to improve the reporting of high breast density cases, where cancers are often missed. “Breast Cancer Network Australia has long been calling for the uplift in the breast density statement nationally to see standardised reporting across the country,” Durston said.</p> <p>She also noted that while high breast density is just one of many risk factors, the new test represents an innovative step forward in improving early detection and treatment.</p> <p>Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian women, accounting for approximately 28% of all new cancer cases. In 2024 alone, around 21,194 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, including 20,973 women and 221 men. However, survival rates have improved dramatically, with Australia’s peak breast cancer body reporting that the five-year survival rate has risen from 78% in 1994 to 92% in 2020, with many people living long and healthy lives beyond this period.</p> <p>While the test currently comes at an out-of-pocket cost, there is hope that the Australian government will eventually provide subsidies under Medicare to make it more accessible. The first tests will be available at the <a href="https://www.sydneybreastclinic.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Breast Clinic</a> starting Thursday, followed by a rollout in Melbourne, with plans to expand nationwide by the end of the year.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock / 7NEWS</em></p>

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I’m avoiding a hearing test because I don’t want chunky hearing aids. What are my options?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://www.health.gov.au/hearing-health/resources/publications/one-in-six-australians-experience-hearing-loss-poster-0?language=en">One in six Australians</a> have hearing loss and, for most adults, hearing starts to decline from <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107720">middle age onwards</a>.</p> <p>Many of us, however, hesitate to seek help or testing for our hearing. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ll be told to wear hearing aids, and envision the large and bulky hearing aids you might have seen on your grandparents decades ago.</p> <p>In fact, hearing aids have changed a lot since then. They’re often now very small; some are barely noticeable. And hearing aids aren’t the only option available for people experiencing hearing loss.</p> <h2>Why you shouldn’t ignore hearing loss</h2> <p>Acquired hearing loss can have a serious impact on our life. It is <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2331216517734088">associated</a> with or can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29222544/">contribute</a> to:</p> <ul> <li>social isolation</li> <li>loneliness</li> <li>not being able to work as much, or at all</li> <li>memory problems</li> <li>trouble thinking clearly</li> <li>conditions such as dementia.</li> </ul> <p>Hearing loss has also been associated with depression, anxiety and stress. A <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article-abstract/60/3/e137/5369884?redirectedFrom=fulltext">systematic review and meta-analysis</a> found adults with hearing loss are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression than those without hearing loss.</p> <p>A <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2768374">large population study</a> in the US found self-reported hearing loss was associated with:</p> <ul> <li>higher levels of psychological distress</li> <li>increased use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, and</li> <li>greater utilisation of mental health services.</li> </ul> <p>The good news is that doing something about your hearing loss can help you live a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36385406/">happier</a> and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(23)00232-5/fulltext">longer</a> life.</p> <h2>So why don’t people get their hearing checked?</h2> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17927921/">Research</a> has found adults with hearing loss typically wait ten years to seek help for their hearing.</p> <p>Less than a quarter of those who need hearing aids actually go ahead with them.</p> <p>Hearing declines slowly, so people may perceive their hearing difficulties <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14992027.2013.839888">aren’t concerning</a>. They may feel they’re now used to not being able to hear properly, without fully appreciating the impact it’s having on their life.</p> <p>Some people harbour <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14992027.2013.839888">negative attitudes to hearing aids</a> or don’t think they’ll actually help.</p> <p>Others may have overheard their <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14992027.2013.839888">partner, family or friends</a> say negative things or make jokes about hearing aids, which can put people off getting their hearing checked.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">Stigma</a> can play a big part.</p> <p>People often associate hearing loss with <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2353862">negative stereotypes</a> such as ageing, weakness and “being different”.</p> <p>Our recent <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2446480">research</a> found that around one in four people never tell anyone about their hearing loss because of experiences of stigma.</p> <p>Adults with hearing loss who experience stigma and choose not to disclose their hearing loss were also likely not to go ahead with hearing aids, we found.</p> <h2>What are my options for helping my hearing?</h2> <p>The first step in helping your hearing is to have a hearing check with a hearing care professional such as an an audiologist. You can also speak to your GP.</p> <p>If you’ve got hearing loss, hearing aids aren’t the only option.</p> <p>Others include:</p> <ul> <li>other assistive listening devices (such as amplified phones, personal amplifiers and TV headphones)</li> <li>doing a short course or program (such as the <a href="https://shrs.uq.edu.au/active-communication-education-ace">Active Communication Education program</a> developed via University of Queensland researchers) aimed at giving you strategies to manage your hearing, for instance, in noisy environments</li> <li>monitoring your hearing with regular checkups</li> <li>strategies for protecting your hearing in future (such as wearing earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments, and not having headphone speakers too loud)</li> <li>a cochlear implant (if hearing loss is severe)</li> </ul> <p>Hearing care professionals should take a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2190864">holistic approach</a> to hearing rehabilitation.</p> <p>That means coming up with individualised solutions based on your preferences and circumstances.</p> <h2>What are modern hearing aids like?</h2> <p>If you do need hearing aids, it’s worth knowing there are several different types. All modern hearing aids are extremely small and discrete.</p> <p>Some sit behind your ear, while others sit within your ear. Some look the same as air pods.</p> <p>Some are even completely invisible. These hearing aids are custom fitted to sit deep within your ear canal and contain no external tubes and wires.</p> <p>Some types of hearing aids are more expensive than others, but even the basic styles are discrete.</p> <p>In Australia, children and many adults are eligible for <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/hearing-services-program/accessing/eligibility">free or subsidised hearing services</a> and many health funds offer hearing aid rebates as part of their extras cover.</p> <p>Despite being small, modern hearing aids have advanced technology including the ability to:</p> <ul> <li>reduce background noise</li> <li>direct microphones to where sound is coming from (directional microphones)</li> <li>use Bluetooth so you can hear audio from your phone, TV and other devices directly in your hearing aids.</li> </ul> <p>When used with a smartphone, some hearing aids can even track your health, detect if you have fallen, and translate languages in real time.</p> <h2>What should I do next?</h2> <p>If you think you might be having hearing difficulties or are curious about the status of your hearing, then it’s a good idea to get a hearing check.</p> <p>The earlier you do something about your hearing, the greater the likelihood that you can prevent further hearing decline and reduce other health risks.</p> <p>And rest assured, there’s a suitable option for everyone.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/250925/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By </em><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, Senior Lecturer, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/barbra-timmer-1199057">Barbra Timmer</a>, Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Audiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>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/im-avoiding-a-hearing-test-because-i-dont-want-chunky-hearing-aids-what-are-my-options-250925">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> </div>

Hearing

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The heart research that could save fit and healthy Australians

<p>Leading scientists at the <a title="https://www.hri.org.au" href="https://www.hri.org.au/" data-outlook-id="7561b6b0-1679-4cf1-aedd-c178db738113">Heart Research Institute</a> (HRI) are close to uncovering a new biomarker to identify people at risk of heart disease with a simple blood test, after a “good” gene was identified that causes the heart to enlarge with exercise.</p> <p>The world first discovery was led by one of Australia’s foremost heart scientists, Professor Julie McMullen, who is now leading HRI’s Heart Muscle Group to focus on developing new ways to prevent and treat heart attack and heart failure. </p> <p>“Our goal is to reproduce the actions of the ‘good’ genes in the diseased heart by mimicking the beneficial effects of exercise in a failing heart. We then use that information to develop new drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease or heart failure,” Prof McMullen said. </p> <p>One person has a heart attack in Australia every 10 minutes, while one Australian dies from cardiovascular disease every 12 minutes.</p> <p>“Heart disease can happen to any of us. With increasing rates of obesity and type two diabetes, people are being affected by heart conditions at a much younger age, which can progress to heart attack and heart failure,” Prof McMullen said.</p> <p>“Current drugs are not very effective for improving heart function and quality of life, so it is important that we identify new therapies for patients with heart disease and heart failure.” </p> <p>A simple blood test could have helped someone like Warren Williams, who was a fit and healthy tri-athelete when he discovered he had atrial fibrillation. The Sydney father had to be fitted with a pacemaker, only to still suffer a massive cardiac arrest years later while on a run.</p> <p>“Doctors told me I should be dead, they said I shouldn’t have lived through it,” he said.</p> <p>"Somehow I miraculously survived, probably due to my fitness, but that we will never know. I was told I wouldn’t be able to run again, ride a bike, sing on stage, and possibly not even work again."</p> <p>The father is now on a mission to spread awareness about regular heart check-ups, especially for those people who feel fit and healthy.</p> <p>"Atrial Fibrillation affects people in many different ways - for some, everyday life and function becomes quite difficult, whereas in others, like myself, it can be a silent underlying condition with potentially life-threatening outcomes."</p> <p>Scientists are hoping to find the gift of research in their Santa stocking this festive season as HRI launches a targeted <a title="https://www.hri.org.au/donate-christmas-appeal" href="https://www.hri.org.au/donate-christmas-appeal" data-outlook-id="69ee70de-a228-4c82-9fb7-4efd2bcfa0b0">Christmas Appeal</a> to help Prof McMullen’s team ramp up their work to the next phase.</p> <p>“We know this biomarker is there and we are close to finding it, but it comes down to researchers getting time in the lab,” Prof McMullen said.</p> <p>“By donating, individuals can fund essential laboratory resources and high-tech equipment, accelerating the availability of life-changing treatments for those in need, said Prof McMullen.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Body

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New “corpse disposal” theory tested in William Tyrrell inquest

<p>A police theory that William Tyrrell's foster mother unlawfully disposed of the child's body after he died of an accident is set to be put before the court in an inquest into Tyrrell's disappearance. </p> <p>On Monday, counsel assisting Gerard Craddock SC reopened the inquest for a fifth round of evidence, saying the focus would be on the viability of the theory that William's body was purposefully disposed of. </p> <p>Police have alleged that after the then three-year-old died on the Kendall property on the mid-north NSW coast in September 2014, the foster mum might have loaded his body into her mother’s Mazda before driving down the road to dispose of his remains.</p> <p>Deputy NSW coroner Harriet Grahame heard in court that it was only then that she may have called triple zero to report the child missing. </p> <p>“Police assert that she must have quickly resolved that if the accidental death were to be discovered, she might lose (her other foster child),” Craddock said.</p> <p>Tyrrell's foster mother has long denied having any involvement with William's disappearance. </p> <p>Later in the inquest, evidence is set to be given from a truck driver who drove past where the foster mother allegedly disposed of the body at the time.</p> <p>The inquest into William’s disappearance began in March 2019 but was adjourned in October 2020.</p> <p>No one has been charged and a $1 million reward for information stands.</p> <p><em>Image credits: NSW Police</em></p>

Legal

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From eye exams to blood tests and surgery: how doctors use light to diagnose disease

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353">Matthew Griffith</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>You’re not feeling well. You’ve had a pounding headache all week, dizzy spells and have vomited up your past few meals.</p> <p>You visit your GP to get some answers and sit while they shine a light in your eyes, order a blood test and request some medical imaging.</p> <p>Everything your GP just did relies on light. These are just some of the optical technologies that have had an enormous impact in how we diagnose disease.</p> <h2>1. On-the-spot tests</h2> <p>Point-of-care diagnostics allow doctors to test patients on the spot and get answers in minutes, rather than sending samples to a lab for analysis.</p> <p>The “flashlight” your GP uses to view the inside of your eye (known as an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003881.htm">ophthalmoscope</a>) is a great example. This allows doctors to detect abnormal blood flow in the eye, deformations of the cornea (the outermost clear layer of the eye), or swollen optical discs (a round section at the back of the eye where the nerve link to the brain begins). Swollen discs are a sign of elevated pressure inside your head (or in the worst case, a brain tumour) that could be <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/increased-intracranial-pressure-icp-headache">causing your headaches</a>.</p> <p>The invention of <a href="https://openmedscience.com/lighting-the-way-in-healthcare-the-transformative-role-of-lasers-in-medicine/">lasers and LEDs</a> has enabled many other miniaturised technologies to be provided at the bedside or clinic rather than in the lab.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">Pulse oximetry</a> is a famous example, where a clip attached to your finger reports how well your blood is oxygenated. It does this by <a href="https://www.howequipmentworks.com/pulse_oximeter/">measuring</a> the different responses of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to different colours of light.</p> <p>Pulse oximetry is used at hospitals (and <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">sometimes at home</a>) to monitor your respiratory and heart health. In hospitals, it is also a valuable tool for detecting <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60107-X/fulltext">heart defects in babies</a>.</p> <h2>2. Looking at molecules</h2> <p>Now, back to that blood test. Analysing a small amount of your blood can diagnose <a href="https://theconversation.com/blood-tests-and-diagnosing-illness-what-can-blood-tell-us-about-whats-happening-in-our-body-80327">many different diseases</a>.</p> <p>A machine called an automated “full blood count analyser” tests for general markers of your health. This machine directs focused beams of light through blood samples held in small glass tubes. It counts the number of blood cells, determines their specific type, and reports the level of haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that distributes oxygen around your body). In minutes, this machine can provide a <a href="https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/inside-the-pathology-lab-what-happens-to-my-blood">snapshot</a> of your overall health.</p> <p>For more specific disease markers, blood serum is separated from the heavier cells by spinning in a rotating instrument called a centrifuge. The serum is then exposed to special chemical stains and enzyme assays that change colour depending on whether specific molecules, which may be the sign of a disease, are present.</p> <p>These colour changes can’t be detected with the naked eye. However, a light beam from an instrument called a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5476943/#R88">spectrometer</a> can detect tiny amounts of these substances in the blood and determine if the biomarkers for diseases are present, and at what levels.</p> <h2>3. Medical imaging</h2> <p>Let’s re-visit those medical images your GP ordered. The development of fibre-optic technology, made famous for transforming high-speed digital communications (such as the NBN), allows light to get inside the body. The result? High-resolution optical imaging.</p> <p>A common example is an <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737#risks-and-side-effects">endoscope</a>, where fibres with a tiny camera on the end are inserted into the body’s natural openings (such as your mouth or anus) to examine your gut or respiratory tracts.</p> <p>Surgeons can insert the same technology through tiny cuts to view the inside of the body on a video screen during <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9553337/">laparoscopic surgery</a> (also known as keyhole surgery) to diagnose and treat disease.</p> <h2>How about the future?</h2> <p>Progress in nanotechnology and a better understanding of the interactions of light with our tissues are leading to new light-based tools to help diagnose disease. These include:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.201903441">nanomaterials</a> (materials on an extremely small scale, many thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair). These are being used in next-generation sensors and new diagnostic tests</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0045-y">wearable optical biosensors</a> the size of your fingernail can be included in devices such as watches, contact lenses or finger wraps. These devices allow non-invasive measurements of sweat, tears and saliva, in real time</p> </li> <li> <p>AI tools to analyse how blood serum scatters infrared light. This has allowed researchers to build a <a href="https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/powerful-diagnostic-approach-uses-light-to-detect-virtually-all-forms-of-cancer/">comprehensive database</a> of scatter patterns to detect <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aisy.202300006">any cancer</a></p> </li> <li> <p>a type of non-invasive imaging called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554044/">optical coherence tomography</a> for more detailed imaging of the eye, heart and skin</p> </li> <li> <p>fibre optic technology to deliver a tiny microscope into the body on the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/projects/microscope-in-a-needle">tip of a needle</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>So the next time you’re at the GP and they perform (or order) some tests, chances are that at least one of those tests depend on light to help diagnose disease.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/231379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353"><em>Matthew Griffith</em></a><em>, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow and Director, UniSA Microscopy and Microanalysis Facilities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>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/from-eye-exams-to-blood-tests-and-surgery-how-doctors-use-light-to-diagnose-disease-231379">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Australia tops life expectancy among English-speaking nations

<p>A recent study has revealed that Australians outlive their peers in five other high-income English-speaking countries, including the UK and US, by one to four years. </p> <p>The paper published in the medical journal<em> BMJ Open</em> last month, analysed the average life expectancies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States between 1990 and 2019. </p> <p>They found that Australians' life expectancy surpassed that of Canadians in the early 1990s - and it has remained in the top spot ever since. </p> <p>The average life expectancy for an Australian born in 2019 was 83.24 years, which is two years longer than the average Brit, and four years longer than the average American. </p> <p>"Australia is clearly the best-performing Anglophone country," the paper said.</p> <p>"While Australian men and women have lower mortality at nearly all ages, their mortality advantage at ages 45–84 accounts for the bulk of Australia's life expectancy advantage."</p> <p>The Irish came in second with an life expectancy of 82.39 years, followed by the Canadians with 82.28, and the Kiwis with 81.83.</p> <p>Australia's long life expectancy could be credited to it's high migrant population and low death rates from drug and alcohol misuse, screenable/treatable cancers, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. </p> <p>The nation's "strong public health efforts", such as the 1996 gun law reforms and buyback programs following the Port Arthur massacre, and the creation of Headspace, the national youth mental healthcare service, could also play part in our longevity. </p> <p>Australia also had the lowest level of "geographic inequality", meaning that the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor regions was narrower than other countries. </p> <p>However, the life expectancy for  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to be significantly lower than the average Australian, with males born between  2020 and 2022 expected to live for just 71.9 years, and females for 75.6 years. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

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Simon Dorante-Day calls for "four-way paternity test" to prove royal lineage

<p>Simon Dorante-Day has called for a "four-way paternity test" to prove his royal lineage, while also casting doubt on if Prince William and Prince Harry are actually sons of the monarch. </p> <p>The Queensland man, who has been claiming to be the secret son of King Charles and Queen Camilla since 2005, has called for an official DNA test to prove his claims in a lengthy Facebook post. </p> <p>Dorante-Day's post highlights a photo comparison of himself, King Charles and William and Harry as evidence supporting his demand for answers from the royal family. </p> <p>“This comparison of William, Myself, Charles, and Harry demonstrates something very clearly, there is no consistency. The fact that the left side of my face identically matches Charles whilst neither William nor Harry’s does, raises the obvious question, just who are Charles’s real sons?”</p> <p>"This is why my wife, Dr. Elvianna, and I believe a 4-way Paternity test is the only way to resolve this issue once and for all. The truth of the game that has been played by the Monarchy, the Government, and the Establishment for 58 years needs to be exposed."</p> <p>"It's not just what happened to me as a child, and what I remember from growing up in England, but it’s also what’s happened since to myself, my wife, and my children in Australia that supports our argument. These covert and illegitimate activities that are targeted towards us constantly are an attempt to stop us on this journey, nothing more. They will not succeed. They will only strengthen our argument and provides us with evidence to demonstrate what has occurred, in a court room, to judges."</p> <p>"My question to all of you is how will you truly react when you hear the truth of what has occurred? Would you still want them on the throne?"</p> <p>Dorante-Day was born in Portsmouth in the UK in 1966, and was adopted at just eight months old. According to his claims, his adoptive mother, who worked for Queen Elizabeth II confessed on her death bed that he was the son of Charles and Camilla.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Lisa Curry recounts her Olympics "gender test" ordeal

<p>On Friday, the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will begin and swimming legend Lisa Curry has opened up about her own experiences competing in the games, and how she had to take a "gender test" in 1992.</p> <p>"Found this yesterday and thought it would be fun to do a show and tell of a few past stories leading up to Fridays Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris," she shared on Instagram alongside a photo of the gender certificate she received. </p> <p>"This was a card given to all athletes competing in 1992 Barcelona after they completed a 'gender test'," she continued. </p> <p>"I wonder if they still do it?"</p> <p>Curry, 61, was one of the golden girls of Australian swimming, representing the nation at three Olympics during a career that spanned 23 years. </p> <p>The Olympian went on to explain that the man who signed her card was Alexandre de Merode, the head of the drug testing policy for the International Olympic Committee at the time. </p> <p>De Merode had a controversial career after he was involved in a number of Olympic drug scandals at Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988. </p> <p>"This definitely surprised me… or does it?" Curry continued. </p> <p>"And it was at these Barcelona Games where we swam against the Chinese swimmers," she added. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vefXRTlW8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vefXRTlW8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In the early 1990s, the Chinese swimmers began to dominate the pool and eventually won a lot of medals, however they were also notorious for doping with more than 40 Chinese swimmers failing drug tests during the decade. </p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9yD4WSzdF-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow up post</a>, Curry showed off a special ring that she still wears to commemorate the Olympics, and recalled her training back in 1992. </p> <p>"Morgan was a toddler when I competed in Barcelona and now when I’m looking after her babies, I remember the training, relentlessly, day in day out for the biggest moment of my life," she wrote. </p> <p>"Competing as a mum of 2, and being in the best shape of my life was my career highlight," she added. </p> <p>"This Olympic ring has been on my little finger for 32 years. It’s a reminder of the dedication, perseverance and resilience you need to keep going, even when you don’t have anything left in the tank." </p> <p>She then added a few words of encouragement for all the athletes competing in the Olympics, before adding: "Only some will win, but the opportunity you get to be an Olympian and call yourself an Olympian is forever."</p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Images: Instagram</span></em></p> <p> </p>

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Woman found in wheelie bin identified as English teacher

<p>The body of a woman found in a wheelie bin at a waste management facility has been identified as a 67-year-old teacher. </p> <p>Staff at Repurpose It in the north Melbourne suburb of  Epping found the body of Annette Brennan while moving green waste last Wednesday. </p> <p>Police believe that the 67-year-old was inside a bin picked up outside a home in Coolaroo on Tuesday July 2nd, which was then taken to the facility in Epping. </p> <p>Brennan spent most of her life teaching English to students, many of whom were international, and has been described as “gentle and kind”. </p> <p>Police have arrested a 45-year-old man in connection to Brennan's death, who has since been charged with murder and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.</p> <p>Homicide detectives believe the pair were known to each other. </p> <p>On Monday night, Repurpose It CEO George Hatzimanolis said staff were “deeply saddened” by the incident.</p> <p>“Our staff members who made this tragic discovery are understandably shaken, and we are ensuring they receive the support and counselling they need,” he said.</p> <p>“We ask for privacy and understanding for our employees as we navigate through this challenging situation. We are fully co-operating with the police as they conduct their investigations.”</p> <p>Police are still combing through CCTV in the Coolaroo area and have urged anyone who may have video from between June 23rd and July 2nd to contact them.</p> <p>Detectives are also keen to speak to anyone who noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise </em></p>

Caring

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Advocates slam "ageist" call for older drivers to undergo mandatory testing

<p>A fresh push to make older drivers undergo mandatory health checks every year has been labelled ageist by advocates. </p> <p>General Practitioners have reignited the debate to introduce annual assessments for drivers in Victoria aged 75 and over, to bring the state in line with standards in other states including NSW, Queensland, WA and the Australian Capital Territory. </p> <p>“This is not about discriminating against older people, but a recognition that the skills that are required to drive safely can be lost as we get older,” the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria chair Dr Anita Muñoz told <em>The Age</em>. </p> <p>"We do feel that having an annual assessment done for elderly drivers is a good thing," the college's Victoria co-deputy chair Dr Bindiya Sethi added. </p> <p>Victoria Police data obtained by <em>The Age</em> also showed that 145 people have died and 7080 have been injured in road incidents caused by people aged over 65. </p> <p>20 per cent of licence holders in Victoria are over 65, which has gone up from 16 per cent a decade ago. </p> <p>In the last financial year, there were 247 deaths and 16,265 injuries caused by crashes on Victorian roads, with drivers aged 65 and over responsible for around 10 per cent of these incidences. </p> <p>However, Chris Potaris, chief executive of the Council on the Ageing Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, has called the move "ageist". </p> <p>“We continue to support Victoria’s approach, which emphasises a driver’s behaviour and medical fitness to operate a motor vehicle,” he told the publication. </p> <p>“Driving should be based on ability, not on age.”</p> <p>Seniors Rights Victoria policy and advocacy manager Ben Rogers has also slammed the move. </p> <p>"We find it ageist and arbitrary ... It's targeting people that don't need to be targeted," Rogers said. </p> <p>MP Steve Dimopolous added that there was no evidence that an aged-based assessment model was any better than the existing rules. </p> <p>VicRoads also claimed that there is a lot of misinformation about older drivers, who are "usually more cautious, more experienced and more responsible" than younger drivers.</p> <p> </p> <p>"They are more likely to obey the law and are less likely to drink drive or speed," VicRoads said.</p> <p>However, a few others believe that mandatory assessments are a good move. </p> <p>"I think it's fair enough. Over a certain age, maybe 70 or so," local man Pat said.</p> <p>"I think the younger drivers are worse than the older drivers," another added. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Centenarian blood tests give hints of the secrets to longevity

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/karin-modig-1473484">Karin Modig</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a></em></p> <p>Centenarians, once considered rare, have become commonplace. Indeed, they are the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/02/living-to-one-hundred-life-expectancy/">fastest-growing demographic group</a> of the world’s population, with numbers roughly doubling every ten years since the 1970s.</p> <p>How long humans can live, and what determines a long and healthy life, have been of interest for as long as we know. Plato and Aristotle discussed and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12092789/">wrote about the ageing process</a> over 2,300 years ago.</p> <p>The pursuit of understanding the secrets behind exceptional longevity isn’t easy, however. It involves <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7105197/">unravelling the complex interplay</a> of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors and how they interact throughout a person’s life. Now our recent study, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-023-00936-w">published in GeroScience</a>, has unveiled some common biomarkers, including levels of cholesterol and glucose, in people who live past 90.</p> <p>Nonagenarians and centenarians have long been of intense interest to scientists as they may help us understand how to live longer, and perhaps also how to age in better health. So far, studies of centenarians have often been small scale and focused on a selected group, for example, excluding centenarians who live in care homes.</p> <h2>Huge dataset</h2> <p>Ours is the largest study comparing biomarker profiles measured throughout life among exceptionally long-lived people and their shorter-lived peers to date.</p> <p>We compared the biomarker profiles of people who went on to live past the age of 100, and their shorter-lived peers, and investigated the link between the profiles and the chance of becoming a centenarian.</p> <p>Our research included data from 44,000 Swedes who underwent health assessments at ages 64-99 - they were a sample of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28158674/">the so-called Amoris cohort</a>. These participants were then followed through Swedish register data for up to 35 years. Of these people, 1,224, or 2.7%, lived to be 100 years old. The vast majority (85%) of the centenarians were female.</p> <p>Twelve blood-based biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, as well as potential malnutrition and anaemia, were included. All of these <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0719-5">have been associated</a> with ageing or mortality in previous studies.</p> <p>The biomarker related to inflammation was uric acid – a waste product in the body caused by the digestion of certain foods. We also looked at markers linked to metabolic status and function including total cholesterol and glucose, and ones related to liver function, such as alanine aminotransferase (Alat), aspartate aminotransferase (Asat), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (Alp) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD).</p> <p>We also looked at creatinine, which is linked to kidney function, and iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), which is linked to anaemia. Finally, we also investigated albumin, a biomarker associated with nutrition.</p> <h2>Findings</h2> <p>We found that, on the whole, those who made it to their hundredth birthday tended to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine and uric acid from their sixties onwards. Although the median values didn’t differ significantly between centenarians and non-centenarians for most biomarkers, centenarians seldom displayed extremely high or low values.</p> <p>For example, very few of the centenarians had a glucose level above 6.5 earlier in life, or a creatinine level above 125.</p> <p>For many of the biomarkers, both centenarians and non-centenarians had values outside of the range considered normal in clinical guidelines. This is probably because these guidelines are set based on a younger and healthier population.</p> <p>When exploring which biomarkers were linked to the likelihood of reaching 100, we found that all but two (alat and albumin) of the 12 biomarkers showed a connection to the likelihood of turning 100. This was even after accounting for age, sex and disease burden.</p> <p>The people in the lowest out of five groups for levels of total cholesterol and iron had a lower chance of reaching 100 years as compared to those with higher levels. Meanwhile, people with higher levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid and markers for liver function also decreased the chance of becoming a centenarian.</p> <p>In absolute terms, the differences were rather small for some of the biomarkers, while for others the differences were somewhat more substantial.</p> <p>For uric acid, for instance, the absolute difference was 2.5 percentage points. This means that people in the group with the lowest uric acid had a 4% chance of turning 100 while in the group with the highest uric acid levels only 1.5% made it to age 100.</p> <p>Even if the differences we discovered were overall rather small, they suggest a potential link between metabolic health, nutrition and exceptional longevity.</p> <p>The study, however, does not allow any conclusions about which lifestyle factors or genes are responsible for the biomarker values. However, it is reasonable to think that factors such as nutrition and alcohol intake play a role. Keeping track of your kidney and liver values, as well as glucose and uric acid as you get older, is probably not a bad idea.</p> <p>That said, chance probably plays a role at some point in reaching an exceptional age. But the fact that differences in biomarkers could be observed a long time before death suggests that genes and lifestyle may also play a role.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/215166/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/karin-modig-1473484">Karin Modig</a>, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/centenarian-blood-tests-give-hints-of-the-secrets-to-longevity-215166">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Should we still be using RATs to test for COVID? 4 key questions answered

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-vally-202904">Hassan Vally</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p>We’re currently navigating <a href="https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/health/2023/11/15/covid-australia-eighth-wave">an eighth wave</a> of <a href="https://theconversation.com/were-in-a-new-covid-wave-what-can-we-expect-this-time-216820">COVID infections</a> in Australia. However the threat COVID poses to us is significantly less than it has ever been, thanks to immunity we’ve acquired through <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00801-5/fulltext">a combination</a> of prior infection and vaccination.</p> <p>That said, COVID is by no means behind us. The threat of severe illness remains higher for many people, and we’re all potentially at risk of developing <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/long-covid">long COVID</a>.</p> <p>While many people appear to be doing fewer rapid antigen tests (RATs) than they used to – if any at all – with rising cases, and as we head towards the festive season, testing continues to be important.</p> <p>So what do you need to know about testing in this wave? Here are four key questions answered.</p> <h2>1. When should I do a RAT?</h2> <p>There are a few situations where determining your COVID status is important to inform your actions, particularly during an uptick in infections. With more circulating virus, your index of suspicion that you have COVID if you’re experiencing cold-like symptoms should be higher.</p> <p>RATs work best when they’re used to confirm whether you have COVID when you <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/how-testing-works-covid-19">have respiratory symptoms</a> and are infectious. So the primary use of RATs should be to determine your COVID status when you’re sick. A positive test should prompt you to isolate, and if you’re eligible, to seek antivirals.</p> <p>Testing might also be worthwhile if you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID but you haven’t developed symptoms. If you find you have in fact contracted the virus, you can take steps to avoid spreading it to other people (you can infect others even <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-asymptomatic-covid#prevalence">when you’re asymptomatic</a>). This is especially important if you’re going to be socialising in large groups or in contact with people who are vulnerable.</p> <p>Another situation in which to consider testing, particularly at this time of year, is before attending large social gatherings. While the reliability of a RAT is never perfect, do the test as close to the event as possible, because your disease status <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/omicron-rapid-test-hour-before-party-not-day-before-expert-2021-12">can change quickly</a>.</p> <h2>2. Should I test multiple times?</h2> <p>Yes. RATs are not as sensitive as PCR tests, which is the trade-off we make for being able to do this test at home and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/public-health-officials-pursue-covid-19-tests-that-trade-precision-for-speed-11599562800">getting a rapid result</a>.</p> <p>This means that while if you test positive with a RAT you can be very confident you have COVID, if you test negative, you cannot be as confident that you don’t have COVID. That is, the test may give you a false negative result.</p> <p>Although RATs from different manufacturers have different accuracies, all RATs approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration must have a sensitivity of <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-home-use/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia#:%7E:text=For%20rapid%20antigen%20tests%2C%20this,specificity%20of%20at%20least%2098%25.">at least 80%</a>.</p> <p>The way to increase your confidence in a negative result is to do multiple RATs serially – each negative test increases the confidence you can have that you don’t have COVID. If you have symptoms and have tested negative after your first RAT, <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/home-covid-19-antigen-tests-take-steps-reduce-your-risk-false-negative-results-fda-safety">the advice</a> is to repeat the test after 48 hours, and potentially a third time after another 48 hours if the second test is also negative.</p> <h2>3. Do RATs detect the latest variants?</h2> <p>Since RATs <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/testing#:%7E:text=Rapid%20antigen%20tests%2C%20or%20RATs,of%20proteins%20of%20the%20virus.">detect particular surface proteins</a> on SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID), it’s theoretically possible that as the virus evolves, the reliability of these tests may be affected.</p> <p>However, RATs were designed to detect a part of the virus that is not as likely to mutate, so the hope is these tests <a href="https://www.health.com/do-covid-tests-work-new-variants-7967102">will continue to hold up</a> as SARS-CoV-2 evolves.</p> <p>The performance of RATs is continually being assessed by manufacturers. So far, there’s been no change reported in the ability of these tests to <a href="https://www.ama.com.au/articles/tga-updated-advice-rats-nearing-expiry-and-rats-efficacy-current-strains#:%7E:text=The%20TGA%20has%20received%20evidence,19%20RAT%20post%2Dmarket%20review.">detect the latest variants</a>.</p> <h2>4. Can I rely on expired RATs?</h2> <p>At this point in the pandemic, you might have a few expired tests at the back of your cupboard.</p> <p>Technically the most appropriate advice is to say you should never use a diagnostic test <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-home-use/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia">past its expiry date</a>. As a general principle the performance of a test cannot be guaranteed beyond this date. The risk is that over time the components of the RAT degrade and if you use a test that’s not working optimally, it’s more likely to indicate <a href="https://www.health.com/can-you-use-expired-covid-test-6827970">you don’t have COVID</a> when you actually do, which may have consequences.</p> <p>However, as for all things COVID, the answer is not so black and white. Since these tests were new when they were introduced earlier in the pandemic, manufacturers didn’t have specific data on their performance over time, and so the expiry dates given were necessarily conservative.</p> <p>It’s likely these tests will work beyond the expiry dates on the packet, but just how long and how well they work is a bit of an unknown, so we need to be cautious.</p> <p>The other thing to consider is ensuring you store RATs correctly. Storage instructions should be found on the packet, but the key issue is making sure they’re not exposed to extreme temperatures. In particular, <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/how-to-properly-store-your-at-home-covid-19-rapid-antigen-tests-c-5465412">high temperatures</a> may damage the chemicals in the test which may reduce its sensitivity.</p> <h2>The path from here</h2> <p>Regular upticks in COVID cases are something we’re going to have to get used to. At these times, we should all be a bit more cautious about looking after ourselves and others as we go about our lives. What this looks like will vary for different people depending on their personal circumstances.</p> <p>However, being up to date with <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-new-covid-booster-vaccines-can-i-get-one-do-they-work-are-they-safe-217804">booster vaccinations</a>, having a plan for <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/oral-treatments">accessing antivirals</a> if you’re eligible, <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-covid-surging-should-i-wear-a-mask-217902">wearing masks</a> in high-risk settings and testing all continue to play an important role in responding to COVID.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/218016/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-vally-202904"><em>Hassan Vally</em></a><em>, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>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/should-we-still-be-using-rats-to-test-for-covid-4-key-questions-answered-218016">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Worried about getting a blood test? 5 tips to make them easier (and still accurate)

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sapha-shibeeb-1481231">Sapha Shibeeb</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>Blood tests are a common medical procedure, offering valuable insights into a person’s health. Whether you’re getting a routine check-up, diagnosing a medical condition or monitoring treatment progress, understanding the process can make the experience more comfortable and effective.</p> <p>For the majority of patients, blood collections are a minor inconvenience. Others may feel <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618506000041">uneasy and anxious</a>.</p> <p>Preparation strategies can help get you through the procedure.</p> <h2>How blood is collected</h2> <p>During venipuncture (blood draw), the phlebotomist (blood collector) inserts a needle through the skin into a vein and a small amount of blood is collected and transferred into a test tube.</p> <p>Tubes are sent to a laboratory, where the blood is analysed. A laboratory technician may count or examine cells and measure the levels of minerals/salts, enzymes, proteins or other substances in the sample. For some tests, blood plasma is separated out by spinning (centrifuging) the sample. Others pass a light beam through the sample to determine the amount of a chemical present.</p> <p>For collection, the phlebotomist usually selects a vein in the crook of your elbow, where veins are readily accessible. Blood can also be drawn from veins in the wrists, fingers or heels. A tourniquet may be applied to restrict blood flow and make the chosen vein puff out.</p> <h2>Different tests require different preparation</h2> <p>Before a blood test, the GP or health-care provider will give you specific instructions.</p> <p>These may include fasting for up to 12 hours or temporarily discontinuing certain medications.</p> <p>It is crucial to follow these guidelines meticulously as they can significantly impact the accuracy of your test results. For example, fasting is required before glucose (blood sugar) and lipids (blood fats) testing because blood sugar and cholesterol levels typically increase after a meal.</p> <p>If the blood test requires fasting, you will be asked not to eat or drink (no tea, coffee, juice or alcohol) for about eight to 12 hours. Water is allowed but smoking should be avoided because it can increase <a href="https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/19/2/112/19825/Acute-Effect-of-Cigarette-Smoking-on-Glucose">blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels</a>.</p> <p>Generally, you will be asked to fast overnight and have the blood collection done in the morning. Fasting for longer than 15 hours could impact your results, too, by causing dehydration or the release of certain chemicals in the blood.</p> <p>If you have diabetes, you must consult your doctor prior to fasting because it can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with type 1 diabetes. Most type 2 diabetics can safely fast before a blood test but there are some exceptions, such as people who are taking certain medications including insulin.</p> <h2>5 tips for a better blood test</h2> <p>To improve your blood collection experience, consider these tips:</p> <p><strong>1. Hydrate</strong></p> <p>Drink plenty of water right up to 30 minutes before your appointment. Adequate hydration improves blood flow, making your veins more accessible. Avoid <a href="https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/34/10/736/2657269">strenuous exercise</a> before your blood test, which can increase some blood parameters (such as liver function) while decreasing others (such as sodium).</p> <p><strong>2. Loose clothing</strong></p> <p>Wear clothing that allows easy access to your arms to ensure a less stressful procedure.</p> <p><strong>3. Manage anxiety</strong></p> <p>If the sight of blood or the procedure makes you anxious, look away while the needle is inserted and try to keep breathing normally. Distraction can help – virtual reality has been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31889358/">trialled</a> to reduce needle anxiety in children. You could try bringing something to read or music to listen to.</p> <p><strong>4. Know your risk of fainting</strong></p> <p>If you’re prone to fainting, make sure to inform the phlebotomist when you arrive. You can have your blood drawn while lying down to minimise the risk of passing out and injury. Hydration helps maintain blood pressure and can also <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.0000101966.24899.CB">reduce the risk</a> of fainting.</p> <p><strong>5. Discuss difficult veins</strong></p> <p>Some people have smaller or scarred veins, often due to repeated punctures, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989034/">chemotherapy</a> or blood thinner use. In such cases, venipuncture may require multiple attempts. It is important to talk to the phlebotomist if you feel discomfort or significant pain. A finger prick can be performed as an alternative for some tests, such as blood glucose levels. But other comprehensive tests require larger blood volume.</p> <h2>Blood draws after lymph node removal</h2> <p>Historically, there were concerns about drawing blood from an arm that had undergone lymph node removal. This was due to the risk of <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/lymphedema/lymphedema-pdq#:%7E:text=Lymphedema%20is%20the%20build%2Dup,the%20way%20that%20it%20should.">lymphedema</a>, a condition marked by fluid build-up in the affected arm. Lymph nodes may have been removed (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564397/#:%7E:text=Lymph%20node%20dissection%2C%20also%20known,surgical%20management%20of%20malignant%20tumors.">lymphadenectomy</a>) for cancer diagnosis or treatment.</p> <p>However, a <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2015.61.5948">2016 study</a> showed people who’ve had lymph nodes removed are not at a higher risk of developing lymphedema following blood draws, even when drawing blood from the affected arm.</p> <h2>After your blood test</h2> <p>The whole blood test procedure usually lasts no more than a few minutes. Afterwards, you may be asked to apply gentle pressure over a clean dressing to aid clotting and reduce swelling.</p> <p>If you do experience swelling, bruising or pain after a test, follow general first aid procedures to alleviate discomfort. These include applying ice to the site, resting the affected arm and, if needed, taking a pain killer.</p> <p>It is usually recommended you do not do heavy lifting for a few hours after a blood draw. This is to prevent surges in blood flow that could prevent clotting where the blood was taken.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/216073/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sapha-shibeeb-1481231">Sapha Shibeeb</a>, Senior lecturer in Laboratory Medicine , <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/worried-about-getting-a-blood-test-5-tips-to-make-them-easier-and-still-accurate-216073">original article</a>.</em></p>

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"Ice in his veins": Stunning result in First Ashes Test

<p>Australia has emerged victorious in the first Ashes Test, with captain Pat Cummins chasing down 281 with just two wickets left inside the final five overs on the last day at Edgbaston.</p> <p>Cummins scored an unbeaten 44 as he and Nathan Lyon (16) put on 55 for the ninth wicket to bag the win — a thrilling reversal of Australia’s famous two-run loss at the same ground in 2005.</p> <p>The captain and Lyon hit occasional boundaries, wearing several short balls on the body before Cummins got a thick edge to third man off Robinson and Harry Brook’s fumble on the boundary saw Aussie fans and players erupt in raptures — reigning in a 1-0 lead in the series.</p> <p>"Ice in his veins," England great Michael Atherton said in commentary when Cummins' boundary sealed the result.</p> <p>"Pat Cummins has led his side to a famous victory here at Edgbaston.</p> <p>"Seventy-two they needed when he came to the crease and he has got his team over the line.”</p> <p>Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting was astounded.</p> <p>"What an end to a Test match, what a game of cricket," the former captain said.</p> <p>Needing 174 runs to win at the start of the day, in-form opener Usman Khawaja laid a platform for the late charge with 65 off 197 balls, before being bowled late in the day.</p> <p>He admitted he was “Sh****ng [himself]” as he watched the rest of the brutal run chase from the sheds.</p> <p>Despite being confined to a knee brace, Ben Strokes brought himself on to bowl and claimed the wicket of the eventual man of the match, Usman Khawaja.</p> <p>As the Aussie dressing room spiralled into a frenzy, an elated Cummins raced over to Lyon at the opposite end of the wicket and lifted his batting partner off the ground.</p> <p>The pair were then seen in a triumphant embrace as ecstatic Aussies in the Birmingham crowd celebrated the incredible result.</p> <p>The victory — initially appearing highly unlikely when Lyon joined Cummins with the visitors needing 54 runs to win — made for Australia’s highest successful run chase against England since 1948.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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A brief history of the mortgage, from its roots in ancient Rome to the English ‘dead pledge’ and its rebirth in America

<p>The average interest rate for a new U.S. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/home-loan-mortgage-interest-rate-7-percent-highest-since-2001/">30-year fixed-rate mortgage topped 7% in late October 2022</a> for the first time in more than two decades. It’s a sharp increase from one year earlier, when <a href="https://www.valuepenguin.com/mortgages/historical-mortgage-rates">lenders were charging homebuyers only 3.09%</a> for the same kind of loan. </p> <p>Several factors, including <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/fed-mortgage-rates">inflation rates and the general economic outlook</a>, influence mortgage rates. A primary driver of the ongoing upward spiral is the <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/fed-interest-rate-decision-today-hike-federal-reserve-meeting-november/12408055/">Federal Reserve’s series of interest rate hikes</a> intended to tame inflation. Its decision to increase the benchmark rate by <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20221102a.htm">0.75 percentage points on Nov. 2, 2022</a>, to as much as 4% will propel the cost of mortgage borrowing even higher.</p> <p>Even if you have had mortgage debt for years, you might be unfamiliar with the history of these loans – a subject I cover <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KVv47noAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao">in my mortgage financing course</a> for undergraduate business students at Mississippi State University.</p> <p>The term dates back to <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/medieval/">medieval England</a>. But the roots of these legal contracts, in which land is pledged for a debt and will become the property of the lender if the loan is not repaid, go back thousands of years.</p> <h2>Ancient roots</h2> <p>Historians trace the <a href="https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Nehemiah-5-3/">origins of mortgage contracts</a> to the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, who ruled modern-day Iran in the fifth century B.C. The Roman Empire formalized and documented the legal process of pledging collateral for a loan. </p> <p>Often using the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A13-16&amp;version=NIV">forum and temples as their base of operations</a>, mensarii, which is derived from the word mensa or “bank” in Latin, would set up loans and charge <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A13-16&amp;version=NIV">borrowers interest</a>. These government-appointed public bankers required the borrower to put up collateral, whether real estate or personal property, and their agreement regarding the use of the collateral would be handled in one of three ways. </p> <p>First, the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiducia">Fiducia</a>, Latin for “trust” or “confidence,” required the transfer of both ownership and possession to lenders until the debt was repaid in full. Ironically, this arrangement involved no trust at all.</p> <p>Second, the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pignus">Pignus</a>, Latin for “pawn,” allowed borrowers to retain ownership while <a href="https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&amp;httpsredir=1&amp;article=1684&amp;context=penn_law_review">sacrificing possession and use</a> until they repaid their debts. </p> <p>Finally, the <a href="https://legaldictionary.lawin.org/hypotheca/">Hypotheca</a>, Latin for “pledge,” let borrowers retain both ownership and possession while repaying debts. </p> <h2>The living-versus-dead pledge</h2> <p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudius-Roman-emperor">Emperor Claudius</a> brought Roman law and customs to Britain in A.D. 43. Over the next <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans/">four centuries of Roman rule</a> and the <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/early-medieval/">subsequent 600 years known as the Dark Ages</a>, the British adopted another Latin term for a pledge of security or collateral for loans: <a href="https://worldofdictionary.com/dict/latin-english/meaning/vadium">Vadium</a>.</p> <p>If given as collateral for a loan, real estate could be offered as “<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vadium%20vivum">Vivum Vadium</a>.” The literal translation of this term is “living pledge.” Land would be temporarily pledged to the lender who used it to generate income to pay off the debt. Once the lender had collected enough income to cover the debt and some interest, the land would revert back to the borrower.</p> <p>With the alternative, the “<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortuum%20vadium">Mortuum Vadium</a>” or “dead pledge,” land was pledged to the lender until the borrower could fully repay the debt. It was, essentially, an interest-only loan with full principal payment from the borrower required at a future date. When the lender demanded repayment, the borrower had to pay off the loan or lose the land. </p> <p>Lenders would keep proceeds from the land, be it income from farming, selling timber or renting the property for housing. In effect, the land was <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1321129.pdf">dead to the debtor</a> during the term of the loan because it provided no benefit to the borrower. </p> <p>Following <a href="https://www.royal.uk/william-the-conqueror">William the Conqueror’s victory</a> at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the English language was heavily influenced by <a href="https://blocs.mesvilaweb.cat/subirats/the-norman-conquest-the-influence-of-french-on-the-english-language-loans-and-calques/">Norman French</a> – William’s language.</p> <p>That is how the Latin term “Mortuum Vadium” morphed into “Mort Gage,” Norman French for “dead” and “pledge.” “<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/mortgage">Mortgage</a>,” a <a href="https://ia600201.us.archive.org/1/items/cu31924021674399/cu31924021674399.pdf">mashup of the two words</a>, then entered the English vocabulary.</p> <h2>Establishing rights of borrowers</h2> <p>Unlike today’s mortgages, which are usually due within 15 or 30 years, English loans in the 11th-16th centuries were unpredictable. <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1323192.pdf">Lenders could demand repayment</a> at any time. If borrowers couldn’t comply, lenders could seek a court order, and the land would be forfeited by the borrower to the lender. </p> <p>Unhappy borrowers could <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/chancery">petition the king</a> regarding their predicament. He could refer the case to the lord chancellor, who could <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chancery-Division">rule as he saw fit</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban">Sir Francis Bacon</a>, England’s lord chancellor from 1618 to 1621, <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/752041">established</a> the <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/equity_of_redemption">Equitable Right of Redemption</a>.</p> <p>This new right allowed borrowers to pay off debts, even after default.</p> <p>The official end of the period to redeem the property was called <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/foreclosure">foreclosure</a>, which is derived from an Old French word that means “<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/foreclose">to shut out</a>.” Today, foreclosure is a legal process in which lenders to take possession of property used as collateral for a loan. </p> <h2>Early US housing history</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/colonial-settlement-1600-1763/overview/">English colonization</a> of what’s now <a href="https://themayflowersociety.org/history/the-mayflower-compact/">the United States</a> didn’t immediately transplant mortgages across the pond. </p> <p>But eventually, U.S. financial institutions were offering mortgages.</p> <p><a href="https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/us_evolution.pdf">Before 1930, they were small</a> – generally amounting to at most half of a home’s market value.</p> <p>These loans were generally short-term, maturing in under 10 years, with payments due only twice a year. Borrowers either paid nothing toward the principal at all or made a few such payments before maturity.</p> <p>Borrowers would have to refinance loans if they couldn’t pay them off.</p> <h2>Rescuing the housing market</h2> <p>Once America fell into the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression">Great Depression</a>, the <a href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/news-releases/2008/05/02/does-the-great-depression-hold-the-answers-for-the-current-mortgage-distress">banking system collapsed</a>. </p> <p>With most homeowners unable to pay off or refinance their mortgages, the <a href="https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/great-depression">housing market crumbled</a>. The number of <a href="https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-and-education-magazines/housing-1929-1941">foreclosures grew to over 1,000 per day by 1933</a>, and housing prices fell precipitously. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.fhfaoig.gov/Content/Files/History%20of%20the%20Government%20Sponsored%20Enterprises.pdf">federal government responded by establishing</a> new agencies to stabilize the housing market.</p> <p>They included the <a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory">Federal Housing Administration</a>. It provides <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-mortgage-insurance-and-how-does-it-work-en-1953/">mortgage insurance</a> – borrowers pay a small fee to protect lenders in the case of default. </p> <p>Another new agency, the <a href="https://sf.freddiemac.com/articles/insights/why-americas-homebuyers-communities-rely-on-the-30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage">Home Owners’ Loan Corp.</a>, established in 1933, bought defaulted short-term, semiannual, interest-only mortgages and transformed them into new long-term loans lasting 15 years.</p> <p>Payments were monthly and self-amortizing – covering both principal and interest. They were also fixed-rate, remaining steady for the life of the mortgage. Initially they skewed more heavily toward interest and later defrayed more principal. The corporation made new loans for three years, tending to them until it <a href="https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,858135,00.html">closed in 1951</a>. It pioneered long-term mortgages in the U.S.</p> <p>In 1938 Congress established the Federal National Mortgage Association, better known as <a href="https://www.fanniemae.com/about-us/who-we-are/history">Fannie Mae</a>. This <a href="https://www.financial-dictionary.info/terms/government-sponsored-enterprise/">government-sponsored enterprise</a> made fixed-rate long-term mortgage loans viable <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/securitization.asp">through a process called securitization</a> – selling debt to investors and using the proceeds to purchase these long-term mortgage loans from banks. This process reduced risks for banks and encouraged long-term mortgage lending.</p> <h2>Fixed- versus adjustable-rate mortgages</h2> <p>After World War II, Congress authorized the Federal Housing Administration to insure <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-108HPRT92629/html/CPRT-108HPRT92629.htm">30-year loans on new construction</a> and, a few years later, purchases of existing homes. But then, the <a href="https://files.stlouisfed.org/files/htdocs/publications/review/69/09/Historical_Sep1969.pdf">credit crunch of 1966</a> and the years of high inflation that followed made adjustable-rate mortgages more popular.</p> <p>Known as ARMs, these mortgages have stable rates for only a few years. Typically, the initial rate is significantly lower than it would be for 15- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Once that initial period ends, <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/arm.asp">interest rates on ARMs</a> get adjusted up or down annually – along with monthly payments to lenders. </p> <p>Unlike the rest of the world, where ARMs prevail, Americans still prefer the <a href="https://sf.freddiemac.com/articles/insights/why-americas-homebuyers-communities-rely-on-the-30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage">30-year fixed-rate mortgage</a>.</p> <p>About <a href="https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=DP04&amp;t=Housing">61% of American homeowners</a> have mortgages today – with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15214842.2020.1757357">fixed rates the dominant type</a>.</p> <p>But as interest rates rise, demand for <a href="https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/interest-rates-are-up-but-arm-backed-home-purchases-are-way-up/">ARMs is growing</a> again. If the Federal Reserve fails to slow inflation and interest rates continue to climb, unfortunately for some ARM borrowers, the term “dead pledge” may live up to its name.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-the-mortgage-from-its-roots-in-ancient-rome-to-the-english-dead-pledge-and-its-rebirth-in-america-193005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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Put your Star Wars knowledge to the test

<p>While May 4 is not a public holiday, for passionate Star Wars fans around the world, it may as well be. </p> <p>Whether you prefer to dress-up with friends and celebrate with a mega movie marathon - after hours spent deciding which trilogy to begin with, of course - or scroll your favourite forums to find that next snippet of news about any upcoming projects, it’s fun to have the odd fun fact to drop into conversation, whether or not your present company particularly wants to hear it. </p> <p>And now’s the time to put your knowledge to the test, with some<em> Star Wars </em>trivia to challenge and to impress - especially if you get that perfect 15/15. </p> <p>So, “may the Force be with you”, and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for the answers! </p> <p><strong>1. What was the false working title used to mask production for <em>Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi </em>in 1982? </strong></p> <p>A: Blue Moon</p> <p>B: Blue Harvest</p> <p>C: Force Squadron</p> <p>D: Galaxy’s Edge</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>2. The term ‘Ewok’ was never said aloud in the original trilogy. </strong></p> <p>A: True</p> <p>B: False</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>3. Who delivered the line “congratulations, you are being rescued” in <em>Rogue One: A Star Wars Story</em>? </strong></p> <p>A: Cassian Andor</p> <p>B: C-3PO</p> <p>C: K-2SO</p> <p>D: Orson Krennic</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>4. How many actresses have portrayed (in the live action films) the leader of the Rebel Alliance, Mon Mothma? </strong></p> <p>A: 4</p> <p>B: 3</p> <p>C: 2</p> <p>D: 1</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>5. Which movie features the most stop-motion animation? </strong></p> <p>A: <em>The Phantom Menace</em></p> <p>B: <em>Empire Strikes Back</em></p> <p>C: <em>Return of the Jedi</em></p> <p>D: <em>A New Hope</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>6. Why are porgs so prominent in <em>The Last Jedi</em>? </strong></p> <p>A: Director Rian Johnson was asked by a crew member’s child to include the feathered friends</p> <p>B: The marketing team had requested something small and fuzzy for the younger audience</p> <p>C: Porgs were inspired by early concept art for BB-8 that they didn’t want to toss aside completely</p> <p>D: The island on which they filmed was home to puffins and it was easier just to tie them in </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>7. Yoda shares a voice actor with which iconic Muppet? </strong></p> <p>A: Miss Piggy</p> <p>B: Kermit</p> <p>C: Gonzo </p> <p>D: Swedish Chef</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>8. How many films does the Rebel Alliance’s Blue Squadron appear in? </strong></p> <p>A: 1</p> <p>B: 2</p> <p>C: 3</p> <p>D: 4</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>9. Which phrase can be heard in every Star Wars movie?</strong></p> <p>A: “There’s no such thing as luck.” </p> <p>B: “Rebellions are built on hope.” </p> <p>C: “I have a bad feeling about this.” </p> <p>D: “Never underestimate a droid.” </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>10. In <em>The Phantom Menace</em>, Qui-Gon Jinn used which common household item as his communicator? </strong></p> <p>A: A lint brush</p> <p>B: A torch</p> <p>C: A tin of shoe polish </p> <p>D: A razor</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>11. How many Sith can there be at any one time? </strong></p> <p>A: 8</p> <p>B: 6</p> <p>C: 4</p> <p>D: 2</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>12. What was Luke Skywalker originally going to be called? </strong></p> <p>A: Luke Stardestroyer</p> <p>B: Luke Starkiller</p> <p>C: Luke Skykiller</p> <p>D: Luke Lars</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>13. The noise from passing which object served as the inspiration for lightsaber sounds? </strong></p> <p>A: A radio</p> <p>B: A microwave</p> <p>C: A television </p> <p>D: A racecar</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>14. Which quote is correct?</strong></p> <p>A: “No, I am your father.”</p> <p>B: “Luke, I am your father.” </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>15. Who built C-3PO? </strong></p> <p>A: Luke Skywalker</p> <p>B: Jar Jar Binks</p> <p>C: Shmi Skywalker</p> <p>D: Anakin Skywalker</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p> <p><strong>ANSWERS: </strong></p> <blockquote> <p>1: A, 2: A, 3: C, 4: C, 5: B, 6: D, 7: A, 8: A, 9: C, 10: D, 11: D, 12: B, 13: C, 14: A, 15: D</p> </blockquote>

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