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66-year-old woman reveals why she just gave birth to her 10th child

In a remarkable turn of events, 66-year-old Alexandra Hildebrandt gave birth to her 10th child, a healthy baby boy named Philipp, on March 19 at Charité Hospital in Berlin. The birth, carried out via cesarean section, saw Philipp weighing in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Hildebrandt, a well-known human rights activist and the director of Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie Museum, insists that she conceived naturally, without the aid of fertility drugs, and faced no difficulties during the process. Baby Philipp joins an already large and diverse family, including siblings Svitlana (46), Artiom (36), Elisabeth (12), Maximilian (12), Alexandra (10), Leopold (8), Anna (7), Maria (4), and Katharina (2). Remarkably, eight of these children were born after Hildebrandt turned 53, all during her second marriage to former CDU politician Daniel Dormann. For Hildebrandt, having a big family is both fulfilling and fundamental. “A big family is not only something wonderful, but above all, it is important for raising children properly,” she told The Today Show. Despite her age, she has received only positive feedback from friends and family regarding her pregnancy and childbirth. Dr Wolfgang Henrich, Hildebrandt’s OB/GYN, described her pregnancy as “largely uncomplicated”. However, medical experts caution that pregnancies at such an advanced age come with significant risks. Dr Brian Levine, a fertility specialist based in New York City, notes that the biological likelihood of a woman conceiving naturally at 66 is extremely low. Additionally, the risks of hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm labor and chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome rise significantly with age. Hildebrandt is not alone in making headlines for late-life motherhood. In 2023, 70-year-old Safina Namukwaya from Uganda gave birth to twins via in vitro fertilisation using donor eggs and her husband’s sperm. Despite concerns about her age, Namukwaya expressed joy at her newfound motherhood, saying that age should not be a barrier to having children. As for Hildebrandt, she credits her lifestyle for her ability to conceive and carry a child at her age. “I eat very healthily, swim regularly for an hour, walk for two hours,” she shared in an interview with Bild. She also noted that she has never smoked, consumed alcohol or used contraceptives. Images: The Today Show

Family & Pets

"He was just a genius": Shock after former AFL star dies at just 42

Former AFL player Andrew Krakouer has passed away at the age of 42, prompting an outpouring of grief from former teammates, coaches and the broader football community. Krakouer, who played for Richmond and Collingwood, reportedly suffered a suspected heart attack at a family home in Perth on Sunday. His sudden passing has left many in shock, especially those who played alongside him during his impressive AFL career. Having played 102 games for the Tigers, Krakouer made a remarkable return to elite football after a personal setback, going on to play 35 matches for the Magpies. He was a key player in Collingwood’s 2011 grand final against Geelong, where he kicked three goals. Before his Collingwood stint, Krakouer dominated in the WAFL, winning the Sandover Medal in 2010 and delivering a best-on-ground performance in Swan Districts' premiership victory. His 42-disposal, four-goal effort in that grand final remains one of the greatest individual displays in WAFL history. Bouncing back from time in prison, Krakouer was recruited by Collingwood ahead of the 2011 season. He made an instant impact, scoring 35 goals across 23 games and winning Mark of the Year for his spectacular high-flying grab. However, his career was hampered by an ACL injury in early 2012. Despite this setback, he made a strong return later that year, featuring in three finals and kicking four goals in the qualifying final against Port Adelaide. Following a limited 2013 season, he was delisted but continued to be involved in football through media roles. He appeared on the Marngrook Footy Show and later co-hosted Yokayi Footy, also contributing as a commentator on both TV and radio. Tributes have poured in from former teammates and coaches across the country, commemorating Krakouer’s talent and character. “Rest in peace Andrew Krakouer. A beautiful man who was loved by all his teammates. Always greeted you with a hug and a smile. Love to Jimmy and Andrew’s daughters and all his family. Very sad day,” said Richmond great Matthew Richardson. Fellow ex-Tiger and former club CEO Brendon Gale also expressed his sorrow. “So saddened by the tragic and unexpected passing of Andrew Krakouer. Krak was a special talent — but more than that, he was a deeply loved husband, father, son, teammate, and friend. My condolences are with the Krakouer family and all who loved him. Rest easy Krak.” Collingwood’s former coach Nathan Buckley was visibly shaken upon hearing the news while live on radio. “That’s really sad news. That’s tragic, so young at 42,” Buckley said on SEN. “A really calm, quiet teammate, who was respectful and went about his business. I really enjoyed the years with him, that’s really sad for his family and his mates.” Buckley also paid tribute to Krakouer’s footballing prowess, particularly his ability to produce spectacular moments on the field. “We’d get him in whenever we could,” Buckley recalled. “He was just a genius. He was just a player who could do the special things. The hanger he took in 2011 (to win Mark of the Year) was elite. “He just loved the game, found a way to impact, and could do things that other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.” Krakouer came from a legendary footballing family. His father, Jim, and uncle, Phil, were WAFL and North Melbourne stars in the 1980s, while his cousin, Nathan, played for Port Adelaide and Gold Coast. AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also extended condolences. “We send our sincere condolences to Andrew’s family and many friends across football,” Dillon said. “To lose him at such an early age is a tragedy, and we hope there can be some peace for his family in this heart-breaking and difficult time. “To all his past teammates at Richmond, Collingwood, the team at AFL media, and all Indigenous players and staff across the industry, our thoughts are with you all.” Krakouer’s impact on the game and his ability to inspire others will not soon be forgotten. Images: Instagram

Caring

Beloved Aussie athlete found dead at just 19

A tragic loss has shaken the Australian sports community following the discovery of 19-year-old triathlete Audrey Griffin’s body in a New South Wales creek. Griffin, a beloved athlete from the Central Coast, was found partially submerged in Erina Creek on March 23 - a discovery that came just weeks after she had competed in the ANZCO Foods Half Ironman event in Taupo, New Zealand. NSW Police confirmed Griffin’s body was located between the Punt Bridge and Pateman Road in Green Point, near Gosford. She was last seen at around 2am at the Gosford Hotel on Sunday morning, with her disappearance reported later that day. Authorities then found her body at around 5pm. A police spokesperson stated, “Following inquiries, police attended a creek along the Central Coast Highway, where they located the body of the woman in the water. A crime scene was established, and inquiries into the incident are underway by officers attached to the Brisbane Water Police District. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.” Reports indicate that Griffin was fully clothed when found, and a preliminary autopsy has listed drowning as the cause of death. Despite initial concerns, The Central Coast Express Advocate reported that her family was informed that her death is not being treated as suspicious. Griffin was an active member of the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, Terrigal Sharks Rugby League Club and a former vice-captain of Central Coast Sports College. However, her passion for triathlons stood out, with Seven News reporting that she completed the Half Ironman on March 1 in a time of 6:40:32, securing 23rd place in her age group. A makeshift memorial has been established near the creek, with flowers and messages of love from those who knew her. Friends and loved ones took to social media to share heartfelt tributes. One person wrote, “A beautiful girl and treasured by a lot of people! Always had a smile on her face. We will miss you. Rest peacefully.” Another friend posted, “She touched the hearts of so many people and always had a smile. Her laugh was contagious, and her goofy self always made us laugh.” As the investigation continues, the local community remains in mourning over the tragic loss of a young athlete with a promising future. Images: Facebook

Caring

"Patrons yelled to stop": Comedy Festival rocked by death on opening night

Melbourne’s comedy scene was rocked by tragedy on the opening night of this year’s International Comedy Festival, as an attendee suffered a fatal medical episode mid-show, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the event. The distressing incident occurred during comedian Michael Hing’s performance at the Palais Theatre, where a man on the upper level of the venue suffered a medical emergency. Attendees quickly responded, providing CPR in the dark while Hing remained unaware of the unfolding crisis. “[It] would have been at least 15 mins worth before the show stopping, and [it] only stopped as patrons yelled to stop performing,” one audience member told The Daily Mail. Another witness expressed dismay over the handling of the situation, stating, “I can’t believe they [the organisers] didn’t communicate with backstage to halt the show, and that it took the public to yell out to the comedian to stop for something to happen.” The Melbourne International Comedy Festival addressed the incident in a statement posted on Instagram, confirming the show’s cancellation. “Melbourne International Comedy Festival regrets to confirm that there was a medical emergency while the Opening Night Allstars Supershow was taking place this evening at the Palais Theatre,” a festival spokesman said. “The show was stopped and cancelled. The Festival will be in touch with all ticket holders tomorrow.” Victoria Police later confirmed the man’s death. “Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in St Kilda on Wednesday, 26 March,” a spokesman said. “Emergency services were called to a theatre on Lower Esplanade about 9pm. A man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.” Health worker Andrea Bortoli, who was sitting in the upper level’s front row, described the distressing scene as people began leaving and it “became quite obvious that someone was getting CPR. It was just obviously really distressing, so we wanted to leave,” she told The Age. Eventually, the theatre lights were turned on, and patrons were informed that the show had been cancelled. The Allstars Gala is one of the most anticipated nights of the festival, bringing together some of the biggest names in comedy. This year’s event was hosted by Hing. As news of the tragedy spread, comedian Dave Hughes expressed his sympathies on social media, writing, “All performers thoughts are with the family affected”. Images: Palais Theatre / MichaelHing.com

Caring

Grief as European royal passes away at just 46

Archduchess Estelle de Saint-Romain of Austria has passed away at the age of 46. A statement published in Le Figaro's Carnet du Jour confirmed that Estelle Lapra de Saint-Romain, wife of Archduke Carl Christian of Austria, died on March 4, 2025. Her family laid her to rest at the Monastère de Cimiez in Nice, France, a week later. "Her husband, Archduke Carl Christian, their children, her parents, and her in-laws are deeply saddened to announce that Archduchess Estelle of Austria, née Lapra de Saint Romain, was called to God on Tuesday, March 4, 2025," the statement read in translation. The cause of death was not disclosed, though reports indicate she had previously been diagnosed with cancer. Born in 1979, Estelle married Carl Christian in 2007. He is the great-grandson of Emperor Charles I of Austria, the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Together, they had five children: Zita, 17, Anezka, 15, Anna, 12, Paola, 10, and Pier-Georgia, 4. The funeral service, attended by several European royals, took place at the historic Monastère de Cimiez. Among those in attendance were Belgium's Princess Astrid, Luxembourg's Princess Marie-Astrid, the Duke of Castro, and Ferdinand of Habsburg. Brother Antonio Basso led the ceremony, remembering Estelle for her "loving wisdom" and recalling how she and her family regularly attended Mass at the monastery. Despite the dissolution of the Austrian monarchy in 1918, the Habsburg family remains prominent in European society. Estelle and Carl Christian’s wedding in 2007 attracted significant attention, with crowds gathering to witness the event. Three hundred distinguished guests attended, including Princess Astrid, Liechtenstein’s Prince Gundakar, and Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon. Carl Christian, the eldest son of Archduke Rodolphe de Habsbourg-Lorraine and Archduchess Marie-Hélène, née Baroness de Villenfagne de Vogelsanck, is part of an extensive noble lineage. His cousin, Archduke Karl von Habsburg, is the current head of the Austrian Imperial House. Archduchess Estelle’s passing marks a great loss for the Habsburg family and the European aristocracy, as she is remembered for her grace, devotion, and dedication to her family and faith. Image: Instagram

Caring

From sunscreen to essential oils, why some personal care products could be harmful to your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</a> Each time you apply sunscreen to your face, you may inhale somewhere between <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/11/5944">10 to 30 milligrams of ethanol</a>, the type of alcohol used in alcoholic drinks. While the ethanol in sunscreen may not give you a buzz, it could make you think about what other chemicals you might be exposed to from personal care products. Products that are applied to the face, like sunscreen, can increase the inhalation of some chemicals by ten times or more than you would inhale from your <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">home air in the entire day</a>. The levels of ethanol in cosmetics and skincare products may be reasonably safe – although it can still dry out the skin, causing pain, redness and swelling, and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethanol-properties-uses-and-incident-management/ethanol-general-information">irritate the eyes</a>, causing tears, burning and stinging – but personal care products such as shampoos, skin creams, deodorants, cosmetics and perfumes contain fragrances and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be inhaled, absorbed through skin or ingested and some are more toxic than others. Unfortunately, manufacturers of personal care products <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-015-0327-6">do not have to disclose</a> every fragrance compound used. This is concerning when you consider the potential effects of toxic compounds that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">have been detected</a> in the air from personal care products. For example, hair-smoothing products have released formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can cause <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597627/">a range of symptoms</a> from dermatitis to low sperm count. Some perfumes and deodorants have generated monoterpenes, chemicals which <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8912113/#sec1-molecules-27-01716">can prove toxic</a> for some users. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cfloNXKeyX8?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Some of the VOCs found in personal care products <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36976159/">may trigger</a> skin irritation, headaches – and difficulty breathing, which can develop into an asthma attack in some users. The highest or peak concentration of these VOCs are likely to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">occur within ten minutes</a> of application. But these concentrations may take up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">two hours to decrease to background levels</a>, depending on your home’s ventilation. <h2>Natural doesn’t mean risk free</h2> But even if the levels of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20659630/">VOCs in personal care products</a> are kept <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">within safe limits</a>, they can still cause discomfort and a variety of health issues, including irritation of the eyes and airways, migraines and asthmatic reactions, in those who’re <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">fragrance sensitive</a>. In the UK, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-018-00655-8">27% of the population</a> self reports as fragrance sensitive. It makes sense then that some people attempt to avoid potentially toxic synthetic chemicals in cosmetics by opting for “natural” or “clean” personal care products. But, <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">natural does not mean safer</a>. For instance, essential oils are often used in “natural” personal care products as fragrance. Essential oils, though, are a source of terpenes, some of which can be <a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/essential-oils-harmful-or-helpful">toxic if absorbed, inhaled or swallowed</a>. Indoor concentration of terpenes are often at levels where you can smell them but not high enough to cause <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28126407/">eye or respiratory tract irritation</a>. However, the terpenes from essential oils can react with other chemicals, such as ozone from outdoor air, producing <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32162221/">byproducts like formaldehyde, a known carcinogen</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22250748/">allergens</a>. <h2>Beauty salon safety</h2> Beauty salons can be particularly risky environments for exposure to VOCs. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4176">Studies have found</a> contaminants such as formaldehyde, ammonia and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toluene-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/toluene-toxicological-overview">toluene</a>, a potentially harmful ingredient used in many personal care products, at high levels in salons, putting staff who work there at the highest risk. Formaldehyde levels in some salons have reached <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31321727/">above safety limits</a>. <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methyl-methacrylate#tabs-2">Methyl methacrylate</a>, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and potential <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3072694/">respiratory issues</a> has been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30276513/">detected in the air of nail salons</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ydRklqO01fE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> These contaminants are not necessarily limited to the places in a salon <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23765035/">where a certain product is being used</a>. Beauty salons with poor ventilation are likely to expose workers and customers to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29494285/">much higher levels of contaminants</a>. Some of the components of personal care products are known, harmful contaminants and carcinogens. Regulations specifically related to ventilation in environments where large volumes of these products are used do reduce exposures. For instance, studies show that after ventilation regulations came into effect in Boston, US in 2011, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31622145/">air quality inside nail salons improved</a>. When visiting your nail salon or hair stylist, check with them about their ventilation system and other steps they are taking to reduce exposure to VOCs. To limit exposure to potential VOCs at home when using personal care products, try to open windows and use extractor fans in wet rooms. Be especially careful when applying products to the face or when using a high temperature application – <a href="https://occup-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12995-018-0213-x">high temperatures can increase emissions</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/248273/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, Research Fellow in School of Public of Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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-sunscreen-to-essential-oils-why-some-personal-care-products-could-be-harmful-to-your-health-248273">original article</a>. </div>

Body

"I didn’t stop screaming": Sandra Sully recalls horrifying gun attack

Veteran Ten newsreader Sandra Sully has opened up about the horrifying gun attack she endured back in 1997 in the latest episode of the Stellar Something To Talk About podcast. Sully was held at gunpoint as she was returning from from a late news shift in November 1997. She was getting out of her car a little after midnight when she was attacked by a masked assailant who tried to push her back into the car. There was a struggle and the assailant put a gun to her temple and pulled the trigger twice, but fortunately, it failed to go off. Sully kept screaming until her attacker eventually fled the scene, and the attack was kept a secret from the public for 20 years. The newsreader returned to work just a few weeks later. “Because I was doing night shifts, I had a security detail for 10 years every night when I got home and that gave me real comfort,” she revealed on the podcast. She believed that her screams saved her life, recalling: “It did save me. I really believe that. It was funny, I had a dream as a young woman most of my life about a really frightening experience and that I would be trying to scream and nothing would come out.” “And at the time I remember screaming and I was shocked that it was coming out, and I knew, I found out within a day or two that the people next door had called the police and because I didn’t stop screaming despite him pistol-whipping me, he ran. "That was the only thing that saved me. I was lucky. Because he had a gun, balaclava and handcuffs. So he meant business.” Sully had previously told Stellar that it took her a long time to process what had happened and open up about the ordeal publicly. “It was at least 10 years before I was ready to talk about it to anyone other than my family, and probably 15 years before I felt like I could put it behind me,” she said in the 2017 interview. “I still don’t like to be surprised. If someone makes a loud noise, I jump. I am always aware in a carpark.” Image: Instagram

What’s the difference between Hass and Shepard avocados? It’s not just the colour

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yasmine-probst-235268">Yasmine Probst</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/karen-zoszak-1474727">Karen Zoszak</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Whether with crumbled feta or poached eggs, you’d be challenged to find a cafe in Australia or farther afield that doesn’t have avocado somewhere on the menu. This fruit (yep, it’s a fruit from a tree, not a vegetable) is widely associated with brunch culture and other trendy eating habits. The Australian avocado industry developed in the 1960s, 30 years after the start of the first large-scale <a href="https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Avocado-history.pdf">production in California</a>. Orchards producing avocados now span most parts of Australia. Avocados are considered a <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-actually-makes-avocados-bad-for-the-environment-230571">monoculture crop</a>: they’re grown on the same land each year, making them more susceptible to pests and creating a need for increased fertiliser use. The carbon footprint of avos is almost twice as high as that of apples, but much lower than many animal food sources. There are now over 50 different avocado types globally, but only a few are grown commercially. <h2>Not all avos are the same</h2> You may not notice a difference when you get your avocado toast at a cafe. But at the shops or the market, a striking difference occurs each year in Australia. In autumn, the familiar dark purple Hass avocado disappears and is replaced with the lighter green Shepard variety. In Australia, this typically happens between February and May. If you don’t know the difference between the two, you may expect Shepard avos to perform the same way as Hass – and be left disappointed. There are some important differences. <h2>Hass avocados</h2> Hass avocados are known for their dark, pebbly-looking skin that appears almost black when ripe. They have an ovoid shape with a slight pear-like appearance. The thick skin can be a challenge to peel, often requiring a sharp knife or avocado slicer. Hass avocado flavour is rich, creamy and buttery, with nutty undertones. Their texture is ideal for mashing, blending and spreading, creating a creamy texture in dips, guacamole and smoothies. Hass avocados ripen – and darken in colour – slowly over several days. They remain firm to the touch when ripe, and will feel squishy when overripe. A slight give when pressed confirms Hass avos are ready to eat. Available in Australia from May to January, Hass are the dominant variety of commercially grown avocado worldwide. They were <a href="https://modernfarmer.com/2019/08/scientists-crack-the-genetic-code-of-the-hass-avacado/">cultivated by horticulturalist Rudolph Hass</a> in California in the 1920s. <h2>Shepard avocados</h2> Shepard avocados have smooth, green skin that remains green even when they are fully ripe. They are round to slightly oblong in shape and have a slightly milder and sweeter taste, with less pronounced nutty undertones. Shepard avocados ripen more quickly than Hass, but you won’t be able to tell that by the colour. Instead, check for softness – Shepard avocados are very soft when ripe. What might feel overripe when handling a Hass will likely be ideal ripeness if it’s a Shepard. The thin, smooth skin makes them easy to peel by hand or with a gentle squeeze. Their buttery soft texture is firm and creamy, and they hold their shape well when cut, making them ideal for slicing, dicing and spreading despite being structurally firm. Interestingly, Shepard avocados brown much more slowly than Hass, making them perfect for garnishes. Their milder flavour also makes Shepard avos well suited to sweet dishes, such as chocolate mousse. Shepard avos account for approximately 10–15% of Australian avocados and are in season from February to April each year while there is a gap in the Hass season. <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-04-13/hass-avocados-more-popular-variety-shepard/102154678">Australia is the only country in the world</a> that grows Shepard avocados commercially. (They are grown in Queensland.) <h2>Avocados and our health</h2> As avocados contain <a href="https://afcd.foodstandards.gov.au/fooddetails.aspx?PFKID=F000162">roughly 13 grams of fat per 100g</a>, people <a href="https://theconversation.com/four-simple-food-choices-that-help-you-lose-weight-and-stay-healthy-112054">wishing to lose weight</a> were previously advised to avoid or limit eating them. We now know that a majority of this fat is oleic acid, a monounsaturated (healthy) fat that helps to reduce cholesterol and improve <a href="https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-024-00915-7/tables/1">heart health</a>. Additionally, only 1% of an avocado is made up of carbohydrates, making the fruit popular with people following a ketogenic (keto) diet of low carbs and high fat. People who consume avos also tend to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9361124/">follow a better pattern of eating</a> in general. They eat more whole grains, fruit and vegetables and fewer discretionary or takeaway foods. As an energy-dense food, consuming a whole avocado is about the same as eating 2.5 whole apples. Per 100 grams, avocado actually gives you less energy than an equivalent amount of cooked white rice. As avocado dishes are visually appealing and often featured in food photography, they have become a symbol of modern eating habits. Correction: this article has been amended to clarify that most parts of Australia now have avocado orchards, and that avocados have roughly 13g of fat per 100g, not 53%.<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/233243/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yasmine-probst-235268">Yasmine Probst</a>, Professor, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/karen-zoszak-1474727">Karen Zoszak</a>, Accredited Practising Dietitian, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/whats-the-difference-between-hass-and-shepard-avocados-its-not-just-the-colour-233243">original article</a>. </div>

Food & Wine

"Please stop": I'm A Celeb viewers slam Ten's "ridiculous" broadcast

Viewers of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! have slammed Network Ten's broadcast of the program over their relentless interruptions. After only two episodes back on air for the 2025 season, frustrated viewers have taken to social media after admitting they turned the show off thanks to the sheer amount of ads. Not only were there constant advertisements during the episodes, but the show's editors also interrupting the action and, at some points, even cutting people off mid-sentence. Viewers have taken to social media to slam Ten for the constant interruptions and voice their frustrations. One fan shared their frustration on X, writing, "Love the show but PLEASE STOP THE ADS!!! OMG!! It is ridiculous!! Literally 5 mins of footage and then 10 minutes of bloody ads!! So over it." "Anyone else’s ads starting randomly in the middle of a sentence & cutting off part of the show?" another asked. "Seems to have been an issue @channel10au," a third said. "Less than half of the program being shown with ads out of nowhere interrupting most key moments." "What’s with all the ads, counted 12 in a row," someone else wrote. "Think I’ll just watch it later on 10 Play," another said. "The ads are ridiculous." "Just as many ads on 10 Play," one viewer responded. "I missed a bit last night and just wanted to skip through to find it… had to sit through several ad breaks" "Omg the ads and now the show is jumping ahead seriously sort it out," another wrote. "More ads than celebrities? Switching to the tennis..." yet another said. The criticism comes after the 2025 season of I'm a Celeb was slammed for their lacklustre cast. Image credits: Ten - Instagram

Most adults will gain half a kilo this year – and every year. Here’s how to stop ‘weight creep’

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-fuller-219993">Nick Fuller</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> As we enter a new year armed with resolutions to improve our lives, there’s a good chance we’ll also be carrying something less helpful: extra kilos. At least half a kilogram, to be precise. “Weight creep” doesn’t have to be inevitable. Here’s what’s behind this sneaky annual occurrence and some practical steps to prevent it. <h2>Small gains add up</h2> Adults <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3151731/">tend to gain weight</a> progressively as they age and typically gain an average of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23638485/">0.5 to 1kg every year</a>. While this doesn’t seem like much each year, it amounts to 5kg over a decade. The slow-but-steady nature of weight creep is why many of us won’t notice the extra weight gained until we’re in our fifties. <h2>Why do we gain weight?</h2> Subtle, gradual lifestyle shifts as we progress through life and age-related biological changes cause us to gain weight. Our: <ul> <li> activity levels decline. Longer work hours and family commitments can see us become more sedentary and have less time for exercise, which means we burn fewer calories </li> <li> diets worsen. With frenetic work and family schedules, we sometimes turn to pre-packaged and fast foods. These processed and discretionary foods are loaded with hidden sugars, salts and unhealthy fats. A better financial position later in life can also <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00953.x">result in more dining out</a>, which is associated with a higher total energy intake </li> <li> sleep decreases. Busy lives and screen use can mean we don’t get enough sleep. This disturbs our body’s energy balance, increasing our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945708700133">feelings of hunger</a>, triggering cravings and decreasing our energy </li> </ul> <ul> <li> stress increases. Financial, relationship and work-related stress increases our body’s production of cortisol, triggering food cravings and promoting fat storage </li> <li> metabolism slows. Around the age of 40, our muscle mass naturally declines, and our body fat starts increasing. Muscle mass helps determine our metabolic rate, so when our muscle mass decreases, our bodies start to burn fewer calories at rest. </li> </ul> We also <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807660">tend to gain a small amount</a> of weight during festive periods – times filled with calorie-rich foods and drinks, when exercise and sleep are often overlooked. <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807660">One study of Australian adults</a> found participants gained 0.5 kilograms on average over the Christmas/New Year period and an average of 0.25 kilograms around Easter. <h2>Why we need to prevent weight creep</h2> It’s important to prevent weight creep for two key reasons: 1. Weight creep resets our body’s set point Set-point theory suggests we each have a predetermined weight or set point. Our body works to <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-weight-set-point-and-why-does-it-make-it-so-hard-to-keep-weight-off-195724">keep our weight around this set point</a>, adjusting our biological systems to regulate how much we eat, how we store fat and expend energy. When we gain weight, our set point resets to the new, higher weight. Our body adapts to protect this new weight, making it challenging to lose the weight we’ve gained. But it’s also possible to <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-weight-set-point-and-why-does-it-make-it-so-hard-to-keep-weight-off-195724">lower your set point</a> if you lose weight gradually and with an interval weight loss approach. Specifically, losing weight in small manageable chunks you can sustain – periods of weight loss, followed by periods of weight maintenance, and so on, until you achieve your goal weight. 2. Weight creep can lead to obesity and health issues Undetected and unmanaged weight creep <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817436/">can result in</a> obesity which can increase our risk of heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and several types of cancers (including breast, colorectal, oesophageal, kidney, gallbladder, uterine, pancreatic and liver). A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817436/">large study</a> examined the link between weight gain from early to middle adulthood and health outcomes later in life, following people for around 15 years. It found those who gained 2.5 to 10kg over this period had an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, obesity-related cancer and death compared to participants who had maintained a stable weight. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to build lasting habits that will make weight creep a thing of the past. <h2>7 practical steps to prevent weight creep</h2> 1. Eat from big to small Aim to consume most of your food earlier in the day and taper your meal sizes to ensure dinner is the smallest meal you eat. A low-calorie or small breakfast <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32073608/">leads to increased feelings of hunger</a>, specifically appetite for sweets, across the course of the day. We burn the calories from a meal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32073608/">2.5 times more efficiently</a> in the morning than in the evening. So emphasising breakfast over dinner is also good for weight management. 2. Use chopsticks, a teaspoon or an oyster fork Sit at the table for dinner and use different utensils to encourage eating more slowly. This gives your brain time to recognise and adapt to signals from your stomach <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28718396/">telling you you’re full</a>. 3. Eat the full rainbow Fill your plate with vegetables and fruits of different colours first to support eating a high-fibre, nutrient-dense diet that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. Meals also need to be balanced and include a source of protein, wholegrain carbohydrates and healthy fat to meet our dietary needs – for example, eggs on wholegrain toast with avocado. 4. Reach for nature first Retrain your brain to rely on nature’s treats – fresh vegetables, fruit, honey, nuts and seeds. In their natural state, these foods release the same pleasure response in the brain as ultra-processed and fast foods, helping you avoid unnecessary calories, sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. 5. Choose to move Look for ways to incorporate incidental activity into your daily routine – such as taking the stairs instead of the lift – and <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-exercise-help-you-lose-weight-198292">boost your exercise</a> by challenging yourself to try a new activity. Just be sure to include variety, as doing the same activities every day often results in boredom and avoidance. 6. Prioritise sleep Set yourself a goal of getting a minimum of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945708700133">seven hours of uninterrupted sleep</a> each night, and help yourself achieve it by <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms3259">avoiding screens</a> for an hour or <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477153515584979?journalCode=lrtd">two</a> before bed. 7. Weigh yourself regularly Getting into the habit of weighing yourself weekly is a guaranteed way <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-often-should-you-really-weigh-yourself-223864">to help avoid the kilos creeping up</a> on us. Aim to weigh yourself on the same day, at the same time and in the same environment each week and use the best quality scales you can afford. <hr /> At the Boden Group, Charles Perkins Centre, we are studying the science of obesity and running clinical trials for weight loss. <a href="https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=RKTXPPPHKY">You can register here</a> to express your interest.<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/244186/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-fuller-219993">Nick Fuller</a>, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/most-adults-will-gain-half-a-kilo-this-year-and-every-year-heres-how-to-stop-weight-creep-244186">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Women spend more of their money on health care than men. And no, it’s not just about 'women’s issues'

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-armour-391382">Mike Armour</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-mardon-1505419">Amelia Mardon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danielle-howe-1492317">Danielle Howe</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-adler-1533549">Hannah Adler</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947">Michelle O'Shea</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Medicare, Australia’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare?language=und">universal health insurance scheme</a>, guarantees all Australians access to a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. Although access to the scheme is universal across Australia (regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status), one analysis suggests <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">women often spend more</a> out-of-pocket on health services than men. Other research has found men and women spend similar amounts on health care overall, or even that men spend <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/pdf/AH18191">a little more</a>. However, it’s clear women spend a <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/pdf/AH18191">greater proportion of their overall expenditure</a> on health care than men. They’re also more likely to <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">skip or delay medical care</a> due to the cost. So why do women often spend more of their money on health care, and how can we address this gap? <h2>Women have more chronic diseases, and access more services</h2> Women are <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/latest-release">more likely</a> to have a chronic health condition compared to men. They’re also more likely to report having multiple chronic conditions. While men generally die earlier, women are more likely to spend more of their life <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00053-7/fulltext">living with disease</a>. There are also some conditions which affect women more than men, such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-biological-differences-between-men-and-women-alter-immune-responses-and-affect-womens-health-208802">autoimmune conditions</a> (for example, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis). Further, medical treatments can sometimes be <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/967984/CIU-Evidence-Brief-Gender-disparity-and-gender-equality-measures-in-health.pdf">less effective for women</a> due to a focus on men in medical research. These disparities are likely significant in understanding why women <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">access health services</a> more than men. For example, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">88% of women</a> saw a GP in 2021–22 compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">79% of men</a>. As the number of GPs <a href="https://practices.hotdoc.com.au/blog/the-decline-of-bulk-billing-and-its-impact-on-general-practice-in-australia/#:%7E:text=The%20Medicare%20rebate%20for%20patients,to%20ensure%20their%20financial%20sustainability.">offering bulk billing</a> continues to decline, women are likely to need to pay more out-of-pocket, because they <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/32ea8a7f-50d5-4047-b70b-92dd63d387b8/aihw-phe239-240-factsheet.pdf.aspx">see a GP more often</a>. In 2020–21, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">4.3% of women</a> said they had delayed seeing a GP due to cost at least once in the previous 12 months, compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">2.7% of men</a>. Data from the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/2020-21">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a> has also shown women are more likely to delay or avoid seeing a mental health professional due to cost. Women are also more likely to need prescription medications, owing at least partly to their increased rates of chronic conditions. This adds further out-of-pocket costs. In 2020–21, <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/healthcare-out-of-pocket-costs-an-agenda-for-international-womens-day/">62% of women</a> received a prescription, compared to 37% of men. In the same period, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/access-health-care">6.1% of women</a> delayed getting, or did not get prescribed medication because of the cost, compared to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/access-health-care">4.9% of men</a>. <h2>Reproductive health conditions</h2> While women are disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions throughout their lifespan, much of the disparity in health-care needs is concentrated between the first period and menopause. Almost <a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/impact-of-pelvic-pain-vastly-underestimated">half of women</a> aged over 18 report having experienced chronic pelvic pain in the previous five years. This can be caused by conditions such as endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea (period pain), vulvodynia (vulva pain), and bladder pain. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2023/2023-september/1-in-7-australian-women-aged-44-49-have-endometriosis">One in seven women</a> will have a diagnosis of endometriosis by age 49. Meanwhile, a quarter of all women aged 45–64 <a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/research/womens-health-survey/menopause-in-australian-women">report symptoms</a> related to menopause that are significant enough to disrupt their daily life. All of these conditions can significantly reduce quality of life and increase the need to seek health care, sometimes including surgical treatment. Of course, conditions like endometriosis don’t just affect women. They also impact <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10501128/">trans men</a>, intersex people, and those who are gender diverse. <h2>Diagnosis can be costly</h2> Women often have to wait <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518795/">longer to get a diagnosis</a> for chronic conditions. One <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.10.12.23296976v2.full-text">preprint study</a> found women wait an average of 134 days (around 4.5 months) longer than men for a diagnosis of a long-term chronic disease. Delays in diagnosis often result in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33004965/">needing to see more doctors</a>, again increasing the costs. Despite affecting about as many people as diabetes, it takes an average of between <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33050751/">six-and-a-half</a> to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33004965/">eight years</a> to diagnose endometriosis in Australia. This can be attributed to a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35928674/">number of factors</a> including society’s normalisation of women’s pain, poor knowledge about endometriosis among some health professionals, and the lack of affordable, non-invasive methods to accurately diagnose the condition. There have been recent improvements, with the introduction of <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/historic-medicare-changes-for-women-battling-endometriosis#:%7E:text=In%20addition%20to%20the%20specialised,with%20complex%20histories%20and%20symptoms.">Medicare rebates for longer GP consultations</a> of up to 60 minutes. While this is not only for women, this extra time will be valuable in diagnosing and managing complex conditions. But gender inequality issues still exist in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. For example, both pelvic and breast ultrasound rebates are <a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/the-gender-medicare-gap-is-seeing-women-pay-more-for-ultrasounds-and-other-health-services/">less than a scan for the scrotum</a>, and <a href="https://www.endozone.com.au/treatment/MRI">no rebate</a> exists for the MRI investigation of a woman’s pelvic pain. <h2>Management can be expensive too</h2> Many chronic conditions, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1825374?casa_token=yIlFZg_vJxsAAAAA%3ALwSa5DBMoDDWTiZsU1FC0MLLXkDd_eWBrGa2gr8b6NeRevp4ynlsTD_IMMYV_ek766j2P5C-B4Qy#d1e167">such as endometriosis</a>, which has a wide range of symptoms but no cure, can be very hard to manage. People with endometriosis often use allied health and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/imj.15494?casa_token=1sc4ZMGvDjIAAAAA%3AIrIY2B-RNVDDnUPMSsHI4axnBiTv-omNDHGlNSpsrm_qbMGY9iQ4htIyco5mj-Qhd7krsp7rfHtcbQ">complementary medicine</a> to help with symptoms. On average, women are more likely than men to use both <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/may/patterns-of-complementary-and-alternative-medi-2">complementary therapies</a> and <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/general-practice-allied-health-primary-care">allied health</a>. While women with chronic conditions can access a <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/chronic-disease-management-plan?context=20">chronic disease management plan</a>, which provides Medicare-subsidised visits to a range of allied health services (for example, physiotherapist, psychologist, dietitian), this plan only subsidises five sessions per calendar year. And the reimbursement is <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9346321/">usually around 50% or less</a>, so there are still significant out-of-pocket costs. In the case of chronic pelvic pain, the cost of accessing allied or complementary health services has been found to average <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-022-01618-z">A$480.32 across a two-month period</a> (across both those who have a chronic disease management plan and those who don’t). <h2>More spending, less saving</h2> Womens’ health-care needs can also perpetuate financial strain beyond direct health-care costs. For example, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31600241">women with endometriosis</a> and chronic pelvic pain are often caught in a cycle of needing time off from work to attend medical appointments. Our <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5480104/v1">preliminary research</a> has shown these repeated requests, combined with the common dismissal of symptoms associated with pelvic pain, means women sometimes face discrimination at work. This can lead to lack of career progression, underemployment, and premature retirement. Similarly, with <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ASFAResearch_ImpactofMenopauseOnRetirement_080324.pdf">160,000 women</a> entering menopause each year in Australia (and this number expected to increase with population growth), the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Report/Chapter_3_-_Impact_on_work_and_the_economic_consequences_of_menopause#:%7E:text=3.1This%20chapter%20explores%20the,on%20partners%20or%20family%20members.">financial impacts</a> are substantial. As many as <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ASFAResearch_ImpactofMenopauseOnRetirement_080324.pdf">one in four women</a> may either shift to part-time work, take time out of the workforce, or retire early due to menopause, therefore earning less and paying less into their super. <h2>How can we close this gap?</h2> Even though women are more prone to chronic conditions, until relatively recently, much of medical research has been <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812498/">done on men</a>. We’re only now beginning to realise important differences in how men and women experience certain conditions (such as <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-neuro-092820-105941">chronic pain</a>). Investing in women’s health research will be important to improve treatments so women are less burdened by chronic conditions. In the 2024–25 federal budget, the government committed $160 million towards <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-ged-kearney-mp/media/reforming-the-health-system-to-improve-sexual-and-reproductive-care">a women’s health package</a> to tackle gender bias in the health system (including cost disparities), upskill medical professionals, and improve sexual and reproductive care. While this reform is welcome, continued, long-term investment into women’s health is crucial.<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/243797/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-armour-391382">Mike Armour</a>, Associate Professor at NICM Health Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-mardon-1505419">Amelia Mardon</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Reproductive Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/danielle-howe-1492317">Danielle Howe</a>, PhD Candidate, NICM Health Research Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-adler-1533549">Hannah Adler</a>, PhD Candidate, Health Communication and Health Sociology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-oshea-457947">Michelle O'Shea</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/women-spend-more-of-their-money-on-health-care-than-men-and-no-its-not-just-about-womens-issues-243797">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

"Just leave Christmas": Barnaby Joyce fires up over gender-neutral cookies

Some stories are big: wars, elections, pandemics. Others are tiny – crispy, vaguely human-shaped and destined for dunking in tea. The humble Gingerbread Man – or rather, its gender-neutral successor, the Gingerbread Person – has sent shockwaves through Parliament House and left a trail of crumbs all the way to the nearest bakery. The biscuit's modern makeover has Barnaby Joyce and Nationals Senator Matt Canavan crying "Save Christmas!" faster than you can say, "Not my gumdrop buttons!" While many of us would struggle to find outrage over baked goods – especially baked goods with no opinion on pronouns – Joyce sees a far darker picture. For him, this is political correctness gone so far off the rails it could inspire an army of ginger-fuelled Trump supporters. “It’s just like, all this stuff has been forced on me, just leave it,” he declared, presumably staring down a gender-neutral cookie in his local parliamentary cafeteria. “Just leave Christmas. If you don’t want to buy Gingerbread men, you don’t have to.” Then, proving politicians aren’t immune to comedic flair, he added: “Can I have one for me and one for it on table 3?” Meanwhile, Senator Canavan was equally distraught at the development, lamenting the apparent death of whimsy. “Please tell me they haven’t done this to the muffin man as well?” he begged, as if imagining a bleak future where fairytale characters are stripped of gender and fun. If you thought Parliament was alone in this existential ginger-crisis, think again. Supermarket giant Woolworths has already abandoned the “man” for a more inclusive “Gingerbread People”, and even Women’s Weekly, that wholesome bastion of baking, has shared a recipe for the modern, genderless cookie. It was Woolworths' decision that drew particular ire from a radio caller named Harry, who tattled to Melbourne’s 3AW like a child narking on a sibling. “Woolies has decided to start selling – under their own brand – non-binary Gingerbread people,” he reported solemnly. This news rocked radio host Tom Elliott, who lamented that none of the gingerbread figures “resemble women”. (For clarity’s sake, it’s worth noting that Gingerbread Men have never been renowned for their realistic depiction of human anatomy.) Online, the social media masses weighed in with their usual measured, level-headed takes. One user proclaimed they were “too busy caring about my electricity bill doubling” to give a crumb about cookies. Another’s sarcastic sympathy dripped from the screen: “If you can’t handle a biscuit with ‘man’ in the name, simply grab a box of tissues and retreat to your safe space.” And in the darkest corner of the internet, one person’s exasperation boiled over: “Jesus Christ. It’s a biscuit vaguely shaped like a human. Do we need to make a biscuit gender neutral so we don’t offend people?” Let’s face it: the Gingerbread Man is not, and has never been, the hill anyone expected society to die on. It doesn’t vote, drive or go to Centrelink. It’s a biscuit. Yet, here we are, watching as Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan rise like knights to defend a sugary snack from the insidious forces of progress. Does the average person truly care if their Gingerbread Man identifies as a Gingerbread Person? Is anyone truly shaking with rage while browsing the supermarket biscuit aisle? Or are most of us too busy, well, eating them? In the end, we must ask ourselves the hard questions: Will the Muffin Man survive the purge? Is Santa’s reindeer team next? And most importantly: if they’re still delicious, does it even matter? For now, the only certainty is that political correctness has officially reached the snack table. Somewhere, a batch of gender-neutral gingerbread people is cooling, blissfully unaware that their mere existence has triggered a full-scale political bake-off. And so, in the spirit of the festive season – let’s agree to eat the biscuit and leave the outrage for another day. Images: Supplied

Food & Wine

Bunnings shopper transforms Christmas decor for just $5

A Bunnings shopper has shared an amazing hack for transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland on a budget. With the help of one item for just $5, an interior designer named Cheryl - who shares home decorating tips on Instagram - transformed her entry hallway in a unique festive way. Cheryl revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle how she created the incredible look for under $100 from Bunnings. Cheryl's stunning space came to life with some $5 renter-friendly hooks from Bunnings, some solar-powered fairy lights and some baubles. Sticking the hooks on the ceiling, she threaded the fairy lights through, zigzagging them down the hall, and then hung baubles from the lights. <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/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ▪︎ Cheryl ▪︎ (@ourcountrycoastalhome)</a> </div> </blockquote> Describing the set-up, Cheryl told Yahoo it's "very easy" and you don't need DIY experience to pull off the festive decor. "All you need are some little hooks that stick onto your ceiling, some wire string lights and some colourful baubles. We got everything we needed for this from Bunnings," she says. She also shared some hot tips for people looking to try out the hack for themselves, jokingly telling us, "All you need is a patient husband to do it for you! Just kidding... the best tip I have is to measure the overall length and divide it by the number of hooks you have and you also want the string lights to go diagonal from one another. What also looks better is to place the baubles offset from each other." Cheryl added that they chose to use solar-powered lights to save money on energy use as well, saying, "To help on power bills we went with solar string lights and just placed the little solar boxes in a spot where they would be exposed to sunlight that way it automatically turns on at night and off in the morning." She said, "It’s a really easy little Xmas DIY and I hope other families will get to enjoy it, it looks amazing at night." Image credits: Instagram

Home & Garden

Exciting summer holiday destinations just a taxi ride away

With <a href="https://silverservice.com.au/services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taxi services</a> from trusted companies like <a href="https://silverservice.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silver Service</a> making local travel simple, you can skip the stress of long drives and focus on having a good time. Here are some exciting places to visit close to home this season. <h2>Royal Botanic Garden</h2> If you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend a summer day, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has something for everyone. Families will enjoy wandering through the Palace Rose Garden, while plant enthusiasts can check out exhibitions like Alchemy of a Rainforest, which showcases rare tropical and subtropical plants. With stunning views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, it’s also a must-visit for photographers and those after a peaceful scenic walk. <h2>Sea World</h2> For a day full of adventure, animal encounters and family fun this holiday season, visit Sea World on the Gold Coast. Here, you and your loved ones can walk through underwater tunnels, watch dolphins perform stunning tricks or get close to sea creatures in hands-on experiences. Thrill-seekers can also head to The New Atlantis precinct for the Leviathan roller coaster, the 42-metre-high Trident or the twisting, turning Vortex. <h2>Federation Square</h2> You’ll love Federation Square if you’re into arts and culture. Explore the Ian Potter Centre or ACMI for Australian art and screen culture, then take in the lively atmosphere of Christmas Square, complete with a giant LED Christmas tree, light shows and interactive decorations. For a different vibe, check out Open Air at the Square, featuring free live music, outdoor cinema and community festivals. Afterwards, grab a meal at one of the many nearby cafes or restaurants and soak up the energy that makes Melbourne so unique. <h2>Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary</h2> Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the perfect summer destination to connect with Australia’s unique wildlife. Capture a photo with a koala or learn about their fascinating behaviours from dedicated carers. Kids will also enjoy hands-on activities like holding guinea pigs and feeding friendly farm animals, while wildlife enthusiasts can marvel at the grace of raptors in flight or get to know Australia’s wild dingoes up close. <h2>Queen Victoria Market</h2> For a true taste of Melbourne’s vibrant culture, head to Queen Victoria Market. It’s the go-to spot for fresh produce, handcrafted goods and local treats that show off the city’s diversity. Grab a coffee and pastry from one of the many vendors and wander through rows of stalls packed with seasonal fruits and unique souvenirs. This summer, the market comes alive as the Summer Night Market brings global street food, refreshing drinks, live music and plenty of fun under the iconic sheds. <h2>Plan your summer adventure today</h2> With so many exciting destinations just a taxi ride away, you don’t need to fly or travel far to make the most of summer and the holiday break. Enjoy both without the stress of long journeys, thanks to reliable taxi services that keep travel simple and convenient. A simple ride with Silver Service is all you need to start your next adventure. To organise your trip, book a Silver Service taxi today. Image: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Silver Taxis

Domestic Travel

"Just words on a piece of paper": Olympian's blunt response to lifetime ban

Olympic cycling medallist Matthew Richardson has responded to the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/olympian-slapped-with-lifetime-ban-after-defection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifetime ban</a> he received as "just words on a piece of paper" that "don't carry much weight for me" following his defection to ride for Great Britain. The 25-year-old Olympian received a lot of backlash after his post-Paris defection where he won three medals for Australia despite knowing that he was going to switch to represent his country of birth. While Richardson was proud of his decision, he did express a bit of "shock" at the ban. "I didn't know it was coming," Richardson said during a UCI Track Champions League press conference. "I found it quite interesting. I guess they were just keen to get one last, final blow, one last, final word. "But ultimately, I had left three months ago. I'm not sure where the confusion ... has come from, but I thought it was pretty obvious that, by wanting to ride for GB for the rest of my career, that would mean I didn't want to ride for Australia for the rest of my career. It's almost like you leave your job, and three months later, they go, 'Well, you're fired!'. "It's just words on a piece of paper, really, and they don't really carry much weight for me." In a statement on Monday, AusCycling said that it had investigated the prospect of a two-year non-compete clause being enforced, but discovered it was "legally unenforceable". "The UCI can't enforce regulations on me that I haven't signed for," Richardson said. "That was just words on a piece of paper that, again, don't hold any weight. "As they also said in that review, they're going to have to go back and have a look at that clause, which basically just admits that they're going to have to change it or get rid of it, or whatever, because it clearly has no meaning." Richardson was born in Maidstone, Kent but moved to Perth at the age of nine. He took up cycling with Perth's Midland Cycling Club and not long after was riding with Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). Richardson brushed aside claims that he had threatened AusCycling’s intellectual property by asking to take his bike with him after the Paris Olympics, and said he'd "always been respectful to AusCycling" as well as "thankful for everything" the organisation had done for him. "I really did think I repaid them with all the results, you know — the world championship, the three Olympic medals that I returned," Richardson added. "Unfortunately, noise was created around the issue, but I sleep well at night knowing that noise didn't come from myself. "Hopefully in the years to come, myself and AusCycling can come to some sort of understanding. "But for now, there we go. They've had their final word. "Hopefully we can just put it to bed and just enjoy riding in circles." Images: Instagram

Legal

What’s the difference between liquid and powder laundry detergent? It’s not just the obvious

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> When shopping for a laundry detergent, the array of choices is baffling. All of the products will likely get your laundry somewhat cleaner. But what gets the best outcome for your clothes and your budget? Do you want whiter whites? Do you need enzymes? And what’s the difference between a powder and liquid detergent? As is often the case, knowing more about the chemistry involved will help you answer those questions. <h2>What is a detergent?</h2> The active ingredients in both laundry powders and liquids are “surfactants”, also known as detergents (hence the product name). These are typically charged or “ionic” molecules that have two distinct parts to their structure. One part interacts well with water and the other interacts with oils. This useful property allows surfactants to lift grease and grime from fabrics and suspend it in the water. Surfactants can also form bubbles. Metal salts dissolved in your water can limit the performance of the surfactants. So-called hard water contains lots of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts which can readily form soap scum. Modern laundry detergents therefore contain phosphates, water softeners and other metal “sequestrants” to stop the formation of soap scum. Phosphates can cause algal blooms in fresh water environments. This is why modern detergent formulations <a href="https://accord.asn.au/sustainability/phosphorus-standard/">contain smaller amounts of phosphates</a>. Many products also contain optical brighteners. These chemicals absorb ultraviolet light and release blue light, which provides the “whiter white” or “brighter colour” phenomenon. Laundry detergents typically contain fragrances. These aren’t essential to the chemistry of cleaning, but give the impression the clothes are fresh. Lastly, some laundry detergents contain enzymes – more on those later. <h2>What’s in laundry powder?</h2> While detergents and ingredients to avoid soap scum are the most important components, they aren’t the most abundant. The main ingredients in powders are salts (like sodium sulfate) that add bulk and stop the powder from clumping. Another common salt added to laundry powders is sodium carbonate, also known as washing soda. Washing soda (a chemical cousin of <a href="https://theconversation.com/vinegar-and-baking-soda-a-cleaning-hack-or-just-a-bunch-of-fizz-225177">baking soda</a>) helps to chemically modify grease and grime so they dissolve in water. Laundry powders also frequently contain oxidising agents like sodium percarbonate. This is a stable combination of washing soda and hydrogen peroxide. An additive known as tetraacetylethylenediamine activates the percarbonate to give a mild bleaching effect. Chemically, powders have an advantage – their components can be formulated and mixed but kept separate in a solid form. (You can usually see different types of granules in your laundry powder.) <h2>What’s in laundry liquid?</h2> The main ingredient of laundry liquid is water. The remaining ingredients have to be carefully considered. They must be stable in the bottle and then work together in the wash. These include similar ingredients to the powders, such as alkaline salts, metal sequestrants, water softeners and surfactants. The surfactants in liquid products are often listed as “ionic” (charged) and “non-ionic” (non-charged). Non-ionic surfactants can be liquid by default, which makes them inappropriate for powdered formulations. Non-ionic surfactants are good at suspending oils in water and don’t form soap scum. Liquid detergents also contain preservatives to prevent the growth of microbes spoiling the mixture. There are also microbial implications for inside the washing machine. Liquid products can’t contain the peroxides (mild bleaching agents) found in powdered products. Peroxides kill microbes. The absence of peroxides in liquid detergents makes it more likely for <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/1/195#B15-molecules-27-00195">mould biofilms to form</a> in the machine and for bacteria to be transferred between items of clothing. As an alternative to peroxides, liquids will typically contain only optical brighteners. Liquids do have one advantage over powders – they can be added directly to stains prior to placing the item in the wash. A recent “convenience” version of liquid formulas are highly concentrated detergent pods. Colourful and bearing a resemblance to sweet treats, these products have been found to be <a href="https://poisoncenters.org/track/laundry-detergent-packets">dangerous to young children and people with cognitive impairment</a>. Pods also remove the option to add less detergent if you’re running a smaller load or just want to use less detergent in general. <h2>So, what about enzymes?</h2> Enzymes are naturally evolved proteins included in laundry products to remove specific stains. Chemically, they are catalysts – things that speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes are named for the molecules they work on, followed by the ending “-ase”. For example, lipase breaks down fats (lipids), protease breaks down protein, while amylase and mannanase break down starches and sugars. These enzymes are derived from organisms found in cool climate regions, which helps them function at the low temperature of washing water. Running an excessively hot wash cycle can damage or denature the enzyme structure, stopping them from assisting in your wash. Think of an egg white <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-the-perfect-pavlova-according-to-chemistry-experts-196485">changing from translucent to white while cooked</a> – that’s protein denaturing. If your detergent contains enzymes, the washing temperature should be neither too hot nor too cold. As a guide, temperatures of 15–20°C are used in <a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/document/download/557d8ab5-4e75-41a4-a901-1548be7f685d_en">standard laundry tests</a>. <h2>Is powder or liquid better?</h2> We make consumer choices guided by performance, psychology, cost, scent, environmental considerations and convenience. It’s worth experimenting with different products to find what works best for you and fits your needs, household budget and environmental considerations, such as having <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-can-some-plastics-be-recycled-but-others-cant-229270">recyclable packaging</a>. Personally, I wash at 20°C with half the recommended dose of a pleasant-smelling laundry powder, packaged in recyclable cardboard, and containing a wide range of enzymes and an activated peroxide source. Knowing a little chemistry can go a long way to getting your clothes clean. However, laundry detergent manufacturers don’t always disclose the full list of ingredients on their product packaging. If you want more information on what’s in your product, you have to look at the product website. You can also dig a little deeper by reading documents called <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-new-tiktok-trend-has-people-drinking-toxic-borax-an-expert-explains-the-risks-and-how-to-read-product-labels-210278">safety data sheets</a> (SDS). Every product containing potentially hazardous chemicals must have an SDS.<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/239850/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/whats-the-difference-between-liquid-and-powder-laundry-detergent-its-not-just-the-obvious-239850">original article</a>. </div>

Home & Garden

Aussie Vietnam vet reunited with lost war medals just in time

A Vietnam veteran has been reunited with his lost war medals that were missing for a year, just in time for Remembrance Day. When attending a Remembrance Day event in New Zealand last year, Townsville veteran Malcolm Edmiston lost his medals somewhere along the journey to Christchurch from Brisbane. The medals were left sitting unclaimed in Brisbane Airport's lost and found after being found in an airport terminal, before airport staff launched a social media campaign to find their owner. After seeing a post on Facebook, Edmiston was finally reunited with his precious medals just in time for this year's Remembrance Day events. "It's very good to have them back, great to have them back, I thought they were gone and gone for good," Malcolm told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/lost-war-medals-returned-to-vietnam-veteran-in-time-for-remembrance-day/b03bf4df-0d3c-440b-9783-1e6c7ac73a11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today</a>. "The zip was opened on my case and somehow they fell out, so it's a good reminder for us to take extra care when we pack." Malcolm was not the only one in his family to serve the country, sharing how his father served in the Royal Navy, he had uncles in the Royal Australian Air Force and and the Royal Air Force and a brother who served in Naval Reserve. His son also served in the Navy and with so many of his fellow Vietnam veteran soldiers no longer alive, having his medals back today is something special. "Remembrance Day is a very important day for me," he said. Brisbane Airport's media manager Peter Doherty added that he was thrilled to see the medals return to their rightful owner. He said, "For Malcolm's lifetime of service, the least we could do was the door-to-door service to get the medals back to him." Image credits: Today

Retirement Life

Olympic legend given just two years to live

British Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy has announced that his cancer is terminal. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the six-time Olympic cycling champion revealed that doctors have told him he has between two and four years to live. He told the publication that he had initially been diagnosed with cancer in his prostate, which had spread to his bones. Despite the terminal cancer diagnosis, the athlete remained positive and expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he has been receiving since the article's publication on Sunday. "You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I'm feeling fit, strong and positive," he wrote on Instagram. "Overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me. Onwards." Fellow Olympic cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish was among the many British sporting stars to send their support. "Hero of a human being," Cavendish wrote on Instagram. Three-time Olympic track medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, added: "Sending love to you Chris." "Legend," commented Team GB Paralympic cycling medallist Archie Atkinson. Scottish Cycling added: "Sending our love and best wishes to Sir Chris and his family from everyone in the Scottish Cycling community. "As ever, he continues to be an inspiration on and off the track." <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBJEVKhO00z/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/DBJEVKhO00z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Skarper (@skarperofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his support and admiration for Hoy's openness during such a difficult moment. "I'm in awe that Chris Hoy is meeting his cancer with the same positivity and resilience that has defined his life and career," Streeting wrote on X. "The whole country will be cheering him on as we have done so many times before and sending him and his family so much love." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Sir Chris Hoy has been an inspiration to us all as a world class sportsman, decorated Olympian & a proud Scot. He’s provided so much joy to millions. He is also incredibly brave. I send my very best wishes to Chris and his family at this difficult time.<a href="https://t.co/aoP5OTKmDb">https://t.co/aoP5OTKmDb</a> — Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMurrayMP/status/1847910282254758044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a></blockquote> Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, also told the BBC that he was "in awe" of Sir Chris's courage and positivity. "I'm in awe of his courage and positivity in face of a death sentence, which is what his cancer diagnosis is. The whole nation will be cheering him on now as we have done in the past," he said. "He is not the only person in this country today dealing with a terminal diagnosis... what a wonderful message of hope he has sent." Images: Instagram

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MedicAlert: The life-saving service that just got even better

While traditional MedicAlert IDs have long been trusted for their reliability, the company that currently protects more than four million members worldwide has taken a huge step forward in enhancing emergency care and personal safety by <a href="https://www.medicalert.org.au/qr-code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">integrating QR codes</a> into their medical IDs. These QR codes are a modern addition that provide rapid, comprehensive access to critical medical information, ensuring timely and accurate assistance in emergencies. When a MedicAlert QR code is scanned, first responders and healthcare professionals can immediately access the wearer’s detailed medical history. This includes information on allergies, chronic conditions, medications and emergency contacts, as well as your uploaded documents like Advanced Care Directives and specialist letters. The quick retrieval of this data can be lifesaving, especially in situations where every second counts. MedicAlert’s QR codes are designed to be user-friendly and secure. Scanning the code with a smartphone or any QR code reader directs the user to a secure webpage containing the medical profile of the ID wearer. This ensures that sensitive information is both accessible when needed and protected from unauthorised access. One of the standout features of MedicAlert QR codes is their global functionality. No matter where you are in the world, emergency responders can scan the code and access the information in multiple languages. This is particularly beneficial for travellers, providing peace of mind that their medical information is always within reach. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-70799" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/10/MEDICALERT-22nd-May-2024-219_O60.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The information linked to a MedicAlert QR code can also be easily updated. This means any changes in medical conditions, medications or emergency contacts can be promptly reflected, ensuring that the most current information is available at all times. As a registered Australian charity, MedicAlert also ensures that all online data is securely stored within Australia, providing peace of mind regarding the privacy and protection of your personal medical information. Their commitment to safeguarding your health data while offering reliable and accessible emergency support makes them an invaluable ally in maintaining your wellbeing. For a limited time, get 60% off all stainless steel MedicAlert products with the discount code 60OVER60. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.medicalert.org.au/qr-code">https://www.medicalert.org.au/qr-code</a> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HkmBEXerAFQ?si=FFtmmhywyzu6EPUr" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Images: MedicAlert This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with MedicAlert

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Trying to lose weight? Here’s why your genetics could be just as important as your exercise regime

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/henry-chung-1279176">Henry Chung</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-mcmanus-2226445">Chris McManus</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sally-waterworth-2226444">Sally Waterworth</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a> Weight loss is a complicated process. There are so many factors involved including your diet, how much sleep you get each night and the kind of exercise you do. Our recent study shows that your <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02701367.2024.2404981">specific genetic profile</a> may also have a dominant effect on how well you lose weight through exercise. This might explain why two people who do an identical workout will see very different results. We identified 14 genes that appeared to significantly contribute to how much weight a person lost through running. This suggests that some of us have a natural talent when it comes to burning fat and losing weight through exercise. To conduct our study, we recruited 38 men and women born in the UK aged between 20 and 40. None of the participants regularly exercised at the start of the study. The group was randomly divided, with one half following a strict eight-week endurance programme that consisted of three weekly runs of 20-30 minutes. The other group acted as a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/control-group">control</a>. They were instructed to refrain from exercise and continue their daily routines as normal over this study period, including diet and lifestyle habits. All participants conducted a running test to see how far they could run in 12 minutes, and were weighed before and after the study period. This was to gauge their initial fitness level and see how much they changed over the duration of the study. <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/">Body mass index</a> (BMI) was also calculated. Additionally, a saliva sample was collected from each person with a <a href="https://muhdo.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSUB3WI81JP4Q_snYLhh-SBVNeCJNy2m63C8bKJFvO-nJ5UsHuCCdqMaAhTeEALw_wcB">DNA test kit</a> at the end of the study to assess their unique genetic profile. It’s important to note that everyone who participated in the study had a similar body weight, BMI and aerobic fitness level at the start of the study. This is beneficial for <a href="https://casp-uk.net/news/homogeneity-in-research/">multiple reasons</a>. It meant everyone was at the same starting point, and some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/confounding-variable">confounding variables</a> were already controlled for such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10128125/">fitness level</a>. This ultimately improves accuracy in interpreting the results. <h2>Exercise genes</h2> Everyone in the exercise group managed to lose weight – around 2kg on average. The control group, on the other hand, put on a little bit of weight. While a 2kg weight loss may not sound like a lot, it’s significant considering the exercise regime only lasted eight weeks and participants made no <a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/87186">changes to their diet</a>. More significant, however, was the large variation in results among those that exercised – with an up to 10kg difference in weight loss between some of the participants. In fact, everyone within the exercise group improved at different rates. Since we controlled for factors such as the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3529283/">intensity, duration and frequency</a> of the exercises and used participants who’d had a similar body weight and fitness level at the start of the study, this suggests that some people naturally benefited more than others from endurance training. When we looked at the genetic profiles of our participants, we found that differences in each person’s response to the exercise was strongly associated with their specific genetics. We showed there was a strong linear correlation between the amount of weight participants lost and 14 genes that have previously been shown to be associated with body weight, metabolism or <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0017-5">psychological conditions</a> that affect BMI. The greater number of these genes a participant had, the more weight they lost. Our results also revealed that around 63% of the variance in weight lost among participants were explained by the genes identified. For example, research has shown the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/10891">PPARGC1A gene</a> plays a role in metabolism and the <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/S11033-020-05801-Z">use of fats for energy</a> while exercising. Our study found that all participants who lost more than 1.5kg from exercise had this gene. Those who lost less than this did not have this gene. Our findings align with what <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249501&s2=P875440273_1683331208925004155">previous studies</a> have shown. But while previous papers have only looked at the link between individual genes and weight loss, ours is the first to show that 14 different genes appear to work in combination to affect whether a person loses weight from endurance exercise. <h2>Piece of the puzzle</h2> Our study also suggests that while some people possess genes that make it easier for them to get fit and lose weight, people with these favourable genetics can only flourish if they actually exercise. In fact, our control group also had a number of these listed genes, but without exercise these genes could not activate, and so the participants did not lose any weight. While our study provides compelling findings, it’s not without limitations. Since we only looked at endurance-based exercise, it will be important for future studies to investigate whether there are similar links between weight loss, genetics and combinations of different types of training (such as a mixture of endurance and strength sessions into a training plan). It’s also worth mentioning that exercise is only <a href="https://www.who.int/activities/controlling-the-global-obesity-epidemic">one piece of the puzzle</a> when it comes to weight loss. So even if you have all 14 of these genes, you won’t lose any weight or get fit if you don’t exercise and maintain a healthy diet and sleep pattern. On the flip side, someone that only has a few of these favourable genes can still benefit if they exercise and are mindful of other aspects of their lifestyle.<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/240506/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/henry-chung-1279176">Henry Chung</a>, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-mcmanus-2226445">Chris McManus</a>, Lecturer, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sally-waterworth-2226444">Sally Waterworth</a>, Lecturer, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-essex-1291">University of Essex</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/trying-to-lose-weight-heres-why-your-genetics-could-be-just-as-important-as-your-exercise-regime-240506">original article</a>. </div>

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Trying to lose weight? Here’s why your genetics could be just as important as your exercise regime

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