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Supermoons are boring – here are 5 things in the sky worth your time

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-j-i-brown-113">Michael J. I. Brown</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>A <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/what-is-a-supermoon/">supermoon</a> may sound exciting, but it’s a modest coincidence.</p> <p>As the Moon orbits Earth, its distance from us varies from 357,000 to 407,000 kilometres. When the Moon and the Sun are in almost opposite directions from Earth, we get a full moon. A “supermoon” is a full moon where its position along its orbit is within 10% of its closest approach to Earth. That’s it.</p> <p>This means a supermoon has an apparent diameter that’s 14% larger than the smallest possible full moon. That’s not a lot. You can’t really notice the difference by eye.</p> <p>As an astronomer, I have a problem with supermoons. There are genuine wonders to see in the night sky, so don’t be disappointed by a dull, overhyped supermoon.</p> <h2>When is the best time to view the Moon?</h2> <p>Articles hyping supermoons are easy. ChatGPT can do it. Say it’s the first supermoon since whenever, add some superlatives, and throw in a telephoto lens photo of a full moon with a landmark. Perhaps the supermoon coincides with another otherwise normal full moon, so it can be a “<a href="https://moon.nasa.gov/news/197/super-blue-moons-your-questions-answered/">blue supermoon</a>” or a “<a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/super-worm-moon-how-to-see-the-final-full-moon-of-winter/695656">worm supermoon</a>” or whatever.</p> <p>It’s still just a full moon.</p> <p>If you do want to look at the Moon and it happens to be a supermoon, go for it. But there are better times to admire our only natural satellite, particularly with binoculars or a telescope.</p> <p>The best time to look at the Moon is when its shadows, as seen from Earth, are longest. These long shadows help the craters and mountains stand out from the surrounding plains, so you can appreciate the dramatic landscape of our neighbouring world.</p> <p>The shadows are longest when the Moon appears as a half moon in the night sky. During a full moon or a supermoon the shadows are at their shortest – not nearly as impressive.</p> <h2>Supermoons are a distraction</h2> <p>Have you seen the craters of the Moon, <a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/viewing-saturn-the-planet-rings-and-moons/#:%7E:text=Viewing%20Saturn's%20Rings,the%20ball%20of%20the%20planet.">the rings of Saturn</a>, the clouds of Jupiter or <a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/observing-the-great-orion-nebula/#:%7E:text=First%20locate%20Orion's%20Belt%2C%20which,ll%20find%20the%20Orion%20Nebula.">the Orion nebula</a> with a telescope? They truly are awe-inspiring. Even the most dedicated astronomers return to view them time and time again.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"></figure> <p>In fact, astronomers prefer to avoid nights with supermoons and catch up on lost sleep. Full moons flood the night sky with light and make it harder to view more subtle and interesting sights.</p> <p>Want to look at the grand expanse of the Milky Way with the unaided eye? Want to see a meteor shower, comet or aurora? Best done without a damn supermoon.</p> <p>It can be fun to see something truly rare or unusual in the sky. But supermoons don’t qualify for that either. Using the definition I mentioned earlier, there are typically three or four supermoons each year. More restrictive definitions give us one or two supermoons per year. Not only is that not rare, it still just looks like a full moon.</p> <p>There are rarer celestial events that really can inspire. Millions of people across the globe saw <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/how-nasa-tracked-the-most-intense-solar-storm-in-decades/">bright auroras in May 2024</a>, including places where truly spectacular auroras are few and far between.</p> <p>Comets can also be wonderful. Every decade or so, a comet swings into the inner Solar System and produces a bright tail, millions of kilometres long and visible from Earth. Back when I was a student, I saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Hyakutake">Comet Hyakutake’s bright blue tail</a> stretch across a huge expanse of sky. Sometimes comets fizzle, but when they’re great they are amazing.</p> <h2>Want something impressive? Try an eclipse</h2> <p>Auroras and comets can be fickle, but eclipses are predictable and put on a reliable show.</p> <p>Take total solar eclipses, when the Moon covers the Sun and day turns briefly into night. Thousands travel across the globe to see them. I will be travelling to New South Wales for the <a href="https://eclipse.asa.astronomy.org.au/eclipse-australia-2028/">2028 eclipse</a>.</p> <figure class="align-left zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/613126/original/file-20240813-17-ewfavl.jpeg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"> </a></figure> <p><a href="https://www.space.com/15689-lunar-eclipses.html">Lunar eclipses</a>, when the Moon falls within Earth’s shadow, can be a more accessible eclipse experience, which is visible from your own home <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lunar_eclipses_in_the_21st_century">every few years</a>.</p> <p>During the best lunar eclipses, the Moon turns a dark red as the only light that reaches it comes through Earth’s atmosphere.</p> <p>As an astronomer, I encourage people to look at celestial sights. Go out and see the Moon when it can really impress – during an eclipse or viewed through a telescope. Or enjoy the planets, auroras, comets and meteor showers when there is no Moon at all. But please don’t waste time on supermoons.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236416/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-j-i-brown-113">Michael J. I. Brown</a>, Associate Professor in Astronomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/supermoons-are-boring-here-are-5-things-in-the-sky-worth-your-time-236416">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Tips

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The most boring tourist attractions in the world revealed

<p>Nobody wants waste their time and energy visiting a boring attraction while travelling, so a new study has analysed 66.7 million Google reviews and compiled a list of the top 100 most boring attractions across the globe so you can enjoy a holiday free from the mundane. </p> <p>The study conducted by Solitaired, was based on 3,290 popular tourist attractions worldwide spanning 384 cities across 71 different countries. </p> <p>A boredom score was calculated for each site, based on 11 keywords indicative of tiresome, lifeless and boring impressions. </p> <p>At the top of the list was Branson Scenic Railway in Missouri, with a boredom score of five out of five. The heritage railroad departs from an old depot in downtown Branson and travels through part of the Ozark Mountains on a 40-mile round trip. </p> <p>While some praised the beautiful foliage, others were unimpressed by the views "limited to trees on both sides of the train." </p> <p>Illuminarium Atlanta, in Georgia U.S. came in second place, with a boredom score of 4.5, with one reviewer saying that it was "cool for about the first 15 minutes" and "after that… just boring." </p> <p>In third place is Tennessee's Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride, an indoor attraction that takes visitors through a river passing artificial cave sets, waterfalls and mechanical dinosaurs, which scored 3.7 on the boredom scale. </p> <p>Australia's least interesting attraction, which came in 16th on the list and scored 2.5 on the boredom scale, is the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, which tells stories of WA through interactive exhibits. </p> <p>This is followed by the Legoland Discovery Centre in Melbourne, which ranked 24th on the list and had a score of 2.3</p> <p>The Museum of Sydney came in 32nd place, with a score of 2.2, while the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, New Zealand came in 54th place with a score of 2.1. </p> <p>Check out the full list <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-13310853/Most-boring-attractions-world-Shrek-Adventure-London.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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4 seemingly boring cities worth visiting

<p>They might not have all the flashy bells and whistles of the world’s top tourist destinations, but these ‘boring’ cities actually make for excellent travel destinations.</p> <p><strong>1. Geneva, Switzerland</strong></p> <p>Switzerland regularly tops polls for the best country to live in or the happiest country in the world. Yet for many travellers, the fact that it’s a great place to live doesn’t seem to translate into a great place to visit. Sure, a city that’s known for making watches and housing the UN doesn’t sound like it would be much fun, but we think it’s definitely worth a visit. First of all it’s beautiful, strung gently around the shores of Europe’s largest alpine lake. A multicultural population makes for friendly people and good dining, and the high-end shopping is among the best in the world (even if you can only afford the window variety).</p> <p><strong>2. Adelaide, South Australia</strong></p> <p>Poor Adelaide, always the butt of Australian jokes. People claim that it’s woefully backward, has no culture and is full of bogans. The mayor of Melbourne even said it has so little going for it that it should be shut down. We disagree. Adelaide is an elegant colonial capital surrounded by acres of lush parkland and gorgeous beaches, and it’s home to an emerging small bar scene to rival any other Australian city. Then you’ve got the incredible wineries of the Adelaide hills, which are reason enough to put this South Australian gem on your list.</p> <p><strong>3. Brussels, Belgium</strong></p> <p>A TripAdvisor survey found Brussels to be the most boring city in Europe and it’s a sentiment that most experts agree with. As the ‘capital of Europe’ and the seat of the EU, most people regard Brussels as a centre for boring political types and not travellers. Look beyond that though and you’ll find a fascinating city filled with hidden architectural marvels, a buzzing café scene and a contented population living a very good life. And then there’s all the delicious chocolate, waffles and beer you can eat. What’s not to love?</p> <p><strong>4. Toronto, Canada</strong></p> <p>Toronto has always been happy to accept its boringness and leave the flashy, good-time fame to cities like Vancouver or Montreal. Not anymore. The city has undergone enormous growth in recent years and has emerged as a prosperous, stylish, well-adjusted destination that that is emblematic of the ‘new Canada’.  Toronto is one of the country’s most multicultural cities, so you can eat and drink your way around the world, and the shopping is equally good. It’s Canada’s largest city, but still manages to be arguably the safest city in North America.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/09/10-stunning-shrines-and-temples-to-visit-in-kyoto/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 stunning shrines and temples to visit in Kyoto</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/08/magical-french-region-of-alsace/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>France’s Alsace is like something from a fairy-tale</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/08/10-of-the-most-enchanting-churches-in-france/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 of the most enchanting churches in France</span></em></strong></a></p>

International Travel

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Australia’s “most boring state” is making waves

<p dir="ltr">The South Australian Tourism Commission is in hot water with its own shadow minister after forking out the funds for influencers to come visit the state, only to have them dub it Australia’s “most boring state”. </p> <p dir="ltr">It was an interesting take, but not necessarily one that was all too surprising - it’s a long-running joke plaguing the state, and the content produced by the Tiktokers has been defended as both intentional and ironic.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Shadow tourism minister Jing Lee does not share that opinion, demanding to know “who has chosen them, why they are here, [and] how they have been selected.”</p> <p dir="ltr">7News have also reported that the opposition are calling for the campaign’s cost to be made public. </p> <p dir="ltr">South Australia’s tourism organisation put their plan into motion in 2022 when they invited 12 social media influencers with millions of followers between them on a fully funded trip to the state. </p> <p dir="ltr">Their itinerary was reportedly designed to highlight “the very best that SA has to offer”, from its “raw beauty” to its “culinary delights”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“What we’re trying to do is demonstrate that people’s perception of Adelaide is patently wrong,” South Australia’s treasurer Stephen Mullighan explained. “That was the whole idea behind it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Many of the videos that came from the campaign run with captions declaring it to be “the most boring state ever”, or with the influencers asking their followers if they were ready to run amok with them. </p> <p dir="ltr">No matter which tagline the Tiktokers ran with, the content they produced all contained the same hidden message: South Australia was not such a ‘boring’ getaway after all. </p> <p dir="ltr">The clips they featured painted a positive picture of the state, showcasing everything from dolphin cruises to wineries, spectacular dining experiences, and an oyster farm. </p> <p dir="ltr">And as SATC have been happy to report, the campaign has been viewed over 5 million times across TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">It still wasn’t enough for Jing Lee, who shared her belief that “the Labor government has an obsession with influencers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But Stephen Mullighan had his own thoughts on the matter - and more specifically, one of the opposition’s previous attempts at a tourism campaign. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re certainly not going to get lectured to by Jing Lee, John Gardner, and the Liberals,” he said, “who were of course responsible for the most humiliating tourism campaign [the 2019 ‘Old Mate’ campaign] that’s been rolled out in our nation’s history in recent times.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Harry and Meghan break their silence on "boring and baseless" South Park episode

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have broken their silence after being portrayed in an episode of <em>South Park</em>, in which they were ruthlessly mocked and ridiculed. </p> <p>The animated TV show released their newest episode, titled <em>The Worldwide Privacy Tour</em>, which depicted the royal couple embarking on a promotional tour for the Prince's new book titled "Waaaah". </p> <p>After the episode aired, reports emerged that Meghan Markle was left "upset and overwhelmed" by their merciless slating on the show, while a royal commentator speculated that the couple's lawyers were "casting an eye" over the cartoon series.</p> <p>Despite these claims, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has debunked rumours that they would be suing <em>South Park</em> over the episode, blasting the claims as "boring and baseless" in a statement given to <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-prince-harry-meghan-markle-will-not-sue-south-park-lawsuit-1782414" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">Newsweek</a>.</p> <p>The statement did not mention Harry and Meghan's personal feelings towards the episode, nor did it address claims that the couple's lawyers will be monitoring the show in order to see whether <em>South Park</em>'s creators launch any fresh attacks on the pair in the future.</p> <p>U.S. royal commentator Kristen Meinzer also told Newsweek that is was easy to see why the couple were not taking legal action.</p> <p>She said, "I highly doubt Meghan and Harry are suing a satirical cartoon that famously ridicules everyone."</p> <p>"If anything, they'll know they're in good company with other decent people who've been raked over the coals by the show."</p> <p>"For example, <em>South Park</em> has repeatedly ridiculed Al Gore and his efforts to combat climate change. They made fun of Steve Irwin for being killed by a stingray just a few weeks after his death."</p> <p>"They turned Rob Reiner into a punchline because of his weight. They've never been a bastion of good taste, and they've absolutely been offensive, but again, they're also a cartoon, not a news outlet—and Harry and Meghan are unlikely to take a cartoon to court."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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Feeling bloated, hungry or bored after salad? These tips might help

<p>Salads are great for our health.</p> <p>They are nutritious, packed full of gut-loving fibre, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.</p> <p>However, some people can experience certain downsides to eating salad after salad, including feeling bored, bloated or even still hungry.</p> <p>Here are some tips to help you make the most of your salad-eating habits as the weather warms up.</p> <h2>Keep yourself fuller for longer</h2> <p>Salads are naturally low in calories or kilojoules. This is because salads mostly contain vegetables, which have a high water content.</p> <p>This may mean you don’t feel very satisfied after eating your salad – making it hard to stay full until your next meal.</p> <p>Instead of eating a salad and then later reaching for something less healthy to fill up on, you can stay fuller for longer by including all three macronutrients in your salad:</p> <ol> <li> <p>a healthy carbohydrate source (pumpkin, sweet potato, parsnips, taro, brown rice, quinoa, barley or brown pasta)</p> </li> <li> <p>a healthy fat source (avocado, olive oil, toasted seeds or nuts)</p> </li> <li> <p>a lean protein source (eggs, fish, chicken, tofu, tempeh, lentils or legumes).</p> </li> </ol> <h2>Reduce bloating</h2> <p>Many people experience bloating and/or gut upset when they eat a lot of salad.</p> <p>This commonly occurs if someone is going quickly from a less healthy, low-fibre diet to a healthier, high-fibre diet.</p> <p>It happens because your gut microbes are multiplying and producing lots of plant-digesting enzymes (which is great for your gut health!).</p> <p>However, your gut needs some time to adapt and adjust over time. You can help alleviate any discomfort by:</p> <ol> <li> <p>taking a <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-022-01649-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">short walk</a> or doing some stretching after eating your salad. This has been shown to reduce bloating as it loosens up the gut muscles and helps release any trapped gas</p> </li> <li> <p>being <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7219460/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mindful</a> of how you are preparing lentils and legumes. Ensure they are thoroughly rinsed and only include ¼ cup of them (soaked) to begin with if they are something new in your diet</p> </li> <li> <p>eating your salad mindfully. A non-relaxed, uptight gut or a gut that has recently been irritated by an illness can mean your gut is not as efficient in absorbing gas. This can trigger bloating as the gas gets “trapped”</p> </li> <li> <p>cooking some of the vegetables in your salad. Applying temperature or heat to your vegetables can help break them down and make them easier to digest</p> </li> <li> <p>considering your symptoms. If you experience extreme abdominal pain, irregular bowel habits (including chronic diarrhoea or constipation, or alternating diarrhoea and constipation) and a bloated stomach after eating salad it may indicate you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Please see an accredited practising dietitian who can make an assessment and diagnose IBS, help you identify your triggers and manage your symptoms</p> </li> <li> <p>being mindful of your current health conditions or treatments. For example, if you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, some drugs can slow down your digestion. This may mean some vegetables and other high-fibre foods in your salad upset your gut. Again, speaking with an accredited practising dietitian is the best way to receive evidence-based advice on how to manage this.</p> </li> </ol> <h2>Keep salad boredom at bay</h2> <p>Stuck on what makes a good salad? Here’s Lauren’s tried and tested formula, based on six categories of ingredients:</p> <ol> <li> <p>leaves, such as lettuce, rocket or spinach</p> </li> <li> <p>something sweet and juicy, such as tomato, pear, mango, peach or whatever is in season</p> </li> <li> <p>something with crunch, such as carrot, capsicum or broccolini</p> </li> <li> <p>a type of nut, such as cashew or macadamia</p> </li> <li> <p>a cheese, such as feta, bocconcini, mature cheddar, parmesan, edam</p> </li> <li> <p>something fragrant, such as mint, parsley, basil or coriander.</p> </li> </ol> <p>To make the salad into a complete meal, add a healthy carbohydrate, fat and protein source (the three macronutrients we mentioned earlier).</p> <p>The bottom line? Eating salads is a great way to have a healthy, diverse diet. With these tweaks, you can make the most of the summer weather ahead!</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/feeling-bloated-hungry-or-bored-after-salad-these-tips-might-help-190843" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Body

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Roving gangs of bored monkeys raid homes

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the floods of tourists that usually flock to Bali unable to holiday on the resort island, its hungry resident monkeys have taken to raiding villagers’ homes in search of food and entertainment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Villagers in Sangeh say grey macaques have been coming to their homes from the nearby Sangeh Monkey Forest, spending their time hanging out on roofs and waiting for the right time to snatch a snack.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With concerns that the monkeys may turn wild or lead a full-on assault on the village, residents have been taking food, including fruit and peanuts, to the forest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are afraid that the hungry monkeys will turn wild and vicious,” villager Saskara Gustu Alit said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 600 macaques live in the sanctuary that surrounds the famous Pura Bukit Sari temple.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Normally, the protected area is a popular spot for local residents shooting wedding photos, as well as international holidaymakers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the pandemic, over 6,000 visitors typically came to the forest each month, but these numbers have dropped drastically to about 500 people, as Indonesia banned all foreign travelers from entering Bali in July.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sanctuary has also been closed to local residents, meaning the monkeys have had no visitors at all.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843827/gettyimages-1135018189.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ec2eada32b94480fa0759c0eaf95153a" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Operations manager Made Mohon said that the closure has also meant that the sanctuary is running low on money to buy food for the monkeys.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Donations from villagers have made a difference, but they are also donating less and less as they feel the economic sting, he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This prolonged pandemic is beyond our expectations,” Made Mohon said. “Food for monkeys has become a problem.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The monkeys’ daily diet of 200 kg of cassava, their staple food, and 10kg of bananas costs about 850,000 rupiah ($80) a day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though macaques are omnivores and can eat a range of jungle animals and plants, the monkeys living in the sanctuary have developed a preference for other things, thanks to their contact with humans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Often the monkeys will wander into the village and sit on roofs, causing mischief by removing and dropping roof tiles or making off with religious offerings placed outside by villagers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A few days ago I attended a traditional ceremony at a temple near the Sangeh forest,” Gustu Alit said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I parked my car and took out two plastic bags containing food and flowers as offerings, two monkeys suddenly appeared and grabbed it all and ran into the forest very fast.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since the monkeys usually have visitors to interact with - whether they’re jumping on shoulders, stealing sunglasses, or pulling at clothes - Gustu Alit believes boredom, not just hunger, is driving the monkeys.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That’s why I have urged villagers to come to the forest to play with the monkeys and offer them food,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think they need to interact with humans as often as possible so that they do not go wild.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></span></p>

International Travel

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"He's boring": Spectator who flipped off Nadal has her say

<p>The woman who heckled Rafael Nadal on Rod Laver Arena has zero regrets after gaining worldwide attention for her astonishing attack on the Spanish athlete.</p> <p>Everyone in the arena was left stunned after the rogue spectator took it upon herself to liven up proceedings during Nadal's second round win over American qualifier Michael Mmoh, forcing play to stop as security escorted her out.</p> <p>Just before Nadal was gearing up to serve, the woman yelled out: "Hurry up, you OCD f***."</p> <p>She then flipped Nadal the bird.</p> <p>The star was stunned but managed to see the funny side as he laughed it off, later suggesting the offender may have had a bit too much "gin and tequila" before her brazen stunt.</p> <p>The woman appeared on radio on Friday morning to explain her version of events, showing absolutely no remorse for hijacking events on centre court.</p> <p>“I’m certainly not a fan of Nadal, I think he’s boring and he goes through all those OCD rituals all the time,” she told Neil Mitchell on 3AW.</p> <p>“The very fact pictures of me have gone viral around the world reflects on how incredibly boring his matches are, because why would you want to focus on a spectator?</p> <p>“It’s a bit embarrassing. When I woke up this morning I had messages and phone calls from all sorts of different people.</p> <p>“It’s probably not a great look for me but you know, what can I do? What’s done is done.</p> <p>“I just called out, ‘Get over your OCD rituals’ as he was serving, and then he looked at me, and that’s when I flicked him the bird.</p> <p>“My daughter wasn’t too happy because I’m so embarrassing.</p> <p>“I was going for the other guy actually because so many people seem to go for Nadal.”</p> <p>The woman denied Nadal’s hypothesis she was enjoying gin or tequila, saying she only had one “glass of bubbly” all day.</p> <p>“Alcohol does make one become less inhibited but I’m pretty much like that anyway,” she said. “I’m a bit out there.”</p> <p>Calling herself a “tennis aficionado” who comes down to Melbourne from Sydney every year for the Australian Open, the woman wasn’t a fan of the way security handled the situation even though she had quickly become the most unpopular person at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>“They were very rude. They said, ‘Right, you have to go’ and I said, ‘Why? I’m a spectator, I’ve paid for my tickets, why aren’t I allowed to be a bit vocal?’” the woman told Mitchell.</p>

News

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Dexamethasone: The cheap, old and boring drug that's a potential coronavirus treatment

<p>First, we tried the antimalarial drug <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-taking-hydroxychloroquine-for-coronavirus-be-more-harmful-than-helpful-139309">hydroxychloroquine</a>. Then we tested the antiviral drug <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-remdesivir-a-miracle-drug-to-cure-coronavirus-dont-get-your-hopes-up-yet-137592">remdesivir</a>. But new UK research gives the strongest indication yet we may have found a useful treatment for COVID-19.</p> <p>This time it’s an old anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, which has been <a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18521350.cheap-old-boring-drug-save-thousands-lives-approved-treatment-covid-19/">described as</a> cheap, old and boring.</p> <p>Preliminary results from a clinical trial <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-06-16-dexamethasone-reduces-death-hospitalised-patients-severe-respiratory-complications">just released</a> indicate the drug seems to reduce your chance of dying from COVID-19 if you’re in hospital and need oxygen or a machine to help you breathe.</p> <p>The results were significant enough for the UK to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53061281">recommend its use</a> for severe COVID-19.</p> <p>Before we roll it out in Australia, we need to balance the drug’s risks with its benefits after peer-review of the full trial data.</p> <p><strong>What is dexamethasone?</strong></p> <p>Dexamethasone has been used since the late 1950s, so doctors are familiar with it. It’s also inexpensive, with a packet of 30 tablets <a href="http://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/2507Y">costing around A$22</a> (for general patients) under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.</p> <p>So if it does work for COVID-19, this cheap and boring drug, already available in Australia with a prescription, would be easy to add to current treatments.</p> <p>Dexamethasone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids and is used to treat a range of conditions related to inflammation. These include severe allergies, some types of nausea and vomiting, arthritis, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, severe asthma, and for breathing difficulties in newborn babies.</p> <p>And it’s dexamethasone’s application to those latter two respiratory conditions that prompted doctors to think it may also help patients severely affected by COVID-19.</p> <p><strong>What did the trial find?</strong></p> <p>The recently reported results come from the <a href="https://www.recoverytrial.net/">Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy</a>, or RECOVERY, trial.</p> <p>The researchers put patients into one of three groups: those needing ventilation (a machine that helps them breath); those who just needed oxygen therapy; and those who needed no treatment to help them breathe.</p> <p>Patients in each of those groups were given dexamethasone (6mg once a day, either as a tablet or via intravenous injection), for ten days. A fourth group (a control group) was not given the drug.</p> <p>Dexamethasone was most useful for the ventilated patients; deaths for this group dropped by about one-third with drug treatment. In contrast, deaths only dropped by one-fifth for those patients who were only receiving oxygen therapy. There was no benefit to patients who could breathe normally.</p> <p><iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4dXBtV2sOo?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <span class="caption">Results of the dexamethasone trial have just been released.</span></p> <p>The researchers calculated that giving dexamethasone to eight ventilated patients would prevent one from dying, on average. And giving it to around 25 patients needing oxygen alone would prevent one death.</p> <p><strong>How might dexamethasone work for COVID-19?</strong></p> <p>When a patient has severe COVID-19, their immune system ramps up to catch and control the virus in the lungs.</p> <p>In doing this, their body produces more infection-fighting white blood cells. This results in inflammation and pressure on their lungs, making it very difficult for them to breath.</p> <p>It’s therefore likely dexamethasone reduces this inflammation, and so reduces pressure on the lungs.</p> <p><strong>What are the downsides?</strong></p> <p>There are potential complications with using dexamethasone.</p> <p>First, dexamethasone also suppresses the immune system when it reduces inflammation. So, it’s not usually recommended for people who are sick, or could be sick, from other infections. So doctors will need to make sure patients have no other infections before they are prescribed the drug.</p> <p>If the results of this trial are correct though, the drug doesn’t appear to compromise the patient’s ability to fight COVID-19; it might just affect their ability to fight off other diseases.</p> <p>Second, the drug is only useful for patients with difficulty breathing and needing some assistance either through ventilation in a hospital or from oxygen therapy.</p> <p>There appears to be no benefit for patients who don’t need help breathing. So we shouldn’t be giving it to everyone who tests positive to the virus.</p> <p>Third, like all drugs, dexamethasone <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/dexmethsone-tablets">has side effects</a> that need to be monitored. Serious, but rare ones include: severe stomach or intestinal pain, sudden changes with vision, fits, significant psychiatric or personality changes, severe dizziness, fainting, weakness and chest pain or irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.</p> <p><strong>What happens next?</strong></p> <p>The results of the clinical trial are preliminary. So we need to wait for the full study data and scientific peer-review before we can make a definitive decision as to whether dexamethasone treatment is a worthwhile, and safe, addition to COVID-19 therapy in Australia.</p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839"><em>Nial Wheate</em></a><em>, Associate Professor | Program Director, Undergraduate Pharmacy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></span></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dexamethasone-the-cheap-old-and-boring-drug-thats-a-potential-coronavirus-treatment-140932">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

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How to tell if you have a boring personality

<p><span>Nobody wants to be trapped in a boring conversation. However, if you keep finding yourself having tedious interactions with the people around you, it might be time to look within.</span></p> <p><span>Afraid that you might secretly be a bore? Psychologist Barbara Greenberg prepared a set of ten questions that can help you see how you come across to those around you. There are also hints and tips for you to reflect on – it’s never too late for course correction.</span></p> <p><span>Here are some of the emerging themes from Greenberg’s questionnaire.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Curiosity</span></strong></p> <p><span>One of the most common mistakes in social interaction, Greenberg said, is to disengage from the other person. This could manifest in different ways – some people will remain quiet and add little to the conversation, while others will talk about themselves without giving those they are speaking to the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. </span></p> <p><span>Being curious about your conversation partner will allow you to learn more about their stories, figure out mutual interests, and develop a stronger bond based on shared knowledge about each other. Follow-up with genuine questions such as “How was your latest trip?” or “So what was it like working on that project?” When you are invested and interested, it is more difficult to feel dulled out. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Consideration</span></strong></p> <p><span>Conversation is a two-way street. Understanding social cues is the key here – bring up topics that you both find interesting, and make sure you both get to contribute to the discussion. Share your stories and opinions, but don’t forget to let the other person talk and encourage them to take their turn.</span></p> <p><span>Active listening is also an art to master. When you’re paying attention to another person speaking, try to avoid getting distracted or looking at other things, such as your phone or tablet. Listen well – and not just for the sake of finding ways to lead the conversation back to yourself.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Self-disclosure</span></strong></p> <p><span>How much do you reveal about yourself to other people? You might think that people would only be interested to spend time with you if their knowledge of you is limited to your “good” side, but <a href="http://www.stafforini.com/docs/Aron%20et%20al%20-%20The%20experimental%20generation%20of%20interpersonal%20closeness.pdf">a study</a> found that this is not the case. The study at Stony Brook University paired up strangers and asked them to give each other a series of questions. Strangers who asked personal, emotional questions (the last time they cried in front of someone else, their relationship with their mother) developed deeper social bonds than those who asked factual, shallow questions (favourite holiday, what they did over the summer). Many of the participants in the first group went on to have lasting friendships, and a pair even got engaged.</span></p> <p><span>Do not be afraid to draw up on your personal stories, even if they may not paint a perfect picture of you. Opening up may just be enough to get people to be at ease with you.</span></p> <p><span>Find Greenberg’s questionnaire <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-teen-doctor/201905/10-ways-determine-if-you-are-boring">here</a>.</span></p>

Mind

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Why being bored is good for you

<p><span>Many of us don’t consider boredom as a pleasant feeling. It’s a state that we usually associate with the tedious and the uninteresting, be it a heavy textbook, a work seminar or a long commute. However, studies have shown that being bored can actually do wonders for your creativity.</span></p> <p><span>In a recent study published in the <em>Academy of Management Discoveries</em>, researchers found that being bored can improve productivity and work performance. The participants who had gone through the “boring” task of sorting beans by colour later performed better on solving a creative task than those who were made to do interesting craft activity.  </span></p> <p>In the creative task – which asked people to come up with excuses for being late – the bored participants generated more and better ideas than the other group, as assessed by objective outsiders.</p> <p><span>The report concluded that boredom motivates individuals to try new things, or “engaging in different, often unusual, ways of doing things that are unlike typical or predictable responses.”</span></p> <p><span>Scientists around the world have agreed that despite the negative image, boredom is useful for humans. </span></p> <p><span>"From an evolutionary point of view, if you stay in one place for too long … you make yourself vulnerable to predators and you miss out on opportunity costs," James Danckert, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Waterloo told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-01-05/boredom-is-anything-but-boring/10566842"><em>ABC</em></a>.</span></p> <p><span>"Boredom is one signal that says, 'you've been here too long, go do something else'."</span></p> <p><span>With the prevalence of mobile phones and social media, boredom has become easier to evade – stimulation is always just a few clicks away. Peter Enticott, director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit at <a href="https://this.deakin.edu.au/self-improvement/what-does-boredom-do-to-your-brain">Deakin’s School of Psychology</a> said that the effects of digital life on boredom and creativity remain to be seen. </span></p> <p><span>“It’s interesting that we seem to be increasingly less tolerant of boredom,” said Enticott. “Think about people constantly on smartphones, whenever the opportunity arises. The longer-term outcome of this will be very interesting, especially with each new generation who grow-up with these devices.”</span></p> <p><span>Do you agree with the claim that boredom is good for you? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

Mind

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From drab to fab: Why fashion in your 60s doesn’t have to be boring

<p>Just because you are in your golden years, doesn’t mean you have to have a boring or restricted relationship with fashion and seasonal trends.</p> <p>There is a wealth of experience, emotions and styles that you have encountered throughout your life, and that should shine through your style.</p> <p>If you feel like your wardrobe is in need of a pressing transformation, the good news is that it is never too late to work at decluttering the drab pieces and start investing in new clothing.</p> <p>Here we look at three new collections from Australian women’s fashion label <span><a href="https://www.blackpepper.com.au/">Black Pepper</a></span> – which has just relaunched its brand with a fresh new look – to see how you can make fashion fun again. </p> <p><strong>1. Throw out the rulebook</strong></p> <p>In order to transform your wardrobe, it is important to make sure you aren’t being intimidated into buying fashion you know you won’t feel comfortable wearing. But don’t let that insecurity stop you from walking into a trendy shopping store.</p> <p>Recently, Black Pepper relaunched with a completely new fashion look. Customers can now expect to find nice classic pieces and outfits for all occasions which can be worn again and again, season after season. Black Pepper offers a variety of styles and patterns so shoppers can find investment style pieces that flatter their body type.</p> <p>Black Pepper understands how hard it can be for women in their golden years to find stylish pieces, so it has curated three collections – Platinum, Style and Classic – to ensure shoppers can find trendy items without compromising on comfort and functionality. The <span><a href="https://www.blackpepper.com.au/collections/platinum">Platinum collection</a></span> provides a wide range of fun pieces for special occasions.</p> <p>The Platinum range also features shimmer and sparkle so that you can mix-and-match whatever materials you like to achieve a look that suits your personality no matter the dress code.<img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821989/1-black-pepper-platinum.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/44f10a971aa9409392e424768ba360b1" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Platinum collection: Veronique Top, $89.95; Veronique Skirt, $89.95. (Available in store and online from November 30, 2018.)</em></p> <p><strong>2. Get colourful</strong></p> <p>Clothing retailers will always have an endless supply of neutral colours with black, brown and navy-blue tones always considered ‘on trend’. However, although those colours are safe, if you don’t show off a little bit of colour in your outfit, it can make your wardrobe look tired.</p> <p>Black Pepper isn’t only renowned for its unique fabrications but also the wide colour range it offers. Colours not only can be used to reflect your mood but can be used to make subtle nods to the current season or the theme of an event you are going to.</p> <p>Experimenting with different colour and print combinations can turn the simple task of getting dressed into an exciting creativity challenge.</p> <p>Don’t smother your beauty in dark colours – have fun and let your personality shine through your ensemble.</p> <p>Black Pepper’s <span><a href="https://www.blackpepper.com.au/collections/style">Style collection</a></span> has an assortment of prints, colours and layers which are perfect for those who want to look trendy but still get creative with different combinations.</p> <p><img style="width: 333.239px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821990/1-black-pepper-style.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e9518f41b737465f89a1e0a98a44e5bb" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Style collection: Mali Lavina Dress, $129.</em></p> <p><strong>3. Always wear confidence</strong></p> <p>Clinical psychologist Dr Jennifer Baumgartner said: “Our clothes help place us where we think we want to be.”</p> <p>If you feel like certain items in your wardrobe don’t make you feel great, be bold and throw them away. If you have the budget, consider investing in new staple pieces that you can wear on a day-to-day basis to spice up your wardrobe.</p> <p>Often we think about saving for an outfit for a special occasion that we then neglect updating the items that we live in each day.</p> <p>If your clothes help you to feel confident and self-assured, you will be able to project those feelings onto others no matter what your itinerary for the day looks like.</p> <p>Black Pepper’s <span><a href="https://www.blackpepper.com.au/collections/classic">Classic collection</a></span> is built around providing everyday pieces that exude a feminine touch, so that you can look good and be comfy all the time.</p> <p><img style="width: 333.239px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821991/1-black-pepper-classic.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/34c7148ad6da4b41ac1f951b03f3f33f" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The Classic collection: Primula Shirt, $89.95; Liberty Pant, $79.95.</em></p> <p>What are your tips for avoiding a boring wardrobe? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>This is sponsored content brought to you in conjunction with <a href="https://www.blackpepper.com.au/">Black Pepper</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Palace issues statement over “bored” Camilla claims

<p>Buckingham Palace has issued an extraordinary public statement responding to claims the Duchess of Cornwall was bored during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/camilla-criticised-for-her-appearance-at-commonwealth-games-opening-ceremony/">Camilla was spotted numerous times</a></span></strong> by Channel 7 cameras flicking through a Games program with seemingly little interest for the live action in front of her.</p> <p><img width="393" height="306" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/04/04/16/4AD29D1600000578-5578395-image-a-65_1522857305531.jpg" alt="She was snapped flicking through a Games program as the ceremony took place in front of her" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-b022bd38bc8f5163"/></p> <p>But Clarence House has insisted both Prince Charles and Camilla were genuinely entertained and moved during the show.</p> <p>“The Prince and The Duchess thoroughly enjoyed the opening ceremony,” the statement said.</p> <p>“They found it entertaining and moving particularly the indigenous musical performances and the smoking ceremony.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The royals look like we all feel right now... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpeningCeremony</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GC2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GC2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/YzBtUzmk9n">pic.twitter.com/YzBtUzmk9n</a></p> — Adrian Stoll (@macstoll) <a href="https://twitter.com/macstoll/status/981484402931777536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The official statement was released after Games bosses defended Camilla yesterday, declaring she had been jet-lagged.</p> <p>Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin said if the Duchess appeared bored, it was “not true”.</p> <p>“She did full duty right through and the only time she got a break was when she sat in the car from Brisbane down to here,’’ she said.</p> <p>“Then she got 20 minutes to change before she went to another reception. When you’re back to back like that, coming off a long-haul flight ... and she literally hates flying. She really wanted to go to sleep.</p> <p>“She really enjoyed herself [at the opening ceremony]. I didn’t see the facial expressions etc but the comments between the Duchess, Charles and myself — she was asking questions all day.</p> <p>“They both enjoyed it.”</p> <p>Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie – who Camilla appeared to ignore as he officially welcomed her and Charles to the Games during the ceremony – said the Duchess was “enthusiastic in any dealing that I had with her”.</p> <p>Prince Charles attended the swimming finals last night while Camilla was medal presenter at the track cycling.</p>

News

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Bored? Wine is the cure according to these vintage ads

<p>It’s 1961. You’ve slaved in the kitchen to make breakfast, sent the hubby off to work and finished all the housework like any good wife should. Time for some wine. Well, that’s what these vintage ads for Sanatogen “Tonic Wine” recommend!</p> <p><span><img width="600" height="814" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/44243/image__600x814.jpg" alt="Image_ (28)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></span></p> <p>Twitter user Richard Littler recently rediscovered the sexist alcohol-peddling ad and <a href="https://twitter.com/richard_littler/status/916238277442760704" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>shared it online</strong></span></a> with the caption, “I’ve always loved this ad. ‘Bored when your husband is out at work? Drink wine! We’ve even added the word ‘tonic’ to make it sound healthy!’”</p> <p>Another of the company’s ads, headlined “Kids are murder!” claims the wine makes life “much more bearable” for mums with rambunctious little ones.</p> <p><span><img width="600" height="804" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/44244/image__600x804.jpg" alt="Image_ (29)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></span></p> <p>But what if you’re unmarried and childless with a sprinkling of depression? Don’t you deserve some wine too? Don’t fret – there’s something just for you. Phosferine Tonic Wine has ditched the housewife angle to tout its booze as a cure for depression and anxiety.</p> <p><span><img width="600" height="801" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/44245/image__600x801.jpg" alt="Image_ (30)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></span></p> <p>“If you are rundown, anxious or worried, this splendid tonic fortifies you and restores vitality,” the ad reads.</p> <p>Thankfully, these days you don’t need a reason to pour out a nice glass of vino!</p>

Art

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