Search

Will your private health insurance cover surgery? What if your claim is rejected?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">has fined Bupa A$35 million</a> for unlawfully rejecting thousands of health insurance claims over more than five years.</p> <p>Between May 2018 and August 2023 Bupa incorrectly rejected claims from patients who had multiple medical procedures, with at least one of those procedures covered under their health insurance policy.</p> <p>Instead of paying the portion of the treatment that was covered, Bupa’s automated systems wrongly rejected the entire claim.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP">https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP</a></p> <p>— Melissa Sweet (@MelissaSweetDr) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaSweetDr/status/1940955350582415771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Bupa admitted these errors were due to system problems and poor staff guidance, and has <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">started to recompensate members</a>.</p> <p>So you may be worried whether your private health insurance will cover you for the procedures you need.</p> <p>Here’s what you need to know about the different types of hospital cover. And if your claim is rejected, what to do next.</p> <h2>From basic to gold</h2> <p>As of March 2025, <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/quarterly-private-health-insurance-statistics">45.3% of Australians</a> have private health insurance for hospital cover. There are four tiers: <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/what-private-health-insurance-covers/hospital-cover-and-product-tiers#private-health-insurance-product-tiers-gold-silver-bronze-and-basic-cover">basic, bronze, silver and gold</a>.</p> <p>Each tier has a minimum set of “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/private-health-insurance-reforms-gold-silver-bronze-basic-product-tiers-campaign-fact-sheet_1.pdf">clinical categories</a>”. These are groups of hospital treatments that must be covered.</p> <p>For example, basic hospital cover only has three mandatory inclusions: rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. But this is “restricted” cover, meaning patients will often still have to pay substantial out-of-pocket costs for these services.</p> <p>Basic cover is entry-level cover, mainly for people who want to avoid the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/private-health-insurance-rebate/lifetime-health-cover">Lifetime Health Cover loading</a> and the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/medicare-levy-surcharge">Medicare Levy Surcharge</a>. These are both ways of encouraging people to take up private health insurance while young and keeping it, especially people on higher incomes.</p> <p>At the other end of the scale is gold cover, which includes unrestricted cover for all defined clinical categories, including pregnancy and birth.</p> <p>You can generally change your level of cover at any time. When you upgrade to include new services or increase benefits for existing services, you will need to serve new waiting periods for those new or increased benefits.</p> <p>A common waiting period is 12 months for pre-existing conditions (any ailment, illness or condition that you had signs or symptoms of during the six months before upgrading, even if undiagnosed), and for pregnancy and birth-related services. But there is generally only a two-month waiting period for psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care, even if it’s for a pre-existing condition.</p> <p>It’s a good idea to review your policy every two years because your health needs and financial circumstances can change.</p> <h2>How much do companies pay out?</h2> <p>The proportion of premiums that are paid out to cover medical claims is known as the “average payout ratio”. And this has been about <a href="https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/the-facts-about-health-insurance-and-private-hospitals/">84–86%</a> over most of the past 20 years.</p> <p>This does not mean your health insurer will pay out 84–86% of your individual claim. This national average accounts for the percentage of all premiums in any one year, across all insurers, that’s paid out in claims.</p> <p>The payout ratios vary by insurer and are <a href="https://www.ama.com.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/AMA%20Budget%20Submission%202025-2026%20Private%20Health_0.pdf">slightly higher for not-for-profit health insurers</a> than for-profit insurers.</p> <p>That’s because for-profit health insurers have pressure to deliver profits to shareholders and have incentives to minimise payouts and control costs.</p> <p>If not properly managed, these incentives may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses and denied claims.</p> <h2>Why has my claim been rejected?</h2> <p>Common reasons for claims to be rejected include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>the policy excluded or restricted the clinical category</p> </li> <li> <p>the waiting period was not served</p> </li> <li> <p>incorrect information (for example, a doctor billed an incorrect item number)</p> </li> <li> <p>what’s known as “mixed coverage” (as in the Bupa scandal), where not everything in a claim is covered, but the entire claim is declined.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>What if I think there’s an error?</h2> <p>If your health insurance company refuses your claim, you can request a detailed explanation in writing.</p> <p>If you believe your claim has been incorrectly denied, you can make a formal complaint directly with the insurer. For this you need to check your policy documents, and gather supporting evidence. This may include detailed invoices, medical reports, referral letters and correct item numbers.</p> <p>If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the health fund’s internal review, or the fund doesn’t respond with the specific time-frame (for instance, 30–45 days), you can escalate your complaint.</p> <p>You can get in touch with the <a href="https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/private-health-insurance-complaints">Commonwealth Ombudsman</a> (phone: 1300 362 072). This provides a free, independent complaint handling service for a range of consumer issues, including health insurance.</p> <p>Bupa customers concerned about a “mixed coverage” claim can <a href="https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/mixed-coverage">contact the company directly</a>.</p> <h2>What can governments do?</h2> <p>The Bupa scandal, along with ongoing concerns about transparency and rising out-of-pocket costs, highlights the need for policy reforms to better protect consumers.</p> <p>The government should require health insurers and health-care providers to give clear estimates of all potential out-of-pocket costs for a procedure before it happens. This would avoid unexpected bills and help consumers make informed decisions about their health care.</p> <p>The government could also let the ACCC or the <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/">Australian Prudential Regulation Authority</a> conduct regular, independent audits of insurers’ claims systems and practices.<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/260702/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yuting-zhang-1144393">Yuting Zhang</a>, Professor of Health Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-my-private-health-insurance-cover-my-surgery-what-if-my-claim-is-rejected-260702">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Kampus Production</em></p> </div>

Caring

Unusual use of nicotine patches or gum to fight brain fog

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Some people with long COVID are turning to an unlikely remedy: nicotine gum and patches. Though typically used to quit smoking, nicotine is now being explored as a possible way to ease symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.</p> <p>One such case, detailed in a recent <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2025/06/nicotine-gum-patch-cigarettes-cognitive-benefits-research.html">article in Slate</a>, describes a woman who found significant relief from debilitating brain fog after trying low-dose nicotine gum. Her experience, while anecdotal, aligns with findings from a small but interesting study from Germany.</p> <p>The <a href="https://bioelecmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42234-023-00104-7">study</a> involved four participants suffering from symptoms related to long COVID. The researcher administered low-dose nicotine patches once daily and noticed marked improvements in the participants’ symptoms. Tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and trouble with exercise rapidly improved – by day six at the latest.</p> <p>For those who had lost their sense of taste or smell, it took longer, but these senses came back fully within 16 days. Although it’s not possible to draw definitive conclusions on cause and effect from such a small study, the results could pave the way for larger studies.</p> <p>While some people slowly recover from COVID, others remain unwell for years, especially those who became sick before vaccines were available. Between <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-08-01-new-study-highlights-scale-and-impact-long-covid">3% and 5%</a> of people continue to experience symptoms months, and sometimes even years, after the initial infection. In the UK, long COVID affects around <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/prevalenceofongoingsymptomsfollowingcoronaviruscovid19infectionintheuk/4august2022">2.8% of the population</a>.</p> <p>Brain fog and other neurological symptoms of long COVID are thought to result from a combination of factors – including inflammation, reduced oxygen to the brain, vascular damage and disruption to the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/researchers-identify-mechanism-behind-brain-fog-long-covid">blood-brain barrier</a>. Research continues as there is still a lot we don’t know about this condition.</p> <p>The researcher in the German study thinks that long COVID symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog and mood changes, might partly be due to problems with a brain chemical called acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. This chemical is important for many functions in the body, including memory, attention and regulating mood.</p> <p>Normally, acetylcholine works by attaching to special “docking sites” on cells called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which help send signals in the brain and nervous system. But the COVID virus may interfere with these receptors, either by blocking them or disrupting how they work. When this happens, the brain may not be able to send signals properly, which could contribute to the mental and physical symptoms seen in long COVID.</p> <p>So why would nicotine potentially be useful? Nicotine binds to the same receptors and might help restore normal signalling, but the idea that it displaces the virus directly is still speculative.</p> <p>Nicotine is available in different forms, such as patches, gum, lozenges and sprays. Using nicotine through the skin, for example, with a patch, keeps the amount in the blood steady without big spikes. Because of this, people in the study didn’t seem to develop a dependence on it.</p> <p>Chewing nicotine gum or using a lozenge can cause spikes in nicotine levels, since the nicotine is absorbed gradually through the lining of the mouth. But unlike a patch, which delivers a steady dose, the user has more control over how much nicotine they take in when using gum or lozenges.</p> <p>There are mixed <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899218/">results</a> on the effectiveness of nicotine on cognitive functions such as memory and concentration. But most <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36736944/">studies</a> agree that it can enhance attention. Larger studies are needed to gauge the effectiveness of nicotine specifically for long COVID symptoms.</p> <h2>Not without risks</h2> <p>Despite its benefits, nicotine is <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/nicotine-addiction-101-2825018">not without risks</a>. Even in gum or patch form, it can cause side-effects like nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure.</p> <p>Some of these stimulant effects on heart rate may be useful for people with long COVID symptoms such as exercise intolerance. But this needs to be closely monitored. Long-term use may also affect heart health. For non-smokers, the risk of developing a nicotine dependency is a serious concern.</p> <p>So are there any options to treat long COVID symptoms?</p> <p>There are some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667257X22001000">studies</a> looking at guanfacine in combination with N-acetylcysteine, which have shown improvement in brain fog in small groups of people. There has been at least <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02720445">one clinical trial</a> exploring nicotine for mild cognitive impairment in older adults, though not in the context of long COVID. Given that anecdotal reports and small studies continue to draw attention, it is likely that targeted trials are in development.</p> <p>The main <a href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/long-term-effects-of-covid-19-long-covid/signs-and-symptoms/long-covid-brain-fog/">recommendations</a> by experts are to implement lifestyle measures. Slowly increasing exercise, having a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking, sleeping enough, practising mindfulness and doing things that stimulate the brain are all thought to help brain fog.</p> <p>For those grappling with long COVID or persistent brain fog, the idea of using nicotine patches or gum might be tempting. But experts caution against self-medicating with nicotine. The lack of standardised dosing and the potential for addiction and unknown long-term effects make it a risky experiment.</p> <p>While nicotine isn’t a cure and may carry real risks, its potential to ease long COVID symptoms warrants careful study. For now, those battling brain fog should approach it with caution – and always under medical supervision. What’s clear, though, is the urgent need for more research into safe, effective treatments for the lingering effects of COVID.<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/259093/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dipa-kamdar-1485027">Dipa Kamdar</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kingston-university-949">Kingston University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/some-people-are-turning-to-nicotine-gum-and-patches-to-treat-long-covid-brain-fog-259093">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Wikimedia Commons </em></p> </div>

Body

"I'm going straight into surgery": Barnaby Joyce opens on cancer diagnosis

<p>Former Deputy Prime Minister and long-time Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has revealed he is battling prostate cancer, using the opportunity to encourage Australian men to prioritise their health.</p> <p>In his first public comments since the diagnosis, Joyce spoke candidly with <em>Sunrise </em>on Monday morning, just hours before heading into surgery.</p> <p>“Literally, straight after this … I’m going … straight down the road and straight into surgery,” the newly re-elected Member for New England told host Natalie Barr.</p> <p>Joyce said he was feeling well despite the diagnosis, highlighting a common danger with prostate cancer. “I feel fine. I suppose that’s the problem with prostate cancer, you don’t feel bad.”</p> <p>He explained that his cancer was discovered during the election campaign, thanks to a persistent doctor who urged him to take a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. “It was like ‘bingo’ – there were elevated levels,” Joyce recalled.</p> <p>Following a PSA test, Joyce underwent an MRI and then a biopsy, which confirmed the presence of early-stage prostate cancer. “They said, ‘You’re lucky, it’s early stages, you’ve got to do something about it,’” he said.</p> <p>Despite the diagnosis, Joyce chose to delay surgery until after the election to avoid disrupting his campaign. “I didn’t want a big circus going on during the election,” he said.</p> <p>In a lighter moment, Joyce revealed he was delayed getting to hospital because of a flat tyre. “I can’t help myself, can I?” he joked.</p> <p>Joyce said his experience serves as a warning to other men. “If you’re a man, or you know a man, if you’re in your 40s, 50s, go get a PSA test and clear your own mind that everything is fine,” he urged. “If you get it early you’re overwhelmingly going to be OK.”</p> <p>Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, also appearing on <em>Sunrise</em>, praised Joyce’s decision to speak openly about his diagnosis. “I really do think that having high-profile people like Barnaby talk about their health challenges is really important to encourage other men to get the test,” she said.</p> <p>Professor Damien Bolton, Urologist and President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) also added a message of support in response to Joyce’s openness. “By being open and honest about his prostate cancer diagnosis, Barnaby Joyce is helping raise awareness about a disease that is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in men,” said Bolton. “If caught early, prostate cancer is nearly always curable with 97 percent of men still alive five years after their diagnosis.”</p> <p>Joyce concluded with a message of hope and perspective: “Look at this beautiful world; you want to live as long as you possibly can.”</p> <p><em>Image: Sunrise</em></p>

Caring

Brain disorder more common than MS – but often goes undiagnosed

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Imagine suddenly losing the ability to move a limb, walk or speak. You would probably recognise this as a medical emergency and get to hospital.</p> <p>Now imagine the doctors at the hospital run some tests and then say, “Good news! All your tests were normal, clear scans, and nothing is wrong. You can go home!” Yet, you are still experiencing very real and disabling symptoms.</p> <p>Unfortunately, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2333491">this is the experience of many people</a> with functional neurological disorder. Even worse, some are blamed and reprimanded for <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/148/1/27/7750481?login=false">exaggerating</a> or faking their symptoms.</p> <p>So, what is this disorder, and why is it so challenging to recognise and treat?</p> <h2>What is functional neurological disorder?</h2> <p><a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/neurological-disorders">Neurological disorders</a> are conditions that affect how the nervous system works. The nervous system sends and receives messages between the brain and other parts of your body to regulate a wide range of functions, such as movement, speaking, vision, thinking and digestion.</p> <p>To the untrained eye, functional neurological disorder can resemble other conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.</p> <p>But, unlike these conditions, functional neurological symptoms <a href="https://neurosymptoms.org/en/causes/how-was-it-happened/">aren’t due</a> to damage or a disease process affecting the nervous system. This means the disorder doesn’t appear on routine brain imaging and other tests.</p> <p>Functional symptoms are, instead, due to dysfunction in the processing of information between several brain networks. Simply put, <a href="https://neurosymptoms.org/en/causes/how-was-it-happened/">it’s a problem</a> of the brain’s software, not the hardware.</p> <h2>What are the symptoms?</h2> <p>Functional neurological disorder can produce a kaleidoscope of diverse and changing symptoms. This often adds to confusion for patients and make diagnosis more challenging.</p> <p><a href="https://neurosymptoms.org/en/symptoms/">Symptoms</a> may include paralysis or abnormal movements such as tremors, jerks and tics. This often leads to difficulty walking or coordinating movements.</p> <p>Sensory symptoms may involve numbness, tingling or loss of vision.</p> <p>Dissociative symptoms, such as functional seizures and blackouts, are also common.</p> <p>Some people experience cognitive symptoms including brain fog or problems finding the right words. Fatigue and chronic pain frequently coexist with these symptoms.</p> <p>These symptoms can be severe and distressing and, without treatment, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31167232/">can persist for years</a>. For example, some people with functional neurological disorder cannot walk and must use a wheelchair for decades.</p> <p>Diagnosis involves <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3745">identifying established diagnostic signs</a> and ensuring no other diagnoses are missed. This process is best carried out by an experienced neurologist or neuropsychiatrist.</p> <h2>How common is it?</h2> <p>Functional neurological disorder is one of the most common medical conditions seen in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.3753">emergency care</a> and in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awp220">outpatient neurology clinics</a>.</p> <p>It affects around <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2024-334767">10–22 people per 100,000 per year</a>. This makes it more common than multiple sclerosis.</p> <p>Despite this, it is often under-recognised and misunderstood by health-care professionals. This leads to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/148/1/27/7750481?login=false">delays in diagnosis and treatment</a>.</p> <p>This lack of awareness also contributes to the perception that it’s rare, when it’s actually common among neurological disorders.</p> <h2>Who does functional neurological disorder affect?</h2> <p>This condition can affect anyone, although it is more common in women and younger people. Around two thirds of patients are female, but this <a href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/93/6/609">gender disparity reduces with age</a>.</p> <p>Understanding of the disorder has <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33722822/">developed significantly over the past few decades</a>, but there’s still more to learn. Several biological, psychological, and social factors can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35430029/">predispose people</a>.</p> <p>Genetics, traumatic life experiences, anxiety and depression can increase the risk. Stressful life events, illness, or physical injuries can trigger or worsen existing symptoms.</p> <p>But not everyone with the disorder has experienced significant trauma or stress.</p> <h2>How is it treated?</h2> <p>If left untreated, about <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz138">half the people</a> with this condition will remain the same or their symptoms will worsen. However, with the help of experienced clinicians, many people can make rapid recoveries when treatment starts early.</p> <p>There are no specific medications for functional neurological disorder but personalised rehabilitation guided by experienced clinicians is <a href="https://fndhope.org/living-fnd/">recommended</a>.</p> <p>Some people may need a team of multidisciplinary clinicians that may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and doctors.</p> <p>People also need accurate information about their condition, because <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/aws129">understanding and beliefs</a> about the disorder play an important role in recovery. Accurate information helps patients to develop more realistic expectations, reduces anxiety and can empower people to be more active in their recovery.</p> <p>Treating common co-existing conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can also <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o64.abstract">be helpful</a>.</p> <h2>A dark history</h2> <p>The origins of the disorder are deeply rooted in the sexist <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8564048/">history of its pre-scientific ancestor – hysteria</a>. The legacy of hysteria has cast a long shadow, contributing to a misogynistic bias in perception and treatment. This historical context has led to ongoing stigma, where symptoms were often labelled as psychological and not warranting treatment.</p> <p>Women with functional symptoms often face scepticism and dismissal. In some cases, <a href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/94/10/855">significant harm</a> occurs through stigmatisation, inadequate care and poor management. Modern medicine has attempted to address these biases by recognising functional neurological disorder as a legitimate condition.</p> <p>A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11414792/">lack of education</a> for medical professionals likely contributes to stigma. Many <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2019.06.008">clinicians report low confidence and knowledge</a> about their ability to manage the disorder.</p> <h2>A bright future?</h2> <p>Fortunately, awareness, research and interest has grown over the past decade. Many treatment approaches are being trialled, including <a href="https://www.physio4fmd.org/">specialist physiotherapy</a>, <a href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/92/1/36.abstract">psychological therapies</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35115389/">non-invasive brain stimulation</a>.</p> <p>Patient-led organisations and <a href="https://fndhope.org/">support networks</a> are making headway advocating for improvements in health systems, research and education. The goal is to unite patients, their families, clinicians, and researchers to advance a new standard of care across the world.<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/250501/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By</em> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/benjamin-scrivener-2329913"><em>Benjamin Scrivener</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-waipapa-taumata-rau-1305">University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tremors-seizures-and-paralysis-this-brain-disorder-is-more-common-than-multiple-sclerosis-but-often-goes-undiagnosed-250501">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Body

Beloved champion athlete dies from rare brain tumour

<p>A beloved Australian athlete has tragically died after a high-profile battle with a rare and aggressive brain tumour. </p> <p>Jenny Alcorn, a champion triathlete, passed away on Monday at the age of 66, with her partner Margot Rupe breaking the devastating news. </p> <p>“She pushed every boundary in life and it was incredible,” Rupe said. “She was the love of my life for 20 years, she helped me raise two amazing children."</p> <p>“Yes, triathlon was her life but she always enjoyed all the sports our kids did, she never missed a TSS First 15 game, she never missed a Bond Uni rugby game."</p> <p>“Even on Saturday afternoon, she sat up and watched our son play rugby in Japan, so she was a pretty amazing person."</p> <p>“We’re all heartbroken, our souls are heartbroken, she did everything with love, she loved her family, she loved me, she loved our kids and embraced everything she did.”</p> <p>Alcorn was a sporting legend and Alcorn was recognised just last year at the AusTriathlon Awards, as she was particularly well known in Queensland as a coach, a competitor, and an inspiration to many. </p> <p>In 2016, at the age of 55, Alcorn came out of retirement and won the famous Kona Ironman World Championships in her age group.</p> <p>Last December, Alcorn’s “three-decade contribution” to Australia’s triathlon scene was recognised with the President’s Special Recognition Award, as the Trizone website said, “Her honour highlighted not just her achievements as an athlete and coach, but her inspiring resilience while battling a rare brain tumour."</p> <p>Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club member Dan Teasdale and close friend of Alcorn's paid tribute to his late friend. </p> <p>“She was always a fantastic spectator so you’d hear her yelling out ‘go Danny boy’ on the side of the race,” he said.</p> <p>“She was a very caring, loving person but a tough-as-nails athlete. She never had a bad word to say about anyone she was very inclusive, welcomed everyone and loved the sport triathlon.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

Jimmy Barnes recovers from hip replacement surgery

<p>Jimmy Barnes is recovering from hip replacement surgery. </p> <p>The rocker, who has endured a tough years-long health battle, told fans over the weekend that he would be undergoing a hip replacement, and now his wife Jane Mahoney, has shared a positive health update. </p> <p>Jane informed fans via X that Barnes' surgery is complete, alongside a photo of the singer eating soup on his hospital bed. </p> <p>"Hi everyone, @jane13barnes here," she began.</p> <p>"Relieved to let you know that our Jimmy has had his hip op. Surgeons are happy and no ICU, so we're off to a good start.</p> <p>"No turntable allowed yet but good home cooking was on the menu. Bone broth and chicken soup with our organic potatoes and spinach for iron.</p> <p>"Jimmy says thank you for all the well wishes."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hi everyone, <a href="https://twitter.com/jane13barnes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jane13barnes</a> here. Relieved to let you know that our Jimmy has had his hip op. Surgeons are happy and no ICU, so we’re off to a good start. No turntable allowed yet but good home cooking was on the menu. Bone broth and chicken soup with our organic potatoes and… <a href="https://t.co/HMtl9BBTcM">pic.twitter.com/HMtl9BBTcM</a></p> <p>— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyBarnes/status/1888867076661727235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Barnes previously revealed in a candid X post that the surgery was "actually good news."</p> <p>"My incredible doctors have just cleared me to go back in next week to have my hip replaced with a permanent joint. Hooray!" he cheered.</p> <p>"I'm obviously not looking forward to more surgery, but believe it or not, it's actually good news.</p> <p>"It might surprise you all to know that I'm not a good patient, so apologies in advance to my darling Jane [who] is going to be back in nursing mode for the next few weeks.</p> <p>"But the temporary hip that I had in there for the last few months did its job and it got me through the amazing Cold Chisel' Big Five-0' tour.</p> <p>"I'd like to send out a big thank you to the very talented physios who strapped me up like I was in the grand final every night. That got me through the shows."</p> <p>The star's health battle began in November 2023 after he was diagnosed with a bacterial infection and later had to undergo open heart surgery in December. </p> <p><em>Image: X</em></p>

Caring

Around 3% of us will develop a brain aneurysm in our lives. So what is it and how do you treat it?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-nealon-1481995">Jessica Nealon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p>Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands announced on air that he <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-03/kyle-sandilands-brain-aneurysm-diagnosis/104888826">has a brain aneurysm</a> and needs urgent brain surgery.</p> <p>Typically an aneurysm occurs when a part of the wall of an artery (a type of blood vessel) becomes stretched and bulges out.</p> <p>You can get an aneurysm <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/aneurysm">in any blood vessel</a>, but they are most common in the brain’s arteries and the aorta, the large artery that leaves the heart.</p> <p>Many people can have a brain aneurysm and never know. But a brain (or aortic) aneurysm that ruptures and bursts can be fatal.</p> <p>So, what causes a brain aneurysm? And what’s the risk of rupture?</p> <h2>Weakness in the artery wall</h2> <p>Our arteries need strong walls because blood is constantly pumped through them and pushed against the walls.</p> <p>An <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aneurysms">aneurysm</a> can develop if there is a weak part of an artery wall.</p> <p>The walls of arteries are made of three layers: an inner lining of cells, a middle layer of muscle and elastic fibres, and a tough outer layer of mostly collagen (a type of protein). Damage to any of these layers causes the wall to become thin and stretched. It can then balloon outward, leading to an aneurysm.</p> <p><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4399795/">Genetics</a> and <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-aneurysms">certain inherited disorders</a> can cause weak artery walls and brain aneurysms in some people.</p> <p>For all of us, our artery walls become weaker as we age, and brain aneurysms are more common as we get older. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">average age for a brain aneurysm</a> to be detected is 50 (Sandilands is 53).</p> <p>Females have a higher risk of brain aneurysm than males <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">after about age 50</a>. Declining oestrogen around menopause reduces the collagen in the artery wall, causing it to become weaker.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An illustration showing a brain aneurysm." /><figcaption><span class="caption">A brain aneurysm occurs when a part of the wall of an artery balloons out.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/human-brain-blocking-stroke-aneurysm-disease-2171173339">Alfmaler/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>High blood pressure can increase the risk of a brain aneurysm. In someone with high blood pressure, blood inside the arteries is pushed against the walls with greater force. This can <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3163429/">stretch and weaken the artery walls</a>.</p> <p>Another <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/introduction">common condition</a> called atherosclerosis can also <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-arteriosclerosis">cause brain aneurysms</a>. In atherosclerosis, plaques made mostly of fat build up in arteries and stick to the artery walls. This directly damages the cell lining, and weakens the muscle and elastic fibres in the middle layer of the artery wall.</p> <h2>Several lifestyle factors increase risk</h2> <p>Anything that increases inflammation or causes atherosclerosis or high blood pressure in turn increases your risk of a brain aneurysm.</p> <p><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6527044/">Smoking and heavy drinking</a> affect all of these, and nicotine <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6214667/">directly damages</a> the artery wall.</p> <p>Sandilands mentioned <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/kyle-sandilands-reveals-shock-health-diagnosis-i-may-be-dead/news-story/62f9f05c6f0a03702632ec8d622cf97a">his cocaine use</a> in discussing his diagnosis. He said: "The facts are, a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go."</p> <p>Indeed, cocaine abuse <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/causes/">increases the risk of a brain aneurysm</a>. It causes very high blood pressure because it causes arteries to spasm and constrict. Cocaine use is also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878875023017400">linked to worse outcomes</a> if a brain aneurysm ruptures.</p> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ejn.15992">Stress</a> and a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6243058/#:%7E:text=High%2Dfat%20diets%20(HFDs),many%20organs%20(see%20text).">high-fat diet</a> also increase inflammation. <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/atherosclerosis#:%7E:text=Atherosclerosis%20is%20thickening%20or%20hardening,activity%2C%20and%20eating%20saturated%20fats.">High cholesterol</a> can also cause atherosclerosis. And <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/risk-factors/overweight-and-obesity">being overweight</a> increases your blood pressure.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.022277">A study</a> of more than 60,000 people found smoking and high blood pressure were the strongest risk factors for a brain aneurysm.</p> <h2>Is it always a medical emergency?</h2> <p>About <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">three in 100 people</a> will have a brain aneurysm, varying in size from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">less than 5mm to more than 25mm</a> in diameter. The majority are only discovered while undergoing imaging for something else (for example, head trauma), because small aneurysms may not cause any symptoms.</p> <p>Larger aneurysms can cause symptoms because they can <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483">press against brain tissues and nerves</a>.</p> <p>Sandilands described “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-03/kyle-sandilands-brain-aneurysm-diagnosis/104888826">a lot of headache problems</a>” leading up to his diagnosis. Headaches can be due to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483">minor leaks of blood</a> from the aneurysm. They indicate a risk of the aneurysm rupturing in subsequent days or weeks.</p> <p>Less than <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46015-2">one in 100 brain aneurysms will rupture</a>, often called a “brain bleed”. This causes a <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/subarachnoid-hemorrhage#:%7E:text=A%20subarachnoid%20hemorrhage%20is%20bleeding,brain%20and%20inside%20the%20skull.">subarachnoid haemorrhage</a>, which is a <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/subarachnoid-haemorrhage/">type of stroke</a>.</p> <p>If it does occur, rupture of a brain aneurysm is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">life-threatening</a>: nearly one in four people will die within 24 hours, and one in two within three months.</p> <p>If someone’s brain aneurysm ruptures, they usually experience a sudden, severe headache, often described as a “<a href="https://www.bafound.org/blog/three-signs-your-bad-headache-might-be-a-ruptured-brain-aneurysm/">thunderclap headache</a>”. They may also have <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-aneurysms">other symptoms of a stroke</a> such as changes in vision, loss of movement, nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness.</p> <h2>Surgery can prevent a rupture</h2> <p>Whether surgery will be used to treat a brain aneurysm depends on its size and location, as well as the age and health of the patient. The medical team will balance the potential benefits with the risks of the surgery.</p> <p>A small aneurysm with low risk of rupture will usually <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2323531/">just be monitored</a>.</p> <p>However, once a brain aneurysm reaches <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">7mm or more</a>, surgery is generally needed.</p> <p>In <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/treatment/#:%7E:text=A%20cut%20is%20made%20in,permanently%20clamped%20on%20the%20aneurysm.">surgery to repair a brain aneurysm</a>, the surgeon will temporarily remove a small part of the skull, then cut through the coverings of the brain to place a tiny metal clip to close off the bulging part of the aneurysm.</p> <p>Another option is <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/endovascular-coiling">endovascular</a> (meaning within the vessel) coiling. A surgeon can pass a catheter into the femoral artery in the thigh, through the aorta to the brain. They can then place a coil inside the aneurysm which forms a clot to close off the aneurysm sac.</p> <p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007372.htm">After either surgery</a>, usually the person will stay in hospital for up to a week. It can take <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/brain-aneurysm-clipping-surgery#recovery">6–8 weeks</a> for full recovery, though doctors may continue monitoring with annual imaging tests for a few years afterwards.</p> <p>You can <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-prevent-a-brain-aneurysm#prevention">lower your risk of a brain aneurysm</a> by not smoking, moderating alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.<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/248882/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-nealon-1481995">Jessica Nealon</a>, Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</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/around-3-of-us-will-develop-a-brain-aneurysm-in-our-lives-so-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-treat-it-248882">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

Peter Overton opens up on health battle

<p>Nine News star Peter Overton has opened up about the brutal health battle that's kept him away from the news desk over the past few weeks. </p> <p>The presenter had to undergo surgery on his vocal chords, after doctors found a polyp that urgently needed to be removed. </p> <p>“I took six weeks annual leave, and then my voice suddenly said, I’m on annual leave as well. I got very husky and raspy over the holidays, and went to the GP. He sent me to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, and suddenly the holiday turned into an operation in a Sydney hospital,” Overton said.</p> <p>“I had a polyp, quite a large polyp on one of my vocal cords.</p> <p>"They stick a camera up your nose and then down into your vocal cord, and then on a big screen, you see your vocal cords. And I saw this. It was like a big blister, a lump just hanging off the cord.</p> <p>“And I must admit, it scared the living daylights out of me."</p> <p>The polyp was removed three days later and he could return home after a day in recovery, but was unable to talk for a week. </p> <p>“It was interesting being mute. If I went to get the milk, I’d write an email to myself and it would say I’d have to show it to someone!”</p> <p>News of Overton’s health scare first emerged earlier this month, when his wife, Jess Rowe, revealed that he was on <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/jess-rowe-explains-peter-overton-s-absence-from-the-news-desk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended leave</a>. </p> <p>Overton shared that he's been working with a speech pathologist to get his voice back to what it was like before. </p> <p>"I've worked with a great speech pathologist who has got me back to the point I'm at," he said.</p> <p>"And three weeks since the operation, I'm doing the news again."</p> <p>"The human body is amazing. I've really learned that, and I've learned about the healing process, and I've learned about how intricate your vocal chords are and what they do," he added. </p> <p>"It's been fascinating."</p> <p><em>Image: Nine News/ Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

Kyle Sandilands reveals major health diagnosis live on air

<p>Kyle Sandilands has shared his shocking health diagnosis live on air, telling his listeners he is due to undergo emergency brain surgery. </p> <p>The radio shock jock shared the news on Monday morning, saying he would be stepping back from the KIIS FM hosting role to look after his health and recover from the major operation. </p> <p>“On Friday, I was told by my medical team, which sounds like I’m already very sick - to have a medical team - that I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,” Sandilands told listeners.</p> <p>“If you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne ... you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead.”</p> <p>After being away on Friday, Sandilands shared that he received his diagnosis after a difficult period of difficult headaches. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFlTXUwo5w6/?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/DFlTXUwo5w6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"It's not a blockage. It's like, imagine your blood vessel is the garden hose, and the garden hose is weak and it blisters out like a big bubble, you know, like a puncture in it. (It's) like a bike tyre with a big bubble - that bubble's the aneurysm, so it's not blocked," he explained.</p> <p>"It's expanded and if it bursts, (I will become) either a vegetable, in the wheelchair, or dead instantly"</p> <p>Sandilands expects to take eight weeks off from his hit show, <em>The Kyle and Jackie O Show,</em> to recover. </p> <p>“My wife, every time I look at her, her eyes well up with tears. She is already counting down the days.”</p> <p>“The facts are a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go,” he said.</p> <p>Sandilands then used his condition as a warning to others, saying, "If anyone is having persistent headaches or any of those recurring issues, get a brain scan. It could save your life."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353">Matthew Griffith</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>You’re not feeling well. You’ve had a pounding headache all week, dizzy spells and have vomited up your past few meals.</p> <p>You visit your GP to get some answers and sit while they shine a light in your eyes, order a blood test and request some medical imaging.</p> <p>Everything your GP just did relies on light. These are just some of the optical technologies that have had an enormous impact in how we diagnose disease.</p> <h2>1. On-the-spot tests</h2> <p>Point-of-care diagnostics allow doctors to test patients on the spot and get answers in minutes, rather than sending samples to a lab for analysis.</p> <p>The “flashlight” your GP uses to view the inside of your eye (known as an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003881.htm">ophthalmoscope</a>) is a great example. This allows doctors to detect abnormal blood flow in the eye, deformations of the cornea (the outermost clear layer of the eye), or swollen optical discs (a round section at the back of the eye where the nerve link to the brain begins). Swollen discs are a sign of elevated pressure inside your head (or in the worst case, a brain tumour) that could be <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/increased-intracranial-pressure-icp-headache">causing your headaches</a>.</p> <p>The invention of <a href="https://openmedscience.com/lighting-the-way-in-healthcare-the-transformative-role-of-lasers-in-medicine/">lasers and LEDs</a> has enabled many other miniaturised technologies to be provided at the bedside or clinic rather than in the lab.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">Pulse oximetry</a> is a famous example, where a clip attached to your finger reports how well your blood is oxygenated. It does this by <a href="https://www.howequipmentworks.com/pulse_oximeter/">measuring</a> the different responses of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to different colours of light.</p> <p>Pulse oximetry is used at hospitals (and <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">sometimes at home</a>) to monitor your respiratory and heart health. In hospitals, it is also a valuable tool for detecting <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60107-X/fulltext">heart defects in babies</a>.</p> <h2>2. Looking at molecules</h2> <p>Now, back to that blood test. Analysing a small amount of your blood can diagnose <a href="https://theconversation.com/blood-tests-and-diagnosing-illness-what-can-blood-tell-us-about-whats-happening-in-our-body-80327">many different diseases</a>.</p> <p>A machine called an automated “full blood count analyser” tests for general markers of your health. This machine directs focused beams of light through blood samples held in small glass tubes. It counts the number of blood cells, determines their specific type, and reports the level of haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that distributes oxygen around your body). In minutes, this machine can provide a <a href="https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/inside-the-pathology-lab-what-happens-to-my-blood">snapshot</a> of your overall health.</p> <p>For more specific disease markers, blood serum is separated from the heavier cells by spinning in a rotating instrument called a centrifuge. The serum is then exposed to special chemical stains and enzyme assays that change colour depending on whether specific molecules, which may be the sign of a disease, are present.</p> <p>These colour changes can’t be detected with the naked eye. However, a light beam from an instrument called a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5476943/#R88">spectrometer</a> can detect tiny amounts of these substances in the blood and determine if the biomarkers for diseases are present, and at what levels.</p> <h2>3. Medical imaging</h2> <p>Let’s re-visit those medical images your GP ordered. The development of fibre-optic technology, made famous for transforming high-speed digital communications (such as the NBN), allows light to get inside the body. The result? High-resolution optical imaging.</p> <p>A common example is an <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737#risks-and-side-effects">endoscope</a>, where fibres with a tiny camera on the end are inserted into the body’s natural openings (such as your mouth or anus) to examine your gut or respiratory tracts.</p> <p>Surgeons can insert the same technology through tiny cuts to view the inside of the body on a video screen during <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9553337/">laparoscopic surgery</a> (also known as keyhole surgery) to diagnose and treat disease.</p> <h2>How about the future?</h2> <p>Progress in nanotechnology and a better understanding of the interactions of light with our tissues are leading to new light-based tools to help diagnose disease. These include:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.201903441">nanomaterials</a> (materials on an extremely small scale, many thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair). These are being used in next-generation sensors and new diagnostic tests</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0045-y">wearable optical biosensors</a> the size of your fingernail can be included in devices such as watches, contact lenses or finger wraps. These devices allow non-invasive measurements of sweat, tears and saliva, in real time</p> </li> <li> <p>AI tools to analyse how blood serum scatters infrared light. This has allowed researchers to build a <a href="https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/powerful-diagnostic-approach-uses-light-to-detect-virtually-all-forms-of-cancer/">comprehensive database</a> of scatter patterns to detect <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aisy.202300006">any cancer</a></p> </li> <li> <p>a type of non-invasive imaging called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554044/">optical coherence tomography</a> for more detailed imaging of the eye, heart and skin</p> </li> <li> <p>fibre optic technology to deliver a tiny microscope into the body on the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/projects/microscope-in-a-needle">tip of a needle</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>So the next time you’re at the GP and they perform (or order) some tests, chances are that at least one of those tests depend on light to help diagnose disease.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/231379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353"><em>Matthew Griffith</em></a><em>, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow and Director, UniSA Microscopy and Microanalysis Facilities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-eye-exams-to-blood-tests-and-surgery-how-doctors-use-light-to-diagnose-disease-231379">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

John Farnham tells all about gruelling surgery and recovery

<p>John Farnham has candidly shared the details of his mammoth surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his jaw, and the subsequent recovery process. </p> <p>Revealing all in his new memoir <em>The Voice Inside</em>, the Aussie music legend spoke about his recent health challenges after he was diagnosed with oral cancer in August 2022 which saw him undergo a marathon 12-hour surgery to the tumour. </p> <p>The procedure involved the reconstruction of part of his jaw and required intensive care and an extended recovery period, as surgeons removed all his bottom teeth and scraped his jaw bone.</p> <p>Farnham’s recounting of the experience in his memoir, marking the first time the music legend has talked publicly about the surgery and his recovery.</p> <p>“I was told later that someone from the medical team called Jillian [Billman, Farnham’s wife] a couple of times while I was in theatre – apparently I was very close to dying,” he said.</p> <p>He went on to write about the lengthy journey of finding his voice again, writing, “My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing a top C."</p> <p>"At this stage I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, and that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from,” he wrote.</p> <p>“It’s still a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts [...] I can barely open my mouth but I still wail in the shower.”</p> <p>Farnham's memoir comes after his long-time friend Gaynor Wheatley told <em>Today</em> that he has not ruled out the possibility of ever <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/longtime-friend-opens-up-on-john-farnham-s-potential-return-to-singing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">performing</a> again. </p> <p>"As soon as I saw him in the studio doing the audiobook and as soon as he got behind the microphone, the twinkle was in the eye," she told the show on Wednesday. </p> <p>"That's when I thought, you know, we're still in with a shot and he can still sing, his voice box is still great, there's just a few more things to do with the mouth recovery, but we all know he's as strong as a boxer so if he wants to do something, he'll do it.</p> <p>"If I say to him, 'You won't sing, you can't sing, what a shame', then he'll go, 'Yes I can, I'll prove you wrong'."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Caring

How to rewire your brain to feel good on Monday

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cristina-r-reschke-1413051">Cristina R. Reschke</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rcsi-university-of-medicine-and-health-sciences-788">RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jolanta-burke-315263">Jolanta Burke</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rcsi-university-of-medicine-and-health-sciences-788">RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences</a></em></p> <p>If you hate Mondays, you’re most certainly in good company. After a couple of days off, many of us have difficulty settling back into our routines and work duties. You may even have dread and anxiety that seeps into the weekend in the form of “<a href="https://theconversation.com/three-ways-to-tackle-the-sunday-scaries-the-anxiety-and-dread-many-people-feel-at-the-end-of-the-weekend-187313">Sunday scaries</a>”.</p> <p>You can’t always change your schedule or obligations to make Mondays more appealing, but you may be able to “reprogram” your brain to think about the week differently.</p> <p>Our brains love predictability and routine. Research has shown that lack of routine is associated with <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0003122418823184">decline in wellbeing and psychological distress</a>. Even though the weekend heralds a leisurely and pleasant time, our brain works hard to adjust to this sudden change to a routine.</p> <p>The good news is that the brain does not need to make too much effort when adjusting to the weekend’s freedom and lack of routine. However, it’s a different story when coming back to the less pleasant activities, such as a to-do list on Monday morning.</p> <p>One way to adjust to post-weekend change is introducing routines that last the whole week and have the power to make our lives <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0146167218795133">more meaningful</a>. These may include <a href="https://portal.research.lu.se/en/publications/routines-made-and-unmade">watching your favourite TV programme, gardening</a> or going <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22976286/">to the gym</a>. It is helpful to do these things at the same time every day.</p> <p>Routines improve our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16448317/">sense of coherence</a>, a process that allows us to make sense of the jigsaw of life events. When we have an established routine, be it the routine of working five days and taking two days off or engaging in a set of actions every day, our lives become <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0146167218795133">more meaningful</a>.</p> <p>Another important routine to establish is your sleep routine. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-021-00400-z">Research shows</a> that keeping consistent sleep time may be as important for enjoying Mondays as how long your sleep lasts or its quality.</p> <p>Changes in sleep patterns during weekends trigger <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/12/4543">social jetlag</a>. For instance, sleeping in later than usual and for longer on free days may trigger a discrepancy between your body clock and socially-imposed responsibilities. This is linked to higher stress levels on Monday morning.</p> <p>Try to keep a set time for going to bed and waking up, avoid naps. You might also want to create a 30 minute “wind-down” routine before sleep, by turning off or putting away your digital devices and practising relaxation techniques.</p> <h2>Hacking your hormones</h2> <p>Hormones can also play a role in how we feel about Mondays. For instance, cortisol is a very important multifunction hormone. It helps our bodies to control our metabolism, regulate our sleep-wake cycle and our response to stress, among other things. It is usually released about an hour before we wake up (it helps us feel awake) and then its levels lower until the next morning, unless we’re under stress.</p> <p>Under acute stress, our bodies release not only cortisol, but also adrenaline in preparation for fight or flight. This is when the heart beats fast, we get sweaty palms and may react impulsively. This is our amygdala (a small almond-shaped area in the base of our brains) hijacking our brains. It creates a super fast emotional response to stress even before our brains can process and think whether it was needed.</p> <p>But as soon we can think – activating the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area for our reason and executive thinking – this response will be mitigated, if there is no real threat. It is a constant battle between our emotions and reason. This might wake us up in the middle of the night when we’re too stressed or anxious.</p> <p>It shouldn’t be surprising then that cortisol levels, measured in saliva samples of full-time working individuals, tend to be higher on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the lowest levels reported on <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824866/">Sundays</a>.</p> <p>As a stress hormone, cortisol fluctuates daily, but not consistently. On weekdays, as soon as we wake up, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-18151-008">cortisol levels soar</a> and variations tend to be higher than on <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11324714/">weekends</a>.</p> <p>To combat this, we need to trick the amygdala by training the brain to only recognise actual threats. In other words, we need to activate our prefrontal cortex as fast as possible.</p> <p>One of the best ways to achieve this and lower overall stress is through relaxation activities, especially on Mondays. One possibility is mindfulness, which is associated with a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23724462/">reduction in cortisol</a>. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722/full">Spending time in nature</a> is another method – going outside first thing on Monday or even during your lunch hour can make a significant difference to how you perceive the beginning of the week.</p> <p>Give yourself time before checking your phone, social media and the news. It’s good to wait for cortisol peak to decrease naturally, which happens approximately one hour after waking up, before you expose yourself to external stressors.</p> <p>By following these simple tips, you can train your brain to believe that the weekdays can be (nearly) as good as the weekend.<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/199236/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cristina-r-reschke-1413051"><em>Cristina R. Reschke</em></a><em>, Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences & Funded Investigator in the FutureNeuro Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rcsi-university-of-medicine-and-health-sciences-788">RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jolanta-burke-315263">Jolanta Burke</a>, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Positive Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rcsi-university-of-medicine-and-health-sciences-788">RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences</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/how-to-rewire-your-brain-to-feel-good-on-mondays-199236">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

Channel Nine star shares "alarming" hospital photos

<p>Channel Nine star Leila McKinnon has shared a series of "alarming" photos from a hospital bed after undergoing surgery. </p> <p>The veteran newsreader revealed in a candid Instagram post on Thursday that she’d undergone “another delightful knee operation”, which had left her leg a startling shade of pink.</p> <p>“I may or may not be high as a kite right now after another delightful knee operation, but something alarming appears to have happened, is my leg pink?” McKinnon wrote alongside the images.</p> <p>“Surgical team did play some brilliant Chappell Roan tunes for me.”</p> <p>The mother-of-two, who is married to former Nine CEO David Gyngell, explained in the comments that the colour had come from a post-op disinfectant after her followers expressed their concerns. </p> <p>It’s understood McKinnon had undergone the operation to remove a pin inserted after an accident in 2022 which had seen her rushed to hospital.</p> <p>She posted a picture from her hospital bed along with X-rays of the injury at the time, along with a caption explaining that the injury was a result of a skiing accident. </p> <p>“Hey what did you do on the school holidays? I don’t want to show off or anything but I got a fancy piercing in my knee …” McKinnon said at the time. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

Breakthrough study finds genetic link to Parkinson's and ADHD

<p>A major scientific study has found a surprising link between the genes that control brain size and the risk of brain-related conditions. </p> <p>A Queensland Institute of Medical Research Associate Professor Miguel Renteria led an international team of experts who scanned DNA data and MRI scans from 76,000 participants.</p> <p>“Genetic variants associated with larger brain volumes in key brain regions also increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, while variants linked to smaller brain volumes in key regions are associated with an increased risk of ADHD,” Renteria said. </p> <p>“It brings us closer to answering key questions about how genetics influence brain structure, and how we can potentially treat these conditions in future.”</p> <p>Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris has celebrated the results of the study, saying the surprising results open the door to future treatment options for Parkinson’s, which currently has no cure or cause.</p> <p>“The more answers we have the closer we are to understanding this condition,” she said.</p> <p>Michael Wiseman, who has been living with Parkinson’s for eight years, said he is pleased more research is being done about the neurodegenerative condition.</p> <p>“I know it’s not going to benefit me in any way, as far as a cure or anything … I just hope they keep going, kicking some goals and finding results because it’s an insidious sort of thing, it’s a passenger I’ll have until I go to the grave.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Caring

Retiring early can be bad for the brain

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/plamen-v-nikolov-1112610">Plamen V Nikolov</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/binghamton-university-state-university-of-new-york-2252">Binghamton University, State University of New York</a></em></p> <p><em>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231">Research Brief</a> is a short take about interesting academic work.</em></p> <h2>The big idea</h2> <p>People who retire early suffer from accelerated cognitive decline and may even encounter early onset of dementia, according to a I conducted with my doctoral student <a href="https://sites.google.com/binghamton.edu/alan-adelman/home">Alan Adelman</a>.</p> <p>To establish that finding, we examined the effects of a rural pension program China introduced in 2009 that provided people who participated with a stable income if they stopped working after the official retirement age of 60. We found that people who participated in the program and retired within one or two years experienced a cognitive decline equivalent to a drop in general intelligence of 1.7% relative to the general population. This drop is equivalent to about three IQ points and could make it harder for someone to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291700008412">adhere to a medication schedule</a> or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-%205890.2007.00052.x">conduct financial planning</a>. The largest negative effect was in what is called “delayed recall,” which measures a person’s ability to remember something mentioned several minutes ago. Neurological research <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.1991.00530150046016">links problems in this area to an early onset of dementia</a>.</p> <h2>Why it matters</h2> <p>Cognitive decline refers to when a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating or making decisions that affect their everyday life. Although some cognitive decline appears to be an inevitable byproduct of aging, faster decline can have profound adverse consequences on one’s life.</p> <p>Better understanding of the causes of this has powerful financial consequences. Cognitive skills – the mental processes of gathering and processing information to solve problems, adapt to situations and learn from experiences – are crucial for decision-making. They influence an individual’s ability to process information and <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1818642">are connected to higher earnings</a> and a <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1257/jep.25.1.159">better quality of life</a>.</p> <p>Retiring early and working less or not at all can generate large benefits, such as reduced stress, better diets and more sleep. But as we found, it also has unintended adverse effects, like fewer social activities and less time spent challenging the mind, that far outweighed the positives.</p> <p>While retirement schemes like the 401(k) and similar programs in other countries <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1023/B:PUCH.0000035859.20258.e0">are typically introduced to ensure the welfare of aging adults</a>, our research suggests they need to be designed carefully to avoid unintended and significant adverse consequences. When people consider retirement, they should weigh the benefits with the significant downsides of a sudden lack of mental activity. A good way to ameliorate these effects is to stay engaged in social activities and continue to use your brains in the same way you did when you were working.</p> <p>In short, we show that if you rest, you rust.</p> <h2>What still isn’t known</h2> <p>Because we are using data and a program in China, the mechanisms of how retirement induces cognitive decline could be context-specific and may not necessarily apply to people in other countries. For example, cultural differences or other policies that can provide support to individuals in old age can buffer some of the negative effects that we see in rural China due to the increase in social isolation and reduced mental activities.</p> <p>Therefore, we can not definitively say that the findings will extrapolate to other countries. We are looking for data from other countries’ retirement programs, such as India’s, to see if the effects are similar or how they are different.</p> <h2>How I do my research</h2> <p>A big focus of the <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/pnikolov/my-research-group-1">economics research lab</a> I run is to <a href="http://www.nber.org/%7Enikolovp/research.html">better understand</a> the causes and consequences of changes in what economists call <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-capital">“human capital”</a> – especially cognitive skills – in the context of developing countries.</p> <p>Our lab’s mission is to generate research to inform economic policies and empower individuals in low-income countries to rise out of poverty. One of the main ways we do this is through the use of randomized controlled trials to measure the impact of a particular intervention, such as retiring early or access to microcredit, on education outcomes, productivity and health decisions.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/plamen-v-nikolov-1112610"><em>Plamen V Nikolov</em></a><em>, Assistant Professor of Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/binghamton-university-state-university-of-new-york-2252">Binghamton University, State University of New York</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/retiring-early-can-be-bad-for-the-brain-145603">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

John Farnham's voice heard for the first time since throat surgery

<p>John Farnham's voice has been heard for the first time since undergoing extensive surgery on his throat and jaw to treat his cancer in August 2022. </p> <p>The Aussie music legend is lending his voice to narrate the audio version of his new <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/finally-felt-like-the-right-time-john-farnham-s-huge-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memoir</a> titled <em>The Voice Inside</em>, which is to be released on October 30th. </p> <p><em>The Morning Show</em>'s entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke the news that Farnham's voice would be heard for the first time in over two years, while playing an exclusive clip from the audio book. </p> <p>Ford said Farnham co-wrote the book with Poppy Stockwell, who directed his recent Logie-winning documentary <em>The Voice Inside</em>, saying the documentary was “brilliantly done,” and “obviously John feels safe and a great connection with her”.</p> <p>“So they’ve written it together now," Ford said. </p> <p>“We got the news that John was going to do the audio version of the book, and also his wife Jill will actually be writing two chapters.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA17RsMNCTK/?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/DA17RsMNCTK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Morning Show On 7 (@morningshowon7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ford expressed his excitement over the clip, saying, “This is for the first time now in many years.”</p> <p>“We haven’t heard John. We haven’t seen John. We know what he’s been going through. So this is great for that reason."</p> <p>“He’s older and there has been some impact on his voice because of the surgery. But, you know, the delivery, the tone, the cheekiness, it’s all there. It’s instantly John Farnham.”</p> <p>“I‘m just thrilled to hear his voice and to think he’s doing something, and what a rollercoaster that would have been for him,” Ford says.</p> <p>“It’s one thing to sit down with Poppy and tell her the stories and share the memories, but to actually get behind a microphone and deliver it."</p> <p>“John, as we know, is a performer who always gives 120 per cent. He would have really been challenged, I think, in delivering some of those sadder stories of recent times.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Jimmy Barnes shares positive update after surgery

<p>Jimmy Barnes has shared a heartwarming update on his health following his emergency hip surgery in August. </p> <p>While on the New Zealand leg of his tour in early August, the 68-year-old rockstar was taken to <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/bad-news-jimmy-barnes-reveals-shocking-health-update" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hospital</a> after complaining of "unbearable pain", telling his fans, "The doctors have recommended a remedial medical procedure ASAP followed by some physio to address the issue."</p> <p>Now back at home with his family, Barnes shared that he is on the road to recovery with an update on his healing journey. </p> <p>Barnes said he has had his PICC line, a thin tube inserted through a vein in your arm to deliver medications and treatments directly to the larger veins near your heart, finally removed, meaning he can gain back some normalcy.</p> <p>Barnes said was living with a PICC line in his arm for the past six weeks to continue his treatment as an out patient.</p> <p>“It’s meant that I could leave hospital and continue most of my recovery at home,” he said on Instagram on Friday.</p> <p>“It’s been restricting and liberating at the same time."</p> <p>“This part of my recovery is now over and with the help of (doctors), nurses, physiotherapists, family, friends, you guys and my Jane, everything is on track.”</p> <p>Posing in front of a calendar with Cold Chisel dates, Barnes said rehearsing with the band again this week has “topped things off”.</p> <p>“I can even get back behind the wheel,” he said. “Aah! FREEDOM.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

The best exercises to boost your brain health after 60

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/neva-beraud-peigne-1418228">Neva Béraud-Peigné</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-saclay-2174">Université Paris-Saclay</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alexandra-perrot-1531671">Alexandra Perrot</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-saclay-2174">Université Paris-Saclay</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/pauline-maillot-1167901">Pauline Maillot</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-cite-4263">Université Paris Cité</a></em></p> <p>Have you ever thought about why we have a <a href="https://theconversation.com/fr/topics/cerveau-21903">brain</a>? The obvious answer might be “to think”. But scientist Daniel Wolpert came up with a completely different explanation at the <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains">2011 meeting of the <em>Society for Neuroscience</em></a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>“We have a brain for one reason and one reason only: to produce adaptable and complex movements”</p> </blockquote> <h2>Use your brain to stay efficient</h2> <p>The brain, in other words, is the orchestra conductor which orders the body’s movements. We call the faculties that allow us to interact with our environment <em>cognitive abilities</em>. These include concentrating, learning, reasoning, adapting and communicating with others. Every one of them is key in enabling us to go about our routine and help us maintain a good lifestyle.</p> <p>So, how can we best take care of our brains so that they can stay as efficient as long as possible? Contrary to popular belief, the brain does not deteriorate continuously with age. Instead, it only sees the number of its brain cells drop and connections deteriorate <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.d7622">from the age of 45 onwards</a> as part of a normal ageing process. But cerebral plasticity, although reduced, is present until the end of life. Each individual will build up a cognitive reserve throughout their lives.</p> <p>The more positive, rich and stimulating the lifestyle, the more powerful and effective the reserve. In other words, it’s possible to moderate the effects of age on cognition.</p> <h2>The benefits of physical activity on cognitive capacity after 60</h2> <p>In fact, much research shows indeed that physical activity improves cognitive capacity, even after the age of 60. From increased memory, better reactivity to greater planning skills, the <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072720-014213">benefits are endless</a>.</p> <p>Despite this, few older folks engage in <a href="https://theconversation.com/fr/topics/activite-physique-adaptee-apa-146288">physical education</a> adapted to their bodies on a regular basis. Poor motivation and access to these exercises are some of the factors don’t help.</p> <p>With that in mind, many carers might be tempted to offer older people monotonous, routine activities because of their diminishing physical, cognitive and sensory abilities. And indeed, for a long time, the range of sports on offer and research in this field revolved around the same triptych: gentle gymnastics, walking and yoga. However, you’ll reap more benefits by <a href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.u-paris.fr/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444633279000175">combining different training methods</a>.</p> <h2>Three ingredients to train the brains of senior citizens</h2> <p>Researchers are currently attempting to crack the winning formula that would flex older people’s cognitive, as well as physical muscles. It’ll consist of three main ingredients:</p> <p><em>First ingredient: complex physical and motor stimulation of at least moderate intensity.</em></p> <p>Moderate cardio workouts not only improve cardiorespiratory health but also make the brain more <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/22682">efficient</a>. Overall improved cardiofitness, in turn, allows the brain to receive more oxygen and even to generate <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1015950108">new neurons in the hippocampus</a>, where memory is lodged.</p> <p>It therefore makes sense for programmes designed to boost cognitive function to include cardio. But it is also <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-9280.t01-1-01430">necessary to combine them with muscle-strengthening, flexibility and balance exercises to achieve greater benefits</a>. In addition, the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763413001012">researchers</a> emphasise the importance of adding situations requiring complex motor skills and coordination, as these would have a significant impact on cognitive functions (e.g. memory, attention and mental flexibility), particularly in the elderly.</p> <p><em>Second ingredient: fire up those brain cells during exercises</em></p> <p>Incorporating cognitive stimulation, such as remembering information for a period of time and executing it, anticipating actions, or planning a move, is another winning strategy. When cognitive stimulation is combined with physical activity, it can produce <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13825585.2011.645010">synergistic effects</a> and, as a result, be more effective on cognitive functions.</p> <p>_Third ingredient: group activities that lead to social interaction. _</p> <p>Working out as part of a group has been shown to help us <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001756">persevere through it</a>.</p> <p>What this winning formula could look like in practice is still being researched. At present, there are two broad types of exercises that have caught our attention that could help older people stay sharp.</p> <h2>Opting for cooperative and oppositional team sports</h2> <p>Team sports offer much more than just physical exercise sessions. What’s particularly great about them is that they don’t only challenge cardiorespiratory balance, but tap into the whole body’s physical skill-set.</p> <p>Take basketball or handball, for example: to move around the court, dribble or score, balance, coordination and flexibility are essential. Muscular strength is also required for passing, recovering the ball and moving around. These team sports can be suitable even after the age of 60, provided they are properly supervised.</p> <p>From a cognitive point of view, these activities create situations that are always new, rich and stimulating. We call this double combination of stimuli <em><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13825585.2011.645010">simultaneous training</a></em>. A number of researchers have highlighted the importance of this cognitive involvement in team sports and encourage their practice, particularly among the elderly.</p> <p>Recent studies, such as <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S162748302100129X">the one carried out in 2022</a> by French researchers, have shown that participation in team sports improves short-term visuospatial memory (which enables people, for example, to remember the location of certain objects for a limited period of time) and planning skills in the elderly.</p> <h2>Get your body moving with exergames</h2> <p>Another promising avenue are <em>exergames</em> – video games that require players to move around to play. Named after the contraction of “exercise” and “games”, they grew popular in the 2000s thanks to Nintendo’s Wii and Switch and Microsoft’s Kinect.</p> <p>Exogames have been thought out to exercise different fitness skills, such as balance, endurance, strength, and coordination, while simultaneously stimulating cognitive functions. Among older people, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-27707-001">several research studies</a> show that this type of training helps to improve many physical and cognitive abilities.</p> <p>In 2020, a new generation of exergames emerged, making use of interactive walls to create an even more immersive gaming experience, such as Neo Xperiences’ <em>Neo-One</em>, Sphery’s <em>ExerCube</em> and Lü’s <em>Aire interactive</em>. In these games combining real and virtual worlds, physical objects (such as balls) and digital objects coexist and interact in real time.</p> <p>A <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-023-00952-w">recent study</a> compared an exergame programme assisted by an immersive wall with a walking and muscle-strengthening programme. Its results suggest that this new generation of exergames may be more effective on cognitive abilities than traditional training.</p> <p>Combining physical and cognitive exercises offers the best chance to keep one’s brain health while keeping fit. This is essential for an active and fulfilling life, whatever your age.<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/237162/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/neva-beraud-peigne-1418228">Neva Béraud-Peigné</a>, Doctorante en sciences du mouvement, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-saclay-2174">Université Paris-Saclay</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alexandra-perrot-1531671">Alexandra Perrot</a>, Maitre de conférences HDR, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-saclay-2174">Université Paris-Saclay</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/pauline-maillot-1167901">Pauline Maillot</a>, Maître de conférences en STAPS, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-paris-cite-4263">Université Paris Cité</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/the-best-exercises-to-boost-your-brain-health-after-60-237162">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

Do mobile phones cause brain cancer? Science makes definitive call

<p>The question of whether mobile phones - specifically the electromagnetic radiation or radio waves emitted by these devices - cause cancer has been debated and researched for a long time, and now scientists have made a definitive call. </p> <p>A new comprehensive review commissioned by the World Health Organization has found that mobile phones are NOT linked to brain and head cancers. </p> <p>The systematic review, led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), examined over 5,000 studies, which included 63 observational studies on humans published between 1994 and 2022 and is "the most comprehensive review to date" according to review lead author, associate prof Ken Karipidis. </p> <p>“We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers," he said. </p> <p>The review, which was published on Wednesday, focused on cancers of the nervous system, salivary gland and brain tumours. </p> <p>They found no overall association between mobile phone use and cancer, even if people have used it for a long time (over 10 years) or spend a lot of time on their phones. </p> <p>“I’m quite confident with our conclusion. And what makes us quite confident is … even though mobile phone use has skyrocketed, brain tumour rates have remained stable,” Karipidis continued. </p> <p>Despite emitting electromagnetic radiation, also known as radio waves, the exposure is relatively low. </p> <p>Karipidis said people hear the word radiation and assume it is similar to nuclear radiation, “and because we use a mobile phone close to the head when we’re making calls, there is a lot of concern.”</p> <p>He clarified that “radiation is basically energy that travels from one point to another. There are many different types, for example, ultraviolet radiation from the sun." </p> <p>“We’re always exposed to low-level radio waves in the everyday environment.”</p> <p>While exposure from mobile phones is still low, it is much higher than exposure from any other wireless technology sources since they are used close to the head, Karipidis said. </p> <p>The association between mobile phones and cancers came about from early studies comparing differences between those with and without brain tumours and asking about their exposure history. </p> <p>According to Karipidis, who is also the vice-chair of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the results from these kind of studies tend to be biased, as the group with the tumour tend to overreport their exposure. </p> <p>Based on these early studies WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) designated radio-frequency fields like those from mobile phones as a possible cancer risk, but Karipidis said "this classification doesn’t mean all that much”.</p> <p>This is because the IARC has different classifications of cancer risk, with some substances classified as a “definite” carcinogen (such as smoking), and others as “probable” or “possible” carcinogens.</p> <p>Tim Driscoll, a professor at the University of Sydney and chair of the Australian Cancer Council’s occupational and environmental cancers committee, also backed the systematic review. </p> <p>“I think people should feel reassured by this study … but it’s worthwhile just remembering that the studies aren’t perfect, but the weight of evidence certainly is that mobile phones should be considered safe to use in terms of any concerns about increased risk of cancer,” Driscoll said.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Body

Can a 10-year-old be responsible for a crime? Here’s what brain science tells us

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757"><em>Deakin University</em></a></em></p> <p>The age a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight.</p> <p>Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12. Now its new, tough-on-crime government has pledged to <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/incoming-chief-minister-says-age-of-criminal-responsibility-to-be-lowered-to-10-years-old/a1xm9jy9c">return it to ten</a>. It comes after Victoria <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-13/victoria-youth-justice-reform-criminal-age/104217160">walked back</a> its earlier commitment to raise the age to 14, settling instead on 12.</p> <p>But the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child says 14 should be the absolute <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no-24-2019-childrens-rights-child">minimum</a>. It raised this age from its earlier recommendation (in 2007) of 12, citing a decade of new research into child and adolescent development.</p> <p>So what does the science say? What happens to the brain between ten and 14? And how much can those under 14 understand the consequences of their actions?</p> <h2>Who is an adolescent?</h2> <p>Our research shows adolescence is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30169257/">critical period</a> for development. It’s the time children’s experiences and explorations shape how they develop cognitive skills (including critical thinking and decision making), as well as social and emotional skills (including moral reasoning).</p> <p>Adolescence also lasts longer than we tend to think. Important brain development begins during late childhood, around eight to nine years. Intense changes then follow during early adolescence (ages ten to 14). But these changes continue well into the twenties, and full cognitive and emotional maturity is not usually reached until around age 24.</p> <p>However, everyone’s brain matures at a different rate. That means there is no definitive age we can say humans reach “adult” levels of cognitive maturity. What we do know is the period of early adolescence is critical.</p> <h2>What does puberty do to the brain?</h2> <p>Puberty is a defining feature of early adolescence. Most of us are familiar with the changes that occur to the body and reproductive systems. But the increase in puberty hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, also trigger changes to the brain. These hormones <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453017313252?via%3Dihub">increase most sharply</a> between ten and 15 years of age, although gradual changes continue into the early twenties.</p> <p>Puberty hormones change the structures in the brain which process emotions, including the amygdala (which encodes fear and stress) and ventral striatum (involved in reward and motivation).</p> <p>This makes adolescents particularly reactive to emotional rewards and threats. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2019.04.024">Our research</a> has shown the brain’s sensitivity to emotions increases throughout early adolescence until around 14 or 15 years old.</p> <p>At the same time, changes in puberty have <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000172">been linked</a> to increased sensation seeking and impulsive behaviours during early adolescence.</p> <p>This context is crucial when we discuss the behaviour of children in the ten to 14 age range. The way their brains change during this period makes them more sensitive and responsive to emotions, and more likely to be seeking experiences that are new and intense.</p> <h2>How do adolescents make decisions?</h2> <p>The emotional context of puberty influences how younger adolescents make decisions and understand their consequences.</p> <p>Decision making relies on several basic cognitive functions, including the brain’s flexibility, memory and ability to control impulses.</p> <p>These cognitive abilities – which together help us consider the consequences of our actions – undergo some of the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1741-13.2013">steepest development</a> between ages ten and 14. By age 15, the ability to make complex decisions has usually <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000315">reached adult maturity</a>.</p> <p>But adolescents at this age remain highly susceptible to emotions. So while their brain may be equipped to make a complex decision, their ability to think through the consequences, weighing up costs and benefits, can be clouded by emotional situations.</p> <p>For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12085">research has shown</a> 13-14 year-olds were more distracted from completing a task and less able to control their behaviour when they viewed images that made them feel negative emotions.</p> <p>The social world of teenagers also has a significant impact on how they make decisions – especially in early adolescence. One study found that while older adolescents (aged 15-18) are more influenced by what adults think when weighing up risk, adolescents aged 12-14 <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797615569578">look to other teenagers</a>.</p> <p>Experiments <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431616648453">have also shown</a> adolescents aged 12-15 make riskier decisions when they are with peers than by themselves. Their brain responses also suggest they experience a greater sense of reward in taking those risks <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsy071">with peers</a>.</p> <h2>How do teens understand the consequences of their actions?</h2> <p>The concept of <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2122/Quick_Guides/MinimumAgeCriminalResponsibility">criminal responsibility</a> is based on whether a person is able to understand their action and know whether it is wrong.</p> <p>Moral reasoning – how people think about right and wrong – depends on the ability to understand another person’s mental state and adopt their perspective. These skills are in development <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.012">across adolescence</a>.</p> <p>Research suggests it may take more effort for adolescent brains to process <a href="https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21121">“social” emotions</a> such as guilt and embarrassment, compared to adults. This is similar when they make <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2014.933714">moral judgements</a>. This evidence suggests teenage brains may have to work harder when considering other people’s intentions and desires.</p> <p>Young adolescents have the cognitive ability to appreciate they made a bad decision, but it is more mentally demanding. And social rewards, emotions and the chance to experience something new all have a strong bearing on their decisions and actions in the moment — possibly more than whether it is right or wrong.</p> <h2>Early adolescence is critical for the brain</h2> <p>There are also a number of reasons adolescent brains may develop differently. This includes various forms of neurodisability such as acquired brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability, as well as exposure to trauma.</p> <p>Teenagers with neurodevelopmental disorders will likely cope differently with decision making, social pressure, impulse control and risk assessment, and face <a href="https://www.mcri.edu.au/images/research/strategic-collaborations/Flagships/Neurodevelopment/Neurodevelopment_Flagship_Brochure.pdf">extra difficulties</a>. Across the world, they are <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30217-8/fulltext">disproportionately incarcerated</a>.</p> <p>In Australia, Indigenous children and adolescents are incarcerated <a href="https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-11-contact-with-the-criminal-justice-system#:%7E:text=On%20an%20average%20day%20in%202021%E2%80%9322%2C%20there%20were%3A,AIHW%202023d%3A%20Table%20S76a">in greater numbers</a> than their non-Indigenous peers.</p> <p>Each child matures differently, and some face extra challenges. But for every person, the period between ten and 14 is critical for developing the cognitive, social and emotional skills they’ll carry through the rest of their life.<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/237552/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, Professor of Adolescent Health The University of Melbourne; Director, Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Adolescent Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, Research Fellow, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin 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/can-a-10-year-old-be-responsible-for-a-crime-heres-what-brain-science-tells-us-237552">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Will your private health insurance cover surgery? What if your claim is rejected?

Unusual use of nicotine patches or gum to fight brain fog

"I'm going straight into surgery": Barnaby Joyce opens on cancer diagnosis

Brain disorder more common than MS – but often goes undiagnosed

Beloved champion athlete dies from rare brain tumour

Jimmy Barnes recovers from hip replacement surgery

Around 3% of us will develop a brain aneurysm in our lives. So what is it and how do you treat it?

Peter Overton opens up on health battle

Kyle Sandilands reveals major health diagnosis live on air

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

John Farnham tells all about gruelling surgery and recovery

How to rewire your brain to feel good on Monday

Channel Nine star shares "alarming" hospital photos

Breakthrough study finds genetic link to Parkinson's and ADHD

Retiring early can be bad for the brain

John Farnham's voice heard for the first time since throat surgery

Jimmy Barnes shares positive update after surgery

The best exercises to boost your brain health after 60

Do mobile phones cause brain cancer? Science makes definitive call

Can a 10-year-old be responsible for a crime? Here’s what brain science tells us

Our Partners