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Climate change threatens Australian tourism more than is widely believed. Here’s why

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/freya-higgins-desbiolles-181651">Freya Higgins-Desbiolles</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Right now, Australia is one of the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/publications/travel-tourism-development-index-2024/">top five</a> tourist destinations in the world, a distinction the World Economic Forum says it shares with only the United States, France, Spain and Japan. So important is tourism to Australia’s economy that the best estimates are it employs <a href="https://www.tra.gov.au/en/economic-analysis/state-of-the-industry">655,000</a> people, 12 times as many as <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/jul-2024">Australia’s coal industry</a>. And most of them are employed in <a href="https://www.zurich.com.au/content/dam/au-documents/files/zurich-mandala-climate-risk-index-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-australian-tourism-industry.pdf">regional locations</a>, where jobs are scarce. This month a report by the Zurich insurance group and the economic consultancy Mandala found <a href="https://www.zurich.com.au/content/dam/au-documents/files/zurich-mandala-climate-risk-index-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-australian-tourism-industry.pdf">half</a> of Australia’s top 178 tourism assets were at risk from foreseeable climate change. There are reasons to believe its findings underplay what we are facing. <h2>All major airports, all national parks at risk</h2> The Zurich-Mandala report examines the impact of a 2⁰C increase in global temperatures on only eight so-called “climate perils”: wind, flood, heat, storm, drought, bushfire, hail and rain. It found that more than half of Australia’s top tourism assets faced a “significant risk from multiple perils” over the next 25 years, including all of Australia’s major airports. Scheduling disruptions and the closure of airports in extreme weather conditions were set to have major impacts on the transport of goods, the transport of tourists and accessibility for emergency services. All of Australia’s vineyards, national parks, scenic roads and railways were at risk. Queensland had the highest number of sites facing significant risk (79%) followed by Western Australia (69%) and the Northern Territory (63%). The report uses the impact of the 2019-20 <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1920/Quick_Guides/AustralianBushfires">black summer bushfires</a> to estimate that 176,000 jobs might be at risk nationwide from predictable climate change, most of them outside of Australia’s capital cities. <h2>Multiple and interacting threats</h2> Here is why I am fearful that the report underplays the threat Australia’s tourism industry is facing. There are many more threats to tourism from climate change than wind, flood, heat, storm, drought, bushfire, hail and rain. One is the threat to biodiversity. Iconic animals and habitats are an important part of Australia’s brand. <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-28/3-billion-animals-killed-displaced-in-fires-wwf-study/12497976">Three billion</a> animals were killed or displaced in the black summer bushfires. The deaths caused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/01/alexis-wright-black-summer-bushfires-vigil-sydney-speech-3-billion-animals-killed-are-our-relatives-they-deserve-to-be-mourned">loss and grief</a> that risk indexes are incapable of capturing, but that nonetheless might make tourism less attractive. And biodiversity helps in another way by <a href="https://www.australianwildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hayward-Et-Al.-2016-Could-biodiversity-loss-have-increased-Australias-bushfire-threat.pdf">protecting against bushfires</a>, meaning that as species vanish, other risks to tourism climb in ways that aren’t captured in the assumptions used to evaluate risk. <h2>Threats unexamined</h2> What makes holiday locations unattractive is hard to measure, but is fed by extreme weather events. Although temporary, the smoke and heat from the 2019-20 bushfires made parts of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra almost unlivable for a while, damaging the reputations of Australian capital cities in a way that is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/not-a-good-look-bushfire-smoke-threatens-to-pollute-sydney-s-tourist-image-20191206-p53hpl.html">probably ongoing</a>. Another curious omission, especially curious given that the report was prepared by an insurance company, is the damage extreme weather events do to the insurability of tourism assets. The report is also silent on the effort to reduce carbon emissions on Australia’s desirability as an international destination. For many tourists, air travel is the only way to get to Australia and it is likely to become more expensive and also less attractive as tourists try to reduce their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652614011810">carbon footprints</a>. Australia might increasingly become an Australian rather than an international destination. Our biggest upcoming international promotion, the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, might lose a good deal of its shine, with Queensland tourism assets at the greatest risk from climate change, and those risks set to climb over time. <h2>The higher the temperature the bigger the threats</h2> Zurich and the Mandala consultancy are to be commended for identifying 178 top tourism assets and examining eight types of risk they face. Their finding that just over half of them face serious threats from those risks is likely to be an underestimate because it excludes other risks and fails to examine the way in which some risks can intensify others. And they will be an underestimate if global temperatures climb by more than 2⁰C. The report says if global temperatures climb to 3⁰C above pre-industrial levels, 80% of the Australian sites it examined will face serious threats. Australia could attempt to limit the increase in global temperatures by taking up the opportunity to co-host the <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-a-big-deal-if-australia-and-the-pacific-are-chosen-to-host-un-climate-talks-heres-why-238320">2026 UN climate talks</a> with Pacific nations. It would give us a shot at making a difference and drawing attention to our present status as one of the world’s top tourism destinations.<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/238768/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/freya-higgins-desbiolles-181651">Freya Higgins-Desbiolles</a>, Adjunct professor and adjunct senior lecturer in tourism management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-change-threatens-australian-tourism-more-than-is-widely-believed-heres-why-238768">original article</a>. </div>

Domestic Travel

Mysterious leg pain that’s quietly killing older Australians

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) has long been overshadowed by its more widely recognised counterparts, such as heart attacks and strokes. Often referred to as the “poor cousin” or “Cinderella” of cardiovascular diseases, PAD affects one in five older Australians, yet it remains largely under-diagnosed and misunderstood. However, a wave of optimism is sweeping through the medical community with the launch of <a href="https://www.hri.org.au/our-research/centreforpad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Centre for Peripheral Artery Disease</a>, an Australian-first facility dedicated to pioneering research and improving patient outcomes. Spearheaded by the Heart Research Institute, the Centre for Peripheral Artery Disease, marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by PAD. The centre aims to fill critical gaps in our understanding of the disease, which is responsible for a limb amputation in Australia every two hours. This initiative promises to enhance diagnosis, transform patient care, and raise awareness about PAD. Associate Professor Mary Kavurma, the Centre Lead, is at the forefront of this ground-breaking effort. “We’re supercharging research into PAD because there are still many unknowns about the disease’s biology that could unlock new methods for early detection and better management,” she explains. This research is particularly urgent given the prevalence of PAD among women and First Nations Australians, groups that remain disproportionately affected by this condition. The centre’s mission is to develop a simple blood test for early diagnosis and explore novel therapies that could reduce the need for limb amputations and significantly improve patients’ quality of life. Unlike current treatments that primarily focus on symptom management, this new approach seeks to prevent the disease from progressing. One of the most inspiring aspects of the centre is its commitment to involving patients and their families in the research process. At the inaugural consumer meeting, nearly 20 patients and their carers shared their personal experiences with PAD. Take the story of Simon Josephson, a renowned advertising guru – who famously designed the Solo logo. PAD almost cost him his life after taking more than five years to diagnose. He woke up one morning with a sore leg, thinking he’d overdone it exercising but the 73-year-old – who was otherwise healthy and active – unknowingly had Peripheral Artery Disease, caused by a build-up of plaque in his arteries causing them to narrow and stiffen. It wasn’t until a trip to the hospital emergency department years later that doctors would discover his aorta had expanded to more than twice the usual size and was at risk of rupturing. He immediately underwent open heart surgery and has faced a lengthy recovery. The launch of <a href="https://www.hri.org.au/our-research/centreforpad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Centre for Peripheral Artery Disease</a> heralds a new era of hope and progress in the fight against PAD. Through world-leading research, community engagement, and a commitment to patient-centred care, the CPAD is poised to make a profound impact on the lives of many Australians. As Assoc Prof Kavurma aptly put it, “By understanding more about this debilitating condition, we are paving the way for better health outcomes and a brighter future for all those affected by PAD.” Images: CPAD

Caring

Why do I fall asleep on the sofa but am wide awake when I get to bed?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/madeline-sprajcer-1315489">Madeline Sprajcer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sally-ferguson-64">Sally Ferguson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> After a long day, you flop onto the sofa and find yourself dozing off while watching TV. The room is nice and warm, the sofa is comfortable, and the background noise of the TV lulls you to sleep. Then a loved one nudges you awake and reminds you to go sleep – in bed. But when you get there, you find to your frustration that you’re wide awake. Why does sleep come so easily on the sofa but not always in bed? <h2>Why is it so easy to fall asleep on the sofa?</h2> <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/sleep-drive-and-your-body-clock#:%7E:text=Sleep%2Fwake%20homeostasis%20balances%20our,that%20it's%20time%20to%20sleep.">Sleep pressure</a> is one reason why you fall asleep on the sofa. This refers to the strength of the biological drive for sleep. The longer you’ve been awake, the greater the sleep pressure. Your body clock or <a href="https://www.thensf.org/what-is-a-circadian-rhythm/">circadian rhythm</a> is another factor. This tells you to be awake during the day and to sleep at night. Your environment will also impact how likely it is you fall asleep. You might have just <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-food-comas-or-why-eating-sometimes-makes-you-sleepy-44355">eaten a meal</a>, your very comfortable sofa is in a warm room, with dim lighting and maybe a TV program in the background. For many people, this environment is perfect for falling asleep. So by the end of the day, sleep pressure is strong, your circadian rhythm is telling you it’s time for sleep and your environment is cosy and comfortable. <h2>What happens after a nap on the sofa?</h2> If you’ve had a nap on the sofa before heading to bed, your sleep pressure is likely much lower than it was before your nap. Instead of having more than 16 hours of wakefulness behind you, you’ve just woken up and therefore have less sleep pressure. This can make it much harder to fall asleep in bed. If you just fell asleep on the sofa for five minutes, you might not have too much trouble getting to sleep in bed. This is because a nap that short is unlikely to reduce your sleep pressure very much. But if you were asleep for an hour, it might be a different story. Your sleep cycles might also be working against you. Most sleep cycles are about <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary-Carskadon/publication/287231408_Normal_Human_Sleep_An_Overview_Principles_and_Practice_of_Sleep_Medicine_MH_Kryger_Ed/links/5db0c338299bf111d4c026c5/Normal-Human-Sleep-An-Overview-Principles-and-Practice-of-Sleep-Medicine-MH-Kryger-Ed.pdf">90 minutes long</a>. They start with light sleep, progress to deep sleep, and then end with light sleep again. If you wake up during deep sleep, you’re probably going to feel groggy – and it might be easy to get back to sleep when you go to bed. But if you wake up during light sleep it could be harder to fall asleep again in bed. The activities you might do when you get up from the sofa – like turning on bright lights or brushing your teeth – can also make you feel more alert and make it harder to sleep when you get to bed. <h2>Why can’t I fall asleep in my own bed?</h2> There are other reasons why falling also in your bed could be challenging. Many people experience anxiety about falling asleep. They <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24005330/">worry</a> about getting enough sleep or falling asleep fast enough. In such cases, getting into bed can be associated with feelings of stress and apprehension, which make it even harder to sleep. It might be easier to fall asleep on the couch, where there is less stress involved. It might also be harder to fall asleep in bed because of poor <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene">sleep hygiene</a>. This refers to your pre-sleep behaviours and sleep environment. Good sleep hygiene, or healthy sleep habits, includes having a regular routine before bed, a dark, quiet room to sleep in, and not using your mobile phone in bed. For many people who don’t have good sleep hygiene, their behaviours before bed and their bedroom environment might not be conducive to sleep. <h2>How can I make it easier to fall asleep in bed?</h2> First, make sure your room is dark, quiet and comfortable. In winter this might mean putting a heater on 20 minutes before you go to bed or taking a heat pack to bed with you. In summer, you might consider air conditioning or a fan to make your bedroom comfortable for sleeping. If you find it easy to fall asleep with the TV on, you might like to play “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iL1Ce1PZFM&t=1s">white noise</a>” in your bedroom as you fall asleep. Some evidence suggests this may make it <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079220301283#abs0010">easier to fall asleep</a> by masking other disruptive noises. Your behaviour before bed also impacts how easy it is to fall asleep. Making sure you follow the same bedtime routine every night (including going to bed at the same time) can help. Also, even though it’s hard, try not to look at your phone while you’re in bed. Scrolling on your phone before bed can make it <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8329667">harder to sleep</a> due to both exposure to blue light and the potentially stressful or alerting effect of the content you interact with. <h2>In a nutshell</h2> The best way to make it’s easier to fall asleep in your bed is to avoid falling asleep on the sofa in the first place. This will ensure all the sleep pressure you build up during the day will be directed towards a deep sleep in your bed.<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/208371/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/madeline-sprajcer-1315489">Madeline Sprajcer</a>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sally-ferguson-64">Sally Ferguson</a>, Director, Appleton Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/why-do-i-fall-asleep-on-the-sofa-but-am-wide-awake-when-i-get-to-bed-208371">original article</a>.

Body

Painting by four-legged Van Gogh sells for five figures

A very good boy named Van Gogh has raised a hefty sum of money for a good cause. The one-eared four-legged artist has used his extraordinary talents to create his own rendition of his namesake’s masterpiece Starry Night. At an online benefit auction for the <a href="https://www.happilyfureverafter.org/">Happily Furever After Rescue</a> in Connecticut, USA, pet food company Pedigree paid $10,000 for the artwork. The rescue home was the one that found Van Gogh his new forever home, after sharing his artistic talents online. All the proceeds of Van Gogh the dog’s auction will benefit the rescue efforts of Happily Furever After, which specialises in rehoming dogs like pit bulls, who can sometimes have a hard time finding homes. The paintings in the current auction, titled “Van Gogh Reimagined,” are all based on compositions by the original Van Gogh. However, unlike a painting by the Dutch master, the dog’s art starts the bidding at just $25 a piece. “Having Van Gogh create some of history’s most famous paintings felt like big shoes to fill,” founder Jaclyn Gartner told <a href="https://news.artnet.com/market/van-gogh-rescue-dog-charity-auction-2264707">Artnet News</a>. “There was a lot more attention to detail this time around to make sure to incorporate all the colours and try to recreate the pieces as closely as possible.” Since finding his new home, Van Gogh has created more than 150 new works of art. To make each masterpiece, a person applies blobs of colours of paint to a canvas placed inside a plastic bag. The talented dog then completes the artwork by licking off a coating of peanut butter or other dog-friendly treats from the outside of the bag, making the artwork inside. “The most exciting part about Van Gogh painting is never really knowing what it’s going to come out to look like as it depends on how his tongue slides across the peanut butter coated bag,” Gartner said. “Since we did the art gallery in October, Van Gogh has explored more tasty toppings,” she added. “We have begun incorporating other things like ground up liverwurst, pumpkin puree, and goat whip. Painting has become an even more delicious hobby for Van Gogh!“ Image credits: Happily Furever After Rescue

Art

“Keep it in your pants son”: Radio hosts react to Clarke vs. Stefanovic fight

Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has been slammed after the video footage of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/karl-stefanovic-and-michael-clarke-caught-in-public-scuffle-over-cheating-claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his fight</a> with his girlfriend, Jade Yarbrough and The Today Show host, Karl Stefanovic, went viral. 2GB Radio host Ben Fordham slammed the former cricketer for dragging Stefanovic into the fight. “Karl Stefanovic’s name has been dragged into it because he happened to be there and Michael Clarke turned on Karl too,” he said on Thursday. “Really, really disgraceful language that was used by Michael Clarke as far as I can see it’s got nothing to do with Karl apart from the fact he happened to be there. “It’s between Michael Clarke and his girlfriends, it’s a shocker and the language used by Michael Clarke in a public place in front of children was utterly disgraceful.” His co-host Ray Hadley also commented on Clarke's behaviour, implying that Clarke should grow up. “I don’t know Michael Clarke but we’ve all had problems in life Michael, me included. “But if I were to give advice to a 41-year-old male adult … it would be along the lines of ‘keep it in your pants son,'" he said KIIS106.5 host, Kyle Sandilands, also commented on the drama saying that he "nearly died" when he first found out about the incident. His co-host Jackie O expressed her shock: "my jaw is to the floor and I’m like ‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing’ thinking this is not the Michael Clarke I know". Sandilands claimed that he had been in "thousands of fights like that," and chuckled as he asked the question we've all been thinking: "why are they shirtless in a public park?" “If we all sit around and we think what’s our worst fight we’ve ever ever had with our partner, imagine someone filming that and putting that on The Daily Telegraph … No thanks. I’d disappear forever, you’d never see me again,” he added. His co-host agreed, and said that she would "leave the country for two months". The radio hosts speculated that Karl Stefanovic's involvement in the drama was simply because he was trying to "diffuse" the situation. “Who wants to get up and shoehorn themselves into someone else’s argy bargy? I think Karl was walking away,” said Kyle. "I hope they do alright," he added. Although the public scuffle wasn't mentioned on The Today Show, Stefanovic was asked about it while getting drinks at the Australian Open. "You know what the answer is going to be," he reportedly said to the Herald Sun. Image: Getty

News

New Zealand police farewell four-legged hero

A beloved member of the New Zealand Police Force has been farewelled, after Dunedin police dog Gill died from cancer. The 10-year-old was the oldest police dog working in Dunedin’s police dog section when he passed away. Senior Constable Tim Roy, who fostered Gill as a pup, worked with the German Shepherd for most of his operational years, according to a <a href="https://www.police.govt.nz/news/ten-one-magazine/farewell-dunedins-oldest-police-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>. “He’s been an amazing dog right up until the end," Roy said. "Gill was everything I could have asked for and more as a handler. He was big, strong, fearless, super driven, loved to work and known for his deafening excited howl when being deployed. “Gill was more than an outstanding police dog. His goofy personality, playfulness and loyalty were what made him extra special.” Sergeant Mike Calvert, head of the Dunedin Dog Section, described the canine as a strong all-round police dog with numerous successful tracks and catches. “He also thrived as an AOS-qualified dog, and as recently as last month was taking part in AOS callouts and training days,” Calvert said. “Old age hadn’t slowed him up and he kept his place on AOS leaving Tim’s younger dog Leo, aged 3, to pick up the active running around for general patrol dog work.” Senior Constable Reuben Whalley, who worked with Gill in Christchurch, described him as “a lovely dog” who could switch off from work and enjoy family life at home. Gill, who’s policing career began back in 2013, has done more than catch criminals and find people, having fathered a litter of puppies in 2016 and featured on the 2017 and 2023 Police Dog Trust Calendars. “Gill just loved to please his handler, whether responding to jobs or taking part in the softer side of community policing, including community events and Christmas parades," Calvert said. "It’s a shame he didn’t get to enjoy retirement." Images: New Zealand Police

Family & Pets

"Dear leg, I'll miss you so much": Boy's tragic farewell

A young boy has left a heartbreaking message on his leg after learning that it had to be amputated due to a rare cancer. Chandler Tran, 8, from Australia, and his family first discovered the illness when they found a “pea-sized” bump on his leg and noticed he was walking with a limp when he returned from holiday care around Easter time. Seeking an X-ray at the local hospital, he was then taken to a children’s hospital in Sydney and was given the devastating diagnosis of osteosarcoma, which is a rare bone cancer. The following months comprised of chemotherapy treatment. Doctors then wanted to amputate his leg to alleviate the pain, but the amputation will not cure him. Chandler’s dad Cong Tan, 42, recalled the moment. He said: “Can you take a photo of my leg on my tablet?” “He drew a little love heart over his leg and wrote a little message.” “He wrote: ‘Dear leg, I’ll miss you so much when you’re gone, love Chandler.’ “He was sad about the prospect of losing his leg, but he was like, ‘If that’s what I need to do to not have pain, then that’s okay.’ “For us seeing him coping so well, that really helped us.” Days after recovering from that operation, his family were told the tumours in Chandler’s lungs had grown and the doctors couldn’t do anything more to save his life. “They said any treatment would just be palliative, to try and slow the cancer down,” his mother Trang said. The family has set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jwxjw-support-the-trans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help cover eventual funeral costs but also to fund any LEGO that Chandler wants. “The sickness is coming on and we are at the point where we can’t treat it and so it is about keeping him happy,” Mr Tran said. “We appreciate everyone who has donated and is helping us give Chandler whatever his heart desires to make the last bit as enjoyable as possible.” Image: GoFundMe

Body

How to be safe online

Are you wary of banking online? You’re not alone. Here’s a guide to being safe when using the world wide web. From banking online and paying your bills to doing your weekly grocery shop, the internet is handy. But is it safe to do all of those things? Yes, if you know how to be safe online. Many baby boomers have voluntarily shared personal information with people they have never met in person, according to anti-virus developer McAfee. This didn’t include online shopping or business transactions. A total of 57% of people had shared information or posted personal information online, which Michelle Dennedy, vice president and chief privacy officer at McAfee, says is a big concern. “The use of social networks among people 50 plus is trending now that it’s become more commonplace across all age groups,” she reveals. “It seems counterintuitive that sharing personal information with strangers would not concern them, however. This further highlights their need to better understand the difference between the real and perceived dangers online and how to best protect themselves." How do you protect yourself online? The first step is being aware of the dangers of using the internet. While researching for recipes or local dog beaches is relatively harmless, it’s submitting personal information, such as your contact or banking details, where caution needs to be applied. If you’re banking online, always make sure you go to your bank’s official URL (web address) and not a fake site and if you receive an email from what looks like your bank asking for your details, delete it. Banks are adamant that any emails from them will never ask for their customer’s banking details, since this is a security risk. If you’re ever unsure and do receive an email from your bank asking for information, contact their call centre. Emails to delete Many online scams will come in the form of an email. While email providers have their own security measures to filter out what they think are dodgy messages, it’s best to know what to look out for. If you receive an email from a company or person you don’t know, treat it with caution. Emails that contain poor spelling or grammar, ask for your personal information, offer deals or prizes that seem too good to be true, or ask you to “donate” a large sum of money, delete it. The best policy is one of caution and constant vigilance. Avoid banking online at a public computer When it comes to protecting your hard-earned cash, it always pays to be extra cautious. If you’re at an internet cafe or using a public wi-fi connection with your laptop or tablet, it’s best to avoid doing anything that requires you to share important personal information. While it may be safe with some connections, it may not be with others. Banking websites do have their own security measures for when you’re using their site, but it’s always better to be cautious. If you’re using a public computer, remember to log out of any sites containing your personal information. This could be your email, Facebook or your online dating profile. You don’t want the person who uses the computer after you to have access to your details. Another key consideration is to keep your passwords private. Avoid sharing them with other people and try to make it a series of letters or numbers you will remember, but that is difficult for others to guess. Be a smart shopper If you love to grab a bargain online, be a smart shopper. Make sure the website you’re buying from is legitimate and not a fake version of the real thing. A good tip is to keep a record of all of your online receipts and to regularly monitor your bank statements. If you ever see a purchase on your bank or credit card statement that you’re not sure about, look back through your receipts before contacting your bank to investigate further.

Technology

Happy ending for four-legged wedding crasher

When a couple’s special day was interrupted by a stray dog, not only did he steal the show, but he stole their hearts too. Tamíris Muzini and Douglas Robert were preparing for their wedding ceremony at a church in the city of Vila Velha, on Brazil’s southeastern coast, when a stray dog joined the 150 invited guests in attending, as reported by the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/08/08/a-stray-dog-who-was-adopted-after-crashing-a-wedding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Post</a>. “Before the ceremony started [the dog] entered the church and went straight upstairs, where he met the groom and guests,” Muzini told the outlet. After that he returned downstairs, where he lay outside the door until Muzini arrived. “He stayed there, just waiting for me to enter,” she said. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/wedding-dog2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> A stray dog that gatecrashed Tamíris Muzini and Douglas Robert’s wedding has since become a member of their family. Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram) As the crowd turned to watch her come down the aisle, they were greeted by the sight of the stray doing the same. “Everyone was delighted with him because he is very cute and was super comfortable there,” Muzini added. The sweet pooch watched as Muzini and Robert exchanged vows, then ran up to them as they left the church, jumping up to pose for photos with them. “When he greeted us at the end, he asked, “Take me home. Take me,’” she told TheDodo.com. Having stolen the couple’s hearts, they made him a part of their family - and quickly came up with a name for him. “Everyone started calling him Caramelo, and that was it,” Muzini told the Post. With a first name fitting his golden coat, Muzini and Robert decided his full name would be Caramelo de Jesus “because, without a doubt, he was sent to us by God”. “It was surreal and inexplicable,: Muzini said. “He marked an important day in our history. He was part of our big moment and he enchanted us with his charisma.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/wedding-dog1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Caramelo even posed for photos with the newly-wed couple. Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram) Ever since, Caramelo has become an inseparable part of the newlywed’s family - even earning himself his own social media profile where the family’s adventures are shared. “In the one month we’ve shared, we have had several adventures with him,” Muzini said. “Each day is a different surprise. “One day he pees in the kitchen, another day he climbs on top of cars, then he steals grandma’s bread and runs away with it. “But every day, he is sad when we go out to work. He welcomes us home with jumps, hugs and kisses when we return.” With all his antics, Muzini said Caramelo is preparing her for motherhood. “Undoubtedly, Caramelo is a beautiful training for a not-too-distant future with a human son,” she said. “He’s like a naughty child, but he is also very docile and super loving. He fills us with so much love all the time.” Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram)

Family & Pets

Squash and a squeeze: Inside the skinny home under 2m wide

<div> <div> <div> <div> <div> This charming two-storey, town-centre home in the British locale Dorchester, Dorset, has been listed for sale. The very reasonable asking price of just £175,000 ($305,000) will get you two bedrooms, one bathroom and a dual commercial and residental application – such a bargain. But, as the old saying would have it – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and with that being said this exceedingly cheap residence does come with a rather significant caveat. At its tightest, the home is an uncomfortably slender 1.7 metres wide, which would feel like quite a tight squeeze, regardless of any interior designing tricks. Judging from the photos, the slim space hasn't even been adorned with any smart fixtures or fittings to make the most out of its five feet and eight inches. The tiniest part of the home is reserved to just the main bedroom, however, whereas the rest of the residence is wider, measuring a humble three metres across. There's also an arresting rooftop balcony on offer, which provides quaint aspects of neighbouring rooftops and treelines. The total living space in this tiny home is equivalent to 46-square-metres, which is roughly what you'd expect in an average one-bedroom apartment. Buyers who suffer from claustrophobia should probably avoid it, though you’d be snapping up quite the bargain. Images: Domain </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-actions-component" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible;"> <div class="upper-row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 8px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; height: 24px;"> <div class="right-box-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Real Estate

5 must-have items for the cooler months

As we head into the cooler months, the time of hearty soups and snuggly sleep-ins, let’s opt for fashions that make us feel cozy, warm and comfortable – all while still looking good. <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suzanne Grae</a> will make the transition effortless with fabulous clothes that are both easy to wear and easy to care for. You’ll be confidently tackling your day and ticking off your to-do list with clothes that are subtly elegant and sophisticated. Here are the five must-have items from Grae’s collection that celebrates all women, from petite to plus-size. The Wear-With-Everything Knits You can’t beat a cozy textured knitted jumper as the temperature drops. Grae’s collection of <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/knitwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">knitwear</a> effortlessly teams up with any outfit. You’ll be wearing your favourite knits on repeat as they’re available in all the trendy season colours like creams, pinks, blues, lilacs, and white. And you’ll be able to get one in each colour, with Grae’s knitwear starting from the budget-friendly price of $39.95. With a knit and denim combo, you can never go wrong. Or layer a knit cardigan over the top of a basic tee or blouse for a smart casual look that doesn’t skimp on warmth, comfort or style. Grae’s breathes fresh life into the knitted jumper with ombre prints and modern stripes that you’ll love season after season. Love-Your-Body Pants Yes, pants season is here. And Grae’s newest styles fit so perfectly that you’ll be loving your body all day, everyday. You’ll be living in Grae’s elasticated cropped pants while out and about. And keep yourself looking fresh and chic with their <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/pants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wide-leg pant</a>, which gives you plenty of room to move while you’re on the go. Autumn dressing isn’t complete without the perfect pair of corduroys, and Grae’s are top-class. Their cord jeans come in pink, green and camel and hug the body in all the right places. Pair them with your favourite knit and a loafer, and you’re all ready for a day of fun. You’ll find trousers that look good on you, whatever your shape, with all Grae's styles available from sizes 6-24. They’ll fit just right. You’ll be wearing them time and time again. Everyday Shirts Grae’s everyday <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/shirts-tops-clothing-szg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cotton button-down shirts</a> are fresh, light, and the finishing touch your outfit needs. No styling is required. Simply throw on, and you’re dressed and ready to tackle your day with confidence and ease. Or wear them unbuttoned over a basic fitted tee, that starts from $19.95 and delivers a two-for-one outfit. With the fluctuations in temperature the autumn months bring, you can roll the long sleeves up or down however you need. The breathable, flowing fabric creates a flattering silhouette on the body and looks good on every woman. It’s also for all women to embrace with shirts available in petite to plus-size. Classic Shirt-Jacket A classic shirt-jacket is always in style. And just enough to ward off a nippy breeze but not too bulky that it will weigh you down while you’re on the go. Grae’s <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/jackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lightweight shirt-jacket</a> styles are ultra comfortable and will carry you through all the seasons with a bit of layering. Sitting at the waist, jackets have the perfect balance of structure and a loose fit to show any figure in the best light. Grae’s has options for every women’s body in every style and for every budget, starting from $59.95. A shirt-jacket will be the go-to item in your wardrobe and always be on rotation. Throw it on over a fitted singlet and be office-ready. Or take a more swanky approach with a skirt and jacket combo and enjoy a day out at the winery. Relaxed-Fit Jean A fabulously fitting denim never goes old. Grae’s <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/denim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relaxed-fit jean</a> styles are designed to flatter every body and make you feel fabulous while you’re out and about. Dress up a jean easily with a pretty blouse and a wedge heel or boot, and you’re ready for dinner with friends in your smart-casual look. Be stylish every day with a relaxed-fit denim crafted from a soft cotton blend that makes moving around on the go super comfortable. It’s available in a range of modern washes and on-trend colours that you’ll be wearing from season to season. A pair of Grae’s denim that you’ll be wearing on repeat can be yours, starting from $39.95 and will make you feel good about every dollar spent. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suzanne Grae</a>.

Beauty & Style

Nurse who lost both legs to Russian landmine gets married in hospital

The first dance is a big moment for any bride and groom, but it was even more special for Oksana and Victor. Oksana lost both her legs on a Russian landmine in March, in their home town of Lysychansk, located in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk. The explosion didn't injure Victor, although they were together at the time, but the bride lost both of her legs as well as four fingers on her left hand. Oksana underwent four surgeries and was later evacuated to Dnipro to recover and prepare for prosthetics, and eventually to Lviv, in the west near the Polish border. As she waited for the next part of the healing process, the couple, who have two children together, took the opportunity to wed in a Lviv hospital last week. “Life should not be postponed until later, decided Oksana and Victor, who in six years together never found time for marriage," Lviv Medical Association said, sharing video of the couple's special moment. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ❤️🇺🇦 Very special lovestory. A nurse from Lysychansk, who has lost both legs on a russian mine, got married in Lviv. On March 27, Victor and Oksana were coming back home, when a russian mine exploded. The man was not injured, but Oksana's both legs were torn off by the explosion. <a href="https://t.co/X1AQNwKwyu">pic.twitter.com/X1AQNwKwyu</a> — Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - Ukrainian Parliament (@ua_parliament) <a href="https://twitter.com/ua_parliament/status/1521194382682202113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2022</a></blockquote> The footage was also shared by Ukraine's Parliament, which wished the couple well in their new life together. The sweet dance shows the groom carrying his new wife in his arms as she buries her head in her husband's neck. The couple are said to have wed at a local registry office before the hospital reception took place. Oksana is set to travel to Germany for further treatment. Image: Twitter

Relationships

Woman kicked off flight for “offensive” pants

A DJ who was kicked off a flight for her “inappropriate” and “offensive” pants has claimed she was “humiliated” in front of everyone. South Korean DJ Hwang So-hee, also known as DJ Soda, was on a flight from JFK to LAX with American Airlines on April 25 when she was kicked off. She was left fuming over her treatment and took to Twitter to document the ordeal to her 127,000 followers. “I GOT KICKED OFF FROM @AmericanAir flight and they harassed me to take off my sponsored @RIPNDIP 'F**K YOU' sweatpants in front of people to board again,” she began. “Yesterday coming back from JFK to LAX with American Airlines, I was harassed and humiliated. I was forced out of the plane and was harassed to take off my pants in front of the flight crews at the gate. “I have never had an issue with wearing this pair of pants before in my many months of touring in North America and they did not have any problem with me wearing it at the time of check-in nor when I sat down at my seat.” DJ Soda claims she was approached by a staff member who told her to pack up her things and that she would not be boarding the flight. They then made comments about her pants calling them “inappropriate” and “offensive” and that she would have the next flight. She explained that she could not afford to miss the flight due to a very important meeting. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I GOT KICKED OFF FROM <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericanAir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmericanAir</a> flight and they harassed me to take off my sponsored <a href="https://twitter.com/RIPNDIP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RIPNDIP</a> 'F**K YOU' sweatpants in front of people to board again. <a href="https://t.co/YU0TrhZjry">pic.twitter.com/YU0TrhZjry</a> — djsoda (@dj_soda_) <a href="https://twitter.com/dj_soda_/status/1518850282490187776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote> “I pleaded to stay on the flight but was ignored by the staff and the flight attendants. I even offered to get changed but the request was denied. What happened next was horrendous,” DJ Soda continued. “With my broken fingers, I hardly ended up taking off my pants in front of the whole crew and standing half-naked while they still refused to board me on the flight. They even sarcastically commented that I could have taken off my pants earlier. “When they finally let me enter, I put my pants inside out and finally sat down after an hour of delay causing inconvenience to the members of the flights on board. “I was mortified and trembling in fear for the next 6 hours on my flight back to LA. In my 8 years of touring, I have never experienced or been treated unfairly, especially in a country that is known for its freedom of speech and individuality. “From now on, I will be boycotting @AmericanAir and hope this NEVER happens to anyone ever again.” DJ Soda was called out by fans who said she was in the wrong, especially since it’s common knowledge to dress appropriately on flights. “Maybe other airlines didn't previously notice; but it is common knowledge that most major airlines have dress policies that prohibit profanity and vulgarity on their flights. They have every right to protect their customers' values. Sorry. No sympathy here.” someone wrote. “That's what you get for dressing inappropriately on an airliner, you're on their plane, their rules. You can fly with Delta, United, Southwest or even pulling TWA back from the grave and they would still kick you out,” another commented. “As well you SHOULD! It's rude, offensive, and children can READ TOO!! But some of us adults don't want to see or hear it either! America might be the land of the free, but it doesn't mean we don't have some rules. Abide by them or leave!” another wrote. Images: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Urgent health warning after child loses leg

An athlete who caught chickenpox as a little boy resulted in him nearly dying. He entered cardiac arrest, lost 70% of his hearing and had to have his right leg amputated. As a warning to others, Brendan Hall has now issued an urgent warning about the virus and its devastating effects. Australian health authorities recently revealed chickenpox is still running rampant through the community despite Covid restrictions drastically reducing other common viruses such as the flu. Paralympic swimmer Brenden Hall, aged 28, caught chickenpox from his brother in 1999. His sibling got through chickenpox unscathed, but Hall suffered immensely from the common ailment, with his parents fearing the worst as he went into cardiac arrest for 27 minutes. Hall described the moment he woke up in hospital to find out he'd lost his leg from a condition that gives many young people only mild symptoms. 'I wasn't aware my leg was going to be amputated until I came back around a few weeks after it happened. 'I was in severe pain and constant screaming, I can't remember a lot from at the time but my parents made the best decision they could,' Hall told Daily Mail Australia. Chickenpox is one of a number of infectious diseases such as measles, mumps and shingles that doctors remain concerned about. It was recently revealed that last year there were more than 10,000 cases of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, in Queensland alone. Hall now has a 10-week-old child of his own and wants other parents to know that it is vital to keep up routine immunisations and safety precautions for common childhood diseases whether they be measles, mumps or chicken pox. 'I'd like to be in the group that puts themselves out there to spread the word, to remind people of a serious danger that, for a lot of people, slips under the radar,' he said.

Caring

1 millipede, 1,306 legs: we just discovered the world’s leggiest animal hiding in Western Australia

Millipedes were the first land animals, and today we know of more than 13,000 species. There are likely thousands more species of the many-legged invertebrates awaiting discovery and formal scientific description. The name “millipede” comes from the Latin for “thousand feet”, but until now no known species had more than 750 legs. However, my colleagues and I recently found <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02447-0">a new champion</a>. The eyeless, subterranean Eumillipes persephone, discovered 60 metres underground near the south coast of Western Australia, has up to 1,306 legs, making it the first “true millipede” and the leggiest animal on Earth. <h2>Finding life underground</h2> In Australia, most species in some groups of invertebrates are still undescribed. Many could even become extinct before we know about them. Part of the reason is that life is everywhere, even where we least expect it. You could be excused for thinking remote areas of Western Australia such as the Pilbara and the Goldfields, where the land is arid and harsh, are not home to too many species. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437949/original/file-20211216-15-11fkzif.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> The arid landscapes of Western Australia harbour a surprising diversity of life. Shutterstock But the reality is very different. An enormously diverse array of poorly known animals live underground, inhabiting cavities and fractures in the rock several metres below the surface. One way to find out about these creatures is to place “troglofauna traps” far below the surface. E. persephone was found in one of these traps, which had spent two months 60m underground in a mining exploration bore in the Goldfields. <h2>A lucky discovery</h2> At the time I was working for a company called Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, which had been hired by the mining company to survey the animals in the area. I was lucky enough to be in the laboratory on the day the leggiest animal on Earth was first seen. Our senior taxonomist, Jane McRae, showed me these incredibly elongated millipedes, less than a millimetre wide and almost 10 centimetres long. She pointed out how their triangular faces placed them in the family Siphonotidae, comprised of sucking millipedes from the order Polyzoniida. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437938/original/file-20211216-21-3yvudt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437938/original/file-20211216-21-3yvudt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> A female Eumillipes persephone with 330 segments and 1,306 legs. Paul E. Marek, Bruno A. Buzatto, William A. Shear, Jackson C. Means, Dennis G. Black, Mark S. Harvey, Juanita Rodriguez, Scientific Reports, Author provided Their long, thin and pale bodies, with hundreds of legs, reminded me of a paper I had read years earlier, which redescribed the leggiest millipede in the world, the Californian Illacme plenipes, bearing 750 legs. Back in 2007, while teaching zoology at Campinas State University in Brazil, I used that paper to explain to students how no millipede species in the world really had 1,000 legs. Often, popular names are scientifically inaccurate, but in front of me I had an animal that stood a chance of finally making the name millipede biologically correct. <h2>A true millipede at last</h2> I suggested to Jane that our new specimens might be more consistent with I. plenipes, which belongs to another order of millipedes, the Siphonophorida. We consulted Mark Harvey from the WA Museum, and together were surprised to realise Siphonophorida are very rare in Australia: there are only three known species, all found on the east coast. Next, I contacted Paul Marek at Virginia Tech in the United States, a millipede expert and lead author of that paper about the 750-legged I. plenipes. He was excited to receive the specimens a few weeks later. This new species turned out to have up to 1,306 legs, making it the first true millipede. Paul named it Eumillipes persephone, in reference to its “true 1,000 legs” nature, and to Persephone, the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology who was taken from the surface by Hades. <h2>Why so many legs?</h2> E. persephone was most likely driven to its underground life as the landscape above became hotter and drier over millions of years. We eventually discovered Jane was right about the nature of E. persephone: it is in fact a member of the Siphonotidae family, only distantly related to I. plenipes, and is therefore the only species in the whole order Polyzoniida with no eyes. We classify any millipede with more than 180 body segments as “super-elongated”. E. persephone has 330. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437943/original/file-20211216-15-zklige.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437943/original/file-20211216-15-zklige.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Just a few of the legs of a male Eumillipes persephone. Paul E. Marek, Bruno A. Buzatto, William A. Shear, Jackson C. Means, Dennis G. Black, Mark S. Harvey, Juanita Rodriguez, Scientific Reports, Author provided With a genetic analysis, we found that super-elongation has evolved repeatedly in millipedes, and it might be an adaptation to living underground. The large number of legs likely provides enhanced traction and power to push their bodies through small gaps and fractures in the soil. But this is just a hypothesis at this stage, and we have no direct evidence that having more legs is an adaptation to subterranean life. <h2>Finding the unknown</h2> Finding this incredible species, which represents a unique branch of the millipede tree of life, is a small first step towards the conservation of subterranean biodiversity in arid landscapes. This starts with documenting new species, assessing their vulnerability, and ultimately devising conservation priorities and management plans. A large proportion of the species of arid Australia are undescribed. For subterranean fauna, this may be more than 90%. Not knowing these animals exist makes it impossible to assess their conservation status. Biodiversity surveys, and especially the taxonomy that supports them, are incredibly important. Taxonomists such as Jane, Paul and Mark are the unsung heroes of conservation.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173753/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruno-alves-buzatto-185830">Bruno Alves Buzatto</a>, Principal Biologist at Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a> 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/1-millipede-1-306-legs-we-just-discovered-the-worlds-leggiest-animal-hiding-in-western-australia-173753">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

McDonald's introduce cult favourite milk nation wide

Image: Getty McDonald’s have announced the long-awaited introduction of a cult favorite milk to its menus nationwide. The fast food giant revealed on Thursday the exciting news that oat milk would finally be available for customers to have in their McCafe drinks. “Together, at last. MILKLAB Oat Milk has officially joined the McCafe line-up,” a post from the restaurant’s Facebook account read. In a comment, a McDonald’s employee confirmed extra charges would apply for people who opted to have oat milk, which only be available at “participating restaurants”. The announcement comes as a welcome to hundreds of new Aussies who flooded the comments with excitement over the new inclusion. “I have been waiting so long to get an iced vanilla latte with oat milk from Maccas”, one woman wrote. Someone else joked the news was so good that “this might be the best day of my life”. While McDonald’s is yet to release a full list of stores, it was understood those with a McCafe would stock oat milk.The production of the plant milk contributes 80 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions and uses 60 per cent less energy than cow milk, while also using about ten times less water. It has earned hype among lactose intolerant people, vegans and meat eaters alike for its texture and likeness to cow’s milk. Nutritionists warn, that while it is lower in saturated fat than cow milk, it also contains less protein and calcium.

Food & Wine

Perth mother’s urgent warning after losing her legs and unborn baby

A Perth mother has given a grave warning to others, after she lost her unborn baby, was forced to have her legs amputated and almost lost her life to sepsis. Leana Stendell admitted doctors did not expect her to live, however the woman is still here to share her inspirational story of survival. “He wrote in his notes that I wasn’t going to make it, make the night... but I did!” the woman admitted <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/" target="_blank">7NEWS</a> about her doctor. Stendell revealed she had woken up one morning vomiting and just 12 hours later she was in a coma, which is where she stayed for 12 days. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841550/leana-stendell-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a5715d443fb3447682b0c4af34af2bf1" /> The woman sadly lost her son, who was delivered as a stillborn at just 33 weeks. “I think for my family, that was traumatic because I was asleep, so I don’t have any memory of that and they are there holding that memory instead,” she said. The Perth mum had Strep A, but it progressed so quickly that she developed sepsis. It was the same infection that took the life of bubbly seven-year-old Aishwarya Aswath at Perth Children’s Hospital. “Sepsis is a time-critical emergency, where the body’s response to an infection can cause shock or organ failure or death,” Royal Perth Hospital Jonathon Burcham said. The mother of two spent four months in hospital, and in that time her legs were amputate just below the knee. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841551/leana-stendell-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/307c6b1921c44551b0dbc693d20473e5" /> “I remember making that choice that I was going to be okay, and I was going to be happy,” she said. There are 55,000 cases of sepsis every year in Australia and 8700 deaths – more than seven times the national road toll. Stendell says that despite her losses, she has gained a brighter outlook on life. “More so now I’m just grateful and I see the happiness and joy in things and that’s where I want to be,” Stendell said. Image: 7News

Body

Red Symons says Bert Newton staying positive following leg amputation

<div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in element-type-p"> Fans of Bert Newton have been extremely anxious after news of the TV legend having to have his leg amputated broke on Monday. However, close family friends Rhonda Burchomroe and Red Symons have confirmed that Newton is maintaining his happy outlook on life despite the operation. "I mean I was as shocked as anyone yesterday when I heard the news," Burchmore said. "He is cracking jokes, apparently, with all the medical staff. "He has been in my life and been such a mentor and support for so many people through all the years. "I am sure if anyone can kind of move on and do incredible things he will." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Bert Newtown's family have rallied around the hospitalised TV icon, with his wife Patti saying Bert "chose life" when given an ultimatum by doctors - months to live, or have the lower part of his right leg removed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> More on this story: <a href="https://t.co/q8LlaT3v2o">https://t.co/q8LlaT3v2o</a> <a href="https://t.co/csekqYOeNa">pic.twitter.com/csekqYOeNa</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1391842864221626371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2021</a></blockquote> The 82-year-old entertainment legend is diabetic and has suffered numerous health issues, including undergoing a quadruple heart bypass in 2012. Symons said that the family has high hopes that Newton would be able to continue with his entertainment career. "I guess moving forward, we hope that he is able to come back and work. If he doesn't what a massive body of work that he has," Symons said. </div>

Caring

How to banish painful leg cramps

<div id="primary" class="contentAreaLeft"> <div class="Maincontent"> Everyone experiences leg cramps at some point in their lives, to a greater or lesser degree. If you’re lucky it can be as minor as a short series of spasms or cramps in the leg muscles that don’t relax for several seconds. Often these can be caused by overuse or dehydration, or even just standing and walking for longer than usual. Routine muscle cramps generally last just a few seconds or minutes and ease with warmth, rest and stretching. But you need to be able to tell the difference between that and more sinister conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral artery disease, or even a clogging of the arteries which can reduce circulation to the limbs. The most common leg cramps – also known as restless leg or night leg cramps – can appear as if from nowhere, and as the name suggests, occur mostly at night. Characterised by a sudden movement in the leg muscles, causing painful, involuntary contractions to occur, they can last from a few seconds up to a few minutes. While low levels of certain minerals such as electrolytes and some medications have been cited as causes of leg cramps, unfortunately there is currently no definitive cure. However, sufferers can take Crampeze long term to help combat these cramps. Let’s take a closer look to help see if the leg pains you are experiencing may be simpler than you think to help identify – and hopefully ease. What are the symptoms of common leg cramps or night cramps? The symptoms of a muscle cramp include: <ul> <li>Sudden uncontrollable and painful spasms in the muscle</li> <li>Muscle twitching</li> <li>Excruciating deep muscle pain in the calf</li> <li>Tightness of the calf and hardening of the muscle</li> </ul> A cramp can reoccur several times before it goes away. Cramps are common at night and generally occur in the calf muscles and feet. What can be the underlying cause of such cramps? The exact cause of muscle cramps is largely unknown, but there are some risk factors that include: <ul> <li>Muscle injury</li> <li>Muscle fatigue</li> <li>Poor diet and lifestyle</li> <li>Low Magnesium levels or Magnesium deficiency</li> <li>Dehydration</li> <li>Physical overexertion</li> <li>Physical exertion of cold muscles</li> <li>Some medications</li> <li>Excessive perspiration</li> </ul> How can you stop leg cramps? Many people turn to magnesium supplements to try relieve leg cramps. Magnesium is involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and around 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It assists with energy production and is necessary for proper muscle and nerve function, while helping to maintain normal healthy functioning of the nervous system and may help relieve muscular cramps and spasms. However, magnesium alone is not a complete cramp solution to stop leg cramps. Why choose Crampeze instead of a magnesium supplement? Crampeze offers a wide range of muscular cramp relief products that fit in with your lifestyle and preferences. Crampeze products provide Magnesium supplementation and contain Viburnum Opulus (Cramp bark), which is traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscle spasms and twitches. Crampeze can be taken every day and easily fits into your routine to help you live your life cramp free from today. Key Crampeze ingredients and how they work to stop leg cramps: <a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/products/crampeze-night-cramps/" target="_blank">Crampeze Night Cramps</a> contains: <ul> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscle spasms and twitches.</li> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine as an antispasmodic and to maintain general health and wellbeing.</li> <li>Magnesium to support energy production and maintain muscle function.</li> <li>Ginkgo Biloba that acts as an antioxidant, reducing free radicals formed in the body.</li> <li>Ginkgo Biloba to support blood circulation to the peripheral areas of the body (legs, hands and feet).</li> </ul> <a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/products/crampeze-night-cramps-forte/" target="_blank">Crampeze Night Cramps Forte</a> contains: <ul> <li>Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark) traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve muscle cramps and mild muscles twitches and as an antispasmodic.</li> <li>Magnesium to maintain healthy immune system functions and support healthy neuromuscular system.</li> <li>Magnesium to maintain muscle function and support nervous system function.</li> <li>Nicotinamide, feverfew extract and vitamin B5.</li> </ul> Additional lifestyle tips to help reduce cramps There are many things you can do to help alleviate night time leg cramps that can be incorporated into your daily routine, such as drink plenty of water during the day, daily calf stretches, trying not to sit with your legs crossed, taking a warm bath before going to bed, indulge in regular massages, and modifying your diet to include more potassium and magnesium-based foods. Some extra cramp facts <ul> <li>Leg cramps are reported in up to 60% of adults and 7% of children. Up to 20% of people have symptoms every day.1</li> <li>About 1 in 3 people over the age of 60, and about half of people over the age of 80, experience regular leg cramps.2</li> <li>Approximately 50% of those over 55 suffer nocturnal leg cramping, with significantly more people experiencing nocturnal leg pain.3</li> <li>40% of people who suffer from leg cramps have cramps at least three times per week.4</li> </ul> This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://crampeze.com.au/" target="_blank">Crampeze</a>. References: <ol> <li>Allen RE, Kirby KA. Nocturnal leg cramps. Am Fam Physician 2012;86:350–5. [PubMed] http://www.patient.co.uk/health/cramps-in-the-leg</li> <li>http://www.backinmotion.com.au/news/article/how-to-combat-night-pains-and-cramps Adrian Quinn – Physiotherapist and Director, Back In Motion</li> <li>Camberwell How to combat night pains and cramps Published: 19 March 2014</li> <li>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180160.php by Christian Nordqvist</li> </ol> </div> </div>

Body

"What were they thinking!?": Shoppers claim $9 Kmart pants look like female genitalia

A pair of pink tracksuit pants from Kmart have caught shoppers attention as the baggy crotch area apparently looks like female genitalia. The photo was shared on the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/206437716589520" target="_blank">Kmart Hacks & Decor Facebook page</a>, which caught the attention of thousands. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840257/kmrt.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/75234d916a794b0ead0cf57af139fb7a" /> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> "What were they thinking?! Didn't anyone at Kmart notice this?" one person joked. Another said: "I prefer to wear my vagina on the inside of my pants thanks." While a third wrote: "This puts a new spin on 'leaving nothing to the imagination." There were more than 800 comments joking about the pants, but some had purchased them before seeing the resemblance. "Didn't see this! But bought these in-store today and not even kidding they are so soft and comfy!" one said. Another added: "But they are actually comfy as! Hope my f**** does not look like that in them though!" The unwanted attention has reportedly made its way to Kmart as well due to the retailer updating their website to only offer three colours: striped, white striped and midnight. Photo credits: Kmart </div> </div> </div>

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How to banish painful leg cramps

"What were they thinking!?": Shoppers claim $9 Kmart pants look like female genitalia

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