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Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

A Hilton guest in Nashville has experienced the stuff of nightmares during his overnight stay, having woken in the middle of the night to find the hotel’s manager sucking on his toes. The now-former employee allegedly crept into Peter Brennan’s room using a ‘ghost key card’, according to Brennan’s lawyer, and a warrant has been placed for the arrest of the 52-year-old culprit, David Neal. Brennan is also looking to sue the Hilton Hotel where the incident occurred, WSMV have reported. “I woke up at about 5am,” Brennan explained, “and I was being sexually assaulted by a man who had broken into my room.” Metro police reported that Neal was the night manager at the establishment, and attorney Michael Fisher has claimed that Neal had access to hotel keys despite a criminal past. As court documents note, Neal was previously indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury in 1996 for second-degree murder in relation to his roommate’s death. In 1997, a jury had found him guilty of manslaughter, while Neal claimed self-defence. And as WKRN have reported, for his 2023 toe sucking offence, Neal allegedly told investigators that he had gone into Brennan’s room without permission using a duplicate key because he could smell smoke and had wanted to check in on its occupant. Brennan, upon waking to find Neal there, confronted his assaulter immediately. He also recognised him as someone who had entered his room the previous day, alongside another hotel employee, to check out a TV issue with the room. "[I] instantly jumped up and was screaming,” he told News Channel 5. “Went into sort of fact-finding mode. ‘Who are you? Why are you in my room? What are you doing here?’ "I could see he was wearing a uniform, he had his name tag on. He was talking to me but not giving me any substantive answers." A spokesperson for the hotel directed the station to the hotel’s local manager for comment, though they refused to comment, telling them that “the safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and, as part of company policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations." Which can’t have come as much comfort to Brennan, who was trying to come to terms with what he’d been through, and noted that he was “having problems sleeping frankly, I’m going through some PTSD, talking to a therapist. "I still don’t really feel safe in my own home." Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

Don’t look a GIF horse in the mouth: Short, shareable animations have been delighting humans for centuries

They are a popular feature of social media and text messaging in 2022, but many people are surprised to discover short sharable animations or videos, like GIFs have been around in digital format for 35 years, but in analogue for nearly two centuries. Today many have become internet memes, added for emphasis, and mostly played on continuous loop. GIFs (short for Graphics Interchange Format) Steve Wilhite, a computer scientist working at CompuServe is <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-gif-early-internet-innovation-ubiquitous-relic-180963543/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acknowledged as the creator</a> of the Graphics Interchange Format, or GIF in 1987. A GIF is a small image file that can support short animations or videos. GIFs work by stringing together several frames or images into a single file, which plays like a short clip. Compressed they are small file sizes; GIFs are easily shared on email and social media. While most can share in the delight of a well-chosen GIF, there is a long-running heated disagreement over how to pronounce the acronym, tracked <a href="https://time.com/5791028/how-to-pronounce-gif/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">by Time</a> (this COSMOS journalist had been pronouncing GIF with a hard ‘g’, while Wilhite apparently preferred the softer version, like ‘JIF’). But long before the GIF there were various forms of short sharable animation made in analogue. Here we flick through a few. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-giphy wp-block-embed-giphy"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-asset"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/giphy1.gif" alt="" width="500" height="337" /></div> </div> </div> </div><figcaption>Ghost GIF / Credit: Matthias Brown</figcaption></figure> Thaumatropes (from the Greek for ‘wonder turner’) Dating back as early as 1827, a thaumatrope is a two-sided disc which creates a simple animation when spun. The device is a disc with different but related pictures on each side and strings attached at opposite ends. When those strings are wound up tightly, and then released, the disc spins creating a simple animation. While the idea was described and popularised by John Ayrton Paris, the inventor of this wonder turner is not known. Phenakistoscopes (from the Greek for ‘deceitful viewer’) <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p202287-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> </div> </div> In 1832 an analogue form of the modern GIF was made by spinning a circular card on its centre. In that year, two scientists Joseph Plateau from Belgium and Simon von Stampfer from Austria independently created looping animations called phenakistoscopes. The phenakistoscope creates the illusion of moving images by slicing the circle into segments and placing a sequential image at slightly shifting locations within each slice, using vector graphics. Each slice of the circle acts like a frame in an animation. Between each slice is a black radial slit. When the circle is spun on its centre, and its reflection viewed using a mirror, the effect creates the illusion of smoothly moving images like a short, repeating video. Zoetropes (from the Greek for ‘life turn’) Two years later, mathematician William Horner <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2908" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">created the zoetrope</a>, an idea based on the phenakistoscope but able to be viewed by more than one person at a time. A larger cylinder like a drum has slits cut into the sides for viewing. Strips of sequential images spin inside the cylinder so that the viewer sees one after the other. The technology was popularised by American business magnate, game pioneer and publisher, Milton Bradley in 1866 who sold zoetropes as a toy with replaceable picture strips. Several animation studios have built three-dimensional versions of the zoetrope using sequentially posed figurines instead of pictures. Visitors to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne can experience a <a href="https://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/acmis-cuphead-zoetrope-cool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3D zoetrope</a> of video game character Cuphead. Meanwhile visitors to the <a href="https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ghibli Museum</a> in Tokyo, can see a zoetrope of skipping and running totoros built using figurines from the Studio Ghibli movie My Neighbour Totoro. Find out more about phenakistoscopes and GIFs on the 2022 SCINEMA International Science Film Festival For more on the history and science of the phenakistoscope (and instructions on how to make one) watch the 2022 SCINEMA International Science Film festival entry, Animated GIFS: Celebrating Scientific Genius, by <a href="https://scinema.org.au/register" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">registering</a> to view it for free on the SCINEMA website. Follow the prompts on the email you receive and you’ll find Animated GIFS: Celebrating Scientific Genius in the Animation / Experimental playlist. You can watch all the films until August 31 2022 when the festival ends. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-giphy wp-block-embed-giphy"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-asset"> <div class="embed-wrapper"> <div class="inner"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/giphy-1.gif" alt="" width="480" height="480" /></div> </div> </div> </div><figcaption>GIF based on a phenakistoscope / Credit: Sanni Lahtinen on GIPHY</figcaption></figure> <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=202287&title=Don%26%238217%3Bt+look+a+GIF+horse+in+the+mouth%3A+short%2C+shareable+animations+have+been+delighting+humans+for+centuries" width="1" height="1" /> <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/computing/dont-look-a-gif-horse-in-the-mouth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/petra-stock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Petra Stock</a>. Petra Stock has a degree in environmental engineering and a Masters in Journalism from University of Melbourne. She has previously worked as a climate and energy analyst. Image: Getty Images </div>

Technology

Another strange symptom linked to COVID-19

Spanish researchers are suggesting there is another symptom of COVID-19 not previously considered. Health experts believe rash-like mouth lesions are another side effect of having coronavirus, after 21 patient’s mouths with COVID-19 were examined at Ramon y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid. They were investigating whether each patient who had rashes on their skin would determine if they might have enanthem - a rash inside the body on the mucous membrane. The study's findings - published in JAMA Dermatology - found six of the patients with skin rash had some form of enanthem in their mouths. The patients were aged between 40 and 69 and four of the six were female. "This work describes preliminary observations and is limited by the small number of cases and the absence of a control group," researchers wrote in the study. "Despite the increasing reports of skin rashes in patients with COVID-19, establishing an etiological diagnosis is challenging. “However, the presence of enanthem is a strong clue that suggests a viral etiology rather than a drug reaction, especially when a petechial pattern is observed.” Researchers noted many patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 have not had their mouths examined due to the worrying safety concerns around the infection. The study noted enanthems were previously found in some Italian COVID-19 patients. The mouth lesions join a growing list of strange coronavirus symptoms detected by health experts. They follow the discovery of clumsiness disturbance in mental functioning, loss of taste and smell and migraine as odd COVID-19 side effects.

Body

From the doctor's mouth: How to stay healthy during coronavirus

Most people are feeling the current worldwide viral pandemic which is unlike anything anyone has ever lived through. Right now, people are preparing for a major community outbreak of the virus. The next few weeks to months will be intense, with people working long hours, and children having to go to and from school. But there are things you can do to ensure your mental and physical health, as well as those around you, are in optimal condition. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Kate Gregorevic provided her top tips to say healthy during this difficult period. 1. Prioritising sleep: "People who have only slept four hours, compared to those who have slept eight hours, have a reduced response to vaccination," says Dr Kate. "While this may or may not translate to a better immune response to coronavirus, sleep is also valuable in its own right, and optimises memory and cognitive function. Adequate sleep is also important for managing anxiety, so it really is worth prioritising." 2. Regularly exercising: "This is one of my go-tos for stress management. Regular exercise does appear to decrease the number of days someone reports illness symptoms, although these studies are observational, so they show correlation not causation. Right now, most gyms are still operating, but if this changes I will continue to go for walks and do my home exercise program, as long as I am well." 3. Eating well: "While I have stocked up on a few essentials, I am also conscious that I can't store enough food for months. I can't help but notice at the supermarket, there are still plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available. Even in Italy and Wuhan, the grocery stores remained open during the most stringent social restrictions, and I am going to continue to enjoy making myself healthy meals with fresh ingredients." 4. Cocooning people at risk: "For most people who are young and healthy, particularly children, COVID-19 seems to present itself as a mild illness. But for people who are older it is far more dangerous. While it is heartbreaking to think that my children might not see their grandparents for a few weeks or months, the reality is that my father-in-law is in his eighties and we need to protect him. My youngest child is two and incapable of social distancing. My husband will still visit his parents to drop groceries off while maintaining a distance of about 1.5 metres." 5. Checking in on my neighbours: "One of my neighbours is currently having chemotherapy. Since this knocks out the immune system, she is at risk of developing more serious symptoms from coronavirus, and so she and her family will be in self-quarantine. When I go to the shops, I'll check in whether she needs anything and leave it on her porch to avoid her or her family facing crowds." 6. Openly communicating with my children: "A few nights ago, my eight-year-old started crying. She knows that she can't see some people she loves for a while, and the school warned her that they might close soon. The kids are fully aware of what is going on, and that their parents are worried. The scientists who host children's YouTube show <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJDFI9j8UeNoqra37p5OkA" target="_blank">Operation Ouch</a> made <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2rQV34fr-M" target="_blank">a video </a>to give kids accurate and age appropriate information to help with this." 7. Putting the phone away: "While it is tempting to constantly read updates on news websites and Twitter, I also know that I need to mentally take a break. Since I find myself consumed by all the articles on coronavirus if my phone is nearby, in the evenings I am putting my phone away and taking some time to relax by reading a good book or watching something light on a streaming service." 8. Washing my hands: "This one I cannot emphasise enough. We all touch our faces all the time. It is something we do so absent-mindedly that we are almost powerless to stop it. Washing our hands with soap and water can remove microbes from our skin and disrupts the outer membrane of most viruses and bacteria. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are a good substitute if you can't wash your hands."

Caring

Mouth-watering kingfish & ocean trout ceviche

If you're cooking for a fancier audience, try this delicious seafood combination. Ingredients: 200g Hiramasa kingfish fillets 200g Petuna ocean trout fillets 50ml apple cider vinegar 75ml fresh lime juice 30g sea salt 50g sugar 10 cherry tomatoes, sliced 3 pickled turmeric onions (pickled onions, fresh turmeric, turmeric powder and green chilli) Black sesame seeds and baby coriander for garnish Directions: 1. Slice the fish fillets into your desired shape. Cubes or sashimi-style will work. 2. Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and lime juice (check the mixture for taste, as some apple cider vinegars can be sweeter than others) and spoon over cut fish. Leave for 10 minutes to quickly cure. 3. For the onions (this is the cheat version): take a standard jar of pickled onions and add 1 knob of fresh grated turmeric, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 2 sliced green chillies and add to the pickling liquor from inside the jar, then spoon over onions. Leave for 10-15 minutes and you're good to go. 4. Combine the rest of the ingredients and season with the same juice that has been curing the fish. 5. Place the fish on top of the salad/onions and garnish with sesame seeds and coriander. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/hiramasa-kingfish-petuna-ocean-trout-ceviche.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.

Food & Wine

This beef red wine pie will melt in your mouth

These tasty pies are full of flavour and a great winter warmer! Recipe reproduced with permission. © 2015 National Heart Foundation of Australia. For more healthy recipes visit <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes" target="_blank">www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes</a> or speak to the Heart Foundation’s Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87. Ingredients 2 tsp peanut oil* 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1kg beef chuck steak trimmed of all fat and cubed* 2 tbs plain flour 200g Swiss brown mushrooms, quartered 2 tbs fresh thyme chopped 2 tbs fresh parsley chopped 2 sheets canola puff pastry defrosted 1 tbs reduced fat milk* 375ml red wine 375ml reduced salt beef stock 2 carrots thinly sliced 2 tbs reduced salt tomato paste Mashed potato and steamed beans to serve *Products available with the Tick. Remember all fresh fruit and vegetables automatically qualify for the Tick. Method <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl10__ControlWrapper_RichHtmlField" class="ms-rtestate-field"> 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. You will need 6 x 2 cup capacity ovenproof pie dishes. 2. Heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add the garlic and the beef and cook for 5 minutes until the beef is browned. 3. Add the flour and tomato paste and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the red wine and stock and bring to the boil. Add the carrots, mushrooms and chopped thyme. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour then remove the lid and cook for a further 45 minutes until the beef is tender and the sauce is reduced and thickened. Stir through the parsley, transfer to a bowl and allow the filling to cool completely. 4. Using the top of a pie dish as a guide, cut 6 circles from the pastry, about 2cm larger than the dish. Spoon the cooled filling into the dishes. Brush the edges of each pastry circle with a little water then cover the dishes (damp side down); pressing the pastry to the side of the dish to seal. Cut a small cross in the top of each pie, insert a sprig of thyme and lightly brush with milk. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden and the filling is hot. Serve the pies with mashed potato and steamed beans. Would you try this delicious pie? Let us know in the comments below. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/beef-and-red-wine-pies.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a> </div>

Food & Wine

Mouth-watering Moroccan lamb with lemon spinach

Are you interested in what going gluten free tastes like? Or do you have issues with IBS? Either way we have you covered with this hearty lamb dinner which will have them asking for seconds! Recipes and images from THE Two-Step Low-FODMAP DIET and Recipe Book by Dr Sue Shepherd (Pan Macmillan, RRP $39.95). Ingredients <ul> <li>Moroccan lamb</li> <li>2 teaspoons ground cumin</li> <li>2 teaspoons ground coriander</li> <li>1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger</li> <li>1 teaspoon sweet paprika</li> <li>1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</li> <li>1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li> <li>1⁄4 teaspoon salt</li> <li>4 large lamb leg steaks, approx. 180 g each</li> <li>60 mL (1⁄4 cup) garlic-infused olive oil</li> <li>1 × 425 g can crushed tomatoes</li> <li>250 mL (1 cup) gluten-free, onion-free beef stock</li> <li>Lemon spinach</li> <li>60 mL (1⁄4 cup) lemon-infused olive oil</li> <li>100 g baby spinach leaves (or baby kale leaves if desired)</li> <li>salt and freshly ground black pepper</li> </ul> Method 1. Combine all the spices in a plastic bag. Brush the lamb steaks with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and place in the bag. 2. Toss in the spice mix to ensure an even coating. 3. Refrigerate for 2 hours if possible (the lamb will still be tasty if this is not done). 4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium–high heat. Sear the lamb for 1–2 minutes on each side. 5. Add the tomatoes to the pan with the stock. Lower the heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, slightly covered, or until the lamb is tender and the sauce thickens. To make the lemon spinach 1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the spinach and toss through until the spinach just wilts. 2. Season to taste, and serve with the lamb. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/moroccan-lamb-with-lemon-spinach.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

The decadent chocolate chip biscuits that melt in your mouth

Use what’s in your pantry to make a delicious snack that will make you want to eat the whole tray. If you’re looking for a mouth-watering treat that the whole family will enjoy, try out this recipe. Ingredients 150g softened butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 3/4 cups plain flour 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, plus 1 tablespoon extra 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, plus 1 tablespoon extra Method 1. Preheat oven to 180C or 160C fan-forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Using an electric mixer or whisking by hand, beat butter and sugars for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and well combined. 2. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. 3. Stir in flour. Stir in dark and milk choc bits. 4. Roll 2 level tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place on prepared trays, 3cm apart. 5. Press down slightly. Decorate with extra choc bits. 6. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until light golden and cooked. 7. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Will you be trying out this recipe? Let us know in the comments below.

Food & Wine

Mouth-watering sesame sausages with vegetables

Be tempted with this delicious dish that is quick and easy to prepare. Serves: 4 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 25 minutes Ingredients <ul> <li>2 large red capsicums (bell peppers), halved and seeded</li> <li>2 large yellow capsicums (bell peppers), halved and seeded</li> <li>4 thick pork sausages</li> <li>2 tablespoons tomato sauce (ketchup)</li> <li>2 tablespoons hoisin sauce</li> <li>3 tablespoons sesame seeds</li> <li>3 heads bok choy, chopped</li> </ul> Preparation <ol> <li>Preheat the grill (broiler) to medium.</li> <li>Cook the capsicums and sausages for about 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally until the sausages are cooked through and the capsicums is tender and lightly charred.</li> <li>Cut the capsicums into wide strips, set aside and keep warm.</li> <li>Combine the tomato sauce and hoisin sauce in a large shallow bowl.</li> <li>Add the sausages and roll to coat.</li> <li>Cover the grill rack with foil and continue grilling the sausages for 1 minute, or until the glaze is bubbling.</li> <li>Turn the sausages and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, then cook for a further 1 minute, or until the seeds are golden.</li> <li>Thickly slice the sausages on the diagonal and combine with the capsicums and bok choy, tossing together to combine.</li> <li>Divide among serving bowls and serve immediately.</li> </ol> This recipe first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/sesame-sausages-with-vegetables">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN87V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Food & Wine

Roger Federer shocks fans with furious foul-mouthed outburst

Roger Federer is now a step closer to his 100th career title, after facing a challenging match on Friday against Marton Fucsovics at the Dubai Championships. The seven-time champion beat the Hungarian athlete 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in less than ideal conditions which included intense winds and brief rain delays – forcing the normally calm Federer to lose his cool. His frustration was evident as the 20-time grand slam winner swore so loudly at one point that the umpire hit him with a code violation. “It was tricky. A couple of rain delays, especially one at five-all, coming back with sort of no preparation, you just have to serve,” said the Swiss player. “We made the most of it. The tiebreaker was tough. I’m happy I found a way to get out of that one. That was an exciting match, to say the least.” The 37-year-old is now set to face either Croatian player Borna Coric or Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in the last four. “You look at the score at home and it looks like an easy straight sets,” he said. “But it’s so close, you can never underestimate anyone. I’m very happy with my level. It was tough with the wind, but it’s a challenge and that’s why I’m here.” Federer had to secure two set points in an hour-long opener, as he was faced with tough conditions from the get-go. He ended up finishing with nine winners compared to an enormous 21 unforced errors. He then found his momentum taking a 5-4 lead. Are you rooting for Federer to take home the Dubai cup? Let us know in the comments below.

News

5 things you didn’t know could cause bad breath

If you’re worried that you have bad breath, or you’ve had the awkward chat where a friend informs you of the fact, it’s fairly mortifying. Nobody wants to be the person that people avoid chatting to, or worse, avoid altogether. Bad breath should not be ignored, and in fact can be a sign of (curable) disease. So be sure to visit the doctor or dentist if you have concerns that any of these factors could be causing your bad breath. 1. You might need to see the dentist Naturally it is expected that you are brushing and flossing regularly, but you still need regular teeth cleaning at the dentist too. They use tools that can between the teeth, where food particles and plaque can hide. These can cause bad breath and you might just find that a simple clean is all you needed to get rid of it. The dentist can also double check that you don’t have any infections or gum disease that could also cause breath issues. 2. You could have tonsillitis Bad breath is often a sign that something is wrong in your mouth or throat – quite often it’s tonsillitis. A quick visit to the doctor will tell you if this is the problem, and you’ll most likely have a sore throat to go with it. This can also occur when you are just recovering from illness. 3. You suffer from dry mouth There are lots of causes of dry mouth, specifically conditions like sleep apnoea or being overweight, and different types of medication. The dryness is caused by a lack of saliva, which is needed to wash away dead cells in the mouth and food particles, which can cause bad breath. 4. You might be eating too much sugar Too much sugar can cause the bacteria in our mouth to grow and multiply. Try to reduce how much sugar you eat as part of a healthy diet anyway, but if you absolutely need some soft drink or gum, ensure it is sugar free. 5. You could be drinking too much alcohol Bad breath can also be a sign of damage to the stomach and digestive system, mouth or oesophagus, which is a common concern for people that drink to excess. Alcohol affects the body in many ways, and if your consumption is causing health issues it is worth addressing sooner rather than later. Have you ever had bad breath for one of these reasons? Did it go away when you treated the cause?

Beauty & Style

Star Wars characters sing Smash Mouth’s “All Star”

In this video, the Star Wars character have made a rendition of a 90’s radio hit. Jimmy Fallon played the video on the “Tonight Show” and it sounds a lot better than what you are probably expecting. Fallon and his team created the video after receiving a letter from a fan that said, “I love Star Wars. I also love the song 'All Star' by Smash Mouth." <iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGxP9XU0pNA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The video features footage from the Skywalker saga films and Rogue One with characters like Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Rey. Which Star Wars film is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Movies

What your mouth says about your health

Someone’s smile is often one of the first things people notice about a person. But beyond making a good first impression, your mouth can also tell you a lot about your general health. It’s easy to live with certain issues that you may not think are a big deal. But in fact, issues with your teeth and mouth in general need to be attended to pronto, as they can lead to more serious issues down the track if left untreated. So what should you be looking out for? Ulcers Some people seem to be more susceptible to mouth ulcers. They tend to be either linked to stress or just from biting the inside of your mouth or tongue accidentally. If you find you are experiencing them regularly, or they don’t clear up after a few days, it could be worth investigating. <ul> <li>Some people experience ulcers for no reason, or it could be when they are worried, or for women even a symptom of menstruation. They tend to go away on their own after a few days.</li> <li>You may experience ulcers when you have had some dental work done, and there is something like a sharp part of tooth rubbing against the inside of your cheek. It’s also common for people that wear braces or have a plate.</li> <li>Try taking paracetamol and rinsing your mouth out with warm salty water. You can also get some relief by using teething gel, which you can buy from the chemist.</li> </ul> Bad breath If might be something that you notice yourself, or perhaps some kind soul decides to tell you. Bad breath can be a sign of several potential issues. <ul> <li>You may just need a visit to the dentist for a clean and polish, as bad breath can occur when there is some plaque build-up on your teeth.</li> <li>It could be a sign of illness. For instance gum disease, or some people even experience bad breath when they have a sore throat.</li> <li>You may have become a bit too relaxed with your oral hygiene routine. Are you brushing twice a day? Flossing? Using mouthwash?</li> <li>Certain foods and drinks can cause issues for some people. For instance coffee, garlic, onion, tuna. You may just need to get into the habit of keeping a spare toothbrush in your bag, or some gum/mints.</li> </ul> Sore, red gums There is a big range in this area, as some people may experience mild discomfort while others have gums that are so painful they hurt to brush (or even bleed). Often it is a sign of gum disease but it can also be an indicator of other issues such as diabetes. <ul> <li>Be sure to have regular checkups at the dentist if you have any tenderness or redness, as it’s something that is better treated early. If ignored it can lead to gum disease or even loss of teeth.</li> <li>Invest in a good quality toothbrush, or even an electric toothbrush, to ensure you are giving your teeth a thorough clean twice daily.</li> <li>Use sensitive toothpaste if you feel this may help. Especially if you find certain foods or temperatures make it feel worse.</li> </ul> Grinding teeth This can be a sign of stress and can often go unnoticed until your teeth are quite worn, or your jaw becomes sore. <ul> <li>Sit down and think about any potential sources of stress in your life that may need addressing. Writing it down may help.</li> <li>Consider speaking with your dentist if you feel that the issue is causing problems with your teeth or jaw. There are options such as wearing a plate or guard when you are sleeping.</li> </ul>

Body

How often you really need to replace your toothbrush

We can all admit there have been times where we’ve gone a little while between new toothbrushes. But if you’re not replacing your toothbrush regularly you could be leaving your mouth open to a range of dangerous health consequences. What should I be worried about? The big concern about not replacing your toothbrush regularly is that you’re reintroducing old bacteria into your mouth every time you brush, effectively undoing the benefits of cleaning your teeth in the first place. What’s the worst case scenario? Over time the bristles of a toothbrush become frayed and ineffective at removing plague, which can lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss. What will most probably happen? If you retain the same toothbrush what’s most likely is that your toothbrush becomes frayed and unappealing. You can also expect some plaque build-up. John Grbic, DMD, a professor and director of the division of oral biology at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine told Prevention, “A well-functioning toothbrush has bristles that bend. When your brush is old, it's hard not to notice.” How often should I replace my toothbrush? The American Dental Association recommends as a standard rule that you replace your toothbrush at least once every three to four months and even sooner if you notice the bristles are frayed. This ensures it is still working effectively when you brush your teeth. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/02/foul-mouthed-cockatoo-cage/">Foul-mouthed cockatoo doesn’t want to go back to her cage</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/amazing-photos-of-aurora-borealis-resembling-a-phoenix/">Amazing photos of Aurora Borealis resembling a phoenix</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/90-year-old-skips-cancer-treatment-to-travel/">90-year-old forgoes cancer treatment to travel</a>

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Foul-mouthed cockatoo doesn’t want to go back to her cage

Pebble doesn’t want to go back to her cage, and she’s not shy about it. With language that would make a sailor blush, Pebble starts going on a foul-mouthed rant at her owner who tries to talk a little bit of calm into her. It might take a little more coaxing but he got Pebble into her cage eventually! Make sure you watch the whole way through. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/02/adorable-joey-is-desperate-for-food/">This adorable joey is desperate for food</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/baby-monkey-casual-bath-sink/">Baby monkey has casual bath in sink</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/squirrel-family-cat-wrestle-roof/">Sassy squirrel and family cat wrestle on roof</a>

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How often you really need to replace your toothbrush

Foul-mouthed cockatoo doesn’t want to go back to her cage