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Woman slammed for using GoFundMe for house deposit

A woman has been relentlessly mocked online after launching a GoFundMe page to ask strangers to contribute money to her house deposit. Emmalee Potter, a mother-of-three from Victoria, wrote on the page that she had been "suffering a rough few years" and relying on friends and family for help with accommodation. Now however, Potter is finally in the position where she is tantalising close to being able to purchase her new home after "working hard towards saving", but still finds herself $3,000 short of her goal. As she wrote on the fundraising page, "I'm almost at the final stage but I'm short on the deposit so I'm calling on my village. Please help me get over this last hurdle, every little bit truly helps, a house is more than just a place to live." "It's a foundation for the next chapter of life, a space where memories are made, and where I can really begin to feel settled. Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping me achieve this dream." While Ms Potter thanked those who could contribute, many were not impressed at her using the platform in order to fund her house. "No hate but you expect people to donate to you so you can buy a house?" one person asked, while another added, "I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. If we are all going to start GoFundMe accounts, I may as well start one so I can go on a holiday to Greece." Another person wrote, "It's a tough time for everyone trying to buy a house, especially with the cost of living, so I'm kind of confused why you're asking for donations. The first paragraph of your listing says 'I'm now in a position to purchase a home' but you're asking strangers to send you money for the deposit?" Ms Potter defended the fundraising page as she responded to one outraged commenter, writing, "It's not about 'funding me a house' it's the small amount still needed to buy something." "Me and my kids are living in a room at my friends. Buying is actually cheaper than renting. We've applied for over 100 rentals and been knocked back. I can get the home loan and pay the repayments [I'm] just needing the last bit of the deposit." Others were quick to defend the woman, as one person wrote, "There's nothing wrong with asking for help." Image credits: GoFundMe / Facebook

Money & Banking

Princess Diana's former lover opens up in rare interview

Army Major James Hewitt, who had a five-year affair with the late Princess Diana from 1986, has spoken about the royal in a rare television interview with Good Morning Britain on Tuesday. When asked about whether he thinks Diana may have been able to reunite her sons, who have barely spoken in five years, he replied: "I think any mother would be worried and concerned about such a rift, as you put it." "And she'd do her best to try and get them together." Major Hewitt, who now spends his time doing aid work in Ukraine, revealed that the last time he had spoken to the late Princess was "just after" her BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in November 1995, during which she admitted to their affair. He described the conversation as "distant" and admitted that the interview did "create problems" for him from which he was "trying to move on". After the affair was revealed, Major Hewitt was labelled as a "love rat" by the tabloid media and found his reputation in ruins. He also said that the interview was "very distressing" for the late Princess, as someone she had trusted had used their connection to make money. "It was a stitch-up job," he said of the Panorama interview. "It was appalling of Bashir to [have] inveigled, lied to her, criminal activity, absolutely appalling." "As I've said, I hate bullies and bullying and arrogant people and I think it's appalling." Major Hewitt, who was Diana's riding instructor at the time, has previously denied claiming to have been a "father figure" to the princes but has said that he "played with them, swam with them, taught them to ride". The Duke of Sussex had also addressed the rumours that Major Hewitt was his biological father in his memoir Spare, saying that he felt the rumours were designed to turn him into a "laughing stock". "One cause of the rumour was Major Hewitt's red hair, but another was sadism," he wrote in his memoir. Image: Ken McKay/ITV/ Shutterstock Editorial

Relationships

Should you use your retirement savings to pay off debt? Three things to keep in mind

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jasmine-kinsman-1438670">Jasmine Kinsman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/nelson-mandela-university-1946">Nelson Mandela University</a> A host of countries have taken steps to reform the terms under which people can access their retirement benefits. South Africa is the most recent. In 2024 it <a href="https://theconversation.com/south-africa-has-changed-its-retirement-rules-to-help-boost-country-savings-how-it-will-work-233287">introduced changes</a> that allow access to some retirement savings while ensuring that most of the money is still preserved for later. Other countries that have changed the rules to allow members to dip into their savings before retirement include Australia, Chile, India and Portugal. Changes were introduced to ease the financial strain caused by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. People across the world are grappling with debt and the cost of living. <a href="https://www.treasury.gov.za/comm_media/press/2024/2024%20Two-pot%20System%20Updated%20%20FAQ%20August%202024.pdf">Policymakers</a> have considered this an avenue that offers financially distressed fund members the flexibility to access their retirement funds while still supporting long-term retirement savings. Retirement funds are also often the only sizeable savings that fund members have. A recent report by South Africa’s <a href="https://www.discovery.co.za/portal/business/top-reasons-for-two-pot-withdrawal-requests">Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits</a>, which represents 3,000 employers that provide pension and provident funds for just over one million employees, found that people aged between 35 and 45 made the most claims to access the savings component of their retirement. When asked what they used the funds for, 24% of members said their withdrawals were for financing home or car expenses. Another 21% of members were using their funds to pay off short-term debt. The majority of members who withdrew their retirement savings were low-income earners (earning up to R125,000 or US$7,000 a year). On the other hand, withdrawals were lowest among high-income earners (earning more than R1 million or US$56,000 a year). This data provides evidence that most low- to middle-income South African consumers are grappling with the trade-off between preserving their capital for retirement and meeting their monthly financial obligations. Given that everyone’s financial situation, goals and needs are different, it’s always best to speak to a financial advisor to assess whether using your retirement savings to pay off debt will be a sound move. But, as academics who have focused on financial planning, we offer three pointers to consider: <ul> <li> understand what you owe, to whom, and what it’s costing you </li> <li> plan beyond paying off debt </li> <li> weigh the pros and cons carefully. </li> </ul> <h2>Know which debt to settle first</h2> Debt with a high interest rate often takes longer to repay, because at the start of the loan repayment period, most of the repayments are going towards interest payments – not reducing the capital amount. If you use your retirement proceeds towards this, it could shorten the period that it would take to settle the loan and reduce the interest repayments, which are compounded according to the outstanding loan balance. Short-term loans, such as those with a repayment term of up to 18 months, tend to have higher interest rates. Unsecured debt, which is debt that is not tied to an asset, also attracts high interest rates because they have little to no collateral requirements. Collateral provides the lender with a guarantee of compensation in the event of default. When there is no collateral, the cost of debt becomes more expensive. Using your retirement proceeds towards settling these short-term loans can free up cash that can be used towards settling other debt and will improve your credit score. <h2>Understanding borrowing behaviour</h2> Using your retirement savings to settle debt should be a priority if you have a plan in place to ensure that your overall financial position will improve. Once the debt is cleared, consider how you can use your free cash in your favour. This could mean boosting your savings or acquiring assets and investments. But if retirement savings are being used to pay off debt while you accumulate more debt, this indicates on ongoing cycle of debt. For example, paying off the minimum amount due on a loan but also consuming the balance that becomes available on the same loan is a sign of poor borrowing behaviour. A more extreme example is taking on more debt to service existing debt. Without a change in borrowing behaviour, using your retirement savings to pay off debt will leave you worse off. You will have missed out on the opportunity to grow your retirement savings and you will have got into more debt. <h2>Debt repayments vs retirement returns</h2> When considering withdrawing from your retirement savings to pay down debt, it’s also important remember this will be at the expense of building your retirement nest egg. For instance, if a 35-year-old were to draw down R30,000 from their retirement fund, that same amount could have grown their retirement capital by over R200,000 by the time they reached 55 years old (assuming an investment return of 10%). Withdrawing your retirement savings on a frequent basis could also mean you may need to work longer and past your intended retirement age to compensate for the withdrawals. Or you may need to find ways to supplement your retirement savings through other investments, or consider reducing your standard of living at retirement. <h2>Is this a sound move?</h2> Remember, withdrawal from retirement savings is subject to tax. While retirement may seem far off when there are more pressing financial needs, using your savings to pay down debt has its advantages and drawbacks. Since withdrawals are being used to pay for expenses and service debt, it’s also important to reflect on borrowing behaviours that may need to be corrected. Otherwise, using retirement savings could become a financial crutch that could make your retirement income less secure. Settling debt using your retirement savings should be done after careful consideration and planning. If in doubt, speak to a financial advisor.<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/244837/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, Associate Professor in Finance and Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jasmine-kinsman-1438670">Jasmine Kinsman</a>, Senior Lecturer in Financial Planning and Certified Financial Planner, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/nelson-mandela-university-1946">Nelson Mandela University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-you-use-your-retirement-savings-to-pay-off-debt-three-things-to-keep-in-mind-244837">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

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

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-nealon-1481995">Jessica Nealon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands announced on air that he <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-03/kyle-sandilands-brain-aneurysm-diagnosis/104888826">has a brain aneurysm</a> and needs urgent brain surgery. Typically an aneurysm occurs when a part of the wall of an artery (a type of blood vessel) becomes stretched and bulges out. You can get an aneurysm <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/aneurysm">in any blood vessel</a>, but they are most common in the brain’s arteries and the aorta, the large artery that leaves the heart. Many people can have a brain aneurysm and never know. But a brain (or aortic) aneurysm that ruptures and bursts can be fatal. So, what causes a brain aneurysm? And what’s the risk of rupture? <h2>Weakness in the artery wall</h2> Our arteries need strong walls because blood is constantly pumped through them and pushed against the walls. An <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aneurysms">aneurysm</a> can develop if there is a weak part of an artery wall. The walls of arteries are made of three layers: an inner lining of cells, a middle layer of muscle and elastic fibres, and a tough outer layer of mostly collagen (a type of protein). Damage to any of these layers causes the wall to become thin and stretched. It can then balloon outward, leading to an aneurysm. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4399795/">Genetics</a> and <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-aneurysms">certain inherited disorders</a> can cause weak artery walls and brain aneurysms in some people. For all of us, our artery walls become weaker as we age, and brain aneurysms are more common as we get older. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">average age for a brain aneurysm</a> to be detected is 50 (Sandilands is 53). Females have a higher risk of brain aneurysm than males <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">after about age 50</a>. Declining oestrogen around menopause reduces the collagen in the artery wall, causing it to become weaker. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646696/original/file-20250204-15-i55mtq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An illustration showing a brain aneurysm." /><figcaption>A brain aneurysm occurs when a part of the wall of an artery balloons out. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/human-brain-blocking-stroke-aneurysm-disease-2171173339">Alfmaler/Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> High blood pressure can increase the risk of a brain aneurysm. In someone with high blood pressure, blood inside the arteries is pushed against the walls with greater force. This can <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3163429/">stretch and weaken the artery walls</a>. Another <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/introduction">common condition</a> called atherosclerosis can also <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-arteriosclerosis">cause brain aneurysms</a>. In atherosclerosis, plaques made mostly of fat build up in arteries and stick to the artery walls. This directly damages the cell lining, and weakens the muscle and elastic fibres in the middle layer of the artery wall. <h2>Several lifestyle factors increase risk</h2> Anything that increases inflammation or causes atherosclerosis or high blood pressure in turn increases your risk of a brain aneurysm. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6527044/">Smoking and heavy drinking</a> affect all of these, and nicotine <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6214667/">directly damages</a> the artery wall. Sandilands mentioned <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/kyle-sandilands-reveals-shock-health-diagnosis-i-may-be-dead/news-story/62f9f05c6f0a03702632ec8d622cf97a">his cocaine use</a> in discussing his diagnosis. He said: "The facts are, a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go." Indeed, cocaine abuse <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/causes/">increases the risk of a brain aneurysm</a>. It causes very high blood pressure because it causes arteries to spasm and constrict. Cocaine use is also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878875023017400">linked to worse outcomes</a> if a brain aneurysm ruptures. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ejn.15992">Stress</a> and a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6243058/#:%7E:text=High%2Dfat%20diets%20(HFDs),many%20organs%20(see%20text).">high-fat diet</a> also increase inflammation. <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/atherosclerosis#:%7E:text=Atherosclerosis%20is%20thickening%20or%20hardening,activity%2C%20and%20eating%20saturated%20fats.">High cholesterol</a> can also cause atherosclerosis. And <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/risk-factors/overweight-and-obesity">being overweight</a> increases your blood pressure. <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.022277">A study</a> of more than 60,000 people found smoking and high blood pressure were the strongest risk factors for a brain aneurysm. <h2>Is it always a medical emergency?</h2> About <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">three in 100 people</a> will have a brain aneurysm, varying in size from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557867/">less than 5mm to more than 25mm</a> in diameter. The majority are only discovered while undergoing imaging for something else (for example, head trauma), because small aneurysms may not cause any symptoms. Larger aneurysms can cause symptoms because they can <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483">press against brain tissues and nerves</a>. Sandilands described “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-03/kyle-sandilands-brain-aneurysm-diagnosis/104888826">a lot of headache problems</a>” leading up to his diagnosis. Headaches can be due to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483">minor leaks of blood</a> from the aneurysm. They indicate a risk of the aneurysm rupturing in subsequent days or weeks. Less than <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46015-2">one in 100 brain aneurysms will rupture</a>, often called a “brain bleed”. This causes a <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/subarachnoid-hemorrhage#:%7E:text=A%20subarachnoid%20hemorrhage%20is%20bleeding,brain%20and%20inside%20the%20skull.">subarachnoid haemorrhage</a>, which is a <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/subarachnoid-haemorrhage/">type of stroke</a>. If it does occur, rupture of a brain aneurysm is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">life-threatening</a>: nearly one in four people will die within 24 hours, and one in two within three months. If someone’s brain aneurysm ruptures, they usually experience a sudden, severe headache, often described as a “<a href="https://www.bafound.org/blog/three-signs-your-bad-headache-might-be-a-ruptured-brain-aneurysm/">thunderclap headache</a>”. They may also have <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-aneurysms">other symptoms of a stroke</a> such as changes in vision, loss of movement, nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness. <h2>Surgery can prevent a rupture</h2> Whether surgery will be used to treat a brain aneurysm depends on its size and location, as well as the age and health of the patient. The medical team will balance the potential benefits with the risks of the surgery. A small aneurysm with low risk of rupture will usually <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2323531/">just be monitored</a>. However, once a brain aneurysm reaches <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507902/">7mm or more</a>, surgery is generally needed. In <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/treatment/#:%7E:text=A%20cut%20is%20made%20in,permanently%20clamped%20on%20the%20aneurysm.">surgery to repair a brain aneurysm</a>, the surgeon will temporarily remove a small part of the skull, then cut through the coverings of the brain to place a tiny metal clip to close off the bulging part of the aneurysm. Another option is <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/endovascular-coiling">endovascular</a> (meaning within the vessel) coiling. A surgeon can pass a catheter into the femoral artery in the thigh, through the aorta to the brain. They can then place a coil inside the aneurysm which forms a clot to close off the aneurysm sac. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007372.htm">After either surgery</a>, usually the person will stay in hospital for up to a week. It can take <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/brain-aneurysm-clipping-surgery#recovery">6–8 weeks</a> for full recovery, though doctors may continue monitoring with annual imaging tests for a few years afterwards. You can <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-prevent-a-brain-aneurysm#prevention">lower your risk of a brain aneurysm</a> by not smoking, moderating alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/248882/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-nealon-1481995">Jessica Nealon</a>, Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> 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/around-3-of-us-will-develop-a-brain-aneurysm-in-our-lives-so-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-treat-it-248882">original article</a>.

Body

Cabana drama: 5 expert tips on how not to be branded a twit when using a beach tent

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/samuel-cornell-1418374">Samuel Cornell</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Debate erupted this week over the growing number of beach tents, or “cabanas”, proliferating on Australian beaches. The controversy, which <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@gunclediaries/video/7453200613170564370">began on social media</a>, was fuelled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who declared it was “not on” for beachgoers to reserve a spot on the sand by erecting a cabana then leaving it vacant for hours. Albanese <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/television-interview-today-show-19">told</a> Nine’s Today show “everyone owns the beach” and staking a claim on the sand was “a breach of that principle, really”. Other critics deem beach cabanas an eyesore. And lifeguards say <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-21/busy-beaches-noosa-cabana-craze-surf-lifesavers/101875660">the structures can</a> obscure their view of the water, which poses a safety risk. Beach cabanas do, however, serve <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962208007330?via%3Dihub">a valid purpose</a>. They provide some <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-cant-get-sunburnt-through-glass-shade-or-in-water-right-5-common-sunburn-myths-busted-150640">protection against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays</a> and, from a recreational perspective, can enable people to spend longer at the beach on hot days than they might have otherwise. I’m a member of the University of NSW <a href="https://www.beachsafetyresearch.com">Beach Safety Research Group</a>, and I’ve worked with local councils and national parks to address health and safety issues on beaches. So let’s look at how to strike the right balance between personal convenience and public safety when using a cabana. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U4W_2ti5QUk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>A fair go for all?</h2> In years past, Aussies came to the beach with a towel and maybe a book, stayed a little while then left. But more recently, the use of beach tents and cabanas has grown. It’s likely the result of Australia’s <a href="https://soe.dcceew.gov.au/coasts/pressures/population">growing coastal population</a>, and a rising awareness of the dangers posed by sun exposure. These days, it’s not uncommon to visit a popular beach in summer and find a village of cabanas stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s great to see so many people using the beach. Beaches and oceans are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120310665">health-giving places</a>, though they come with inherent dangers. And of course, in Australia the beach is free for all who wish to use it. It’s an approach in line with our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/even-without-private-clubs-the-egalitarian-australian-beach-is-a-national-myth">supposedly egalitarian culture</a>, in which everyone gets a “fair go”. Here, beaches are a place to be shared, no matter what your income or social status. The approach contrasts to many destinations in Europe, the United States and elsewhere, where large sections of beaches are reserved for private use. At Waikiki beach in Honolulu, for example, people <a href="https://www.waikikibeachservices.com/royal-hawaiian/beach-umbrella-chair-rental/">pay US$100 or more</a> to hire an umbrella and chairs, and a place on the sand for the day. To some naysayers, cabana use in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/07/everyone-owns-the-beach-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-weighs-in-cabana-debate">challenges the notion</a> that the beach is for everyone. They question whether people should be allowed to mark out beach territory no-one else can use. That’s why in 2020, a bid by a private company to introduce paid cabanas on Sydney’s Bondi Beach <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-petition-to-open-paid-cabanas-on-sand-amalfi-beach-club/ef1ddae5-e24e-4dd8-810d-f0d9ba5c2971">prompted a public outcry</a>. Cabanas bring practical challenges, too. They represent an unplanned influx of temporary infrastructure into busy public spaces. Left unchecked, they could cause pedestrian congestion and become a flashpoint for disagreement between beachgoers. The current debate may prompt Australian beach authorities to consider bringing in cabana regulation, similar to what’s in place for <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/does-sydney-need-us-style-cabana-ban-to-curb-beach-spreading-20230202-p5chgi.html">some beaches in the US</a>. In the meantime, here are five tips for safe and fair use of beach cabanas: 1. Placement: Erect your cabana at the back of the beach and away from lifeguard towers or lifesaver tents to avoid obstructing lifeguards’ views. Clear sightlines to the water are essential for ensuring timely emergency responses. This positioning also leaves space closer to the water for other beachgoers, including children playing at the water’s edge. 2. Tying down: Secure your cabana firmly in the sand to prevent it from being blown away by strong winds. Flying cabanas are a danger to other beach users, potentially causing injuries and damage to property. 3. Spacing: Avoid overcrowding by maintaining two to three meters between structures. This ensures free movement and accessibility for all beachgoers, and ensures families and groups can enjoy the beach without feeling cramped. Also, stay within the boundaries of your cabana and don’t claim territory outside its boundaries. 4. Emergency access: Keep pathways and access points clear at all times. This is crucial for lifeguard vehicles, ambulances and surf rescue teams. Unobstructed access can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. 5. Common sense: As with using any shared space, consider the needs of others and apply common sense. How would you feel if someone set up a structure right in front of you, blocking your view of the waves or ruining your vibe? Or if you or a loved one needed medical attention on a beach, would you want an ambulance crew obstructed by an unbroken line of tents? <h2>Looking ahead</h2> In the past, some have called for <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/calls-grow-to-ban-cabanas-on-aussie-beaches-get-out-and-leave-051701259.html">a ban on beach cabanas</a>. But the structures appear here to stay – and that’s not a bad thing. Skin cancer <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-in-adolescents-and-young-adults-in-australi/contents/summary">affects more young Australians</a> than any other cancer, and the Cancer Council <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-26/cancer-council-beach-cabanas-skin-cancer-rate-highest-in-qld/101887320">applauds the use of cabanas</a>. It’s important to note, however, that cabanas do not <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3873510/">provide complete protection from UV rays</a>. If you’re at the beach all day, <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-beach-cabanas-actually-protect-you-from-the-sun-199102">you might still get too much sun</a> even under a tent. When it comes to your next visit to the coast, by all means pack your cabana. But make sure you use it carefully and responsibly, so everyone’s day at the beach is safe and enjoyable.<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/246882/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/samuel-cornell-1418374">Samuel Cornell</a>, PhD Candidate, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group + School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/cabana-drama-5-expert-tips-on-how-not-to-be-branded-a-twit-when-using-a-beach-tent-246882">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

Mum furious over grandmother’s refusal to use car seat for her child

A mother has voiced her frustration over her own mother’s major babysitting error. The woman, who has a son of her own, shared that her parents regularly look after their grandchild, but has grown more and more annoyed that one request has been ignored. In her lengthy post on Reddit, the woman wrote that her mother has taken her grandson in a car without a car seat more than once. She wrote, "I'm livid and won't be letting her take him out again but needed to vent. My parents look after my son for me now and again, he loves them, and they love him, but my mom is really testing me. Twice now she has had him in someone's car without his car seat." She continued: "The first time it happened, I didn't let her see him for a month. I knew they were taking him out and had left his car seat for them, but she didn't use it as they were only 'going around the corner.' I screamed and shouted about her putting my son at risk.” “She tried to backtrack and lie her way out of it, but at the end of the day, she disrespected me." "That was almost a year ago; yesterday, she had him as I had work in London, and hubby was at work; she said they were taking him out and promised she would use the car seat. I stressed to her how she won't see him again if they don't use it and guess what, they didn't use it." The end of the post reads: "I'm livid, I'm going to see her today to shout and give an ultimatum, why don't people listen?! 'Oh, he was fine. We only went two streets away. You're being dramatic…'" "'Dramatic' when there's an insane storm going on, and anything could have happened. [She] won't be having him again. I feel like a d*** for trusting and believing her.” Hundreds of comments poured in from other mothers backing up the woman’s decision, as one person wrote, "She is playing Russian roulette with your child's life. Stay strong in this decision." Another simply wrote, “Why even take the risk? Why?!" Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Jamie Oliver opens up on former feud with Gordon Ramsay

Jamie Oliver has opened up about his former feud with Gordon Ramsay on The Louis Theroux Podcast. The 49-year-old told Theroux that after years of exchanges with the Hell's Kitchen star, their wives Jools Oliver and Tana Ramsay were the ones who stepped in an encouraged them to patch things up. "I was a target [for] probably 10 years, I think, it was regular," Oliver said of Ramsay. "I generally used to bite [back] once a year, and then that used to set him off for another year ... I think it kind of generated the noise, it was serving its purpose for him - I mean, I'd have to ask Gordon what it was all about. "Cause we never fell out, we got on for the first couple of years, and then - as he did more TV - it just went on and on and on, and it was quite, it was painful but in the end it was Jools and his wife Tana that sorted it out." Oliver revealed that despite their former feud, his kids are friends with Ramsay's children. "It was like, 'come on dads, grow up' so I think that both of us got a telling off, and then we went to have a drink and put it all to rest and let bygones be bygones," he said. When Oliver's Italian chain went under, Ramsay was "very supportive" and "very kind", even sending him messages of encouragement. Oliver also opened up on his feud with Marco Pierre White, and said he was "destroyed" to hear his "hero" slam him in the press and didn't know what sparked it as they never worked together. "He doesn't like me at all, still doesn't," he said, but added "that's fine, I don't need anything from him". "I still think he was like a game changer, he was still my hero for that period of my life but that's life, and it's not just Marco, it's lots of people," Oliver said. Image: Alan Davidson/ Shutterstock Editorial

Food & Wine

Australian Open loser learns of "insane" pay day

A lucky Australian Open loser has learned of her massive pay day on camera after being knocked out of the competition in Melbourne. Eva Lys, a 23-year-old tennis champion from Germany, had never been beyond the second round of a grand slam but made the most of her last-minute opportunity to join the main draw in Melbourne to secure three wins worth 240 ranking points. As well as her win, the young player secured a cash prize of $420,000. Lys enjoyed the “humbling” experience on Rod Laver Arena making it to Round 16, and was told by a member of the media of her big pay day. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFD8WxNzHTW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFD8WxNzHTW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lachlan Wills (@lachlanwills1)</a> </div> </blockquote> "I loved that one of the members of the media here said to her, off air, it's $420,000 and she had no idea," Grand Slam Daily host Chris Stubbs said on Stan Sport. "She hadn't even looked at the prize money. And her reaction!" Lys ended up being knocked out by Poland's Iga Swiatek, as Mark Petchey said on Grand Slam Daily, "You walk out there if you're Eva Lys and you're wondering what's going to happen. She's had a great tournament, but Iga's looking supreme, she's looking dominant." "And that's what the best players do. Yes, they compete, great, but they also dominate." Image credits: 7News

Money & Banking

Fergie opens up about double cancer diagnosis

Sarah Ferguson has opened up about the mental toll of her double cancer diagnosis, admitting that her "mind went to some dark places". The Duchess of York was diagnosed with breast cancer and skin cancer in the same year, telling <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/christmas-appeal-sarah-ferguson-cancer-diagnosis-interview-kt86hm7nq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times</a> how much her health battle impacted her life. "It was hard. I'm generally a positive person but cancer is like a bomb going off in your life," the 65-year-old told the publication. "One diagnosis is enough to deal with, but I had two in the space of a year. I don't mind admitting that my mind went to some dark places, reflecting on my own mortality." "My family have been an immense support to me through this period," she told the outlet. "I've used meditation and mindfulness to help stay positive and balanced." The royal was recently in Australia for her book tour, where she spoke to <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/sarah-ferguson-duchess-of-york-breast-skin-cancer-mental-health-admission/232791d3-c991-40fc-99d5-8f9bc5f60a33" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9honey</a> about how she copes with the struggles in her life while also balancing her health. "For anyone thinking, 'Oh, you sound alright Sarah', or Fergie or Ginger or Duchy or whatever you call me, it's because I also do the work," the Duchess of York told 9honey. "And I do it with really studying the spiritual side of life and my own darkness. There can be a lot of darkness, and I'm shining light on my darkness." Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Brave pensioner fights off robber using a pair of jeans

A 84-year-old man has been praised for his heroic actions as he fought off a robber with a pair of jeans. Ron Croker, from Yorkshire in the UK, was doing his washing at a laundromat when the would-be robber burst in and demanded, "Give me you f****** money now!" Mr Croker stood his ground and refused to give up his wallet, slowly walked towards the man and managed to force him out, all while holding a pair of his jeans in one hand. As he went to return to his washing, the robber reentered the laundromat for a second try, when Mr Croker jumped into action. The man screamed "get off!" and whipped him with the jeans as he again bundled him out the launderette. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE2taf2IkXx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE2taf2IkXx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by KTVU Channel 2 News (@ktvu2)</a> </div> </blockquote> "I've worked all my life for my money. He's not having it," Mr Croker <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgyzy6weqeo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the BBC</a>. "I gave him an almighty shove and he went rolling into the road," he added. Despite his heroic actions, he admits the experience has left him "shaken" and "struggling to sleep", saying, "I do think about it when it's quiet at night. That's when the thoughts come. But I don't regret it." Police said a 42-year-old man had been charged with attempted robbery, and while Mr Croker sustained some bruises during the incident, a GoFundMe page has so far raised nearly £2,500 for him. Image credits: Coin-Op Launderette Maltby via Storyful / Instagram

Legal

Research suggests those who use buy-now-pay-later services end up spending more

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashish-kumar-1056067">Ashish Kumar</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Once, borrowing money to make a purchase was a relatively tedious process, not a spur-of-the-moment thing. True, some stores offered lay-by plans that would let you pay for goods in instalments. But if they didn’t, and you didn’t already have a credit card, you’d have to go to a bank and apply for one. That would mean providing a range of supporting documents, negotiating an appropriate credit limit, and waiting for approval. It’s unlikely you’d apply for credit just for a single, small purchase. In recent years, though, the financial technology or “fintech” revolution in the customer credit market has changed all that, with the meteoric rise of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services. BNPL credit allows consumers to split their purchases into smaller, interest-free instalments. It is often directly integrated into online checkouts with fast approval, making it easy to purchase something instantly and spread the cost over coming months. There are some obvious risks. Many BNPL providers charge less visible fees, such as late payment fees and account maintenance fees. In many countries, the BNPL sector is also less regulated than traditional credit. But does it also change our spending habits? Our recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2024.09.004">research</a> uncovered a concerning insight: consumers who use BNPL services end up spending more money online than those who don’t. This effect is particularly strong among younger shoppers and those with lower incomes. <h2>Our research</h2> We <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2024.09.004">analysed</a> data from an online retailer in the Nordic region that offered customers three payment options for online purchases: card, pay on delivery and BNPL. We found that consumers who used BNPL spent an average of 6.42% more than those who didn’t. This increase was particularly noticeable for low-ticket items, suggesting that BNPL may encourage customers to buy more when shopping for smaller, everyday things. Why might this be the case? For one, BPNL spending is constrained by the size of the loans on offer. In the US, the average BNPL loan amount is <a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-use-of-buy-now-pay-later_2023-03.pdf">US$135</a> (A$217). It may also be related to what’s known in economics as the “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/dec/22/recession-cosmetics-lipstick">lipstick effect</a>”, where customers under financial strain tend to reduce spending on big-ticket items in favour of lower-priced luxuries. Selling such low-ticket items doesn’t always give online retailers the biggest profit margins. But it can play a crucial role in acquiring and retaining customers, and creating opportunities to upsell. Our research also showed that younger, lower-income customers were more likely to spend more when using BNPL services, likely because it provides them with additional “liquidity” – access to cash. <h2>Why might they be spending more?</h2> It’s easy to see why so many consumers like BNPL. Some even think of it as more of a way of payment than a form of credit. The core feature of such services - offering interest-free instalment payments for online purchases - has a significant psychological impact on customers. It leverages the principle that the perceived benefit of spending in the present outweighs the displeasure associated with future payments. This behaviour aligns with theories of “hyperbolic discounting” – our preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger later ones – and the related “<a href="https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/present-bias/">present bias</a>” phenomenon. Our results also suggest customers with high category experience – that is, more familiar with the larger product categories carried by a retailer – and those more sensitive to deals and promotions are likely to spend more when online retailers provide BNPL as a payment option. <h2>A growing influence on spending</h2> The economic impact of BNPL is substantial in the countries that have pioneered its adoption. In Australia, birthplace of Afterpay, Zip, Openpay, and Latitude, it’s <a href="https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AFIA_BNPL_Research_Report-1.pdf">estimated</a> that (allowing for flow-on effects) BNPL services contributed A$14.3 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2021 financial year. Industry research firm Juniper Research <a href="https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/pressreleasesbuy-now-pay-later-users-to-exceed-670-million-globally/">projects</a> the number of BNPL users will exceed 670 million globally by 2028, an increase of more than 100% on current levels. Substantial projected growth in the sector is attributed to multiple factors. These include increasing e-commerce usage, economic pressures, the flexibility of payment options and widespread adoption by merchants. <h2>Buyer, beware</h2> BNPL services can be a convenient way to pay for online purchases. But it’s important to use them responsibly. That means understanding the potential risks and benefits to make your own informed decisions. Be mindful of your spending. Don’t let the allure of easy payments let you get carried away. Customers should explore beyond the marketing tactics of interest-free split payments and pay close attention to terms and conditions, including any fees and penalties. They should treat BNPL like any other form of credit. Whether you’re a shopper considering using BNPL or a business thinking about offering it, our research highlights that it may have the power to significantly influence spending patterns – for better or worse.<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/246686/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashish-kumar-1056067">Ashish Kumar</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/research-suggests-those-who-use-buy-now-pay-later-services-end-up-spending-more-246686">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Do natural fabrics really keep us cooler in summer? Here’s the science

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nisa-salim-1442233">Nisa Salim</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Australia is facing one of the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-12/australia-facing-one-of-hottest-summers-on-record-bom/104464014">hottest summers on record</a>. As the weather warms, many of us reach for light-coloured clothes in natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen. But why are natural fabrics like these so much better at keeping us cool when the weather is hot? Here’s what the science says. <h2>Natural fabrics and sweat: a match made in heaven</h2> In hot weather, we sweat. As sweat evaporates, it carries heat away, which helps cool the body down. In hot weather, then, we want clothes that help take moisture away from the body as efficiently as possible. Natural fabrics are made using fibres extracted from plant- or animal-based sources such as cotton, linen, hemp, wool and silk. The primary component of all plant-based fibres is cellulose. Animal-based fibres are made up of proteins such as keratin and silk fibroin. Cellulose molecules are rich in compounds called hydroxyl groups that attract water and moisture. In scientific terms, they are hydrophilic – they love water. So, clothing made of cotton and linen is highly hydrophilic. It tends to absorb moisture and disperse it across the fabric, allowing it to evaporate more easily. This takes the sweat away quickly, making it more comfortable and breathable and allowing us to stay cool in sweltering temperatures. One downside of the natural fabrics is they wrinkle quickly (some people, of course, like that look). And on a really hot, sweaty day, natural fabrics can get heavy and wet. Animal fibres are basically proteins, and their properties vary depending on the source. Wool has been bio-engineered over millions of years to be comfortable to wear. Wool fibres are hydrophilic on the inside and hydrophobic on the outside, meaning they’re both water resistant and good at wicking moisture away. On the other hand, silk fabrics are very good at helping regulate temperature; they keep us cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. <h2>Synthetic fabrics: less wrinkly, more sweaty</h2> Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, are lighter and tend to wrinkle less. Common synthetic fabrics (such as polyester, nylon and acrylic) are all made from petroleum-based chemicals. Most synthetic fibres are made of long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms and do not contain the hydroxyl groups we discussed earlier. Such fibres are therefore hydrophobic – they hate water. This means the water can’t spread evenly across the fabric and evaporate easily. They trap sweat against the skin, making the clothes less breathable and comfortable when the weather is warm and humid. However, some synthetic fabrics used in certain types of active wear can wick sweat away from body. And some semi-synthetic fabrics such as rayon or tencel (which are made from wood pulp or cotton with synthetic fibres) are more breathable than other synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon. <h2>Fabric weave makes a difference, too</h2> The colour of the clothing is also a contributing factor to keep you cool during summer. Light colours reflect sunlight away from you and help to keep the body cooler. There is some evidence dark colours absorb the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X23012054">sunlight and associated heat</a>, making the surface of the skin warmer than normal. Another factor affecting breathability and comfort of clothing is the way the fabrics are woven. Fabrics that are loosely woven (sometimes known as “open weave”) with thinner materials naturally have more airflow, which helps you keep cool. For a quick, non-scientific test, hold a fabric up and see how much light passes through it. The more light you can see, the more breathable it likely is. The way the fabric is treated can play a role, too; such as for softening and wrinkle resistance. Using a fabric softener when you do a load of laundry usually doesn’t affect fabric breathability; softeners modify the surface of the fabric but don’t change the internal structure or porous nature of the fabrics. Wrinkle resistance is the ability of the fabric to stay smooth and polished even after washing. Synthetic fabrics are inherently wrinkle resistant. Natural fibres are more prone to wrinkles but can be chemically treated on the fabric surface during manufacturing to make them wrinkle resistant. Such treatments, however, may form layers on top of the fabric blocking the airflow, leading them to be less breathable.<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/240909/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nisa-salim-1442233">Nisa Salim</a>, Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</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/do-natural-fabrics-really-keep-us-cooler-in-summer-heres-the-science-240909">original article</a>.

Beauty & Style

How to make gravy (using chemistry)

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> “Gravy Day” is a relatively new date in the Australian calendar. Paul Kelly’s song <a href="https://theconversation.com/humbug-tinsel-and-gravy-in-search-of-the-perfect-christmas-pop-song-88924">How to Make Gravy</a> tells the story of a prisoner (Joe) writing to his brother on December 21. Joe laments missing the family Christmas celebrations and asks who will make gravy for the roast lunch in his absence. While a roast may not be everyone’s idea of the perfect <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-festive-feast-of-fish-and-fruit-the-creation-of-the-australian-christmas-dinner-151201">Christmas feast</a>, “Gravy Day” does give the opportunity to discuss the chemistry involved in making gravy – a thickened sauce made from drippings collected from roasted meats. <h2>Give my love to Angus (beef?)</h2> Roasting meat sets off a cascade of chemical reactions, producing myriad new flavour chemicals. More than <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-2143-3_10#:%7E:text=This%20has%20resulted%20in%20the,and%20lean%20components%20of%20meat.">1,000</a> flavour compounds have been identified in roasted meats. Each chemical gives its unique characteristics to the taste and smell of the finished roast. The chemical <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814698000764">12-methyltridecanal</a> helps give roast beef its “beefy” flavour, while the sulfur-containing compound <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996922004422">2-methyl-3-furanthiol</a> is more often found in roast chicken. There are three main types of chemical reactions taking place when roasting meats that produce flavour chemicals. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/kitchen-science-from-sizzling-brisket-to-fresh-baked-bread-the-chemical-reaction-that-makes-our-favourite-foods-taste-so-good-58577">Maillard reaction</a> is responsible for both colour and flavour. This broad reaction type takes place between amino acids from the protein and sugars and simple carbohydrates found in the meat. The Maillard reaction is also the chemistry responsible for many favourite flavours, including roasted coffee, chocolate, steak, toast and more. <h2>A hundred degrees, even more maybe</h2> The other main type of reaction occurring in a hot oven is the breakdown of fats by “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111385">lipid degradation</a>”. This can form hundreds of different chemical compounds. Many of these chemicals are described as “fatty”, “tallowy”, or smell like fried foods. The unique fat profiles found in different animals translate to the profile of flavour chemicals that form from lipid degradation when roasted. Further flavour compounds can arise through the third type of reactions combining products of Maillard reactions and lipid degradation. One specific flavour compound identified as having a “gravy aroma” is known as <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf9023189">3-mercapto-2-methylpentan-1-ol</a>. This compound comes from roasted vegetables, so including some veggies in your roasting pan will give you more depth of gravy flavour. Also, “cutting onions” is a useful excuse if listening to How to Make Gravy gets you feeling emotional. <h2>The treasure and the trash</h2> Roasting meats causes the fats to “render” and separate from the meat as a liquid. The fat pools in the tray with flavour-rich meat juices. While the fat and the water both carry flavour compounds, too much fat can give the finished gravy an unpleasant mouth feel, or can separate into layers when served. It’s worth pouring off the pan juices into a jug to allow the fat to separate from the liquid so you can control how much fat you’re adding. Be sure to dispose of the excess fat responsibly – <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-shouldnt-i-pour-oil-or-paint-down-the-sink-and-what-should-i-do-instead-206604">don’t pour it down the drain</a>. <h2>Just add flour…</h2> Flour (or, more specifically, starch) is the secret ingredient of a good gravy. Starches are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945222000474">large complex chemicals</a> that are made up of lots of sugars joined together. Starch granules are tightly packed and swell greatly when they absorb water. The swollen starch molecules forms a gel-like network that traps water and oil to give a thickened gravy. Wheat flour is most often used as the starch source. Corn and arrowroot starch can also be used. They have a higher percentage of starch than flour and a more neutral flavour. Wheat starch typically requires a larger quantity to be added and longer cooking to form a paste. Whichever starch you use, don’t add it too quickly or without mixing as you’ll form lumps. <h2>…salt, red wine, and a dollop of tomato sauce</h2> Salt is a common ingredient when preparing roast meats, both on the surface of the meat to draw out moisture and as a flavouring agent. The pan juices are typically concentrated as part of the gravy making process. Make sure you taste the gravy before seasoning, as salt will be concentrated by heating. Additional flavour components can be introduced by adding red wine, sherry, stock, or tomato sauce. These ingredients will broaden the flavour profile through sweetness (sugar), acidity (vinegar, citric and malic acids), and umami in the case of tomato sauce (natural glutamates, such as those found in MSG). Some folk even add Vegemite to their gravy for an extra umami boost. <h2>I bet it will taste the same</h2> If you happen to have screwed up your gravy this time, or are after convenience, then you can turn to an instant gravy powder. The main ingredient is typically maltodextrin or another corn-derived (and possibly chemically modified) starch. Shelf-stable powdered fats, salt, colours, and a range of <a href="https://theconversation.com/busting-the-myth-that-all-food-additives-are-bad-a-quick-guide-for-label-readers-82883">flavour additives</a> will be present in varying amounts depending on the style and price point of the product. The advantages of the instant version are speed and uniformity due to the carefully controlled commercial production. So unlike Joe’s concerns for his family’s gravy, an instant gravy will be more likely to taste the same, regardless of who ends up making it.<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/219589/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-gravy-using-chemistry-219589">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

Eight-year-old cancer survivor pushed down stairs at NFL game

Mia DeCamilla, an eight-year-old 49ers fan and cancer survivor was beyond excited to attend her first ever NFL game on Sunday. DeCamilla inherited her love for the team from her father, saying: “Me and my dad, [when I’m] in the hospital, we’ll watch football together, and then when I come home sometimes for breaks, I will sit down and just relax and watch football all day. That’s what I like and how I made my team.” The young girl - who battled and beat liver cancer twice - attended the event at the Highmark Stadium in New York Decked in 49ers red and a hand-drawn sign that read “I beat cancer! My first NFL game!” What should've been a night to remember turned into a nightmare situation when DeCamilla was shoved out of her seat and down the stairs by an allegedly drunk Bills fan, following the team's win. Her father, Mike DeCamilla told local news outlet WIVB that he saw the fan making his approach and heard him saying “‘I’m going to push through all these Niner fans'." “He actually bumped me and my son a little bit and then got past me and pushed her. [She] almost slid off the stairs… “He had to be six foot, and she is less than 100 pounds … I know that there’s competitiveness and whatnot, but there’s a point where it’s a family event.” While DeCamilla was not physically hurt, her family said they decided to leave the game after the incident. Her mother posted the incident on social media, and it has since gained traction, with many outraged over the adult fan's behaviour. “Mia DeCamilla beat cancer and wanted to go to her first football game and it ended poorly," one fan wrote. "Great game to go to, but what horrible fans.” “This cancer survivor got pushed down the stairs at a the bills game last night. I’m furious," another added. Buffalo fans have since rallied to show the family support, with many of them donating to a GoFundMe that was organised to ease the burden of DeCamilla's treatments, with the fund reaching over $20,000. Retired NFL cult hero Antonio Brown also commented on the situation, writing on X: “Is it true this little girl got thrown down the stairs at the Bills game? Someone get me in contact with Mia’s family please. I want to get her some gear.” The team’s official supporters group, Bills Mafia, also rallied behind the family, writing on X: “So sorry to hear about Mia’s experience at the game yesterday. “We all know one bad apple can ruin the bunch. Let’s show Mia that her experience yesterday is NOT what #BillsMafia is about.” Despite everything that happened, DeCamilla didn't let the incident ruin her night. “My favourite part was getting to see Brock Purdy,” the young 49ers fan told local radio station WHAM. “He’s my favourite player and I have his jersey, too.” Images: X/ Facebook

Caring

Remains of missing couple found 44 years later

US police believe they have located the remains of Charles and Catherine Romer, a couple who went missing more than four decades ago. Human remains were found submerged in a Georgia pond, inside a Lincoln Continental, a vehicle similar to the one that belonged to the New York couple who disappeared in 1980. “The vehicle is similar to the description of a vehicle that Charles and Catherine Romer were believed to be driving when reported missing in April 1980,” police said. A human bone was found in the submerged vehicle that was located in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95, police said. The car was found by a sonar team from Florida, and is being drained to determine if there are additional remains. The Glynn County Police department is collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Retired oil executive Charles Romer, 73, and his wife Catherine, 75, vanished while travelling home from Miami Beach, Florida in 1980. At the time, police expressed concerns about potential foul play as Catherine was wearing about $81,000 worth of jewellery. Image: Facebook

Legal

Track your spending, use cash and DIY gifts: how to keep your costs down this Christmas

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Australians are expected to spend more this Christmas than last, with spending projected to rise to <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">A$69.7 billion</a>. This is a 2.7% increase on what we spent last year on gifts, food and other treats for ourselves and others. This is a lot at a time when many people are experiencing mortgage stress and high inflation. But by employing smart budgeting and spending strategies we can enjoy a festive Christmas season without huge financial stress. <h2>Know how much you are spending</h2> Being aware of what you are spending is important. So you don’t spend beyond your means, you need to decide what you are going to buy and track what you spend. Using budgeting tools in your banking app will help you monitor your spending. Your bank’s app or a <a href="https://www.savings.com.au/savings-accounts/budgeting-and-saving-apps">variety of budgeting apps</a>, can also help you find deals and stick to your financial goals. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucac024">Research</a> shows spending decreases when you use an online budgeting app by 15%. Christmas budgeting means setting clear limits, like a gift allowance for each person of, for example, under $10, $25, $50 or $100. This helps us stay on track. Before shopping, we should also ask ourselves: “Is this worth buying?” or “Do I really need this?”. <h2>How to bag a bargain</h2> About <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">63% of Australian consumers</a> say they start their shopping in November, before the last-minute push to fill the Christmas stockings. This enables them to take advantage of the Black Friday sales on now and Cyber Monday, next Monday. Online research can uncover decent bargains to lower Christmas spending. Or you could wait until the Boxing Day sales to buy discounted gifts for people you don’t see until after December 25. The post-Christmas sales are also good for stocking up on heavily discounted crackers and decorations for next year. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Most Australian shoppers</a> (89%) are combining online (websites, mobile apps, social media) with physical in-store shopping. <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">Major online retailers</a> such as Amazon, eBay, and The Iconic (69%) are now more popular than department stores (59%). There are also thrift and discount stores which offer affordable gifts while using their income to help those in need. By using the internet to compare prices and set price alerts for goods you want to buy, you are more likely to get the best deals. Take time to search for store discounts. Using loyalty programs, coupons, promo codes, and free shipping also helps keep money in your pocket. <h2>Why cash at Christmas is better</h2> The <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/ensuring-future-cash-and-next-steps-phasing-out-cheques#:%7E:text=The%20Government%20will%20mandate%20that,will%20not%20be%20left%20behind.">federal government’s decision</a> last week to require businesses to accept cash, not just credit or debit cards, also has benefits for saving. Cash purchases encourage you to spend wisely, set your <a href="https://resources.depaul.edu/financial-fitness/tackle-overspending/Pages/solutions-for-overspending.aspx">spending limit, and prevent you from overspending, or paying interest and fees on cards</a>. There is also the old “<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/envelope-system-explained">cash envelope system</a>” used for centuries and popularised in the 1990s to help curb spending. This sees cash divided into envelopes, each labelled for a specific expense (for example, gifts for A, B, C). Once the money in the envelope is gone, nothing more can be spent. One way to help boost your Christmas budget; while simultaneously decluttering, your home is to sell items you no longer use. There are numerous online sites and bricks and mortar stores where this can be done. <h2>Saving money with DIY</h2> In 2024, Australians will spend an average of <a href="https://www.shopassociation.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/2024-australian-christmas-shopping-intentions-research-report-cpmaustralia-retailsafari-1.pdf">$660 per shopper on gifts</a>, with popular choices including clothing and shoes, books, and gift cards. However, it’s not necessary to buy all your gifts or Christmas decorations. Consider making affordable handmade gifts to add a personal touch. There are demonstration videos online showing you how to re-purpose old items, bake homemade festive treats, create a special moments photo album or scrapbook. Mix Epsom salts, essential oils and dried flowers to create relaxing bath salts or scrubs. Use natural pine cones or salt dough to make ornaments. Make wreaths using pine branches, holly or dried oranges. Sew fabric garlands to place on the tree, fireplace or mantle. Instead of buying multiple extravagant presents for each person, try doing a Secret Santa. This is the low-cost tradition where everyone buys only one gift for one recipient who is chosen using an online tool. Gifts are then given anonymously. <h2>Festive food</h2> Festive food spending is projected to be <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9736-ara-roy-morgan-media-release-christmas-spending-2024">$28 billion, up 4.2%</a>, this year, contributing to the overall increase in expected total Christmas spending. To save on food expenses, asks guests to bring a dish to share. Or celebrate Christmas with an economical picnic or BBQ, weather permitting. Get creative with food leftovers to make meals and reduce the amount of food waste, while stretching your wallet further once Christmas has come and gone. <h2>Managing costs, avoiding debt</h2> Sticking to your Christmas budget can feel rewarding. If you do overspend, reflect on why, and adjust your plan. If needed, explore debt options, like credit cards or personal loans, but only as a last resort. Thoughtful planning will help you manage your costs, while enjoying the festive season. After all, the true spirit of Christmas is about creating memories and enjoying time with loved ones, not about overspending.<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/244300/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angelique-nadia-sweetman-mcinnes-1361909">Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes</a>, Academic in Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity 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/track-your-spending-use-cash-and-diy-gifts-how-to-keep-your-costs-down-this-christmas-244300">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans upset by US election results

An Italian village in Sardinia, Italy is offering one-euro homes to Americans seeking a new start following the results of the 2024 U.S election that saw Donald Trump being re-elected as president. Ollolai has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move in to revive the community after decades of depopulation. Now, it's selling dilapidated houses for as little as one euro — just over a US dollar or $AU1.60 — to entice Americans to move abroad. Following the November 5 outcome, they have launched a website aimed at potential American expats, offering cheap homes in hopes that those disappointed by the result and seeking a fresh start will snap up one of their empty properties. "Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?" the website read. "It's time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia." Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the wake of the presidential elections. The mayor loves the United States and is convinced Americans would be the best people to revive the community. "We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all," he said. "We can't of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card." The village is offering three tiers of accommodation: Free temporary homes to certain digital nomads, ($1.6) homes in need of renovations, and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to $160,000. The mayor also set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the process including finding contractors, builders and navigating required paperwork. "Of course, we can't specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that he's the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country," Columbo added. "We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans." Photos and plans of available empty properties will soon be uploaded to the website. The website has since received nearly 38,000 requests for information on houses, with most of them coming from the United States In the past century, Ollolai's population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300 with only a handful of babies born each year. Over the last few years, this has dropped 1,150 residents. Image: Shutterstock

International Travel

40 tonnes of butter recalled for absurd reason

Costco has recalled nearly 40 tonnes of butter for an absurd reason. America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out an initial recall for 36,000kg of Kirkland Signature butter in October because the label failed to mention that the kitchen staple contains milk. Packages for both the salted and unsalted version of the butter listed cream as an ingredient, but did not include an allergy warning for milk. The bizarre recall left many internet users scratching their heads, with many slamming the wasteful move stating the obvious: "It's butter". “Costco butter was just recalled, because the label doesn’t say that it contains milk. It’s butter. News articles are telling people how they can return, or safely dispose of, the butter. It’s butter,” one person deadpanned. “Can y’all please safely dispose of it at my house? I have a lot of holiday baking to do," another joked. “If you need to government to tell you that butter is a dairy product then … well, I can’t help you God I loathe the state," a third added. “To be called ‘Butter’ it must contain milk or milk derivatives. Talk about useless government,” another social media user wrote. “Rather than waste (40,000kg) of butter why don’t they print stickers that say “Contains Milk” and save perfectly good food? So wasteful,” a fifth wrote. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned in the recall that milk is one of the main foods that “account for most serious allergic reactions in the United States”. The FDA did not say if there has been any illnesses or adverse reactions from the product. Image: The Image Party / Shutterstock.com

Legal

World reacts as Donald Trump wins US election

World leaders, celebrities and millions of Americans have shared their first reactions and messages of support - or messages of anger, upset and frustration - as Donald Trump claimed his victory in the US election. The Republican leader won both the electoral college vote and the popular vote, taking a hold of the majority of key swing states, as his victory just hours after the polls closed. The win will see Trump re-enter the White House in January as the 47th President, making him the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms in office. Reactions to the unprecedented win flooded online spaces, with world leaders sending their congratulations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the election of the US president marked an important moment for Australia and the Asia Pacific region, and vowed to work closely with the Trump administration. “Australia and America are old allies and we are true friends,” he said. “Our nations are bound by a history of shared sacrifice, a commitment to common values and — above all — enduring respect and affection between our peoples." “I look forward to talking with President Trump and working with him in the best interests of both our nations.” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also extended his congratulations to the Republican leader on behalf of the federal Coalition, describing the US as an “overwhelming force for good”. Unsurprisingly, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to speak to Trump, writing on X, “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory! In true friendship.” Elon Musk, petulant billionaire and owner of Twitter, also shared a series of memes on X, after he publicly endorsed Trump throughout his campaign. Among the posts is an image of Musk holding a bathroom sink photoshopped into the Oval Office with the caption "Let that sink in", a reference to how he marked his controversial takeover of X when it was still known as Twitter. Musk also shared a photo of a conversation he was having with Trump as votes were being counted. "The future is gonna be so [fire]," Musk said with American flag emojis. "The future is gonna be fantastic," he said in a follow up post with a photo of his recent SpaceX rocket test that Trump discussed at length, for some reason, in his declaration speech. Despite the messages of well wishes from world leaders, social media has been awash with messages of disbelief and anger since the victory was announced, with many American citizens anxious and scared about the next four years under Trump's controversial <a href="https://www.project2025.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Project 2025</a>, which will see mass deportations of immigrants, more tax cuts to the rich, harsher penalties for those seeking abortions or reproductive care, and unprecedented power in the hands of a President with authoritarian aspirations. Image credits: Brian Prahl/Shutterstock

News

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

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

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