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Doctor shares her holy grail tips for overcoming eye sensitivity

As the chill of winter sets in, many people find that their eyes become more sensitive and prone to dryness. This can be particularly challenging for those who already suffer from dry eye syndrome. Dr. Jacqueline Beltz is a leading Australian Ophthalmologist and the founder of <a href="https://www.okkiyo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OKKIYO</a>, a beauty brand that makes PRIORITEYES mascara for people with sensitive eyes. Dr Beltz has shared her insights into dry eye syndrome and how winter can exacerbate symptoms, also sharing her top tips for managing eye sensitivity during the colder months. Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome The surface of the eye is covered by a delicate layer of tears, essential for comfort, vision, protection, and nutrition. The tear film comprises two main layers: an outer lipid (oily) layer and an inner aqueous (watery) layer. The lipid layer, produced by oil glands in the eyelids, prevents tears from evaporating too quickly, while the aqueous layer, consisting of water, electrolytes, and proteins, spreads tears evenly across the eye and helps them adhere to the surface. When the balance of tear production, evaporation, absorption, and drainage is disrupted, it can lead to dry eye syndrome. Symptoms may include redness, irritation, a gritty sensation, tired eyes, itching, excessive watering, and fluctuating vision. In severe cases, dry eye can be painful and significantly impact daily life. How common is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome is a widespread issue, particularly among older adults. According to the Blue Mountains Eye Study, 57% of adults over the age of 50 experience some degree of dry eye. This condition is notably more prevalent in women, with higher rates observed compared to their male counterparts. The increased prevalence in women is often attributed to hormonal changes, particularly during and after menopause. A more recent study, Optometry Australia’s 2022 Vision index found that over 85% of Australians are estimated to have experienced dry eyes at some point in their lives. Of those affected, 55% say they only developed the condition following the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. They reported that almost 1 in 5 (18%) of people experience dry eye symptoms frequently. These statistics highlight the importance of understanding and managing dry eye, especially as we age. DEWS II Study and Treatment Approaches The DEWS II (Dry Eye Workshop II) study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating dry eye syndrome. According to the study, dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterised by a loss of homeostasis (or balance) in the tear film, accompanied by eye symptoms. Factors such as tear film instability, hyperosmolarity (increased saltiness), inflammation, and neurosensory (altered feelings or sensations) abnormalities play significant roles. There are two primary types of dry eye: aqueous deficient and evaporative. Most individuals have a combination of both. Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when there is insufficient production of the watery layer of tears, often due to aging, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Evaporative dry eye is typically caused by environmental factors or conditions affecting the lipid layer, such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Winter's Impact on Dry Eyes Winter poses unique challenges for dry eye sufferers. Cold, dry air, indoor heating, and wind can all exacerbate symptoms. Here's how to combat these winter-specific issues: 1. Humidify Your Environment Indoor heating reduces humidity levels, leading to increased tear evaporation. Consider using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, especially in bedrooms and living spaces. This helps keep your eyes hydrated. 2. Protect Your Eyes Outdoors Cold winds can strip away the tear film. When outside, wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from the elements. This not only protects your eyes from the wind but also from UV rays, which can be strong even in winter. 3. Stay Hydrated Dehydration can worsen dry eye symptoms. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain overall hydration, which supports healthy tear production. 4. Optimise Your Diet Certain foods can promote eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage dry eye symptoms. Incorporate these into your diet for added benefits. 5. Use a Warm Compress A warm compress can help improve the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of the tear film. This is particularly helpful for those with meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD. Gently apply a warm, damp cloth to your closed eyelids for 10-15 minutes, followed by a gentle massage of the eyelids to encourage oil secretion. It is important to avoid rubbing or compressing the eyeballs. 6. Use Over-the-Counter Lubricant Eye Drops Artificial tears can provide temporary relief by supplementing the natural tear film. Choose preservative-free options to avoid further irritation, and use them frequently. 7. Remember to have regular eye checks In Australia, Optometrists provide our primary eye health check ups. Dr Beltz recommends adults over the age of 40 see their optometrist once a year, but if you’re struggling with symptoms of dry eye in winter, an extra check up might help and your optometrist will be able to help you to come up with an individualised treatment plan. 8. Invest in Quality Eye Products For those who wear makeup, using products designed for sensitive eyes is crucial. <a href="https://www.okkiyo.com/products/protect-and-preserve-mascara" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRIORITEYES</a> mascara by OKKIYO has been specifically formulated to be gentle on sensitive eyes, avoiding common irritants while providing excellent performance. Managing Dry Eye in Winter: A Recap Winter can be tough on our eyes, but with the right strategies, you can manage dry eye symptoms effectively. Maintain a humid environment, protect your eyes from cold winds, stay hydrated, and incorporate eye-healthy foods into your diet. Regularly use warm compresses and opt for gentle, high-quality eye products like PRIORITEYES mascara. Dry eye syndrome may be a common condition, but it doesn't have to dominate your life, especially during the harsh winter months. With these tips, you can keep your eyes comfortable and healthy all season long. For personalised advice and treatment, always consult with your eye care professional. Stay warm, stay hydrated and take care of your eyes this winter! Image credits: Shutterstock

Body

5 simple tips to fix dry hair

As we age, our hair is just one of the parts of our body that goes through a drastic change. Aside from the obvious (going grey), it also becomes thinner, drier, duller, and you may experience some hair loss. But thankfully, you can take steps to ensure your hair looks as healthy as possible no matter what your age. Here are five tips to help you rejuvenate and re-moisturise dry, dull hair. 1. Get the temperature right You might like your showers extra hot, but too much heat can force the hair shalt open, and if your hair is dry or damaged, the shaft won’t be able to close fully and the moisture will seep right out. Instead, keep the water warm during washing then finish with a cool rinse to make your hair look shinier. 2. Don’t over-wash Using shampoo every day will strip your hair of its healthy natural oils, thus drying it out. Try to use it only every second day, using conditioner in between to add some moisture. 3. Raid the kitchen The secret to healthy, shiny hair could be lying in your kitchen. For a rejuvenating, vitamin-packed hair mask, simply mash a super ripe avocado with some olive oil. Apply to your hair, leave for 20 minutes and then rinse off – it’s an easy, natural way to restore moisture and shine. 4. Turn off the tools Your hair dryer or straightener may make life easier when it comes to styling, but it’s not doing damaged hair any help. If you absolutely can’t live without them, at least invest in the best tools you can afford. And when choosing a straightener or hair iron, don’t go any hotter than 185 degrees – any higher and your hair may become more damaged. The same goes for hair dryers – avoid the temptation to switch it up to the hottest setting, and before subjecting your hair to any dryers or straighteners, treat it with a heat protectant spray. 5. Book a trip to the salon It might not be that your hair is dry, but rather that the ends of your hair are dry, split and in need of a cut. A good way to judge how much you need to trim is by seeing how quickly your hair dries. If the ends air-dry almost immediately while the rest of your hair remains wet, those ends need to go. Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

6 blow-drying mistakes everyone makes

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t manage to make your blow dry look as good or last as long as the professionals, it’s probably down to your technique. While taking to your hair with your dryer and hoping for the best may be the easiest way to blow dry, you’ll rarely get the kind of results you’re hoping for. Here are the most common mistakes us amateurs make and how to correct them. 1. Using the wrong type of hair dryer These days the shelves are heaving under the weight of all the different types of blow dryers on the market. The best ones to look for are those that dry hair the fastest while also being as gentle as possible. Ionic, ceramic and tourmaline hair 2. Forgetting to use attachments If you’ve discarded the attachments that came with your dryer to the bottom of the bathroom cupboard now may be the time to pull them out. A diffuser is great for defining curls and waves while the concentrator nozzle can help with that super straight result. 3. Not knowing your angles Not holding your dryer at the right angle and/or pointing it at your hair and holding on the one spot are both key mistakes that result in frizz and damage. Your dryer should be constantly moving and your dryer horizontal. 4. Using the wrong heat setting Most dryers have a variety of heat settings. While selecting the hottest is tempting, it’s not going to do great things for hair that isn’t extremely thick and/or coarse. Medium to mid high is generally the best for normal, damp hair while lower settings are great for fragile or very damaged locks. 5. Forgetting to use heat protectant Heat protectant serums, sprays and lotions should always be used before heat styling to minimise damage and maximize results. 6. Choosing the wrong hairbrush Metal based brushes have been popular for a while now due to their promises of super quick results. Unfortunately they aren’t the best for your hair, leaving it very hot and prone to damage. Look for a round brush with a mix of nylon and boar bristles for best results. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Mum’s clever hack helps dry your dishes in record time

For many people, the ultimate kitchen pet peeve is when you open your dishwasher after its cycle has finished and while your dishes may be clean, they are still sopping wet. Rather than running the appliance through another drying cycle, one clever mum has discovered how to dry your dishes in five minutes flat. Known online for her cleaning hacks and recipes, Babs shared a video to her Instagram to share her savvy hack. "Has this ever happened to you? You're ready to unload the dishwasher, and guess what!? Everything is still wet," says Babs. "Don't hand dry - do this instead." <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/ChwtuzFAwfP/?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/ChwtuzFAwfP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Babs (@brunchwithbabs)</a> </div> </blockquote> She explains, "Take a terry cloth dish towel, open the door, lay it right over. Just close the door. Wait five minutes. You'll have dry dishes." Many people thanked Babs for the great tip and confirmed that it really does work. “Have been doing it since I first saw it here,” said one commenter. Another added, "Such a great tip! Mine are never dry at the end of the cycle. I'm definitely going to try this.” Despite the praise for her handy tip, ohers cautioned Bab’s viewers with a warning. "It can/will compromise the dishwasher seal and locking mechanism, causing costly repairs or early replacement," someone warned. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Mum’s fool-proof hack to dry your clothes in half the time

A clever mum has shared the ultimate laundry tip that will ensure your clothes air-dry in no time. With surging energy bills crippling households, air drying items is a much more efficient way of doing laundry. However, colder winter months can sometimes mean clothes and linen may take days to dry in the fresh air. One mum has found the answer to this problem, sharing her hack on the Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mumswhoclean">Mums Who Clean</a>. "I have recently been staying with my elderly parents. While there, I did some washing for them," she says. "Mum said to me, 'Don't forget to do an additional spin cycle after the cycle has finished.'” "Her response was that it wouldn't take as long for the washing to dry on a cold winter's day when there isn't as much sun.” "And guess what, she was right!" The mum tried it for herself when she got home, saying it helped to dry her clothes in half the time. "Since returning home this week to Sydney and the rain, I tried this on a load of towels (bath sheets) before putting them in the dryer," she says. "Normally, the load would take one and a half to two hours to dry, and they took just under 60 minutes." Other group members were impressed with the hack, with many saying they would give it a go. "Oh wow, I'm going to give this a go!" said one person. Others said they’ve been doing this hack “for years”, and were happy others were going to try the handy tip. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Physio ‘dry needling’ and acupuncture – what’s the difference and what does the evidence say?

Physiotherapists are increasingly offering needling therapies in addition to their standard care. Many Australian <a href="https://australian.physio/research/prf/translation/five-facts-about-acupuncture-and-dry-needling-musculoskeletal-pain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">physiotherapists</a> in private practice now offer dry needling or Western medical acupuncture as part of a treatment approach. Is it just a fad or does science support it? <h2>Needling, three ways</h2> Physiotherapists can be trained to use dry needling, Western acupuncture and/or traditional acupuncture. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23801002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dry needling</a> involves penetrating the skin with needles to altered or dysfunctional tissue in order to improve or restore function. This often involves needling muscle trigger points to activate a reflexive relaxation of the muscle. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28739020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western acupuncture</a> uses traditional needling <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290110600143" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meridians</a> (the ancient idea of energy channels through the body) and trigger points. But these ideas are applied to Western understandings of anatomy. In Western acupuncture, points are stimulated to create local tissue changes, as well as spinal and brain effects. The goals is to trigger pain-relieving chemicals, muscle activation or relaxation. Even though traditional acupuncture points are used with this style of needling, Western acupuncture is not viewed as traditional Chinese medicine. <a href="https://healthtimes.com.au/hub/pain-management/44/research/kk1/acupuncture-for-pain-management/1581/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Traditional acupuncture</a> uses meridian lines or other points based on traditional Chinese medicine assessment methods and approaches. All physiotherapists trained in either acupuncture or dry needling meet safety standards which are viewed as within scope by the <a href="https://www.ahpra.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency</a> and the <a href="https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Physiotherapy Registration Board</a>. These standards cover the level of training required, registration to practice and safety standards that include needle safety and hygiene to protect the public. Minor reported <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7015026/#:%7E:text=Examples%20of%20minor%20adverse%20reactions,pain%20during%20or%20after%20treatment." target="_blank" rel="noopener">side effects</a> related to acupuncture including pain and bleeding or bruising from needle insertion are fairly common. But major adverse events – pneumothorax (collapsed lung), excessive bleeding, prolonged aggravation – are rare. <h2>What’s needling good for?</h2> Research into the effectiveness of acupuncture and dry needling is variable. Some studies show comparable results between dry needling and acupuncture, while others show more favourable results for one or the other depending on the condition being treated. A <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=dry%7Cdri%7Cneedl%7Cneedling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review</a> that assessed the effects of acupuncture and dry needling for the treatment of low-back pain found they may be useful add-on therapies but could not make firm conclusions due to a lack of quality trials. Another <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6600071/#CIT0034" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review</a> reported the growing popularity of dry needling world wide and across disciplines and points out that many questions still remain regarding the use of needling. For <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3/full?highlightAbstract=acupuncture%7Cmigraine%7Cmigrain%7Cacupunctur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">migraine</a> and <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007587.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=acupuncture%7Cheadach%7Ctension%7Cacupunctur%7Cheadache%7Ctype" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tension</a> headaches, experts say acupuncture seems to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks – though more research is needed to compare it to other treatments. Acupuncture and dry needling may reduce pain and improve function for people with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17224820/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neck pain</a>. A systematic review found significant differences between acupuncture and “sham acupuncture” (which is performed away from acupuncture points) when used to treat <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22965186/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">certain types of chronic pain</a>. However, some research only shows <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33066556/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small and temporary</a> relief for neck pain with dry needling. Results from randomised control trials support the use of needling for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27062955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shoulder pain</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32301166/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tennis elbow</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32186030/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">osteo arthritic knee pain</a>. But a recent systemic review of research reported only weak evidence to support needling to treat <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33760098/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plantarfasciitis and chronic ankle instability</a>. <h2>Not just for sporting injuries</h2> Similarly, small randomised control trials have shown acupuncture and dry needling might reduce <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17095133/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">problematic jaw pain</a> (<a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd#:%7E:text=Temporomandibular%20disorders%20(TMD)%20are%20disorders,may%20result%20in%20temporomandibular%20disorder." target="_blank" rel="noopener">temporo mandibular disorder</a>) and improve mouth opening. Systematic reviews have reported needling and acupuncture were safe and effective recommendations for the treatment of broad conditions of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/tendinopathy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tendinopathy</a> (the breakdown of collagen in tendons) and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30787631/#:%7E:text=At%20follow%2Dup%20in%20the,for%20the%20management%20of%20FM." target="_blank" rel="noopener">fibromyalgia</a> (chronic pain in the muscles and bones). For women’s health, acupuncture has been shown to be effective for reducing pain with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29879061/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">periods</a>, compared to no treatment or non-steroidal pain relief medications – but the research had design limitations. Though <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD002962/PREG_acupuncture-or-acupressure-induction-labour#:%7E:text=Acupuncture%20involves%20the%20insertion%20of,with%20onset%20of%20labour%20contractions." target="_blank" rel="noopener">widely used</a> in pregnancy, research into the use of acupuncture to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32032444/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">induce labour</a> reports it may increase satisfaction with pain management and reduce pain intensity. But it may have little to no effect on the rates of caesarean or assisted vaginal birth. In summary, it appears needling techniques – whether dry needling or acupuncture – generally show positive effects over no treatment or “sham” treatments, but more research and high quality trials are needed. <h2>Just one part of a treatment program</h2> Needling <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001351.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=dry%7Cdri%7Cneedl%7Cneedlin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may be useful</a> as part of multimodal care – that is, when <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780149/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than one treatment</a> is used in conjunction to treat a problem. Physiotherapists may combine needling therapies with exercise prescription, hands-on care including massage, mobilisations and manipulations, and taping techniques. They may also employ therapies that apply external energy such as ultrasound, laser, transcutaneous (under the skin) electrical nerve stimulation and biofeedback. Finally, while the various needling techniques all use a filiform needle (with a solid filament as opposed to a hollow bore needle), the styles with each can be quite different. Ask what style of needling is being employed to treat you, and if you have a history of finding one style works better for you, discuss this with your practitioner. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/physio-dry-needling-and-acupuncture-whats-the-difference-and-what-does-the-evidence-say-181939" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Always do this if you want to avoid dry skin in winter

How to avoid dry skin in winter Ah, winter. ’Tis the season for dry skin, along with potential complications, including itching, flaking, cracking, bleeding, rosacea (redness and inflammation) and eczema flare-ups. There are several reasons for this. First, the air outdoors is drier. Indoor air tends to be parched as well, an effect of heating systems. Seniors need to take extra care, since cumulative sun damage and slower production of natural oils put them at greater risk of dryness. Happily, there’s plenty you can do to combat dry skin in winter. Switch up your shower routine To start, adapt your bathing routine. Piping hot water may feel good, but that’s a sure way to strip away your skin’s natural oils. Use warm water instead, keep your baths or showers short, and apply a generous amount of moisturiser after you dry off. Thick, oily products are especially effective at fighting winter moisture loss, “but don’t despair if you can’t tolerate those due to pore clogging or shininess,” says dermatologist, Dr Bav Shergill. “Even a light moisturiser will give you some protection.” Hand care When it comes to your hands, frequent washing with soap is essential for preventing the flu and other infections, but it leads to dryness. So after you clean them, apply hand cream. If that doesn’t help enough, try a dab of petroleum jelly before bed; you can put on cotton gloves to keep it in place overnight. Wearing mittens or gloves outdoors also reduces damage, since exposure to the frigid air further harms skin. Layer up If you’re prone to winter itch (which is exactly what it sounds like), avoid direct contact with potentially irritating fabrics such as wool or synthetic fibres. “The best approach is to wear several thin layers,” says Shergill. “The one next to the skin could be cotton or a cotton/silk blend, both of which appear to be well tolerated by most people.” Layering lets you adapt to various temperatures during the day, keeping you toasty while avoiding excessive sweating that could trigger itching and scratching in already-irritated skin. Written by Samantha Rideout. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/beauty/skin/always-do-this-if-you-want-to-avoid-dry-skin-in-winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Always do this if you want to avoid dry skin in winter

Ah, winter. ’Tis the season for dry skin, along with potential complications, including itching, flaking, cracking, bleeding, rosacea (redness and inflammation) and eczema flare-ups. There are several reasons for this. First, the air outdoors is drier. Indoor air tends to be parched as well, an effect of heating systems. Seniors need to take extra care, since cumulative sun damage and slower production of natural oils put them at greater risk of dryness. Happily, there’s plenty you can do to combat dry skin in winter. Switch up your shower routine To start, adapt your bathing routine. Piping hot water may feel good, but that’s a sure way to strip away your skin’s natural oils. Use warm water instead, keep your baths or showers short, and apply a generous amount of moisturiser after you dry off. Thick, oily products are especially effective at fighting winter moisture loss, “but don’t despair if you can’t tolerate those due to pore clogging or shininess,” says dermatologist, Dr Bav Shergill. “Even a light moisturiser will give you some protection.” Hand care When it comes to your hands, frequent washing with soap is essential for preventing the flu and other infections, but it leads to dryness. So after you clean them, apply hand cream. If that doesn’t help enough, try a dab of petroleum jelly before bed; you can put on cotton gloves to keep it in place overnight. Wearing mittens or gloves outdoors also reduces damage, since exposure to the frigid air further harms skin. Layer up If you’re prone to winter itch (which is exactly what it sounds like), avoid direct contact with potentially irritating fabrics such as wool or synthetic fibres. “The best approach is to wear several thin layers,” says Shergill. “The one next to the skin could be cotton or a cotton/silk blend, both of which appear to be well tolerated by most people.” Layering lets you adapt to various temperatures during the day, keeping you toasty while avoiding excessive sweating that could trigger itching and scratching in already-irritated skin. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/beauty/skin/always-do-this-if-you-want-to-avoid-dry-skin-in-winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>.

Caring

Drying land and heating seas: why nature in Australia’s southwest is on the climate frontline

In a few days world leaders will descend on Glasgow for the United Nations climate change talks. Much depends on it. We know climate change is already happening, and nowhere is the damage more stark than in Australia’s southwest. The southwest of Western Australia has been <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/factsheets/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Regional_Fact_Sheet_Australasia.pdf">identified</a> as a global drying hotspot. Since 1970, winter rainfall has declined up to 20%, river flows have plummeted and heatwaves spanning water and land have intensified. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-change-has-already-hit-australia-unless-we-act-now-a-hotter-drier-and-more-dangerous-future-awaits-ipcc-warns-165396">warns</a> this will continue as emissions rise and the climate warms. Discussion of Australian ecosystems vulnerable to climate change often focuses on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as our rainforests and alpine regions. But for southwest Western Australia, climate change is also an existential threat. The region’s wildlife and plants are so distinctive and important, it was listed as Australia’s first <a href="https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots">global biodiversity hotspot</a>. Species include thousands of endemic plant species and animals such as the quokka, numbat and honey possum. Most freshwater species and around 80% of marine species, including 24 shark species, live nowhere else on Earth. They <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-south-west-a-hotspot-for-wildlife-and-plants-that-deserves-world-heritage-status-54885">evolved in isolation</a> over millions of years, walled off from the rest of Australia by desert. But climate heating means this remarkable biological richness is now imperilled – a threat that will only increase unless the world takes action. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428719/original/file-20211027-17-1xrecip.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Banksia in flower" /> Hooker’s Banksia is an iconic West Australian species. Dr Joe Fontaine, Author provided <h2>Hotter and drier</h2> Southwest WA runs roughly from Kalbarri to Esperance, and is known for its Mediterranean climate with very hot and dry summers and most rainfall in winter. But every decade since the 1970s, the region’s summertime maximum temperatures have risen 0.1-0.3℃, and winter rainfall has fallen 10-20 millimetres. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428742/original/file-20211027-25-1jl7l8r.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Decadal trends in winter precipitation. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. And remarkably, a 1℃ increase in the average global temperature over the last century has already <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.17348">more than doubled</a> the days over 40℃ in Perth. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428994/original/file-20211028-21-ibw728.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428994/original/file-20211028-21-ibw728.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="Graph showing temperatures over 40 degrees at Perth Airport" /></a> Cumulative number of days over 40° at Perth Airport over 30-year periods between 1910-1939 (historic) and 1989-2018 (current). Author provided This trend is set to continue. Almost all climate models <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019EF001469">project a further</a> drop in winter rainfall of up to 30% across most of the southwest by 2100, under a high emissions scenario. The southwest already has very hot days in summer, thanks to heat brought from the desert’s easterly winds. As climate change worsens, these winds are <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00382-016-3169-5">projected to get more intense</a>, bringing still more heat. <h2>Drying threatens wildlife, wine and wheat</h2> Annual rainfall in the southwest has fallen by a fifth since 1970. That might not sound dangerous, but the drop means river flows have already fallen by an alarming 70%. It means many rivers and lakes now dry out through summer and autumn, causing major problems for freshwater biodiversity. For example, the number of invertebrate species in 17 lakes in WA’s wheatbelt fell from over 300 to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gcb.15890">just over 100</a> between 1998 and 2011. The loss of water has even killed off common river invertebrates, such as the endemic Western Darner dragonfly, with most now <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gcb.15673">found only</a> in the last few streams that flow year round. The drying also makes it very hard for animals and birds to find water. Most native freshwater fish in the southwest are <a href="https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/threatened-species-and-communities/threatened-animals">now officially considered</a> “threatened”. As river flow falls to a trickle, fish can no longer <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.12444">migrate to spawn</a>, and it’s only a short march from there to extinction. To protect remaining freshwater species we must <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.02.007">develop perennial water refuges</a> in places such as farm dams. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428721/original/file-20211027-27-1mvytaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428721/original/file-20211027-27-1mvytaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="Freshwater crayfish - marron - moving through fresh water" /></a> Smooth Marron moving as a group in a reservoir. Dr Stephen Beatty, Author provided The story on land is also alarming, with intensifying heatwaves and chronic drought. This was particularly dire in 2010/2011, when <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-31236-5">all ecosystems in the southwest</a> suffered from a deadly drought and heatwave combination. What does that look like on the ground? Think beetle swarms taking advantage of forest dieback, a sudden die off of endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, and the deaths of one in five shrubs and trees. Long term, the flowering rates of banksias have declined <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/140231">by 50%</a>, which threatens their survival as well as the honey industry. For agriculture, the picture is mixed. Aided by innovation and better varieties, wheat yields in the southwest have actually increased since the 1970s, despite the drop in rainfall. But how long can farmers stay ahead of the drying? If global emissions aren’t drastically reduced, droughts in the region <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1029/2020GL087820">will keep getting worse</a>. Increased heating and drying will also likely threaten Margaret River’s famed wine region, although the state’s northern wine regions will be <a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/56/7/jamc-d-16-0333.1.xml">the first at risk</a>. <h2>Hotter seas, destructive marine heatwaves</h2> The seas around the southwest are another climate change hotspot, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11160-013-9326-6">warming faster than 90%</a> of the global ocean since the middle of last century. Ocean temperatures off Perth <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/MF07082">have risen by an average</a> of 0.1-0.3℃ per decade, and are now almost 1℃ warmer than 40 years ago. The waters off the southwest are part of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-other-reef-is-worth-more-than-10-billion-a-year-but-have-you-heard-of-it-45600">Great Southern Reef</a>, a temperate marine biodiversity hotspot. Many species of seaweeds, seagrasses, invertebrates, reef fish, seabirds and mammals live nowhere else on the planet. As the waters warm, species move south. Warm-water species move in and cool-water species flee to escape the heat. Once cool-water species reach the southern coast, there’s nowhere colder to go. They can’t survive in the deep sea, and are at risk of going extinct. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428961/original/file-20211028-27-1yipdxz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="Marine heatwave map" /> Temperature anomalies over land and ocean in March 2011. Scientific Reports, Author provided Marine heatwaves are now striking alongside this long-term warming trend. In 2011, a combination of weak winds, water absorbing the local heat from the air, and an unusually strong flow of the warm Leeuwin Current led to the infamous marine heatwave known as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep01277">Ningaloo Nino</a>. Over eight weeks, ocean temperatures soared by more than 5℃ above the long-term maximum. Coral bleached in the state’s north, fish died en masse, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-much-do-marine-heatwaves-cost-the-economic-losses-amount-to-billions-and-billions-of-dollars-170008">34% of seagrass died</a> in Shark Bay, and kelp forests along 100km of WA’s coast were wiped out. Following the heatwave came sudden distribution changes for species like sharks, turtles and many reef fish. Little penguins starved to death because their usual food sources were no longer there. Recreational and commercial fisheries were forced to close to protect ailing stocks. Some of these fisheries have not recovered 10 years later, while others are only now reopening. This is just the start. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00734/full">Projections suggest</a> the southwest could be in a permanent state of marine heatwave within 20-40 years, compared to the second half of the 20th century. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428980/original/file-20211028-17-1o7ypsp.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428980/original/file-20211028-17-1o7ypsp.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Comparative pictures of a kelp forest before and after a heatwave" /></a> Reef in Kalbarri before (left) and after (right) the 2011 Ningaloo Nino. Dense kelp covered reefs before the heatwave. Afterwards, kelp died and the reefs were covered by sediment and turf algae. <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-71330-0_12#DOI" class="source">Professor Thomas Wernberg</a>, Author provided <h2>Adaptation has limits</h2> Nature in the southwest cannot adapt to these rapid changes. The only way to stem the damage to nature and humans is to stop greenhouse gas emissions. Australia must take responsibility for its emissions and show ambition beyond the weak promise of net-zero by 2050, and commit to real 2030 targets consistent with the Paris climate treaty. Otherwise, we will witness the collapse of one of Australia’s biological treasures in real time.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170377/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jatin-kala-1283114">Jatin Kala</a>, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/belinda-robson-1283377">Belinda Robson</a>, Associate Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joe-fontaine-136827">Joe Fontaine</a>, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-beatty-1144778">Stephen Beatty</a>, Research Leader (Catchments to Coast), Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thomas-wernberg-116019">Thomas Wernberg</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drying-land-and-heating-seas-why-nature-in-australias-southwest-is-on-the-climate-frontline-170377">original article</a>. Image: Author provided

Domestic Travel

What causes dry lips, and how can you treat them? Does lip balm actually help?

As we head into the colder weather, many of us might be afflicted with the irritating ailment of dry and chapped lips. People have been trying to figure out how to fix dry lips for centuries. Using beeswax, olive oil and other natural ingredients have been reported as early as Cleopatra’s <a href="https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/secret-gloss-a-brief-history-of-lip-balm-from-earwax-to-clorox">time</a>, around 40 B.C. In 1833, there were even reports of human earwax being <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_American_Frugal_Housewife/-YYSAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=the+American+Frugal+Housewife,+Dedicated+to+Those+who+are+Not+Ashamed+of+Economy&printsec=frontcover">recommended</a> as a successful remedy for dry, cracked lips. Not long after, the first commercial lip balms hit the market. So what causes dry lips, and which lip balms actually help? The key is to avoid lip balms that contain certain additives which might worsen the problem. They need to be soft but resilient Our lips are constantly exposed to the elements, such as sunlight, wind, dry air, and cold weather. They have to withstand our daily lifestyle, including contact with food, cosmetics, biting, picking, rubbing against clothes, kissing and more. So, although they look soft and fleshy, our lips need to be resilient and tough. Lips sit at the junction where our outside facial skin transitions into the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsrlJn2cDh0&t=58s">tissue</a> layers lining the mouth. As such, the lips are structured similar to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507900/">mucous membranes</a>, but with the addition of a <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s004030050453">protective</a> outside layer of skin. Lips don’t have hair follicles, or sweat, saliva and oil glands. This unique structure means they’re particularly prone to dryness as they have a much lower ability to hold <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/15030342">water</a> than the rest of the face’s skin. What causes dry lips? Many of us get dry lips at certain times of the year. This can occur naturally, or be brought on by many different factors, including: <ul> <li> inflamed lips, known as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6531998/">cheilitis</a>. This can be due to a skin condition, or an infection such as herpes or cold sores </li> <li> <a href="https://journals.lww.com/dermatitis/Abstract/2007/12000/Allergic_Contact_Cheilitis_from_Benzophenone_3_in.8.aspx">allergies</a> </li> <li> medications which impact the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12974516/">salivary glands</a>, the mouth’s surrounding <a href="https://youtu.be/UNyKlwO23w4">muscles</a>, or sensations throughout the lip area </li> <li> tongue injuries, teeth that rub against the lips, or other dental issues </li> <li> poor oral health. This can be brought on by general neglect, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22750232/">eating disorders</a>, or bad oral hygiene habits </li> <li> burns, such as eating food that’s too hot, or sunburn. Burns can result in the lips swelling, <a href="https://youtu.be/T-FnAH9y1N4">scarring</a> and blistering, and it may take a long time for the pain to alleviate </li> <li> some diseases or disorders, such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19445445/">Sjögren’s syndrome</a> </li> <li> dehydration, heat stroke, <a href="https://youtu.be/BxgEoLmOACo">fever</a>, or excessive heat </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647520300988?via%3Dihub">nasal</a> congestion, which leads to chronic mouth-breathing. This can sometimes be a result of illness, such as when you have a common cold </li> <li> cold weather or cold wind that runs along the lips and removes moisture </li> <li> persistent licking, which can create a wet-dry cycle that excessively <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647520300988">dries</a> out your lips. </li> </ul> The dryness can also lead to pain, itching or stinging. If dry lips start causing serious issues, it may be helpful to discuss this with a medical professional. How can you treat dry lips? It is important to identify what’s causing dry lips. If it’s due to lip licking, then you need to make habitual changes to stop the practice. If it’s due to cold, windy or dry weather, then certain balms and ointments can help protect the lips. Drinking adequate amounts of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647520300988">water</a> can assist, because this helps prevent dry skin in general. If this isn’t enough, bland, non-irritating, unflavoured lip balms can help, as they act as a film covering the lip surface, keeping moisture in. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/403497/original/file-20210531-15-u2nxjk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Man with beard applying lip balm" /> It’s best to choose a bland lip balm that doesn’t contain fragrances, flavours and colours. Shutterstock In many cases these use petroleum jelly as a base (although it’s not <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12533">required</a>), along with refined mineral oils to remove any <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jchem/2019/1680269/">hazardous</a> compounds, and other ingredients that can assist in retaining and maintaining a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ics.12583">barrier function</a>. In the race to appeal to consumers, cosmetic manufacturers have trialled a number of new ingredients in their lip balms. Popular lip balms often contain additives which can make the balm smell or taste nice, or soften the feel when it rubs against the lips. Some of these extra ingredients can help. For example, if you’re out in the sun a lot, lip balm with included sunscreen is a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1227745/">great</a> addition. Products to avoid In many cases, these compounds provide the feeling of immediate relief on the lips but don’t actually help with the barrier function. And in some cases, they can become irritants and even worsen the dryness. When choosing a lip balm, try to avoid products containing these ingredients: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6477564/">fragrances</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-016-0076-7">flavours</a>, such as mint, citrus, vanilla, and cinnamon </li> <li> shiny <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/not-just-lip-service-gloss-can-invite-skin-cancer-flna1c9459959">glosses</a>, which can intensify damage from the sun’s rays </li> <li> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-names/color-additives-permitted-use-cosmetics">colours</a>, which can cause irritation and do nothing to assist the barrier function </li> <li> menthol, phenol or salicylic acid, which can actually make your lips <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-signs-your-lip-balm-use-is-just-a-bad-habit/">drier</a> </li> <li> additional, unnecessary <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/heal-dry-chapped-lips">ingredients</a> such as camphor, lanolin, octinoxate, oxybenzone or propyl gallate. </li> </ul> And be sure to stop biting, picking or excessively licking your lips. Staying hydrated and applying a bland lip balm should be a routine incorporated into your every day lifestyle for healthy, protected, and moisturised lips.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/161264/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christian-moro-121754">Christian Moro</a>, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charlotte-phelps-1187658">Charlotte Phelps</a>, PhD Student, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-causes-dry-lips-and-how-can-you-treat-them-does-lip-balm-actually-help-161264">original article</a>.

Body

What makes wine dry?

When you take a sip of wine at a family meal or celebration, what do you notice? First, you probably note the visual characteristics: the color is generally red, rosé or white. Next, you smell the aromatic compounds wafting up from your glass. And then there’s the sensation in your mouth when you taste it. White wine and rosé are usually described as refreshing, because they have brisk acidity and little to moderate sweetness. Those <a href="https://www.winemag.com/2017/09/21/why-calling-a-wine-dry-or-sweet-can-be-simply-confusing/">low levels of sugar</a> may lead you to perceive these wines as “dry.” People also describe wines as dry when alcohol levels are high, usually over about 13%, mostly because the ethanol leads to hot or burning sensations that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03767">cover up other sensations</a>, especially sweetness. People also perceive red wines as dry or astringent because they contain a class of molecules called polyphenols. <a href="https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55360215200">As an enologist</a> – a wine scientist – I’m interested in how all the chemistry in a glass of wine adds up to this perception of dryness. People are good at evaluating a wine’s dryness with their senses. Can we eventually come up with a way to automatically assess this dryness or astringency without relying on human tasters? The chemistry at the vineyard Everything starts with the grapes. If you taste a mature grape skin or seed at harvest, it will seem dry or astringent to you, thanks to a number of chemical compounds it contains. Large molecules called condensed <a href="https://www.wineaustralia.com/getmedia/df422991-82ed-4125-b0f7-8395a63d438f/201005-tannin-management-in-the-vineyard.pdf">tannins</a> are mostly responsible for the astringency perception. These compounds are made up of varying types and numbers of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2002-0825.ch015">smaller chemical units called flavanols</a>. Tannins are in the same family of molecules, the polyphenols, that give grapes their red or black color. They tend to be larger in grape skins than in grape seeds, and consequently the skins tend to be more astringent, while the seeds are more bitter. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2002-0825.ch015">Grape varieties differ in how much</a> of each of these compounds they contain. In Vitis vinifera cultivars, like Pinot noir and Cabernet sauvignon, the tannin concentration varies from a relatively high 1 to 1.5 mg/berry. In cold-hardy hybrid grapes found in the Midwestern United States, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation3030047">like Frontenac and Marquette</a>, the concentrations are much lower, ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 mg/berry. <a href="https://www.wineaustralia.com/getmedia/df422991-82ed-4125-b0f7-8395a63d438f/201005-tannin-management-in-the-vineyard.pdf">Factors in the vineyard</a> – including site, soil qualities and amount of sun – affect the final concentration of tannins in the fruit. The chemistry in your mouth Basically, the more tannin there is in a wine, the more astringent it will be. When you take a sip, the large tannin molecules <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2014.08.001">interact with proteins from your saliva</a>. They combine and form complexes, reducing the number of salivary proteins available to help lubricate your mouth. It leaves your mouth with a dry sensation – like if a snail were to lose its mucus layer, it would dry out. Because everyone has a different composition and concentration of saliva proteins, and because the flow rate of saliva as you bring wine into your mouth varies, your perceptions of an astringent or dry wine won’t be the same as those of your friends or family. The alcohol level, pH and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2011.12.042">aroma of the wine</a> also influence how intensely and for how long you perceive a red wine’s dryness. Since wine dryness is a perception, the most appropriate tool to appraise it is sensory evaluation. It requires panelists trained on the wine aroma, taste and mouthfeel based on prepared standards and other wines. But winemakers would love to have a quick, simple way to objectively measure astringency without relying on human tasters. That way, they could easily compare this year’s wine to last year’s, or to another wine that is not available to be tested. Can we scientifically evaluate dryness? The challenge for me and my colleagues was to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b01480">see if we could match up</a> the quantified chemical <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.09.043">and physical properties</a> in a wine to the trained panelists’ perceptions. First, we used analytical methods to figure out the different sizes of tannins present in particular wines, and their concentrations. We investigated how these tannins interacted and formed complexes with standard salivary proteins. My collaborators and I also used a physical approach, relying on a piece of equipment with two surfaces that are able to mimic and measure the forces of friction that occur in a drinker’s mouth between the tongue and the palate as wine and saliva interact. The friction forces increase between drier surfaces and decrease between more lubricated surfaces. Then, we trained human panelists to evaluate the intensity of dryness in the same wines and in a wine containing no tannins. People perceived the wine containing the higher concentration of larger tannins as drier for a longer time than the wine without tannins. That made sense based on what we already knew about these compounds and how people sense them. We were surprised, though, by our physical measurements in the lab, because they provided the opposite result as our human tasters’ perception. In the presence of too large or too many tannins in the wine, we recorded lower friction forces than in wines low in tannins. Based on the mechanical surfaces test, it seemed like there would be less dry mouthfeel than we’d expect in high-tannin wines. My colleagues and I are planning to investigate this unexpected result in future research to improve our understanding of the dryness perception. All its chemical and physical variables are part of what makes drinking wine a richly personal and ever-changing experience. Considering the impact of astringency on how individuals perceive a particular wine, a quick measure could be very helpful to winemakers as they do their work. So far, we haven’t been able to create a simple scale that will tell a winemaker that tannins at one certain level match up with a very particular dryness perception. But we enologists are still trying. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/aude-watrelot-831853">Aude Watrelot</a>, Assistant Professor of Enology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/iowa-state-university-1322">Iowa State University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-makes-wine-dry-its-easy-to-taste-but-much-harder-to-measure-123506">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

The reason why fires are lighting up the east coast of Australia

Last week saw an unprecedented outbreak of large, intense fires stretching from the mid-north coast of New South Wales into central Queensland. The most tragic losses are concentrated in northern NSW, where 970,000 hectares have been burned, three people have died, and at least 150 homes have been destroyed. A <a href="https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans">catastrophic fire warning</a> for Tuesday has been issued for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas. It is the first time Sydney has received a catastrophic rating since the rating system was developed in 2009. No relief is in sight from this extremely hot, dry and windy weather, and the extraordinary magnitude of these fires is likely to increase in the coming week. Alarmingly, as Australians increasingly seek a sea-change or tree-change, more people are living in the path of these destructive fires. Unprecedented state of emergency Large fires have happened before in northern NSW and southern Queensland during spring and early summer (for example in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2002, and 2018 in northern NSW). But this latest extraordinary situation raises many questions. It is as if many of the major fires in the past are now being rerun concurrently. What is unprecedented is the size and number of fires rather than the seasonal timing. The potential for large, intense fires is determined by <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00512.x">four fundamental ingredients</a>: a continuous expanse of fuel; extensive and continuous dryness of that fuel; weather conditions conducive to the rapid spread of fire; and ignitions, either human or lightning. These act as a set of switches, in series: all must be “on” for major fires to occur. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301032/original/file-20191111-194628-1xowzaz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301032/original/file-20191111-194628-1xowzaz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> L ive fuel moisture content in late October 2019. The ‘dry’ and ‘transitional’ moisture categories correspond to conditions associated with over 95% of historical area burned by bushfire. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016GL0686140" class="source">Estimated from MODIS satellite imagery for the Sydney basin Bioregion.</a> The NSW north coast and tablelands, along with much of the southern coastal regions of Queensland are famous for their diverse range of eucalypt forest, heathlands and rainforests, which flourish in the warm temperate to subtropical climate. These forests and shrublands can rapidly accumulate bushfire fuels such as leaf litter, twigs and grasses. The unprecedented drought across much of Australia has created exceptional dryness, including high-altitude areas and places like gullies, water courses, swamps and steep south-facing slopes that are normally too wet to burn. These typically wet parts of the landscape have literally evaporated, allowing fire to spread unimpeded. The drought has been particularly acute in northern NSW where record low rainfall has led to <a href="https://biocollect.ala.org.au/acsa/project/index/77285a13-e231-49e8-b212-660c66c74bac">widespread defoliation and tree death</a>. It is no coincidence current fires correspond directly with hotspots of <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought/">record low rainfall and above-average temperatures</a>. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301040/original/file-20191111-194650-458t68.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301040/original/file-20191111-194650-458t68.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Annual trends in live fuel moisture. The horizontal line represents the threshold for the critical ‘dry’ fuel category, which corresponds to the historical occurrence of most major wildfires in the Bioregion. Estimated from MODIS imagery for the Sydney basin Bioregion Thus, the North Coast and northern ranges of NSW as well as much of southern and central Queensland have been primed for major fires. A continuous swathe of critically dry fuels across these diverse landscapes existed well before last week, as shown by damaging fires in September and October. High temperatures and wind speeds, low humidity, and a wave of new ignitions on top of pre-existing fires has created an unprecedented situation of multiple large, intense fires stretching from the coast to the tablelands and parts of the interior. More people in harm’s way Many parts of the NSW north coast, southern Queensland and adjacent hinterlands have seen population growth around major towns and cities, as people look for pleasant coastal and rural homes away from the capital cities. The extraordinary number and ferocity of these fires, plus the increased exposure of people and property, have contributed to the tragic results of the past few days. Communities flanked by forests along the coast and ranges are highly vulnerable because of the way fires spread under the influence of strong westerly winds. Coastal communities wedged between highly flammable forests and heathlands and the sea, are particularly at risk. As a full picture of the extent and location of losses and damage becomes available, we will see the extent to which planning, building regulations, and fire preparation has mitigated losses and damage. These unprecedented fires are an indication that a much-feared future under climate change may have arrived <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222328">earlier than predicted</a>. The week ahead will present high-stakes new challenges. The most heavily populated region of the nation is now at critically dry levels of fuel moisture, below those at the time of the disastrous Christmas fires of 2001 and 2013. Climate change has been predicted to <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF08133">strongly increase</a> the chance of large fires across this region. The conditions for Tuesday are a real and more extreme manifestation of these longstanding predictions. Whatever the successes and failures in this crisis, it is likely that we will have to rethink the way we plan and prepare for wildfires in a hotter, drier and more flammable world.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126750/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-bradstock-1495">Ross Bradstock</a>, Professor, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-helene-nolan-179005">Rachael Helene Nolan</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drought-and-climate-change-were-the-kindling-and-now-the-east-coast-is-ablaze-126750">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Will microdermabrasion or skin needling give you better skin?

Microdermabrasion and skin needling are relatively new fads in skin beauty treatments. While claims of their effectiveness for more serious skin conditions are probably overblown, they may be beneficial for minor, superficial complaints. What is microdermabrasion? Microdermabrasion has gained popularity over the last decade because it’s a simple and cost-effective treatment for the skin with minimal recovery time. It’s important to differentiate microdermabrasion from dermabrasion, which is an invasive procedure that has been used to treat UV damage and skin scarring for decades. Dermabrasion is a traditional skin resurfacing treatment, usually performed under a general anaesthetic. It uses a specialised “sanding” device to strip off deep layers of the skin, leaving an open wound that may take several weeks to heal. This repair results in the formation of new skin and improvement in skin quality. But it <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21824537">carries significant risk</a> of complications such as hypopigmentation (whitening of the skin) and scarring. Dermabrasion isn’t done much anymore, because lasers can do the same job but more carefully and precisely. Microdermabrasion, in contrast, is non-invasive and low risk. It uses a high-pressured stream of fine crystals to “polish” the skin. This is effective in removing superficial layers of dead skin cells, but it doesn’t wear away the deeper layers of the skin. It’s essentially painless and side effects such as mild redness are minimal. It’s safe for most skin types, requires no time off work, and aims to improve skin texture and radiance. Does it work? Despite being one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed, most physicians believe microdermabrasion has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20048628">minimal clinical effect</a>. This perception is partly due to the widespread marketing of microdermabrasion for a variety of inappropriate indications such as deep wrinkles and scars. These contour changes require stimulation of deeper skin layers or damage to initiate enough rejuvenation and repair to see any clinical improvement. They will not improve noticeably with a mild and superficial mechanical treatment such as microdermabrasion. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20048628">However, there is some evidence</a> that microdermabrasion can stimulate the production of collagen, the protein that gives our skin strength and elasticity. This may help “fill in” superficial contour changes such as fine wrinkles and mild scarring. It can also improve the absorption of active skin care ingredients such as vitamin A or antioxidant creams by removing the outer barrier layer of the skin. It’s most useful in achieving a minor improvement in the textural irregularities and pigment changes that occur from sun damage. What is microneedling? Microneedling is a relatively new but popular cosmetic procedure used for skin regeneration and treatment of various skin conditions such as scarring, wrinkles and stretch marks. It’s considerably cheaper than other rejuvenating procedures such as resurfacing lasers, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28796657">has been found</a> to be reasonably effective at promoting collagen. The procedure involves the use of an automated pen or roller device studded with microneedles as small as 0.1mm in diameter. It creates numerous micro-punctures through the skin with minimal damage to the upper epidermal layer, but microscopic injury to the deeper dermal layer. The injury and minor bleeding trigger a “wound-healing” cascade in the skin. This results in increased collagen and elastin (elastic fibers) production and some degree of repair. Microneedling is usually performed using a topical anaesthetic cream to ease discomfort, and may take 10-20 minutes depending on the size of area being treated. The skin should ideally be pre-treated with appropriate skin care products that can boost skin regeneration, such as retinoid (vitamin A) creams, and antioxidants including vitamin C. Following the procedure, patients can expect some pinpoint bleeding that settles quickly, as well as redness and some minor discomfort. They may experience some mild swelling and persistent redness for a few days. Fortunately, complications are uncommon. Skin infections, reactivation of herpes simplex (cold sores), inflamed pigmentation and aggravation of skin diseases <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28796657">have been reported</a>. Raised scarring <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28491962">has also been reported</a>, but is rare. The superficial needle holes close rapidly (in around 15 minutes), which means getting a skin infection is highly unlikely. Does it work? <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28796657">Studies have shown</a> significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and scars following microneedling, due to collagen and elastic fibre production that help the skin become more “filled out”. The tiny injuries to the dermal (deeper) layer of the skin cause an inflammatory cascade, triggering proliferation of cells in the dermis (upper layer) and subsequent new skin formation. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21617430">Researchers have demonstrated</a> increased collagen and elastin thickness in skin biopsies after microneedling, and this improvement is usually evident within three to four weeks. Further changes can be seen for some months. Although definite improvement is usually seen, it may be subtle and slow. The efficacy and results <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29072375">may be enhanced using combination treatments</a> such as microneedling with chemical peels or platelet-rich plasma (<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-whats-actually-in-our-blood-75066">components found in blood</a> that enhance healing). In most studied cases, people required multiple treatments over a long period of time to achieve good results. Generally speaking, the more aggressive a procedure is, the fewer the number of treatments required to achieve the desired result. But this also means more healing time. Choosing the right option can be a complicated process, and depends on the nature and severity of the patient’s problem, coexisting complaints, skin type and desired outcome, as well as budget and lifestyle factors. Some clinicians may promote a procedure due to availability and experience, but the cumulative cost and ability to achieve the desired result should be carefully considered in all cases before embarking on treatment. Written by Cara McDonald. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-microdermabrasion-or-skin-needling-give-me-better-skin-86619">The Conversation</a>.

Beauty & Style

Handy year-round tips for dry skin and chapped lips

Refusing to scratch problem skin irritated by eczema, psoriasis and a multitude of other factors is a medical must-do – and much easier said than done. For the instant relief it gives some skin issues, holding back from scratching is difficult, and extremely problematic when dealing with irritated, itchy and uncomfortable children and adults alike. Medicated treatments, creams and salves free from SLS, petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens and fragrances are a necessary solution to removing the uncomfortable side effect of skin irritation to let the skin heal. According to the Australasian society of clinical immunology and allergy, eczema can be effectively treated and managed, but no cures are currently available. The ASCIA says the “scratch and itch” cycle can be most distressing and having eczema means that when the skin barrier is damaged, moisture evaporates and this makes the skin more susceptible to allergens and irritants. This irritation can trigger the skin to release certain chemicals that make the skin itchy. If you scratch, more chemicals are released and the skin feels even itchier. But there are solutions that can help. Dry and chapped lips are also associated with cheilitis, an inflammatory lip condition that can be caused as a side effect of certain medications or extreme sun exposure. Therefore, caring for our lips all year round is extremely important. There are three simple rules to live by: <ol> <li>Keep yourself well hydrated</li> <li>Avoid licking your lips</li> <li>Keep a good lip balm on you at all times.</li> </ol> This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/handy-year-round-tips-dry-skin-and-chapped-lips">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Beauty & Style

Girl arrested: Confesses to needles in strawberries "prank"

A 12-year-old has reportedly admitted to inserting needles into strawberries in what police believe to be a copycat prank. New South Wales Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Stuart Smith said the child was caught in recent days but refused to release any further details. While the youngster was reported as a male due to Mr Smith addressing the child as a “he” at a press conference, it is now discovered that the police commissioner misspoke. After inserting the needles into the strawberries, the girl then showed her friends at school in the NSW Blue Mountains, reported <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/">The Daily Telegraph</a>. One student informed staff and the police were immediately called to the scene. They reportedly interviewed the girl at her home and she eventually confessed. “Obviously, in the last few days we found a young person has admitted to a prank, including putting needles in strawberries,” Mr Smith told reporters in Sydney. Mr Smith said the child would be dealt with under the youth cautioning system. He further went on to say that while some may believe the behaviour could be “called a prank”, he warned that any copycat cases would be dealt with the full extent of the law. “What we’ve seen in the state (of NSW) we believe is the work of copycats and pranksters, we’ve got to deal with it though, the way we deal with any crime,” he said. The event comes as the Attorney-General said there have now been over 100 reported cases of sabotaged fruit across the country, with the scare initially starting in Queensland then spreading to Tasmania and Western Australia. The most recent incident occurred at a primary school in Newcastle today, where a student discovered a needle inside the banana that they packed for lunch. The child, a pupil at St Paul’s Primary School, alerted teachers after biting into the banana and finding the sharp object lodged inside. Detectives were sent to the school to investigate the incident and have removed the banana for further tests. A spokesman for NSW Police said authorities will not comment on individual cases as they had a “duty of care.”

Legal

From $230K to $28 – Grieving widow shocked to find late husband’s super fund drained dry

After Kim Garbutt’s husband, Craig, passed away 10 years ago, his family was expecting a cheque for more than $230,000 in death benefits from AMP – Craig’s superannuation fund. Instead, they received $27.64 13 days later. The grieving widow was shocked to find that the account had only a small sum of money, when she was under the impression that her husband had left her with $230,000. “When the account arrived, I was a bit dumbfounded,” she told <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-13/widow-expected-$200,000-super-death-benefit-amp-paid-her-$25/10114662">7.30.</a> “Sometime after that I spoke to them and they were saying basically the account had run dry. They went, ‘So sad that he’s died but too bad, the accounts got no money in it.” Ms Garbutt only discovered the account was $233 in arrears – and that AMP had cancelled the policy – five months before Craig’s death. Before his death in 2008, Craig had fought an alcohol addiction which put strain on his marriage with Ms Garbutt. Although the two split shortly after the wedding, they decided to stay legally married for the sake of their two children. Craig, who passed away at the age of 39, was described by Ms Garbutt as someone who was “super smart…he was funny, he liked to dress well.” “He wasn’t ostentatious, he was bombastic, he was just a nice friendly guy. He was well-liked, he was well-loved.” While he tried to seek help by attending rehab facilities, in the end he couldn’t rid himself of his addiction. Before he passed away, Craig was using friends’ couches and his car to live out of after his business went bankrupt. “He was in debt to what we think is $300,000 to $400,000 to maybe six or seven creditors. Phones had been cut off,” said Ms Garbutt. After investigating, Ms Garbutt discovered that Craig had transferred $1786.55 into the account from his previous super fund in 2003, but in as little as 5 weeks, the amount was down to $1579.29 after he was charged over $207.08 in fees and premiums. Even though Craig had no further contribution to his account after the initial $1786.55, AMP continued to deduct fees and charges – many of which were hidden. AMP claims to have contacted Craig before his death to let him know that his account was low on funds and would be cancelled. They advised her that there was nothing more they can do. According to Ms Garbutt, AMP was not cooperative and refused to speak with her on compassionate grounds, and since Craig’s passing, she has been struggling to compete with the insurance company about Craig’s superannuation and insurance. Ms Garbutt reveals that while AMP sent her late husband letters regarding his fund, he was seriously ill and was not opening mail at the time. A spokeswoman from AMP said that the company “strongly rejects” the idea that Ms Garbutt had been uninformed throughout the process. “At no time were we informed that [Craig] was unwell, and we corresponded with him as early as seven months before his death that he was at risk of losing his valuable insurance,” said the spokeswoman. “We do allow customers to reinstate lapsed policies based on medical evidence, however we do not allow this where the reinstatement is due to the customer now wishing to claim.” Ms Garbutt claims to have “begged and pleaded” with the insurance giant regarding where Craig’s money had gone, but AMP remained uncooperative. “It was ‘Nope, we told Craig it was going to be cancelled’,” she said. “I went, ‘Craig wasn’t functioning, we wouldn’t have read the letters’.”

Legal

The reason why you should never dry you clothes indoors

When it’s cold and wet outside, who else hangs their washing inside the house on the collapsible clothes line, perhaps in front of the heater to speed up the process? Well, it turns out this common practice is turning your home into an unhealthy breeding ground. Nick Osborne, senior lecturer in Environmental Health at the University of NSW, told <a href="http://www.kidspot.com.au/health/family-health/seasonal-health/why-you-should-never-ever-dry-your-clothes-indoors-during-winter">Kidspot</a> that drying clothes inside contributed to the potential growth of mould and dust mites. Not surprisingly, both are bad for your health. For asthmatics in particular, a damp house can trigger or worsen symptoms. Dr Christine Cowie, a senior research fellow with the University of NSW, explained how mould can affect your health. “From a health perspective… many biological agents are found indoors and they usually thrive on dampness and inadequate ventilation. They have found that dampness itself has been a good indicator of risk of asthma and respiratory symptoms. There are other studies that show inhalation of fungal spores… are linked to allergic sensitisation and asthma,” she said. And it’s not just wet washing you need to be worried about. “As far as winter time goes, we’re all coming inside with wet coats and hanging them up and people are inside a lot more,” Dr Osborne said. “Especially if there are a lot of people in a small dwelling. And add to that showers and cooking steam. If a house isn’t correctly ventilated moisture builds up inside and will condensate on windows and in walls.” Dr Osborne offered a few simple ways to reduce the moisture in the house. “If you’re cooking remember to turn the extractor fan on. There could potentially be more hot meals served in winter,” he said. “If it’s sunny get your washing out and make sure if you use a dryer that it’s vented to the outside. It all adds up,” he said. Just remember to keep the house well-ventilated to keep the mould and dust mites in check. “A few minor behavioural changes will mean you live in a healthier house,” he said.

Home & Garden

5 money lies we tell ourselves that are bleeding us dry

It’s easy to get caught up in misinformation around personal finances. Here are five common red herrings to steer clear of. 1. I'll start investing next year when things are better – Investing can be complicated, and so many of us avoid it altogether because we fear what we don't know. Don't shy away from informed commitment – it’s never too late and you’ll reap the rewards down the track. 2. I'll need less money in retirement, so I can live off my savings and the pension – In reality, you are probably going to need more money in your later years. Even if you manage to ease into retirement debt-free and fully owning your home, there are a lot of expenses that come along with getting older. These include: <ul> <li>Medical expenses</li> <li>Major fixes on an old home</li> <li>Helping out children in financial trouble</li> <li>Inflation</li> <li>Higher taxes</li> <li>Living longer than expected</li> </ul> If you don't think you have enough money for your retirement, make sure you are contributing extra to your super, or looking at other ways to boost your retirement nest egg. 3. It’s on sale – This has to be one of the best spending excuses. Whether it’s an international flight, a new suit or television, it is easy to get caught up in the hype and fall for marked-down prices, but a sale item is only a great buy if you genuinely need it. We are easily susceptible to slick marketing hype, such as 50% off already exaggerated prices or selling items at prices just below a larger round number. Unfortunately, these tricks have been proven to work and are being played out on us constantly. 4. It’s an investment – Beware of using this justification for luxury spending – whether it’s that a new set of golf clubs, couch, piece of jewellery or other “must-have” item. At the end of the day, unless you really need it, your bank account will have less in it and that is probably a poor investment. 5. I deserve this – Telling yourself spending is a reward can be a good old pick-me-up. You might have had a tough time recently and just need to do something that will give you a bit of a boost. So you go out and get your quick retail fix, feel great for a while and then realise that you just blew more than you intended for something you don’t even need that much. There are times we need to do something to make ourselves feel better or even act as a reward for an achievement. Maybe try a different approach – helping others can also be hugely satisfying, so next time you feel the need to splurge, find a charity that is close to your heart and donate.

Money & Banking

8 bizarre things you never knew you could take on a plane

With airlines introducing stricter and stricter measures every day preventing even electronics from being brought on board, it had us wondering – what exactly can you take on a plane? As it turns out, you can get away with some pretty strange stuff. <ol start="1"> <li>Falcons – Keen to take your birds of prey on a holiday? That’s perfectly fine, if you’re flying with Etihad. “We accept the carriage of falcons in the main aircraft cabin provided that all the necessary documents have been obtained,” their <a href="http://www.etihad.com/en-au/before-you-fly/baggage-information/baggage-guide/" target="_blank">website</a> reads. “We also accept falcons as checked baggage.”</li> <li>Knitting needles – Want to do some arts and craft at 35,000 feet? No problem. You mightn’t be able to bring nail scissors into the cabin, but sharp knitting needles are A-OK according to <a href="https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/baggage/carry-on-baggage/" target="_blank">Virgin Australia</a>.</li> <li>Lighters and matches – Cigarettes may not be allowed, but your lighter or box of safety matches are – as long as they’re in your pocket, and not in your carry-on or checked luggage, according to <a href="http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en#safety-matches-and-cigarette-lighters" target="_blank">Qantas</a>.</li> <li>Dry ice – Heston Blumenthal will be glad to hear this one. <a href="http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en#/" target="_blank">Qantas</a> allows travellers to bring up to 2.5kg each of dry ice, either in carry-on or checked baggage. All you have to do is ensure it’s stored “in a vented container (a number of holes must be in the container to allow the gas to escape).”</li> <li>Your own parachute and life jacket – Don’t trust the airline’s safety equipment? If you’re flying with Ryanair, you’re free to bring your own. This includes “parachutes of any type, recreational or sports, or paragliding wings,” plus your own life jacket.</li> <li>A mini horse or pig – If you’re travelling in the US with your service animal, <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/AirTravel_with_ServiceAnimals-TriFold.pdf" target="_blank">you can bring them</a> with you into the cabin. That means miniature horses, pigs, cats and dogs are perfectly fine to bring on board, as long as it is specifically for providing assistance or emotional support.</li> <li>A turtle – Simply can’t bear to be separated from your turtle? Never fear, on <a href="https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/support/pet/" target="_blank">Japan Airlines</a>, your shelled friend is very much welcome, as long as they don’t disturb other passengers. You can also bring goldfish and insects, provided they’re kept secure.</li> </ol>

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Doctor shares her holy grail tips for overcoming eye sensitivity

5 simple tips to fix dry hair

6 blow-drying mistakes everyone makes

Mum’s clever hack helps dry your dishes in record time

Mum’s fool-proof hack to dry your clothes in half the time

Physio ‘dry needling’ and acupuncture – what’s the difference and what does the evidence say?

Always do this if you want to avoid dry skin in winter

Always do this if you want to avoid dry skin in winter

Drying land and heating seas: why nature in Australia’s southwest is on the climate frontline

What causes dry lips, and how can you treat them? Does lip balm actually help?

What makes wine dry?

The reason why fires are lighting up the east coast of Australia

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