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Baywatch actress passes away aged 61

Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff has passed away at the age of 61. The Baywatch actress and ex-wife of David Hasselhoff was found dead in her Los Angeles home on Wednesday, according to multiple media outlets in the US. Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that her family members were concerned after not hearing from her and wanted to check up on her. First responders were then called to her home after receiving a report of an unconscious female, and she was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene, according to Page Six. She has reportedly died by suicide. "Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff," a representative for David Hasselhoff said in a statement. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time, but we kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time." Bach was married to Hasselhoff for 17 years from 1989 to 2006, with the former couple sharing two children: daughters Taylor Ann Hasselhoff, 34, and Hayley Hasselhoff, 32. She was also a grandmother to Taylor's daughter, born in August 2024. Pamela was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963 and moved to Los Angeles in 1985. That same year, she met David on the set of Knight Rider, with the couple tying the knot four years later. Six years later, she joined the cast of Baywatch, where she played reporter and businesswoman Kate 'Kaye' Morgan periodically in a few episodes across seasons two, three, five and six. Pamela and David filed for divorce in January 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. Image: MediaPunch/ Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or visit lifeline.org.nz <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">

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Beloved Man About the House actor passes away

English actor Brian Murphy best known for his role as George Roper in Man About the House and its spinoff series George and Mildred has died aged 92. The star's agent confirmed he died on Sunday at his home in Kent, with his wife and actress, Linda Regan, by his side. "It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to announce the death of our client actor Brian Murphy," the actor's agent, Thomas Bowington, said in a statement to Deadline. "It is almost impossible to describe the depth of his talent and humanity. A truly joyful and profoundly good hearted man." Regan has since paid tribute to the actor, who she was married to for over 30 years, with an emotional message. "My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart," she wrote to X, alongside a photo of them kissing. "I will love you forever darling, and all your wishes will be carried out as you wanted. My soulmate," she continued in a follow-up tweet. "I know we will meet again, until then I'll hold on to the love we shared for 35 years." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I will love you forever darling, and all your wishes will be carried out as you wanted. My soulmate. I know we will meet again, until then I’ll hold on to the love we shared for 35 years <a href="https://t.co/i8nNIkZYTc">https://t.co/i8nNIkZYTc</a> — Linda Regan (@Linda_Regan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Linda_Regan/status/1886769269150560670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> 'Allo 'Allo! star Vicki Michelle also paid tribute to the actor, saying she was "so so sad" to hear of his death. "Great actor and Gorgeous friend, always fun. My heart goes out to Linda and family. Such a Wonderful couple." Murphy started out acting in theatre and tv in the '60s before being cast in the sitcom, Man About the House, in 1973. He rose to fame shortly after, starring alongside Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett in the sitcom which ran for six seasons. Murphy continued playing his character George in the spinoff series, George and Mildred, which ran for five seasons. He was also in films including The Booze Cruise, Sparrows Can't Sing and The Boy Friend. Image: Paul Grover/ Shutterstock Editorial

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Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows?

<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> When you’re in a car, train or bus, do you choose a seat to avoid being in the sun or do you like the sunny side? You can definitely feel the sun’s heat through a window. But can you get sunburn or skin damage when in your car or inside with the windows closed? Let’s look at how much UV (ultraviolet) radiation passes through different types of glass, how tinting can help block UV, and whether we need sunscreen when driving or indoors. <h2>What’s the difference between UVA and UVB?</h2> Of the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)#:%7E:text=Most%20solar%20UVB%20is%20filtered,for%20the%20immediate%20tanning%20effect.">total UV</a> radiation that reaches Earth, about 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB. UVB only reaches the <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-dont-burns-bleed-130792">upper layers</a> of our skin but <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-uv-index-an-expert-explains-what-it-means-and-how-its-calculated-173146">is the major cause</a> of sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer. UVA <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunscreen-why-wearing-it-even-in-winter-could-be-a-good-idea-219640">penetrates deeper</a> into our skin and causes cell damage that leads to skin cancer. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.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/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Graphic showing UVA and UVB penetrating skin" /><figcaption>UVA penetrates deeper than UVB. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/difference-radiation-types-sunlight-which-harmful-669925423">Shutterstock/solar22</a></figcaption></figure> <h2>Glass blocks UVA and UVB radiation differently</h2> All <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">glass</a> used in house, office and car windows completely blocks UVB from passing through. But only laminated glass can completely block UVA. UVA <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sneaky-ways-youre-being-exposed-to-the-suns-uv-rays/#:%7E:text=UVB%20rays%2C%20the%20primary%20sunburn,the%20rays%20will%20reach%20you">can pass through</a> other glass used in car, house and office windows and <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunscreen-why-wearing-it-even-in-winter-could-be-a-good-idea-219640">cause skin damage</a>, increasing the risk of cancer. <h2>Car windscreens block UVA, but the side and rear windows don’t</h2> A car’s front windscreen lets in lots of sunshine and light. Luckily it <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">blocks 98% of UVA radiation</a> because it is made of two layers of laminated glass. But the side and rear car windows are made of tempered glass, which doesn’t completely block UVA. A <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2522190">study of 29 cars</a> found a range from 4% to almost 56% of UVA passed through the side and rear windows. The UVA protection was not related to the car’s age or cost, but to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962205046244?casa_token=qxVQnQ_mFjEAAAAA:5n6QVYBb22gfsWNLxfxbNtsibJ1JXl_C7RtRhsaQLFVkRocFgoWiI4BnNyMGO35EnyIsLNhFK90">the type</a> of glass, its colour and whether it has been tinted or coated in a protective film. Grey or bronze coloured glass, and window tinting, all increase UVA protection. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/tropej/article/59/6/496/1660803">Window tinting</a> blocks around 95% of UVA radiation. In a separate study from Saudi Arabia, researchers fitted drivers with a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9797294/">wearable radiation monitor</a>. They found drivers were exposed to UV index ratings up to 3.5. (In Australia, sun protection <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/about-sunscreen/spf50-sunscreen">is generally recommended</a> when the UV index is 3 or above – at this level it takes pale skin about 20 minutes to burn.) So if you have your windows tinted, you should not have to wear sunscreen in the car. But without tinted windows, you can accumulate skin damage. <h2>UV exposure while driving increases skin cancer risk</h2> Many people spend a lot of time in the car – for work, commuting, holiday travel and general transport. Repeated UVA radiation exposure through car side windows might go unnoticed, but it can affect our skin. Indeed, skin cancer is more common on the driver’s side of the body. A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3117975/">study in the United States</a> (where drivers sit on the left side) found more skin cancers on the left than the right side for the face, scalp, arm and leg, including 20 times more for the arm. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20226568/">Another US study</a> found this effect was higher in men. For <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/stages-types/melanoma-in-situ-stage-0#:%7E:text=What%20is%20melanoma%20in%20situ,grown%20deeper%20into%20the%20skin.">melanoma in situ</a>, an early form of melanoma, 74% of these cancers were on the on the left versus 26% on the right. Earlier Australian studies reported more <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1340770/">skin damage</a> and more <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/555250">skin cancer</a> on the right side. Cataracts and other eye damage are also <a href="https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/cataracts-and-uv-exposure-in-driver-side-windows?sso=y">more common on the driver’s side</a> of the body. <h2>What about UV exposure through home or office windows?</h2> We see UV damage from sunlight through our home windows in faded materials, furniture or plastics. Most glass used in residential windows lets a lot of UVA pass through, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00434.x">between 45 and 75%</a>. Single-pane glass lets through the most UVA, while thicker, tinted or coated glass blocks more UVA. The best options are laminated glass, or double-glazed, tinted windows that allow less than 1% of UVA through. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">Skylights</a> are made from laminated glass, which completely stops UVA from passing through. Most office and commercial window glass has better UVA protection than residential windows, allowing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962205046244?casa_token=qxVQnQ_mFjEAAAAA:5n6QVYBb22gfsWNLxfxbNtsibJ1JXl_C7RtRhsaQLFVkRocFgoWiI4BnNyMGO35EnyIsLNhFK90#bib17">less than 25% of UVA transmission</a>. These windows are usually double-glazed and tinted, with reflective properties or UV-absorbent chemicals. Some <a href="https://theconversation.com/smart-windows-could-be-the-next-big-thing-in-renewable-heating-245053">smart windows</a> that reduce heat using chemical treatments to darken the glass can also block UVA. <h2>So when should you wear sunscreen and sunglasses?</h2> The biggest risk with skin damage while driving is having the windows down or your arm out the window in direct sun. Even untinted windows will reduce UVA exposure to some extent, so it’s better to have the <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-cant-get-sunburnt-through-glass-shade-or-in-water-right-5-common-sunburn-myths-busted-150640">car window up</a>. For home windows, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">window films or tint</a> can increase UVA protection of single pane glass. UVA blocking by glass is similar to protection by sunscreen. When you need to use sunscreen <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00267.x">depends on</a> your skin type, latitude and time of the year. In a car without tinted windows, you could burn after one hour in the middle of the day in summer, and two hours in the middle of a winter’s day. But in the middle of the day next to a home window that allows more UVA to pass through, it <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00267.x">could</a> take only 30 minutes to burn in summer and one hour in winter. When the UV index is above three, it is recommended you <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunglasses-dont-just-look-good-theyre-good-for-you-too-heres-how-to-choose-the-right-pair-245270">wear protective sunglasses</a> while driving or next to a sunny window to avoid eye damage. <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> 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/can-you-get-sunburnt-or-uv-skin-damage-through-car-or-home-windows-246599">original article</a>.

Body

Why we get less narcissistic with age

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648">Ava Green</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</a> There’s a perception that today’s youth are extremely narcissistic – fame-obsessed, selfish and vain. In fact, studies show this is <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2167696814522620?journalCode=eaxa">a common view</a> of young people, regardless of the times we live in. But are young people really more narcissistic? New research reveals that, as people age, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-00409-001.html">they do tend to become less narcissistic</a>. Narcissism is a complex, <a href="https://theconversation.com/narcissism-why-its-less-obvious-in-women-than-in-men-but-can-be-just-as-dangerous-231392">multi-dimensional personality trait</a>, which captures features beyond vanity and self-absorption. Emerging <a href="https://doi.org/10%20.1177/09637214211044109">research</a> suggests there are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12464">three different features</a> (called “dimensions”) of narcissism: agentic, antagonistic and neurotic. Agentic narcissism involves the need for admiration and feelings of superiority. Antagonistic narcissism is characterised by the exploitation of, and a lack of empathy towards, other people. Finally, neurotic narcissism refers to being sensitive and having difficulties regulating one’s emotions. In order to fully understand how narcissism develops, the new study looked at all the three features. They analysed data from 51 longitudinal studies (meaning studies which follow participants over time), all of which measured how participants’ levels of narcissism changed. The researchers coded whether each study measured one or more of three different dimensions of narcissism. To select the studies, the team used the American Psychiatric Association (APA) PsychInfo database of papers, searching for terms including “narcissism” and “narcissistic”. Each article was reviewed by two coders who were not part of the research team. The coders independently selected the studies based on details including sample size, gender ratio, measurement used, and the country in which the sample was collected. This robust procedure generated a large dataset which comprised of 37,247 participants (52% female) ranging from ages eight to 77 years. The majority of the participants were from western Europe, the US and Canada. Overall, the researchers found that all three dimensions of narcissism declined across the life span. There was a small decline for agentic narcissism and a moderate reduction for antagonistic and neurotic narcissism. The rate of change did not differ based on gender, age or birth cohort. Interestingly, the researchers also found that people’s narcissism relative to that of their peers remained consistent over the life span. In other words, people who were more narcissistic than average as children remained more narcissistic than average as adults. <h2>Changing roles</h2> What, then, are the mechanisms involved in people becoming less narcissistic as they go through life? One possible factor is to do with changing social roles across our lifespan. It is important to remember that narcissism exists along a spectrum, with the lower end being helpful (a healthy balance of self-esteem and confidence) and the higher end being unhelpful and malignant (fluctuating self-esteem, aggression and lack of empathy). It is possible that our <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2008-11667-014">personalities adapt</a> when we make the transition into adulthood – which involves important individual and social responsibilities such as commitment to a relationship, leadership roles, or becoming a parent. After all, it is hard to successfully look after children or managing other people if you are too focused on yourself. Even in old age, narcissism continues to decline. That may be because people tend to follow paths which encourages altruistic values as opposed to egoistic values, such as commitment to their family and grandchildren. By this age, most people have probably also learned the hard way the punishing consequences of being hostile to others. This view is supported by <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00543.x">other research</a> suggesting that people develop more mature personality features in general over time, including becoming more emotionally stable, conscientious (hardworking and dutiful) and agreeable (kind and altruistic). As narcissism is considered to be the opposite of maturity, we expect, in theory, that features of narcissism (particularly the antagonistic and neurotic dimensions) to decrease across the life span. However, narcissism can increase over time in some people. Research shows that some aspects of narcissism, such as exploitation of others and lack of empathy, can increase when people assume positions of power. This is <a href="https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2006.00226.x">particularly relevant</a> at work and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920304360">in relationships</a>. And let’s not forget that some people are simply just more narcissistic than others. Just because you’re 70 doesn’t mean you can’t be self-centered, it just means you might be less narcissistic than you once were. This may be partly down to genetics, but it may also be the case that certain environments exacerbate existing features of narcissism. For instance, certain parenting styles – including being neglectful, overprotective, and/or providing excessive praise by putting the child on a pedestal – have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920304359">all been linked</a> to children developing narcissism in adulthood, suggesting a good balance is key. It is important to understand more fully how narcissism changes across life. That is not least because we know that it can have a detrimental effects on the individual and the people around them.<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/234437/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648">Ava Green</a>, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</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/why-we-get-less-narcissistic-with-age-234437">original article</a>.

Mind

Sixties pop icon passes away aged 78

British pop icon Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, with the BBC confirming the news by citing a statement from her spokesperson. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” the statement read. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.” Faithfull was best known for her debut single As Tears Go By which reached the UK top 10 in 1964. She was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 60s, becoming a muse for the rock star, inspiring songs such as Wild Horses and You Can't Always Get What You Want. Tributes have poured in for the singer, with Jagger describing her as "a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress," saying he was "so saddened" by the loss. His Rolling Stones bandmate Keith Richards shared that he was "so sad" following her death and that he "will miss her". Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood posted an old picture of him, Faithfull and Richards in a recording studio with the caption "Farewell dear Marianne". He then shared a more recent photo of the pair with the caption: "Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her xx". Throughout her life, the singer had suffered multiple health problems, including bulimia, breast cancer and emphysema caused by decades of smoking. After a period of drug addiction and homelessness in the early 1970s, Faithfull resurrected her career with the critically acclaimed album Broken English in 1979. She also wrote three autobiographies and had a film acting career. Her most recent comeback was in 2020, and despite falling into a coma and being hospitalised for three weeks after catching Covid, she recovered. In March 2022, the singer moved to Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors and other professional performers in London. Faithfull is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar, who she shares with ex-husband and artist John Dunbar. Image: Bill Francis/Kobal/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Airline worker reveals the kind of suitcase most likely to get lost

An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost. The airport maintenance worker, who is based in the US, shared in a Reddit thread some advice to travellers to avoid losing their luggage during a holiday. The worker pointed out that one airline alone can have "3,000 to 5,000" bags per hour passing through the airport at peak flight times, and one simple design choice can make a huge difference on where your luggage ends up. While he suggests a hard shell suitcase as the best choice for luggage to protect your belongings, the worker warns the colour or pattern of your bag could be a cause for it to be lost. "Mirrored colours and paint schemes with a metallic flake act like reflectors and send the beam back to the sensor. Basically turning the bag invisible," he wrote. "Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.” "We only see it when it passes through the tag scanners again, but with the sheer volume of bags, it gets hard to catch them." The worker also warned against using coloured ribbons, ropes or scarves, as well as decorative bag covers, to identify your luggage, as they can cause widespread delays. "While helpful to identify your bag, it can get caught downstairs and can delay bags," he wrote, adding he once had to cut a bungee cord off a bag that had gotten caught in a roller and affecting operation. "Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays." Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Many people don’t measure their blood pressure properly at home – here’s how to get accurate readings

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/niamh-chapman-2262829">Niamh Chapman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dean-picone-2264237">Dean Picone</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eleanor-clapham-2264235">Eleanor Clapham</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Measuring your blood pressure at home means you can take readings over several days to get a better picture of your health, instead of one-off measurements at the doctor’s clinic. It’s important you follow specific steps to get an accurate reading. But <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.23678">our study</a> found most Australians do not measure their blood pressure correctly at home and very few were told the steps to follow. We have created <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">resources</a> to help people measure their blood pressure at home, understand their readings and take action with their health-care team. <h2>High blood pressure is a big issue</h2> High blood pressure is a major health problem in Australia and globally. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.51350">One in three Australian adults</a> have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. This is when your <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart">blood pressure</a> is <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15026">at or above 140/90mmHg</a> (mmHg refers to millimetres of mercury, a standard measurement of blood pressure). High blood pressure is the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10881002/">leading contributor</a> to preventable health issues and early death among Australians because it is the main risk factor for heart disease, stroke, dementia and kidney disease. <h2>Why measuring blood pressure is important</h2> High blood pressure often has no symptoms. So the only way to know if you have it is to measure it. You may also need to check if your blood pressure has lowered after starting medication or if you’re making changes to your lifestyle, such as doing more exercise, giving up smoking or reducing salt intake. Low blood pressure (<a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure-low-hypotension">hypotension</a>) can also be an issue. But blood pressure changes based on how we are feeling, what we’ve eaten or the activities we have just been doing. These normal responses mean our blood pressure can change from minute to minute and hour to hour. This is why there are specific, recommended steps to follow to reliably measure your blood pressure and to be able to compare readings taken days, months and years apart. <hr /> <iframe id="lBVm6" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0px none currentcolor;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lBVm6/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>Mistakes are common</h2> We surveyed and interviewed 350 people (who were all measuring their blood pressure at home) from around Australia to find out how Australians measure blood pressure at home and if they receive any education to help them know what to do. Our study found no one followed all of the specific, recommended steps to measure their blood pressure. Instead they said they measured their blood pressure at different times of the day after doing different things. We found most people measured their blood pressure while sitting down (90%) and with the cuff on their bare arm (77%), which is the right thing to do. While 58% of people took two blood pressure measures each time, which is correct, only 40% used the average of the two blood pressure readings. Very few (15%) measured their blood pressure over several days in both the morning and evening. Only half of the people in our study used a blood pressure device that had been <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/what_device_should_i_use">clinically validated</a>. This means the device has been <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10237">tested for accuracy</a> by the manufacturer according to <a href="https://www.iso.org/sectors/health">international standards</a>, not just safety. <h2>Consultation and communication</h2> Regardless of whether or not a doctor had recommended they measure their blood pressure at home, most people (78%) reported their blood pressure readings to their doctor. These findings tell us doctors often use home blood pressure readings to help diagnose and manage high blood pressure. This emphasises how important it is to ensure people measure blood pressure correctly. Many people were measuring their blood pressure a few times a week or month. But most <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4671913/">guidelines</a> recommend blood pressure only needs to be measured at home: every day over a week, every six months; and ideally before you see your doctor and after you start or change blood pressure medication. Measuring blood pressure at home can bring peace of mind, which many study participants described. But measuring your blood pressure too often may create unnecessary stress, potentially leading to higher blood pressure readings. Instead, it’s better to agree with your doctor how often you should measure your blood pressure and to follow the recommended steps each time to make sure your readings are as accurate and useful as possible. <h2>Support for blood pressure measurement</h2> We found few people had received any education or guidance from health-care professionals about how to measure their blood pressure at home. Instead, many study participants looked for information online to help them know what their blood pressure numbers meant and changes they could make to lower their blood pressure. They were less interested in learning how to measure accurately. So we have worked with people who measure and manage their blood pressure at home to create a <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">simple guide</a> to help you choose a blood pressure device, measure your blood pressure accurately, understand your blood pressure readings and take action to control your blood pressure. <hr /> For more information about managing your blood pressure at home, <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/">see our resources</a>. You can also check if your blood pressure device has been <a href="https://bloodpressuretoolkit.com/what_device_should_i_use">tested for accuracy</a>.<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/244161/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/niamh-chapman-2262829">Niamh Chapman</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Hypertension and Patient Engagement, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dean-picone-2264237">Dean Picone</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eleanor-clapham-2264235">Eleanor Clapham</a>, PhD candidate, School of Health and Medicine, <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/many-people-dont-measure-their-blood-pressure-properly-at-home-heres-how-to-get-accurate-readings-244161">original article</a>.

Body

World's oldest man passes away aged 112

The world's oldest man has passed away aged 112. John Alfred Tinniswood held the title of world's oldest man for nine months and marked his 112th birthday during his reign, which sadly came to an end on Monday when he passed away in a care home northwest England near Liverpool. His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying that the centenarian spent his final day "surrounded by music and love". Tinniswood, who was born on 26 August 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, became the UK’s oldest man in 2020. In April 2024, he was recognised as the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of Records. Tinniswood, who worked as an accountant for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972, attributed his longevity to "pure luck". "You either live long or you live short, and you can't do much about it," the great-grandfather told the Guinness World Records in April. <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DC1Lp79NvYI/?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/p/DC1Lp79NvYI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)</a> </div> </blockquote> He also said that moderation was key to a healthy life. He never smoked, rarely drank and followed no special diet, apart from his ritual of having fish and chips every Friday. "If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much — if you do too much of anything — you're going to suffer eventually," Tinniswood said. His family also said the great-grandfather had an "active retirement", volunteering as a church elder in Blundellsands United Reform Church where he also gave sermons. They have paid tribute to him, saying: "We would like to thank the many people in the UK and across the world who sent well wishes to John on his recent birthdays. "He really appreciated these birthday greetings and other messages of support." "John always liked to say thank you. So on his behalf , [we] thank all those who cared for him over the years, including his carers at the Hollies care home, his GPs, district nurses, occupational therapist and other NHS staff." Tinniswood lived through two world wars and served in the British Army Pay Corps in World War II. He is survived by his daughter Susan, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The world's oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan's Tomiko Itooka, who is currently 116. Image: Instagram/ Guinness World Records

Caring

Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if you do)

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-robinson-2237268">Sam Robinson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> With the start of summer just days away, many of us will be looking forward to long sunny days spent at the beach, by the pool, out camping or picnicking in the park. Insects also love summer. This is when most of them <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2016/12/experts-predict-increased-insect-activity-this-summer/">breed and feed</a>. But this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict. Insects have long been prey to many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians and other insects. As such, they’ve evolved a diverse range of defences – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting. Many ants have a sting at their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It’s not the sting itself that causes pain, but rather <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38839-1">the venom</a>. Ant venom contains a cocktail of different chemicals, some of which have evolved specifically to manipulate nerve endings in our skin to cause pain. Let’s look at some of the different ant stings you might experience this summer in Australia, and how to respond. <h2>Bull ants</h2> Bull ants (also known as bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jack jumpers) are large, for an ant. Some species can reach a length of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmecia_(ant)#:%7E:text=Each%20of%20their%20eyes%20contains,mm%20(1.5%20in)%3B%20M.">4 centimetres</a>. They are easily recognisable with their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws) and aggressive nature. Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp, and unmistakable, not dissimilar to that of a honeybee. The intense pain will last only a few minutes, before it’s replaced by some redness and swelling around the sting site. <h2>Green-head ants</h2> Green-head ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oecophylla_smaragdina">green tree ants</a> of northern Australia which do not sting). Green-head ants are common, and love our grass lawns. At around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green-head_ant">6 millimetres long</a>, they are significantly smaller than bull ants. They can be recognised by their shiny green and purple exoskeleton. Green-head ants tend to be less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a meaningful sting. The pain of a green-head ant’s sting can build more gradually, and create an intense, sticky ache. <h2>Fire ants</h2> Fire ants (or red imported fire ants) are originally from South America. They were first detected <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/stop/how-fire-ants-arrived-in-australia">in Brisbane in 2001</a>, thought to have hitched a ride in shipping containers, and have since spread across south-east Queensland. Fire ants are reddish-brown and black and range in size from <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/look/appearance">2–6 millimetres long</a>. You’re most likely to encounter fire ants at their nests, which look like a pile of powdery soil. A fire ant nest doesn’t have an obvious entry, which is a good way to distinguish them from other similar ant nests. Disturbing a fire ant nest will awaken an angry mass of hundreds of ants and put you at risk of being stung. The initial pain from an individual sting is like an intense, hot itch, though manageable. But fire ant stings rarely occur in single digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and multiple ants can sting one person, which can lead to <a href="https://theconversation.com/fire-ants-are-on-the-march-heres-what-happens-when-they-sting-218908">hundreds of stings</a>. Fire ant stings can lead to pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the days afterwards. If you live in an area where there are fire ants, it’s worth taking a few minutes to educate yourself on how to <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/look">recognise and report</a> them. <h2>Electric ants</h2> <a href="https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Wasmannia_auropunctata">Electric ants</a> are another nasty accidental import, originally from Central and South America. Currently restricted to <a href="https://www.outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/electric-ants">Cairns and surrounds</a>, these are tiny (1.5 millimetres long) yellow ants. Like fire ants, these ants will typically defend en masse, so many will sting at once. Their sting is more painful than you’d expect from such a tiny creature. I liken it to being showered in red hot sparks. If you think you see electric ants, you should report this to <a href="https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/animals/invasive/restricted/electric-ant">Biosecurity Queensland</a>. <h2>Aussie ants aren’t the worst</h2> You might be surprised to hear Australian ants don’t even make the podium for the most painful ant stings. Among the prize winners are <a href="https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/10878/sting-wild">harvester ants</a> (North and South America) which cause an extreme, sticky ache, likened to a drill slowly turning in your muscle – for as long as 12 hours. The gold medal goes to the sting of the bullet ant of South and Central America, which <a href="https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/10878/sting-wild">has been described</a> as: <blockquote> Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch nail embedded in your heel. </blockquote> <h2>How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)</h2> Fortunately, the solution is usually very simple. Look before you sit on the ground or lay out your picnic blanket, avoiding areas where you see ant nests or lots of foraging ants. Choice of footwear can also be important. In my experience, perhaps unsurprisingly, most stings occur on thong-wearing feet. If you do get stung, in most cases it’s going to get better on its own. Pain will usually subside after a few minutes (sometimes a little longer for a green-head ant sting). The redness, swelling and itch that typically follow can last for a few days. In the meantime, if needed, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings">an ice pack</a> will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a local anaesthetic cream containing lidocaine may offer some temporary relief. You can get this over the counter at the pharmacy. A small proportion of people may have an allergic reaction to ant stings. In very severe cases this might involve <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings#anaphylaxis">trouble breathing</a> or swallowing. If you or someone you’re with experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, seek urgent medical attention.<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/241582/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-robinson-2237268">Sam Robinson</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/ant-stings-can-be-painful-heres-how-to-avoid-getting-stung-this-summer-and-what-to-do-if-you-do-241582">original article</a>.

Body

Why do I get so anxious after drinking? Here’s the science behind ‘hangxiety’

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/blair-aitken-1510537">Blair Aitken</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-rothman-2231560">Rebecca Rothman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> You had a great night out, but the next morning, anxiety hits: your heart races, and you replay every conversation from the night before in your head. This feeling, known as hangover anxiety or “<a href="https://adf.org.au/insights/what-is-hangxiety/">hangxiety</a>”, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hup.2623">affects around 22%</a> of social drinkers. While for some people, it’s mild nerves, for others, it’s a wave of anxiety that feels impossible to ride out. The “Sunday scaries” may make you feel panicked, filled with dread and unable to relax. Hangover anxiety can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Here’s why it happens, and what you can do about it. <h2>What does alcohol do to our brains?</h2> A hangover is the body’s way of recovering after drinking alcohol, bringing with it a range of symptoms. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/23/5691">Dehydration and disrupted sleep</a> play a large part in the pounding headaches and nausea many of us know too well after a big night out. But hangovers aren’t just physical – there’s a strong mental side too. Alcohol is a nervous system depressant, meaning it alters how certain chemical messengers (or neurotransmitters) behave in the brain. Alcohol relaxes you by increasing <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22857-gamma-aminobutyric-acid-gaba">gamma-aminobutyric acid</a> (GABA), the neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm and lowers inhibitions. It decreases <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22839-glutamate">glutamate</a> and this also slows down your thoughts and helps ease you into a more relaxed state. Together, this interaction affects your mood, emotions and alertness. This is why when we drink, we often feel more sociable, carefree and willing to let our guard down. As the effects of the alcohol wear off, your brain works to rebalance these chemicals by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886918305762">reducing GABA and increasing glutamate</a>. This shift has the opposite effect of the night before, causing your brain to become more excitable and overstimulated, which can lead to feelings of anxiety. So why do some people get hangxiety, while others don’t? There isn’t one clear answer to this question, as several factors can play a role in whether someone experiences hangover-related anxiety. <h2>Genes play a role</h2> For some, a hangover is simply a matter of how much they drank or how hydrated they are. But genetics may also play a significant role. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12699">Research</a> shows your genes can explain almost half the reason why you wake up feeling hungover, while your friend might not. Because genes influence how your body processes alcohol, some people may experience more intense hangover symptoms, such as headaches or dehydration. These stronger physical effects can, in turn, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/hup.2623">trigger anxiety during a hangover</a>, making you more susceptible to “hangxiety.” <h2>Do you remember what you said last night?</h2> But one of the most common culprits for feeling anxious the next day is often <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0091450915604988">what you do while drinking</a>. Let’s say you’ve had a big night out and you can’t quite recall a conversation you had or something you did. Maybe you acted in ways that you now regret or feel embarrassed about. You might fixate on these thoughts and get trapped in a cycle of worrying and rumination. This cycle can be hard to break and can make you feel more anxious. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107619">Research</a> suggests people who already struggle with feelings of anxiety in their day-to-day lives are especially vulnerable to hangxiety. Some people drink alcohol to unwind after a stressful day or to make themselves feel more comfortable at social events. This often leads to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9756407">heavier consumption</a>, which can make hangover symptoms more severe. It can also begin a cycle of drinking to feel better, making hangxiety even harder to escape. <h2>Preventing hangover anxiety</h2> The best way to prevent hangxiety is to limit your alcohol consumption. The <a href="https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/alcohol/alcohol-guidelines">Australian guidelines</a> recommend having no more than ten standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. Generally, the more you drink, the more intense your hangover symptoms might be, and the worse you are likely to feel. Mixing other drugs with alcohol can also increase the risk of hangxiety. This is especially true for party drugs, such as ecstasy or MDMA, that give you a temporary high but can lead to anxiety as they wear off and you are <a href="https://adf.org.au/insights/drug-comedowns">coming down</a>. If you do wake up feeling anxious: <ul> <li> focus on the physical recovery to help ease the mental strain </li> <li> drink plenty of water, eat a light meal and allow yourself time to rest </li> <li> try <a href="https://www.headspace.com/mindfulness/mindfulness-101">mindfulness meditation</a> or deep breathing exercises, especially if anxiety keeps you awake or your mind races </li> <li> consider journalling. This can help re-frame anxious thoughts, put your feelings into perspective and encourage self-compassion </li> <li> talk to a close friend. This can provide a safe space to express concerns and feel less isolated. </li> </ul> Hangxiety is an unwelcome guest after a night out. Understanding why hangxiety happens – and how you can manage it – can make the morning after a little less daunting, and help keep those anxious thoughts at bay.<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/240991/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/blair-aitken-1510537">Blair Aitken</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychopharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-rothman-2231560">Rebecca Rothman</a>, PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology, School of Health Sciences, <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/why-do-i-get-so-anxious-after-drinking-heres-the-science-behind-hangxiety-240991">original article</a>.

Mind

What is methanol? How does it get into drinks and cause harm?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-musgrave-1808">Ian Musgrave</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-21/bianca-jones-dead-laos-methanol-poisoning/104630384">has died</a> and her friend Holly Bowles remains severely ill in hospital in Thailand, after experiencing suspected methanol poisoning while they were travelling in Laos. The pair are reportedly among <a href="https://x.com/Smartraveller/status/1858850858227954118">several foreign nationals</a> who became ill after unknowingly consuming alcoholic drinks containing methanol in the south-east Asian country. So what is methanol, and how does it make people sick? <h2>Methanol versus ethanol</h2> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol">Methanol</a> is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_(chemistry)">alcohol</a>, like the familiar <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol">ethanol</a> we consume in alcoholic beverages. Like ethanol, methanol is a colourless, flammable liquid. It has a smell similar to ethanol as well. But the two have different chemical structures. Methanol is composed of only one carbon atom, while ethanol has two. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?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/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Models of methanol and ethanol depicted with balls and sticks." /><figcaption>Methanol (left) and ethanol (right) have differing chemical structures. Wikimedia Commons, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure> That one carbon atom makes all the difference. It means methanol is processed differently in our bodies and is much more toxic than ethanol. Methanol is used in a <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methanol">variety of industrial and household products</a>, such as windshield cleaning fluids, antifreeze and fuel. It’s not safe for human consumption. <h2>What makes methanol toxic?</h2> The difference is in how methanol is metabolised, or broken down in our bodies. Ethanol is metabolised into a chemical compound called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is toxic, but is rapidly converted to acetate (also known as acetic acid, found in vinegar). Generating an acid may sound bad, but acetate actually <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6699882/">produces energy and makes important molecules</a> in the body. By contrast, methanol is metabolised into <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde">formaldehyde</a> (a chemical used in <a href="https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/hazardous-chemical/priority-chemicals/formaldehyde">industrial glues</a> and for embalming corpses, for example) and then to <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Formic-Acid">formic acid</a> (the chemical in some ant bites that makes them hurt so much). Unlike acetate, which the body uses, formic acid <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1665561/">poisons the mitochondria</a>, the powerhouses of the cells. As a result, a person exposed to methanol can go into severe <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">metabolic acidosis</a>, which is when too much acid builds up in the body. Methanol poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The acidosis then causes depression of the central nervous system which can cause people with methanol poisoning to fall unconscious and go into a coma, as well as retinal damage leading to vision loss. This is because the retinas are full of active mitochondria and sensitive to them being damaged. Death is not inevitable if only a small amount of methanol has been consumed, and rapid treatment will greatly reduce damage. However, permanent vision damage can occur even at <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">non-lethal doses</a> if treatment is not administered quickly. <h2>What does treatment involve?</h2> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">Treatment</a> is mainly supportive care, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation to help the patient to breathe. But it can also involve drugs such as <a href="https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01213">fomepizole</a> (which inhibits the generation of toxic formic acid) and dialysis to remove methanol and its metabolites from the body. <h2>How does methanol get into alcoholic drinks?</h2> Methanol can turn up in any alcoholic beverage, but it’s most likely in beverages with higher alcohol content, such as spirits, and traditionally brewed drinks, such as fruit wines. Methanol can get into alcoholic beverages in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s added <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8303512/">deliberately and illegally</a> during or after manufacturing as a cheaper way to increase the alcohol content in a drink. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5028366/">Traditional brewing methods</a> can also inadvertently generate methanol as well as ethanol and produce toxic levels of methanol depending on the microbes and the types of plant materials used in the fermentation process. We don’t yet know how the Australian teenagers came to be poisoned in this tragedy. But it is a good idea when travelling (particularly in areas with traditionally fremented drinks, such as south-east Asia, the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa) to always be careful. The Australian government’s <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/safety/partying#methanol">Smartraveller website</a> advises that to avoid methanol poisoning you should be careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits, drink only at reputable licensed premises and avoid home-made alcoholic drinks. Drinking only mass-produced commercial brews can be safer, though understandably people often want to try locally made drinks as part of their adventure.<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/244151/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-musgrave-1808">Ian Musgrave</a>, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</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/what-is-methanol-how-does-it-get-into-drinks-and-cause-harm-244151">original article</a>.

Body

What causes the itch in mozzie bites? And why do some people get such a bad reaction?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-webb-6736">Cameron Webb</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Are you one of these people who loathes spending time outdoors at dusk as the weather warms and mosquitoes start biting? Female mosquitoes <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153618">need blood</a> to develop their eggs. Even though they take a tiny amount of our blood, they can leave us with itchy red lumps that can last days. And sometimes something worse. So why does our body react and itch after being bitten by a mosquito? And why are some people more affected than others? <h2>What happens when a mosquito bites?</h2> Mosquitoes are attracted to warm blooded animals, including us. They’re attracted to the <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bulletin-of-entomological-research/article/abs/role-of-carbon-dioxide-in-hostfinding-by-mosquitoes-diptera-culicidae-a-review/2506B86EF63852B2D02EC3FCEE1E3B8B">carbon dioxide</a> we exhale, our body temperatures and, most importantly, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-08/mosquitoes-climate-change-skin/104548122">the smell of our skin</a>. The <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/parasitology/abstract/S1471-4922(21)00237-3">chemical cocktail</a> of odours from bacteria and sweat on our skin <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)00532-8">sends out a signal</a> to hungry mosquitoes. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X21000522">Some people’s</a> skin smells more appealing to mosquitoes, and they’re more likely to be bitten than others. Once the mosquito has made its way to your skin, things get a little gross. The mosquito pierces your skin with their “proboscis”, their feeding mouth part. But the proboscis isn’t a single, straight, needle-like tube. There are multiple tubes, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/07/480653821/watch-mosquitoes-use-6-needles-to-suck-your-blood">some designed</a> for sucking and some for spitting. Once their mouth parts have been inserted into your skin, the mosquito will inject some saliva. This contains a mix of chemicals that gets the blood flowing better. There has even been a suggestion that future medicines could be inspired by the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2018/03/29/mosquito-saliva-vital-to-the-discovery-of-future-drugs.html">anti-blood clotting properties</a> of mosquito saliva. It’s not the stabbing of our skin by the mosquito’s mouth parts that hurts, it’s the mozzie spit our bodies don’t like. <h2>Are some people allergic to mosquito spit?</h2> Once a mosquito has injected their saliva into our skin, a variety of reactions can follow. For the lucky few, nothing much happens at all. For most people, and irrespective of the type of mosquito biting, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024559/full">there is some kind of reaction</a>. Typically there is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161589023002304?via%3Dihub">redness and swelling of the skin</a> that appears within a few hours, but often more quickly, after just a few minutes. Occasionally, the reaction can cause pain or discomfort. Then comes the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2023-01-20/mosquito-bites-itchy-calamine-heat-ice-antihistamine-toothpaste/101652608">itchiness</a>. Some people do suffer severe reactions to mosquito bites. It’s a condition often referred to as “<a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-is-skeeter-syndrome">skeeter syndrome</a>” and is an allergic reaction caused by the protein in the mosquito’s saliva. This can cause large areas of swelling, blistering and fever. The chemistry of mosquito spit hasn’t really been well studied. But it has been shown that, for those who do suffer allergic reactions to their bites, the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674904022183">reactions may differ</a> depending on the type of mosquito biting. We all probably get more tolerant of mosquito bites as we get older. Young children are certainly more likely to suffer more following mosquito bites. But as we get older, the reactions are less severe and may pass quickly without too much notice. <h2>How best to treat the bites?</h2> Research into treating bites <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0161589023002304">has yet to provide</a> a single easy solution. There are many <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/home-remedies-for-mosquito-bites">myths and home remedies</a> about what works. But there is little scientific evidence supporting their use. The best way to treat mosquito bites is by applying a cold pack to reduce swelling and to keep the skin clean to avoid any secondary infections. Antiseptic creams and lotions may also help. There is some evidence that <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10309056/">heat may alleviate</a> some of the discomfort. It’s particularly tough to keep young children from scratching at the bite and breaking the skin. This can form a nasty scab that may end up being worse than the bite itself. Applying an anti-itch cream may help. If the reactions are severe, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings">antihistamine medications</a> may be required. <h2>To save the scratching, stop the bites</h2> Of course, it’s better not to be bitten by mosquitoes in the first place. Topical <a href="https://theconversation.com/insect-repellents-work-but-there-are-other-ways-to-beat-mosquitoes-without-getting-sticky-171805">insect repellents</a> are a safe, effective and affordable way to reduce mosquito bites. Covering up with loose fitted long sleeved shirts, long pants and covered shoes also provides a physical barrier. <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-mosquito-coils-good-or-bad-for-our-health-88548">Mosquito coils and other devices</a> can also assist, but should not be entirely relied on to stop bites. There’s another important reason to avoid mosquito bites: millions of people around the world suffer from mosquito-borne diseases. More than <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria">half a million people die</a> from malaria each year. In Australia, <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005070">Ross River virus</a> infects more than 5,000 people every year. And in recent years, there have been cases of serious illnesses caused by <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/how-rains-pigs-and-waterbirds-fueled-shocking-disease-outbreak-australia">Japanese encephalitis</a> and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256149/full">Murray Valley encephalitis</a> viruses. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-webb-6736">Cameron Webb</a>, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of 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/what-causes-the-itch-in-mozzie-bites-and-why-do-some-people-get-such-a-bad-reaction-243044">original article</a>.

Body

Hotel booking sites actually make it hard to get cheap deals, but there’s a way around it

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a> Booking a place to stay on holidays has become a reflex action. The first thing many of us do is open a site such as <a href="https://www.wotif.com/">Wotif</a>, <a href="https://au.hotels.com/?locale=en_AU">Hotels.com</a> or <a href="https://www.trivago.com.au/">trivago</a> (all of which are these days owned by the US firm <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-will-not-oppose-expedia%E2%80%99s-proposed-acquisition-of-wotif">Expedia</a>), or their only big competitor, <a href="https://www.booking.com/">Booking.com</a> from the Netherlands. Checking what rooms are available – anywhere – is wonderfully easy, as is booking, at what usually seems to be the lowest available price. But Australia’s Assistant Competition Minister Andrew Leigh is concerned there might be a reason the price seems to be the lowest available. It might be an <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2022/media-releases/supporting-tourism-and-accommodation-providers-set-their">agreement not to compete</a>, or the fear of reprisals against hotel owners who offer better prices. <h2>Agreements to not compete</h2> Leigh has asked the treasury to investigate, and if that’s what it finds, it may be the booking sites have the perverse effect of keeping prices high, especially when the substantial fees they charge hotels are taken into account. For now, the treasury is seeking information. It has set a deadline of <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2022-338978">January 6</a> for hotel operators and booking sites to tell it: <ul> <li> the typical fees charged by online booking platforms </li> <li> the details of any agreements not to compete on price </li> <li> whether hotels that try to compete get ranked lower on booking sites. </li> </ul> What’s likely to come out of it is a ban on so-called price-parity clauses that prevent discounting, or a ban on “algorithmic punishment,” whereby hotels that do discount get pushed way down the rankings on the sites. But in the meantime, there are things we can do to get better prices, and they’ll help more broadly, as I’ll explain. <h2>Flight Centre precedent</h2> <figure class="align-right zoomable"></figure> Back in 2018, in a case that went all the way to the High Court, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) forced <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/flight-centre-ordered-to-pay-125-million-in-penalties">Flight Centre</a> to pay a penalty of A$12.5 million for attempting to induce airlines not to undercut it on ticket prices. That the ACCC eventually won the case might be an indication price-parity clauses are already illegal under Australian law. But it’s a difficult law to enforce. This is why the treasury is considering special legislation of the kind in force in France, Austria, Italy and Belgium. The ACCC has known for some time that Expedia and Booking.com have included clauses in their contracts preventing hotels offering the same room for any less than they do, even directly. Rather than take the big two to court, in 2016 the ACCC “reached agreement” with them to delete the clauses that prevented hotels offering better deals <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/expedia-and-bookingcom-agree-to-reinvigorate-price-competition-by-amending-contracts-with-australian-hotels">face-to-face</a>. <h2>The concession that conceded little</h2> From then on, hotels were able to offer better deals than the sites over the phone or in person, but not on their own websites. Given we are less and less likely to walk in off the street or even use the phone to book a hotel, it wasn’t much of a concession. Then, in 2019, with the Commission under renewed pressure from hotel owners for another investigation, Expedia (but not Booking.com) reportedly <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/competition/expedia-allow-hotels-undercut-prices-online/">waived</a> the rest of the clauses, giving hotel owners the apparent freedom to advertise cheaper prices wherever they liked including on their own sites without fear of retribution. Except several appear to fear retribution, and very few seem to have jumped at the opportunity. <h2>Algorithmic punishment</h2> An Expedia spokesman gave an indication of what might be in store when he was quoted as saying a hotel that undercut Expedia might “find itself ranked <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/competition/expedia-allow-hotels-undercut-prices-online/">below its competitors</a>, just as it would if it had worse reviews or fewer high-quality pictures of its property”. Being ranked at the bottom of a site is much the same as not being ranked at all, something Leigh refers to as “algorithmic punishment”. It’s not at all clear the present law prevents it, which is why Leigh is open to the idea of legislating against it. Although you and I may not often think about what hotels are paying to be booked through sites such as Wotif and Booking.com, and although what’s charged to the hotel isn’t publicised, it appeard to be a large chunk of the cost of providing the room. One figure quoted is <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/industries/tourism/online-travel-booking-fed-up-small-businesses-call-accc-action/">20%</a>. Leigh says hotel owners have told him the fees are in the “<a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2022/transcripts/interview-geraldine-doogue-abc-saturday-extra">double digits</a>”, something he says is quite a lot when you consider the sites don’t need to clean the toilets, change the sheets or help on the front desk. <h2>‘Chokepoint capitalism’</h2> What this seems to mean (the treasury will find out) is almost all bookings are more expensive than they need to be because firms that sit at the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/chokepoint-capitalism-why-well-all-lose-unless-we-stop-amazon-spotify-and-other-platforms-squeezing-cash-from-creators-194069">chokepoint</a>” between buyers and sellers are squeezing sellers. A hotel could always abandon the sites and offer much cheaper prices, but for a while – perhaps forever – it will be much harder to find. In their defence, the operators of the platforms might say they need to get the best offers from hotels in order to make it worthwhile for the operators to invest in their sites, an argument the treasury is inviting them to put. In the meantime, with some hotels reluctant to put their best rates on their websites, but with them perfectly able to offer better rates over the phone, there’s a fairly simple way we can all get a better deal – and help fix the broader problem by weight of numbers. If we look up the best deal wherever we want online, and then phone and ask for a better one (or a better room), we might well find we get it. We might be saving the owner a lot of money. Leigh reckons the more we do ring up, the more the sites might feel pressure to discount their own fees, helping bring prices down even before he starts to think about writing legislation.<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/196460/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, Visiting Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National 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/hotel-booking-sites-actually-make-it-hard-to-get-cheap-deals-but-theres-a-way-around-it-196460">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

Original Bee Gees star passes away aged 78

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen has passed away aged 78. News of his death was posted on the official Facebook page of tribute band Best of the Bee Gees. “It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” they began. “He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. “Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Rest in Peace.” Petersen who was one of the original members of Australian band Bee Gees was born in Kingaroy, Queensland, has been credited for contributing to the band's rise to global superstardom. He was the band's first drummer and performed some of their most beloved songs including Massachusetts, To Love Somebody and Words. Petersen attended the same school in Redcliffe, Queensland as bandmates and brothers Barry Robin and Maurice Gibb, where he first developed an interest in music. After graduating, Petersen moved to the UK to break into the film industry, before he joined the Bee Gees in the 60's becoming the first non-Gibb brother to join the group. “There was an understanding that when the Gibbs’ arrived in England, that if the film thing didn’t work out, I’d join their band,” Petersen told Geelong Independent in 2022. “So I became the fourth Bee Gee, and that was obviously a big turning point in my life.” He left the band after the first phase of their career, just before they reached peak stardom in the '70s disco era, due to conflicts with the group's then-manager Robert Stigwood. Petersen moved back to Australia with his family in 1974, and in 2019 he joined the tribute group Best of the Bee Gees. His death comes after Maurice's sudden death in 2003, which prompted the Bee Gees to retire after 45 years. Robin later died in 2012 aged 62, leaving Barry, Vince Melouney and Geoff Bridgford as the last surviving members of the group. Petersen is survived by his ex-wife Joanne Newfield and their sons Jaime, born in 1971, and Ben, born in 1976. Image: Everett Collection/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

How to complain about aged care and get the result you want

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacqueline-wesson-1331752">Jacqueline Wesson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lee-fay-low-98311">Lee-Fay Low</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> It can be hard to know what to say, or who to talk to, if you notice something isn’t right for you or a loved one in residential aged care. You might have concerns about personal or medical care, being adequately consulted about changes to care, or be concerned about charges on the latest bill. You could also be concerned about theft, neglect or abuse. Here’s how you can raise issues with the relevant person or authority to improve care and support for you or your loved one. <h2>Keep records</h2> You can complain about any aspect of care or service. For instance, if medical care, day-to-day support or financial matters do not meet your needs or expectations, you can complain. It is best to act as soon as you notice something isn’t right. This may prevent things from escalating. Good communication helps get better results. Make written notes about what happened, including times and dates, and take photos. Try to focus on facts and events. You can also keep a record of who was involved and their role. Keep track of how the provider responded or steps taken to resolve the issue. Write notes of conversations and keep copies of emails. <h2>Who do I complain to?</h2> Potential criminal matters If you have concerns about immediate, serious harm of a criminal nature then you should contact the police, and your provider immediately. These types of serious incidents include unreasonable use of force or other serious abuse or neglect, unlawful sexual contact, stealing or unexpected death. The provider may have already contacted you about this. They are required to report such <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/consumers/serious-incident-response-scheme">serious incidents</a> to both the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission within 24 hours, and to the police. Other matters For other matters, talk to the care staff involved. Try to find out more detail about what happened and why things went wrong. Think about what you expect in the situation. Then talk to the most senior person in charge, to see if they can make changes so things don’t go wrong in the future. This person may be called the nursing unit manager, care manager or care director. Providers must acknowledge and investigate your complaint, tell you their findings and actions taken, and follow up to see if you are satisfied. If you would like support to talk to the provider, the <a href="https://opan.org.au">Older Persons Advocacy Network</a> can help. This free service provides independent and confidential support to help find solutions with the aged-care provider. The network can also help you lodge a formal complaint. <h2>How to I lodge a formal complaint?</h2> If you are not satisfied with the way your provider responded, you can lodge a complaint with the <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au">Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission</a>. Be prepared to submit the facts and events, plus emails and correspondence, you have already collected. Think about what you want to happen to resolve the complaint. Each complaint is handled individually and prioritised depending on the risks to you or your loved one. The commission will start its processes within one business day when complaints are urgent. The resolution process took <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/acqsc-annual-report-2020-21.pdf">an average 40 days</a> in 2020-21. You can complain confidentially, or anonymously if you feel safer. But the commission may not be able to investigate fully if it’s anonymous. Also, there are limits to what the commission can do. It cannot ask providers to terminate someone’s employment, or provide direct clinical advice about treatment. Sometimes the commission has issued a “non-compliance” notice to the provider (for a failure to meet quality standards), and action may again <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-02/aged-care-complaint-about-southern-cross-care-young/101009716">be limited</a>. So it is a good idea to check the <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/non-compliance-checker">non-compliance register</a> beforehand to see if your provider is listed. <h2>What do others complain about?</h2> From October to December 2021, <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/acqs-sector-performance-data-oct-dec-2021.pdf">about a third</a> of Australian nursing homes had a complaint made to the commission against them. Some had more than one complaint. More than half of these complaints were lodged by family, friends or other consumers. The top reasons for complaints were about: <ul> <li> adequacy of staffing </li> <li> medication administration or management </li> <li> infectious diseases or infection control </li> <li> personal and oral hygiene </li> <li> how falls are prevented and managed </li> <li> consultation or communication with representatives and/or family members. </li> </ul> <h2>What if I’m still not happy?</h2> If you’re not happy when you receive the commission’s outcome, you can request a review with 42 days. You can also request the <a href="https://www.ombudsman.gov.au">Commonwealth Ombudsman</a> to review the complaint if you’re not satisfied with the commission’s decision or the way the commission handled your complaint. <h2>Remember, you have a right to complain</h2> The <a href="https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au">Aged Care Royal Commission</a> spotlighted the neglect and substandard care that can occur in nursing homes. Despite attempts to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/concepts-for-a-new-framework-for-regulating-aged-care">lift the standard of aged care</a>, we know residents and carers still have concerns. Residents, and their representatives or families, have a legal <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/consumers/standards/resources">right to speak up and complain</a>, free from reprisal or negative consequences. This right is also reflected in the <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights">Charter of Aged Care Rights</a>, which providers are legally required to discuss with you and help you understand. <h2>Moving to another facility</h2> If you have exhausted all avenues of complaint or feel conditions have not improved, you may decide to move to another provider or facility, if available. This option may not be possible in rural areas. This is a difficult decision. It takes time, as well as financial and emotional resources. Starting again with a new provider can also be disruptive for everyone, but sometimes it may be the right choice. <hr /> Contact the <a href="https://opan.org.au">Older Persons Advocacy Network</a> on 1800 700 600, the <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au">Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission</a> on 1800 951 822 or the <a href="https://www.ombudsman.gov.au">Commonwealth Ombudsman</a> on 1300 362 072.<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/180036/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacqueline-wesson-1331752">Jacqueline Wesson</a>, Senior Lecturer (Teaching and Research), Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lee-fay-low-98311">Lee-Fay Low</a>, Professor in Ageing and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of 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/how-to-complain-about-aged-care-and-get-the-result-you-want-180036">original article</a>.

Retirement Life

Fitness influencer gets lifetime ban from NYC marathon for filming content

A Texas social media influencer has been disqualified and banned from future races at the New York City marathon. Last weekend, fitness influencer Matthew Choi ran the race with his camera crew on e-bikes, endangering other runners. He finished the 42.2-kilometre course with a time of 2:57:15, about 50 minutes behind Abdi Nageeye, the winner of the men's race. Choi issued an apology to his 400,000 followers after receiving the lifetime ban. "I have no excuses, full-stop," he said on Wednesday AEDT. "I was selfish on Sunday to have my brother and my videographer follow me around on e-bikes, and it had serious consequences. "We endangered other runners, we impacted people going for PBs, we blocked people from getting water and with the New York City Marathon being about everyone else and the community, I made it about myself. "And for anyone I impacted, I'm sorry." He added that the decision "was 100 per cent on me" as he did not receive pressure to film content from any partners or sponsors. New York Road Runners, the organisers of the race, said in a statement that Choi's actions violated the code of conduct and competition rules. "One of the incidents brought to NYRR's attention was that Choi ran with the assistance of two unauthorised people riding the course on electric bicycles, obstructing runners," the group said. The fitness influencer posted several videos of him running the marathon on social media, which immediately drew backlash. "As a runner, seeing him was amazing. Gave me extra motivation to pass him and make sure I never had to see him and his dumb crew for the rest of the race," wrote one user on Reddit. He has since acknowledged the criticism and has vowed to stop the practice. "It won't happen again. My word is my bond." Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

"I’m coming home from a party, and I don’t want to end up getting arrested": do driving apps help people break road rules?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/verity-truelove-1237331">Verity Truelove</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-nicolls-1299069">Michelle Nicolls</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/oscar-oviedo-trespalacios-1417150">Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/delft-university-of-technology-1040">Delft University of Technology</a> Apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze can tell drivers when they are approaching speed cameras or random breath testing stations. Countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland have banned apps from displaying these enforcement locations. But what effect are these apps having in Australia – are they helping drivers break road rules? Our new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524002972">paper</a>, published in the journal Safety Science, examined this question. We found this technology can, in some cases, contribute to people thinking they are invincible on the roads. However, we also found they can sometimes help people drive more safely. <h2>Being made aware of enforcement can help road safety</h2> We conducted focus groups and interviews with a total of 58 drivers from Queensland, to understand how the use of this technology influences perceptions of being caught for breaking road rules. One driver told us: "If I know it’s coming up, I’ll put my phone down. If I was, say, texting or checking something, but then like once a good few 100 metres away, I sort of pick it up again, depending though." Another said: "It sort of depends where I am driving, I guess. Like, if I am driving on a country road and there is a speed camera there I would probably slow down for the speed camera and then sort of speed up again once I am sort of past that; it sort of depends on the circumstances." We also found that, for some people, being made aware of enforcement locations can help drivers better regulate their speed. This helped them comply with road rules more consistently. Waze also shows the speed limit in the area, which further assisted some drivers to stick to the speed limit. One driver told us: "I’m a bit careful if I just look at the speedo and just double check that I’m on the right amount of speed." Another said: "It just gives you a warning like, ‘OK, you need to check your speed.’ Just to double-check you’re going on the right speed perhaps or when it’s a camera coming up." <h2>Concerning behaviours</h2> Concerningly, we also found some drivers who use these apps are looking at and touching their screens more than they otherwise would. This can distract drivers and increase their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524001097">risk of crashing</a>. One driver told us they post traffic updates on the app they use while driving, “which I know is wrong.” Another said: "Just hit the button on the phone. Just two steps after I go past the camera." Another driver told us: "It’s so helpful […] Especially if it’s, say, late night and I’m coming home from a party, and I don’t want to end up getting arrested." One driver said: "I probably feel slightly more invincible, which is probably not a good thing." When asked why these apps are used, one driver said: "I guess the drug and the drink-driving." <h2>Apps can help and hinder road safety</h2> We know breaking road rules significantly contributes to <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/safety-and-mobility/global-status-report-on-road-safety-2023">crashes and road fatalities</a>, with deaths on Australian roads continuing to <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/road_deaths_australia_monthly_bulletins">increase</a> over time. On the one hand, when drivers are aware of enforcement measures like cameras and police, they are more likely to stop breaking the rules in those areas. That’s particularly true for behaviours such as speeding and using a phone while driving, we found. Using apps that flag where cameras and police are located also means drivers would be more exposed to enforcement activities than they otherwise would be on a normal drive. On the other hand, our results suggest some drivers are using these applications to break road rules more often in places where they think they won’t be caught. These apps are also not always completely accurate. For instance, even though Waze can display some police operation locations such as roadside breath testing, it can’t capture all on-road police activities. Further, camera locations are not always up to date or accurate. <h2>Weighing benefits against risks</h2> While these apps do have some benefits, it’s important to weigh these against the risks. It’s also important to recognise traffic enforcement isn’t just there to make you comply with road rules at a specific point; it is meant to remind you of the constant risk of being caught and to encourage consistent rule compliance. The goal is to ensure that drivers are following the traffic rules across the entire network, not just in isolated spots. With road fatalities at some of the <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/road_deaths_australia_monthly_bulletins">highest rates we’ve seen in recent years</a>, we need everyone to work together to stop more preventable deaths and injuries.<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/237664/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/verity-truelove-1237331">Verity Truelove</a>, Senior Research Fellow in Road Safety Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-nicolls-1299069">Michelle Nicolls</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/oscar-oviedo-trespalacios-1417150">Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios</a>, A/Professor Responsible Risk Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/delft-university-of-technology-1040">Delft 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/im-coming-home-from-a-party-and-i-dont-want-to-end-up-getting-arrested-do-driving-apps-help-people-break-road-rules-237664">original article</a>.

Legal

Beloved Friends, Tootsie and Mr Mom star passes away

Teri Garr, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in classic films such as Young Frankenstein and Tootsie and her appearances on Friends, has passed away at the age of 79. Her death, confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer, occurred on Tuesday in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends. Garr's passing follows a long battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly disclosed in 2002 to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on daily life. Born Terry Ann Garr in Lakewood, Ohio, in 1944, Teri grew up in a theatrical family; her father was a vaudeville performer and her mother a Rockette. This background set the stage for Garr's early career, which began as a background dancer in Elvis Presley films during the 1960s. Her breakout role came in 1974 when she starred as Inga, the charming lab assistant to Gene Wilder's character in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. The film became a cornerstone of American comedy, showcasing Garr's unique blend of humour and warmth. Garr further solidified her place in cinematic history with her performance in Tootsie in 1982, where she portrayed the vulnerable actress friend of Dustin Hoffman’s character. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Critics praised her ability to balance comedy with emotional depth, with film critic Pauline Kael calling her "the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen" at that time. Despite her success, Garr faced significant challenges due to her health. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the filming of Tootsie, a struggle she detailed in her memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood. In it, she described MS as a "sneaky disease," one that complicated her life and career but did not define it. “My body had a trick or two up its sleeve," she wrote. "A stumble here, a tingling finger there. I was trained as a dancer and knew better than to indulge the random aches and pains that visited now and then. Being a successful Hollywood actress may be challenging, but little did I know that the very body that had always been my calling card would betray me.” Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, using her platform to inspire others facing similar challenges. Throughout her career, Garr appeared in over 140 film and TV projects. She was known for her roles in Mr. Mom, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and various television shows including Friends, where she played Phoebe's birth mother. Her playful spirit and comedic timing made her a favourite among audiences and fellow actors alike. In recent years, Garr had limited her appearances due to health issues but remained an influential figure in Hollywood. Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating her legacy as a pioneer for women in comedy and an inspiration for those battling chronic illnesses. Teri Garr leaves behind a rich legacy filled with laughter and heart. She is survived by her daughter Molly O'Neil and grandson Tyryn. Her contributions to film and television will be remembered fondly by generations to come. Images: CNN \ Fox Studios

Caring

How to choose a legal decision-maker as you get older – 3 things to consider

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joseph-ibrahim-252671">Joseph Ibrahim</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-grossi-1280226">Amelia Grossi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNzmrEgz_GI">sang</a> Eric Burdon of The Animals to the baby boomer generation. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As we get older, sometimes we are no longer capable of making our own decisions. Diseases that affect the brain such as dementia, stroke and head injury can impair cognition and thinking. Some people may choose to appoint a <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/medical-treatment-planning-and-decisions-act-2016/008">medical treatment decision-maker</a> or an <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/powers-attorney-act-2014/007">enduring power of attorney</a> to make certain decisions on their behalf. Alternatively, a legal tribunal or court may appoint <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/guardianship-and-administration-act-2019/005">a guardian or trustee</a> to help guide decisions about health care, finances, accommodation and lifestyle. Who is the right person to take on this important role? Is it the family member or partner who knows you best? Or someone with time and energy? Perhaps someone who understands the services you need – like a nurse, accountant or real estate agent? The role of a decision-making representative has <a href="https://www.alrc.gov.au/publication/equality-capacity-and-disability-in-commonwealth-laws-alrc-report-124/3-national-decision-making-principles-2/will-preferences-and-rights-2/#:%7E:text=The%20'best%20interests'%20principle%20is,an%20equal%20basis%20with%20others">changed significantly</a> in recent years, shifting from a paternalistic approach to a more person-centred focus. Our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35157838/">research</a> looks at the differences between these approaches and how subconscious bias can influence decision-making. <h2>Taking care</h2> These days, guardianship has <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/guardianship-and-administration-act-2019/005">moved</a> from deciding what’s deemed to be in the individual’s “best interests” to what best reflects their “will and preferences”. While <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/repealed-revoked/acts/guardianship-and-administration-act-1986/089">previously</a>, decisions were made for the person by their guardian or representative, new laws require representatives to enact the person’s “will and preferences”. That is, to make decisions with them. This is an important difference. The newer model gives the represented person more autonomy over personal, financial and other decisions. It recognises that even though a person may struggle with aspects of decision-making, they should not be excluded from decisions about how they live their life. This fundamental shift was <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6313688/">earlier adopted</a> by the United Nations in the <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/crpd/pages/conventionrightspersonswithdisabilities.aspx">Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability</a>, to which Australia is a signatory. <h2>Challenging in real world situations</h2> The will and preferences <a href="https://supporteddecisionmaking.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/08/Realising-will-preferences-and-rights-reconciling-differences-on-best-practice-support-for-decision-making.pdf">framework</a> may sound simple, but it can be <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2021.1941781">challenging in practice</a>, when concepts of empowerment are tricky to define and the will of someone with cognitive difficulties is hard to discern. Representatives <a href="https://supporteddecisionmaking.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/08/Realising-will-preferences-and-rights-reconciling-differences-on-best-practice-support-for-decision-making.pdf">bring their own biases, perceptions and lived experience</a> to the role of supporting another person to make decisions. This subjectivity is a natural and an inherent part of decision-making. The representative faces the challenge of setting aside their own opinion and, instead, stepping into the shoes of the represented person to give effect to what they want. A mismatch between the age, gender, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status of the representative and the represented person can exacerbate this challenge. An older able-bodied female, who is deeply religious and from a middle-to-high income background might find it difficult to represent a young man with a disability who is an atheist and from a working-class background. Now, imagine a scenario where the young man expresses a desire to go bungee-jumping or parachuting, despite previously showing a fear of heights. What’s his representative to do? Older people and women generally <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1366987032000105315?journalCode=rjrr20">have a lower appetite for risk</a>, as do those who have a faith and with a high socioeconomic status. A heightened perception of danger or a feeling the activity as frivolous, may lead to the representative reframing the situation with their subconscious bias. They may fail to respect the younger person’s will and preferences. Understanding what might shape a representative’s approach to decision-making is essential. Especially when decisions involve <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-want-to-be-resuscitated-this-is-what-you-should-think-about-before-deciding-105506">health</a> or <a href="https://theconversation.com/theres-no-need-to-lock-older-people-into-nursing-homes-for-their-own-safety-73954">living arrangements</a>. <h2>3 things to look for when selecting a legal decision-making representative</h2> 1. Deep understanding An intimate understanding of your situation is crucial. An ideal representative is someone who actively listens and has a holistic view of your circumstances. This may come from discussions with you and your loved ones. The representative must be careful your views are not outweighed by those of family or friends who are often more vocal. They should have a deep sense of who you are as an individual. 2. Self-awareness The person you choose should be able to describe their personal views and values and understand how their perspective may influence their decisions. This is vital to mitigate the effects of pre-existing bias. They should be able to reflect on their own lived experiences, to understand how their history shapes their approach to decision-making. They should be able to assess whether what you would do is the same as what they think you should do, and why. 3. Effective documentation A record of conversations between the representative and represented person often helps to illuminate a person’s will and preferences. Writing or recording compels us to commit to an idea and explain what we mean. It helps to clarify what is intended far better than a one-time conversation that may be remembered differently by participants. Further research is needed to better match representatives with represented persons. Improved tools are needed to identify the role of bias in decision-making and evaluate whether the represented person’s wills and preferences are being respected.<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/177631/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joseph-ibrahim-252671">Joseph Ibrahim</a>, Professor, Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amelia-grossi-1280226">Amelia Grossi</a>, , <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash 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/how-to-choose-a-legal-decision-maker-as-you-get-older-3-things-to-consider-177631">original article</a>.

Legal

One Direction star passes away aged 31

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has reportedly been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, according to local newspaper La Nacion. The 31-year-old is believed to have fallen from the third floor of a hotel at around 5pm local time the newspaper said, citing emergency services. According to La Nacion the local police station was called by the hotel manager who reported "an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol". It is reported that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life." Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system SAME (El Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias), told local TV that Payne had fallen into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood. “At 17.11, a SAME team arrived and confirmed the man’s death. We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group. “Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death. There was no possibility of resuscitation.” Payne was one of the founding members of One Direction, one of the most loved boy bands of the past decade. He auditioned first as a solo act for the UK reality series The X Factor in 2008, before being eliminated. In 2010 he auditioned again and was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik by the judges to form One Direction. Image: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial

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How to choose a legal decision-maker as you get older – 3 things to consider

One Direction star passes away aged 31