Search

Placeholder Content Image

TikTok couple slammed for leaving toddlers unattended in cruise cabin

<p>TikTok Influencers Matt and Abby Howard have been slammed online for their controversial parenting choice while on a family vacation. </p> <p>In a now deleted video, the couple explained that they had brought their sons Griffin, 2, and August, 1 on a family cruise, and they went to dinner without the boys, but monitored the room through FaceTime. </p> <p>"So we ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren't enjoying it and therefore we weren't either," they said in the caption. </p> <p>"So THEN we switched our dinner time to AFTER their bedtime and FaceTimed the monitors while we ate."</p> <p>Abby noted that baby monitors "don't work on board unless you're only like 10 feet away", adding that their dinnertime solution worked out "much better for everyone" </p> <p>Social media users were quick to respond to their decision, with many highlighting the safety concerns. </p> <p>"They literally could not have gotten to them fast enough if anything had happened and I cannot stop thinking about that. It’s sickening," one wrote on Reddit. </p> <p>"It's literally common sense that you do not leave a baby alone unsupervised," another added. </p> <p>"The fact that they would so willingly leave their children in an unfamiliar environment completely alone is shocking," another added. </p> <p>"Are they seriously that f****** dumb? Do they not watch the news, have they not seen what happened to Madeline McCann?" a fourth wrote.  </p> <p>Following the controversy, the couple released a video claiming that a family member was always with the children while they were at dinner, although they didn't clarify who. </p> <p>"We take our roles as parents extremely seriously and we love our children more than anything in the entire world, and we're very protective of our kids," Matt said in the video. </p> <p>"We had someone with our children at all times on this boat," he continued adding that the speculation surrounding them is "completely untrue". </p> <p>"I do want to clarify that we have not, would not, will not ever leave our children unattended. We would would never, ever want to put them in harms way in anyway," Abby added. </p> <p>She explained that her family would "tag team" to help the couple out with watching their children. </p> <p>Viewers were quick to speculate whether they were telling the truth, while others were glad they clarified. </p> <p>"Thanks for the clarification because it did come off like the boys were alone- context is everything," one wrote. </p> <p>"I hope this is the truth," another added. </p> <p>"For them to post about it like it's some genius parenting hack is just wild," a third wrote. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

<p dir="ltr">A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. </p> <p dir="ltr">The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Heading to Bali or somewhere tropical these holidays? Here’s what you need to know about dengue fever

<p><em><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></em></p> <p>If you’re looking to escape the Australian winter for your next holiday, don’t forget where there’s warmth, there will also be mosquitoes.</p> <p>In turn, tropical destinations can be hot spots of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. In fact, Australian health authorities have warned travellers to Bali <a href="https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2024/May/Dengue-fever-warning-for-Western-Australian-travellers">to be aware</a> of the risk of dengue, with cases surging in the region.</p> <p>So here’s how to protect yourself and your family on holidays.</p> <h2>What is dengue?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue">Dengue virus infection</a> (commonly known as dengue fever, or just dengue) is caused by viruses spread by the bite of a mosquito. The mosquito species that typically transmit dengue are <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em>.</p> <p>There are four strains of dengue virus. Each has the potential to cause illness that can range from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/signs-symptoms/index.html">mild to severe and potentially life threatening</a>.</p> <p>Symptoms <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/dengue.aspx">typically include</a> rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. People also often report abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.</p> <p>While infection with just one of these viruses can make you sick, subsequent exposure to other strains can have more <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-antibodies-and-why-are-viruses-like-dengue-worse-the-second-time-68227">serious health implications</a>. In these cases, symptoms can also include the presence of blood in vomit, bleeding gums and breathing difficulties.</p> <p>Dengue infection must be confirmed via a blood test, but there are <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dengue-fever">no specific treatments</a>. Most people will recover on their own however <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/treatment/index.html">staying hydrated is crucial</a> and pain relief can help with symptoms. If more severe illness occurs, seek urgent medical care.</p> <h2>Are travellers at risk?</h2> <p>The disease is now endemic in around 100 countries and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areas-with-risk/index.html">an estimated 4 billion people</a> are considered at risk. Asian countries represent <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue">around 70%</a> of the global disease burden. Even <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-paris-olympics-could-become-a-super-spreader-event-for-dengue-231853">Europe is at risk</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON498">One of the worst years</a> on record was 2023, but the burden of dengue continues to grow. In the first four months of 2024, Indonesia reported <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON518">three times as many cases</a> of dengue compared to the same period in 2023.</p> <p>Dengue is not a new risk to Australian travellers. Before COVID disrupted international travel, the number of Australians returning from tropical destinations with dengue <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/23692160">was steadily increasing</a>.</p> <p>For example, between 2010 and 2016, there was an average <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/3/1/9">annual increase of 22%</a> of travellers returning to Victoria with dengue. Almost half of these people contracted the illness in Indonesia. Bali is well documented as posing <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/25/1/tay061/5065180?login=false">a risk of dengue</a> to travellers.</p> <p>International travel restrictions due to COVID <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/31/2/taae014/7577676">abruptly stopped this trend</a>. But now Australians are again embracing international travel, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13303747/Worrying-reason-Aussie-travellers-Bali-coming-sick.html">cases are rising once more</a>.</p> <p>Bali isn’t the only destination with <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/06/30/dengue-puerto-rico-mosquito-climate-change/">a surge in dengue</a>, but we know it’s a popular holiday destination for Australian travellers. There’s little doubt plenty of families will be heading to Bali these school holidays.</p> <h2>How about the risk in Australia?</h2> <p>Not all mosquitoes can spread dengue viruses. This is why the risk is different in Bali and other tropical regions compared to Australia.</p> <p>Although there are more than 40 Australian mosquito species known or suspected to be transmitting local pathogens, such as <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005070">Ross River virus</a>, Australia is generally free of local dengue risk due to the limited spread of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em>.</p> <p>While <em>Aedes aegypti</em> is found in <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases/mosquito-borne/dengue/virus-fever">parts of Queensland</a>, thanks to interventions by the <a href="https://www.worldmosquitoprogram.org/en/global-progress/australia/cairns-and-surrounds">World Mosquito Program</a> and local authorities dengue risk is low. These interventions include the release of laboratory-bred mosquitoes that prevent mosquitoes in the environment <a href="https://www.worldmosquitoprogram.org/en/work/wolbachia-method">spreading viruses</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115309096">community education</a>. But <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-decades-away-dengue-returns-to-central-queensland-117821">local cases</a> occasionally occur.</p> <p><em>Aedes albopictus</em> is not currently found <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-we-kept-disease-spreading-asian-tiger-mozzies-away-from-the-australian-mainland-72873">on the Australian mainland</a> but is present in the islands of the Torres Strait. A dengue outbreak <a href="https://www.torres-cape.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/further-cases-of-dengue-fever-on-mer">has occurred</a> there this year.</p> <h2>Keep mozzies away during the day, not just at night</h2> <p>While there is a vaccine available, it’s not recommended for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50471">short-term travellers</a>. There are <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-advice-on-the-use-of-dengvaxiar-for-australians">strict eligibility criteria</a> for its use, so speak to a health professional for advice.</p> <p>For the majority of travellers, preventing mosquito bites is the only way to prevent disease.</p> <p>But there are differences in the behaviour of dengue mosquitoes that mean the normal measures to avoid mosquito bites may not be as effective.</p> <p>During the Australian summer, mosquitoes found in local wetlands can be <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-worst-year-for-mosquitoes-ever-heres-how-we-find-out-68433">incredibly abundant</a>. We tend to need to reach for the repellent and cover up to stop bites as soon as the sun starts going down.</p> <p><em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010818">can aggressively bite people</a> but they’re not as abundant as the swarms of summer mosquitoes back home.</p> <p>They also bite during the day, not just at night. So for those travelling to Bali or other areas at risk of dengue, putting insect repellent on <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/global-dengue-fever-outbreaks">throughout the day</a> is recommended.</p> <h2>What to pack for protection</h2> <p>If you’re staying in a major resort, there’s likely to be a mosquito control program in place. This may include minimising available water for mosquito breeding in combination with insecticide use. Mosquitoes are also less likely to be an issue in air-conditioned accommodation.</p> <p>But if you’re planning to spend time out and about visiting local villages, markets, or in nature, it’s best to protect against bites.</p> <p>Light coloured and <a href="https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2024/May/Dengue-fever-warning-for-Western-Australian-travellers">loose fitting clothing</a> will help stop mosquito bites (and help keep you cool). Covered shoes can help too – dengue mosquitoes <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/02/22/465594861/why-zika-spreading-mosquitoes-love-ankles">love smelly feet</a>.</p> <p>Finally, it’s best to take some insect repellent with you. There may not be any available at your destination, and formulations on sale might not have been through the same thorough testing as products <a href="https://www.apvma.gov.au/">approved in Australia</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/233670/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-webb-6736"><em>Cameron Webb</em></a><em>, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>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/heading-to-bali-or-somewhere-tropical-these-holidays-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever-233670">original article</a>.</em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Daughter of former All Black charged over alleged hit and run death

<p>The daughter of former New Zealand All Black has been charged over an alleged hit and run that left a 65-year-old man dead in Auckland. </p> <p>Helena Jade Cribb, the daughter of Ron Cribb, was charged earlier this year after Jason Collins' body was found by a member of the public on O'Brien Rd, Lucas Heights in the early hours of December 7. </p> <p>The 22-year-old previously had a name suppression, which has now lapsed. </p> <p>Earlier this year, Detective Sergeant Ben Bergin said the driver allegedly involved had been identified not long after Collins' death. </p> <p>"A thorough investigation has been underway into the tragic circumstances by the Waitematā CIB and we have reached a point where charges have been filed," Bergin said.</p> <p>Collins has been remembered as a devoted father, husband and friend. </p> <p>"The tragic loss of Jason has left an unfillable void in our hearts," a statement on behalf of his family read. </p> <p>"...his absence is a constant ache, a relentless reminder of what we've lost.</p> <p>"Taken from us too soon, his departure is a profound and senseless blow that we struggle to comprehend.</p> <p>"Each day is a battle against the overwhelming emptiness left in his wake.</p> <p>"We ask for privacy at this time as we continue to grieve."</p> <p>The 22-year-old reportedly faces a charge of operating a vehicle carelessly, causing death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. </p> <p>She is set to reappear in court in September. </p> <p><em>Image: NZ Police</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

The voice in your head may help you recall and process words. But what if you don’t have one?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/derek-arnold-106381">Derek Arnold</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>Can you imagine hearing yourself speak? A voice inside your head – perhaps reciting a shopping list or a phone number? What would life be like if you couldn’t?</p> <p>Some people, including me, cannot have imagined visual experiences. We cannot close our eyes and conjure an experience of seeing a loved one’s face, or imagine our lounge room layout – to consider if a new piece of furniture might fit in it. This is called “<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-blind-and-deaf-mind-what-its-like-to-have-no-visual-imagination-or-inner-voice-226134">aphantasia</a>”, from a Greek phrase where the “a” means without, and “phantasia” refers to an image. Colloquially, people like myself are often referred to as having a “blind mind”.</p> <p>While most attention has been given to the inability to have imagined visual sensations, aphantasics can lack other imagined experiences. We might be unable to experience imagined tastes or smells. Some people cannot imagine hearing themselves speak.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/we-used-to-think-everybody-heard-a-voice-inside-their-heads-but-we-were-wrong">recent study</a> has advanced our understanding of people who cannot imagine hearing their own internal monologue. Importantly, the authors have identified some tasks that such people are more likely to find challenging.</p> <h2>What the study found</h2> <p>Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976241243004">recruited 93 volunteers</a>. They included 46 adults who reported low levels of inner speech and 47 who reported high levels.</p> <p>Both groups were given challenging tasks: judging if the names of objects they had seen would rhyme and recalling words. The group without an inner monologue performed worse. But differences disappeared when everyone could say words aloud.</p> <p>Importantly, people who reported less inner speech were not worse at all tasks. They could recall similar numbers of words when the words had a different appearance to one another. This negates any suggestion that aphants (people with aphantasia) simply weren’t trying or were less capable.</p> <h2>A welcome validation</h2> <p>The study provides some welcome evidence for the lived experiences of some aphants, who are still often told their experiences are not different, but rather that they cannot describe their imagined experiences. Some people feel anxiety when they realise other people can have imagined experiences that they cannot. These feelings may be deepened when others assert they are merely confused or inarticulate.</p> <p>In my own <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1374349/full">aphantasia research</a> I have often quizzed crowds of people on their capacity to have imagined experiences.</p> <p>Questions about the capacity to have imagined visual or audio sensations tend to be excitedly endorsed by a vast majority, but questions about imagined experiences of taste or smell seem to cause more confusion. Some people are adamant they can do this, including a colleague who says he can imagine what combinations of ingredients will taste like when cooked together. But other responses suggest subtypes of aphantasia may prove to be more common than we realise.</p> <p>The authors of the recent study suggest the inability to imagine hearing yourself speak should be referred to as “anendophasia”, meaning without inner speech. Other authors had suggested <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8551557/">anauralia</a> (meaning without auditory imagery). Still other researchers have referred to all types of imagined sensation as being different types of “imagery”.</p> <p>Having <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010945222000417">consistent names</a> is important. It can help scientists “talk” to one another to compare findings. If different authors use different names, important evidence can be missed.</p> <h2>We have more than 5 senses</h2> <p>Debate continues about how many senses humans have, but some scientists reasonably argue for a <a href="https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/blog/how-many-senses-do-we-have#:%7E:text=Because%20there%20is%20some%20overlap,sensation%20of%20hunger%20or%20thirst.">number greater than 20</a>.</p> <p>In addition to the five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing, lesser known senses include thermoception (our sense of heat) and proprioception (awareness of the positions of our body parts). Thanks to proprioception, most of us can close our eyes and touch the tip of our index finger to our nose. Thanks to our vestibular sense, we typically have a good idea of which way is up and can maintain balance.</p> <p>It may be tempting to give a new name to each inability to have a given type of imagined sensation. But this could lead to confusion. Another approach would be to adapt phrases that are already widely used. People who are unable to have imagined sensations commonly refer to ourselves as “aphants”. This could be adapted with a prefix, such as “audio aphant”. Time will tell which approach is adopted by most researchers.</p> <h2>Why we should keep investigating</h2> <p>Regardless of the names we use, the study of multiple types of inability to have an imagined sensation is important. These investigations could reveal the essential processes in human brains that bring about a conscious experience of an imagined sensation.</p> <p>In time, this will not only lead to a better understanding of the diversity of humans, but may help uncover how human brains can create any conscious sensation. This question – how and where our conscious feelings are generated – remains one of the great mysteries of science.<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/230973/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/derek-arnold-106381">Derek Arnold</a>, Professor, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/the-voice-in-your-head-may-help-you-recall-and-process-words-but-what-if-you-dont-have-one-230973">original article</a>.</em></p>

Mind

Placeholder Content Image

All the head-turning looks from the 2024 Met Gala

<p>Known as "fashion's biggest night out", the Met Gala 2024 has kicked off in spectacular style with A-listers from all over the world gracing the carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. </p> <p>The event, which is a fundraising event for the Met, is held every year on the first Monday of May, to celebrate the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”.</p> <p>The dress code this year, The Garden of Time, is said to be inspired by a short story of the same title written by JG Ballard in 1962. </p> <p>The who's who of Hollywood hit the carpet at the Met this year, led by actress Zendaya, who is this year's co-chair of the event after returning to the Gala for the first time in five years. </p> <p>Many Aussie superstars walked the carpet, such as Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Naomi Watts, Troye Sivan, Chris Hemsworth and Kylie Minogue, who attended for the first time since 2014.</p> <p>Hugh Jackman also graced the Met carpet solo for the first time, last attending alongside his now ex-wife Deborra Lee-Furness in 2023. </p> <p>The Aussie actor took to Instagram to share that his dapper Tom Ford tuxedo was the very same outfit that he wore to his first Met Gala in 2004 that had been "refitted and repaired". </p> <p>Other Hollywood legends that graced the carpet included Sarah Jessica Parker, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz and many more. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

Young and the Restless star’s baby girl hospitalised

<p>In a deeply emotional and concerning post, popular American soap actor Jordi Vilasuso has reached out to the public, seeking prayers for his baby daughter Lucy, who is currently battling respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a partially collapsed lung.</p> <p>The <em>Young and the Restless</em> actor, along with his wife Kaitlin, has been candid about their family's struggles, and their latest plea for support has left fans and followers deeply moved.</p> <p>The distressing update was shared by Jordi on his social media platforms, as he revealed the harrowing journey Lucy has been through. The post detailed the rapid deterioration of Lucy's health, from the initial diagnosis of RSV to her subsequent hospitalisation due to difficulty breathing. The situation took an unexpected turn for the worse, with Lucy being moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to a partially collapsed right lung.</p> <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/C2iurRXvfQ4/?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/C2iurRXvfQ4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by KAITLIN VILASUSO (@kaitlinvilasuso)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jordi's heartfelt words reflected the gravity of the situation: "Last night, things unexpectedly took a turn for the worse and she was moved to NICU w/ what the doctors described as a partially collapsed right lung. I am still struggling to believe this as I type."</p> <p>The accompanying photos paint a poignant picture of Lucy's tiny form surrounded by medical equipment in the NICU, evoking empathy and concern from those who have followed the Vilasuso family's journey.</p> <p>Kaitlin, also sharing updates on her Instagram Story, posted a video of her sister, actor Bailee Madison, spending time with Lucy while the couple's older children, Riley and Everly, received attention. In the video, Kaitlin expressed gratitude for the support, captioning it: "My angel of a sister loving on Lucy so we could love on our big girls for a few."</p> <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/C2sn8nLS2-B/?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/C2sn8nLS2-B/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by KAITLIN VILASUSO (@kaitlinvilasuso)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As the Vilasuso family faces this challenging time, the outpouring of love, prayers and healing energy from fans, friends and fellow actors has been significant. Bailee Madison, taking to her own Instagram Story, thanked everyone for their support, saying, "love and prayers and healing energy coming" for her niece.</p> <p>This heartbreaking situation comes after the couple's announcement of Kaitlin's pregnancy in September 2023. The journey to this point has been marked by adversity, as the couple had previously experienced the loss of two children during pregnancy. Kaitlin underwent a surgical procedure called a cerclage, a delicate intervention aimed at preventing further losses by temporarily sewing the cervix closed with stitches.</p> <p>The Vilasuso family's openness about their highs and lows has endeared them to many, and as Lucy fights for her health in the NICU, the couple is once again relying on the support of their community to pray for a miraculous healing for their precious daughter.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Sex And The City star dies aged 93

<p><em>Sex And The City </em>star Frances Sternhagen has died aged 93.</p> <p>The actress is known for her remarkable career, both on the stage and on-screen, with seven Tony Award nominations, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday night. </p> <p>Her representative, Sarah Fargo, announced the news to CNN on behalf of Sternhagen's family.</p> <p>“It is with great sadness we share the news that our dear mother, actress Frances Sternhagen, died peacefully of natural causes in New Rochelle, NY, on November 27, 2023 at the age of 93,” she told the publication. </p> <p>“She is survived by her six children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.</p> <p>“A celebration of her remarkable career and life is planned for mid-January, near her 94th birthday. We continue to be inspired by her love and life.”</p> <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/C0OhBNduiXt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/C0OhBNduiXt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Carlin (@wassadamo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Sternhagen's </span>son John Carlin took to Instagram to pay tribute to his late mum on Wednesday. </p> <p>“Frannie. Mom. Frances Sternhagen,” he began the post, with a series of pictures of the actress throughout her career. </p> <p>“On Monday night, Nov 27, she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday. I will post more soon but for now I just want to give thanks for the remarkable gift of an artist and human being that was Frances Sternhagen.</p> <p>“She was beloved by many. I’m very lucky I was able to call her my mom, my friend, my song and dance partner.</p> <p>“We were together last week, and we spoke Monday afternoon, said how much we loved and missed one another.</p> <p>“I was about to board a plane for London when I got the news, and am there now.</p> <p>“Set to perform some new songs (one of which was inspired by her) this weekend. She always encouraged my writing, and enjoyed my singing. I’ll fly back very early the next day.</p> <p>“Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived. 🙏🏻❤️.”</p> <p>Sternhagen played the role of Bunny MacDougal, Trey's overbearing mother in <em>Sex and The City, </em>between 2000-2002. </p> <p>In the early 1990s she played Cliff Clavin’s mother Esther on <em>Cheers, </em>and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award twice, with the third being for her role as Bunny. </p> <p>Aside from her work on screen, the actress was also a decorated stage performer, making her debut on broadway in 1955 at just 25-years-old. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"It is what it is": Home and Away star shares secret diagnosis

<p>Aussie actor Kyle Shilling has shared the details of a secret health battle, after fans were quick to point out his unusual appearance.</p> <p>Shilling, who plays Mali Hudson on <em>Home and Away</em>, took to his Instagram story to address the complaints about his facial hair.</p> <p>After Friday night's episode of the Channel Seven soap, social media was flooded with comments about his patchy beard, with one person writing, “I wish Mali would shave his beard line along his jaw rather than halfway up it."</p> <p>“It’s all I can see whenever he’s on screen. Very distracting.”</p> <p>“Thanks, that’s all I’m gonna see now too,” wrote another.</p> <p>Shilling responded to the comments, revealing his recent diagnosis with alopecia. </p> <p>“For all those <em>Home and Away</em> fans complaining about my beard line,” he wrote.</p> <p>“Not too long ago I was diagnosed with alopecia on the beard region, mainly my neck. Alopecia is a hair loss disease which can be caused by stress."</p> <p>“The makeup team on<em> Home and Away</em> do the best they can to help cover this ‘insecurity’ I now have."</p> <p>“It should grow back eventually, but for now it is what it is.”</p> <p>He added, “I’m not asking for sympathy, as it could be a lot worse.</p> <p>“I’m simply shedding light on alopecia so people have an understanding about it. Thanks fam.”</p> <p>In a follow-up message, he wrote. "Because of my recent story about alopecia, I've received an overwhelming amount of messages. Majority are from people who have gone through it with a worse experience. big love to you all, keep on keeping on."</p> <p>"This is a reminder not to openly say something about someone's appearance, as you may not know what the reason behind it is. Think before you judge."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Unlocking Japan: Insider tips and mistakes to avoid for first-time travellers

<p>Traveling to a new country for the first time can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. With so much information online, it can be tough to keep track of what to do and what to avoid.</p> <p>While it is important to consider the rules of <a href="https://www.klook.com/en-AU/blog/do-and-donts-japan-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">etiquette</a> in Japan, there are a few uncommon things that you might miss if you're a first-time traveller. </p> <p>Here are a few of our do's and don'ts: </p> <h5>DO use a luggage transfer service to travel "hands-free"</h5> <p>Japan is all about efficiency, and one of the things you can do to make sure you can travel more freely is to use a luggage transfer service.</p> <p>We recommend <a href="https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yamato Transport </a> a luggage transfer service that delivers all of your bags from the airport to your hotel and from hotel to hotel. </p> <p>Prices depend on the weight and size of your bags, but for same-day delivery, it was around $40-50 AUD for two 30kg bags. </p> <p>Depending on where you are staying, your hotel may or may not provide the Yamato services directly, but if they don't, you can always check with the nearest Family Mart as some convenience stores will do it for you.</p> <p>Alternatively, you can search for the nearest Yamato on Google maps. </p> <p>It is important to note that there may be delivery delays depending on road and traffic conditions, and in some cases they don't do same-day delivery to the airport, so it's good to double check. </p> <h5>DON'T listen to the influencers </h5> <p>With the rise of influencer culture, a lot more restaurants and tourists spots have become even more popular. </p> <p>Avoid queuing in line for over an hour for the hottest restaurant that's always "so good" and pull out Google or Apple maps, as you can find more hidden gems that the locals visit and are actually worth your time.</p> <h5>DO bring cash </h5> <p>Although most places accept card, places like Kyoto - the ancient capital - still mostly take cash. </p> <p>A lot of tourist spots like Kiyomizudera, some markets, and buses in Kyoto only take cash.</p> <p>On another note, if you have an <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IC card</a> like the Suica or Icoca, you can also use these as a form of payment at certain vending machines, shops and restaurants. (It's kind of like using your Opal card to pay for things).</p> <h5>DON'T lose or damage your JR Pass </h5> <p>Most travel blogs recommend that you get the <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JR pass</a> ,which is a rail pass that offers unlimited rides on the JR trains for one, two or three weeks, and allow you to travel nation-wide. </p> <p>What they don't tell you is that they only hand out physical passes that you cannot lose or damage, as they will not re-issue another card until your current one expires.</p> <p>With the cost of the JR passes increasing in October, it might also be worth booking one-way travel tickets instead, as they might be cheaper depending on which region you're travelling to. </p> <h5><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">DO bring good socks and wear your comfiest shoes</span></h5> <p>There is a lot of walking involved, and sometimes lifts can be hard to find – especially at certain stations – so make sure you wear shoes with a lot of padding (or whatever's best for you).</p> <p>You will have to take off your shoes more often than you think, especially in changing rooms and certain traditional accommodation. So leave your hole-y socks at home or wear slippers wherever you go! </p> <h5><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">DON'T book that morning flight </span></h5> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Check-in for a lot of places is usually at 3pm and you want to avoid the morning rush, especially if you're catching public transportation.</span></p> <p>These are a few of our tips, are there any we've missed? </p> <p><em>Images: Getty/ Supplied</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Young and the Restless actor's cause of death revealed

<p>Award-winning soap actor Billy Miller's family have spoken up about his official cause of death. </p> <p>News of <em>The Young and the Restles</em>s <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/young-and-the-restless-actor-dies-at-just-43" target="_blank" rel="noopener">actor's death</a> shocked the world, as he tragically passed away just two days shy of his 44th birthday.</p> <p>Miller’s devastated mother, Patricia, released a statement to the<em> Soap Opera Digest o</em>n Wednesday to confirm that the actor's cause of death was suicide, and debunk any rumours or speculation behind his death. </p> <p>“I want to personally thank the many fans &amp; personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers &amp; condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ — Billy Miller,” she began the statement. </p> <p>“He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease.</p> <p>“He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life.</p> <p>"The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren’t.</p> <p>“We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support," she concluded. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Patricia Miller has asked me to share the following on her behalf. <a href="https://t.co/90ze1MZHGy">pic.twitter.com/90ze1MZHGy</a></p> <p>— Marnie Sparer (@TalktoMarn) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalktoMarn/status/1703919692455559264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Miller is a three-time daytime Emmy winner for his work as Billy Abbott in <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. The actor started his career in 2007 on the ABC series <em>All My Children</em>, which he starred in for 130 episodes. </p> <p>He also starred in the hit legal drama <em>Suits </em>as Harvey Specter's brother Marcus. </p> <p>Gabriel Macht, the actor who played Harvey, paid tribute to Miller in a tweet. </p> <p>"RIP my tv bro #BillyMiller I am touched by ur thoughtfulness, ur authentic honest approach 2 ur art, ur kind nature &amp; big smile that Litt us all. May ur memory always be a blessing to ur Mother, ur Sister &amp; her children. &amp; 2 so many you’ve touched. Peace&amp;❤️"</p> <p>Miller is survived by his mother, Patricia, sister Megan, brother-in-law Ronnie, nephew Grayson and niece Charley.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Young and the Restless actor dies at just 43

<p>Award-winning soap actor Billy Miller has passed away, just two days before his 44th birthday. </p> <p>Miller's manager confirmed the devastating news in a statement to <a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/billy-miller-dead-the-young-and-the-restless-1235725784/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Variety</em></a>, saying the actor has been "struggling with manic depression when he died".</p> <p>The actor was best known for his roles in <em>General Hospital</em> and <em>The Young and the Restless</em>, winning three Daytime Emmy's for his portray in the soaps. </p> <p>Billy's name was put on the map after a role in <em>All My Children</em>, and then signing on to become a model.</p> <p>He went on to have credits in some of the biggest shows in the US, such as <em>NCIS</em>, and <em>CSI: Crime Scene Investigation</em>, as well as Clint Eastwood blockbuster <em>American Sniper</em>.</p> <p>Former colleagues of Billy's have been devastated by the news of his passing, with many taking to social media to share fond memories and express their heartbreak. </p> <p><em>The Young and the Restless</em> alumni Eileen Davidson said she was "so sad to hear of Billy Miller's passing".</p> <p>"His infectious charm and warmth left lasting impressions on all of us who were lucky enough to have him in our lives," she continued.</p> <p>"I'm gonna miss that mischievous smile. Love you Billy."</p> <p><em>General Hospital</em> co-star TK Weaver told fans it was "hard to find words" after learning of the tragedy.</p> <p>"You always gave me such good advice. You were always there for me. You were an amazing person. Billy Miller, I'll never forget you."</p> <p>In another emotional tribute, <em>The Young and the Restless</em> star Adrienne Frantz said, "Billy Miller you lit up every room you walked into with your light, your chair and you gave the best hugs ever".</p> <p>"I'll always remember the laughs and the great times we had together. I hope you've found peace, my dear friend. I'll love you forever."</p> <p><strong><em>If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 0800 543 354</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Breathtaking winners of the 2023 Black and White Photo Awards

<p>The stunning finalists of the <a href="https://bwphotoawards.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 Black and White Photo Awards</a> have been revealed, with the talented photographers stripping all the colour out of their work. </p> <p>Having run for several years now, the annual contest was established to "nurture the spirit of monochrome photography".</p> <p>This year, thousands of images were submitted by record-breaking numbers of photographers from 92 countries around the world, with photos submitted under five categories: architecture, street, portrait, fauna and flora, and landscape.</p> <p>"The results have exceeded all our expectations," the judges said of the winners and finalists.</p> <p>Some of the winning photos include an icy sculpture in Antarctica, a full moon over the Canadian rocky mountains, a lightning storm in Italy, volcanic craters in Iceland, and a crowded train in Bangladesh. </p> <p><em>All image credits: 2023 Black and White Photo Awards</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Human remains found in search for missing actor

<p>Californian hikers have discovered human remains in the wilderness area where actor Julian Sands disappeared more than five months ago, according to authorities.</p> <p>Officials have not yet identified the victim.</p> <p>The remains were transported to the coroner’s office for confirmation, which is expected to be completed next week, <em>The New York Post</em> reported.</p> <p>Sands was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a hiking trip in Mount Baldy, located about 72 kilometres east of Los Angeles.</p> <p>The search – consisting of 80 volunteers and officials – resumed on June 12 after a temporary suspension.</p> <p>Police have conducted eight ground and air searches since the actor's disappearance on the mountain.</p> <p>“Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet [about 16 metres] of ice and snow,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said.</p> <p>Sands’ family spoke publicly for the first time since he vanished, releasing a statement on June 23 to express their gratitude for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.</p> <p>“We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the family said.</p> <p>“We continue to hold Julian in our hearts, with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.”</p> <p>Sands is known for starring in films such as Arachnophobia, A Room with a View, Warlock and Leaving Las Vegas.</p> <p>Mt. Baldy is renowned for being one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in California.</p> <p>According to the<em> Los Angeles Times</em>, six people have died with crews conducting over 100 searches as daredevils and avid hikers alike are drawn to the daunting challenge of the more-than-16,000 metre climb.</p> <p>In January, officials found hiker Jin Chung, 75, who had become lost on Mount Baldy and was hospitalised with a leg injury and other weather-related injuries.</p> <p>Before Chung’s brief disappearance, a mother of four fell more than 500 to 700 feet to her death.</p> <p>Crystal Paula Gonzalez, renowned as a “hiking queen”, slipped on the steep icy hillside and later died from her injuries, officials reported.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook / Getty</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Encouraging signs in search for missing sub

<p>An Australian submarine expert said “banging noises” have been detected in 30-minute intervals by rescuers searching for the Titan submersible — “encouraging” rescuers that the five people on board were still alive.</p> <p>The Titan <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/search-underway-for-tourists-missing-on-titanic-submarine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went missing</a> in the Atlantic Ocean on June 18 around one hour and 45 minutes after commencing the dive.</p> <p>Frank Owen, former Australian submarine officer and current search and rescue director, told the <em>New York Post</em> he is confident the noises are coming from inside of the Titan, and those aboard are well trained in emergency submarine situations.</p> <p>“This tells me a huge amount,” he said.</p> <p>“Onboard the Titan is the French former Navy diver, the Titanic expert [Paul-Henri Nargeolet]. But also because he’s a diver, he understands the way search forces look for submarines that are lost … submariners are taught that if they’re stuck in a disabled submarine on the hour and the half-hour they bang the hull for three minutes, then they stop. They don’t make any more noise.”</p> <p>He added, “So the fact that we’re hearing banging at 30-minute internals tells me that the people inside are sending a message that says, ‘We understand that you would be looking for us and this is how you might expect us to react.’ So, it’s very encouraging.”</p> <p>His comment come soon after authorities confirmed underwater “banging noises” were still heard in the area where the submersible disappeared on what proved to be a disastrous dive to explore The Titanic wreckage.</p> <p>In a press conference held in Boston on June 21, The US Coast Guard said that more noises had been detected.</p> <p>“A Canadian P3 detected underwater noises in the search area,” Captain Jamie Frederick said. “It is my understanding that the P3 heard noises today, as well.”</p> <p>He said the attempts to identify the source of the noise had been so far unsuccessful. The Captain was also asked about the 30-minute intervals described in the internal Department of Homeland Security emails, to which he responded, “I hadn’t heard 30-minute intervals.”</p> <p>He also said the data had been sent to the US Navy for analysis proved “inconclusive”. The important piece is we’re searching in the area where the noises were detected,” Captain Frederick said.</p> <p>“We don’t know what they are, to be frank with you. We have to remain optimistic and hopeful,” he said of the noises.</p> <p>Extra ships, specialised salvage equipment and US Navy experts converged on the tough search area in the North Atlantic as rescuers, who have gotten help from around the world, are concentrating their efforts near the sounds.</p> <p>“We’re searching in the area where the noises were detected and we’ll continue to do so,” Captain Frederick said.</p> <p>It comes in the wake of news that rescue crews exploring the depths of the Atlantic will receive help from the Victor 6000 robot — a highly advanced, deep-sea craft and one of the few vessels on Earth capable of reaching the wreck.</p> <p>The Victor 600 is being rushed to the search site aboard French research vessel L’Atalante and was set to arrive about 12 hours before the oxygen supply on the Titan is expected to run out.</p> <p>The Victor 6000 — a three metre long, remote-controlled robot with a bright yellow back has been described as a “flagship device for underwater operations”, by the French network BMTV, and is capable of reaching a depth of 6,000 metres.</p> <p>With the Titanic lying 2,8000 metres beneath the waves on the ocean floor, the craft should have a good chance of reaching it.</p> <p>A rescue would have the Victor 6000 accompany the Horizon Arctic, a powerful tug and supple ship which has a large cable the deep sea craft can take it down with it toward the wreck of the Titanic.</p> <p>Victor 6000 is equipped with a robotic arm, which could be used for dislodging the missing Titan submersible if it is found trapped within the Titanic wreckage.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Cheese and bacon muffins

<p>A delicious savoury muffin that’s great for when the grandkids are around or an on-the-go snack.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Makes</span>:</strong> 12</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span>:</strong></p> <ul> <li>2 egg</li> <li>250g self-raising flour</li> <li>1 cup grated cheddar cheese</li> <li>3 rashers bacon, cooked and finely diced</li> <li>1 cup milk</li> <li>½ teaspoon salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon pepper</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method</span>:</strong></p> <p>1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease muffin tray and set aside.</p> <p>2. Combine flour, cheese, bacon, salt and pepper in bowl.</p> <p>3. In separate bowl, whisk eggs and add milk.</p> <p>4. Make a well in the dry ingredient and gradually add egg mixture. Gently mix until just combined.</p> <p>5. Spoon mixture into muffin tray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are golden.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

"A true legend": Jane Fonda pegs award at director's head

<p>Film icon Jane Fonda is known to entertain the masses, and her cheeky antics at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival saw her do just that.</p> <p>While hosting Palme d’Or Awards on May 27, Fonda, 85, called up director Justine Triet who had won the award for <em>Anatomy of the Fall</em>, but it was Fonda’s deliverance of said award that had viewers in stitches.</p> <p>The 85-year-old tried to get Triet's attention, but after multiple attempts of calling out to her, Fonda decided to throw the scroll at the director’s back.</p> <p>When the scroll hit Triet on the back of the head and fell to the floor, she didn’t appear to notice.</p> <p><em>The Book Club</em> star’s unconventional passing of the award sent Twitter users into a frenzy, with many praising her, calling her a “queen” with an “excellent shot.”</p> <p>"A true legend." one person wrote.</p> <p>"This just made my day! 😂😂😂" another said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">favorite cannes moment is officially jane fonda throwing the palme d'or certificate at justine triet because she forgot to take it <a href="https://t.co/6tv8TEj8zw">pic.twitter.com/6tv8TEj8zw</a></p> <p>— flo ¨̮ (@astralbarnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/astralbarnes/status/1662568221931601920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Fonda hit the red carpet dazzled in black sequins. Her black gown was faired with a chain necklace and matching earrings.</p> <p>The beloved actress has been documenting her Cannes weekend via Instagram, sharing photos of herself with Hollywood greats Eva Longoria and Kate Winslet, as well as a snippet of her accommodation.</p> <p>Fonda’s attendance comes five months into her remission after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/jane-fonda-reassures-fans-after-cancer-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis</a> in September 2022.</p> <p>She revealed the happy news on her Instagram, titling it "BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!"</p> <p>”Last week I was told by my oncologist that my cancer is in remission and I can discontinue chemo," she wrote. "I am feeling so blessed, so fortunate."</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

16 ways to kill garden weeds

<h2>How to kill garden weeds with ease</h2> <p>Looking for a safe way to keep weeds and grass from growing in the cracks of your paved patios, driveways and footpaths? Here are a few tricks that will keep weeds at bay.</p> <h2>Baking soda</h2> <p>Sprinkle handfuls of baking soda onto the concrete and simply sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will make it much less hospitable to dandelions and their friends.</p> <h2>Bleach</h2> <p>Pour a bit of undiluted bleach over them. After a day or two, you can simply pull them out and the bleach will keep them from coming back. Just be careful not to get bleach on the grass or plants bordering the path.</p> <h2>Boiling water</h2> <p>Put on the kettle and pour boiling water over cracks where weeds grow. This will kill the stubborn weeds.</p> <h2>Vinegar</h2> <p>Are dandelions a problem? Make them disappear for good by spraying them with full-strength white or apple cider vinegar. Early in the season, give each plant a single spritz of vinegar in its midsection or in the middle of the flower before the plants go to seed. Aim another shot near the stem at ground level so the vinegar can soak down to the roots. Keep an eye on the weather, though; if it rains the next day, you’ll need to give the weeds another spraying.</p> <h2>Borax</h2> <p>Sprinkle borax in the crevices where you’ve seen weeds grow in the past. It will kill them off before they have a chance to take root. When applied around the foundation of your home, it will also keep ants and other six-legged intruders from entering your house. But be very careful when applying borax – it is toxic to plants.</p> <h2>Bottles</h2> <p>When using herbicides to kill weeds in your garden, you have to be careful not to also spray and kill surrounding plants. To isolate the weed you want to kill, cut a 2-litre soft drink bottle in half and place the top half over the weed you want to spray. Then direct your pump’s spraying wand through the regular opening in the top of the bottle and blast away. After the spray settles down, pick up the bottle and move on to your next target. Always wear goggles and gloves when spraying chemicals in the garden.</p> <h2>Corn gluten meal</h2> <p>This non-toxic herbicide kills weed seedlings within just a few days of application. An organic byproduct of the corn milling process, corn gluten meal is made up of 10 per cent nitrogen. It works by inhibiting weed roots from forming, according to <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/corn-gluten-herbicide-careful-timing-2152947">TheSpruce.com</a>. But the timing is important: You have to apply corn gluten meal to soil before weeds emerge.</p> <h2>Landscape fabric</h2> <p>This all-natural method takes longer to decompose than mulch. But don’t buy just any type. “Hold the fabric up to the light and make sure the pores in the fabric are small enough to prevent weeds from growing through the barrier,” recommends the Family Handyman. “Also, a good-quality landscape fabric is one you can’t tear or stretch easily. It should feel stiff, not flimsy and limp.</p> <h2>Carpet scraps</h2> <p>Alternatively, if you have scraps of carpet lying around, us these to suppress weeds in you garden. Place upside down in your garden or along your garden path and cover with bark mulch or straw. Use also around your vegetable garden.</p> <h2>Newspaper</h2> <p>Like carpet, laying down newspaper will block sunlight, prevent oxygen from reaching the soil and smother weeds that are already growing. Put down 10 layers of newspapers on the soil, wet it with water to hold it in place and then cover with mulch.</p> <h2>Salt</h2> <p>Bring a solution of about 1 cup salt in 2 cups water to a boil. Pour directly on the weeds in the cracks of your path to kill them. Another equally effective method is to spread salt directly onto the weeds or unwanted grass that come up between bricks. Wait for rain to rinse it off.</p> <h2>Shower curtains</h2> <p>Those old shower curtains will also come in handy next time you do any landscaping with gravel or bark chips. Just place the shower curtain under the mulching material to prevent annoying weeds from poking through. While weeds can be pests, bugs can be beneficial.</p> <h2>Spray bottles</h2> <p>Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar to get rid of the weeds and grass poking out of the cracks in your concrete, as well as ants and other insects. Be careful not to spray it on your plants though, as the high acidity could kill them.</p> <h2>Vodka</h2> <p>For a quick and easy weed killer, mix 30mL of vodka, a few drops of dishwashing liquid and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the weed leaves until the mixture runs off. Apply it at midday on a sunny day to weeds growing in direct sunlight, because the alcohol breaks down the waxy cuticle covering on leaves, leaving them susceptible to dehydration in sunlight. It won’t work in shade.</p> <h2>Trowel</h2> <div id="page6"> <div id="test"> <p>Looking for an extremely hands-on approach to how to kill weeds? A trowel is an easy way to dig them up, particularly if they’re big weeds.</p> <h2>WD-40</h2> <p>Don’t let pesky prickly weeds ruin your garden. Just spray some WD-40 on them and they’ll wither and die.</p> </div> </div> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/gardeningtips/16-ways-to-kill-garden-weeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Woman’s painful shoulder leads to shock diagnosis

<p dir="ltr">In December 2022, a normal day in the office turned into a nightmare for 24-year-old Kadi Watson.</p> <p dir="ltr">The customer service rep stretched out her hand to feel her shoulder - the same shoulder she'd been experiencing pain with a day prior. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to<em> 7Life</em>, the 24-year-old revealed, “It felt kind of like when you do a workout and then days later you get the muscle soreness.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hadn’t done anything to warrant having that soreness.” </p> <p dir="ltr">She said she was feeling between her neck and her right shoulder when she discovered a lump. </p> <p dir="ltr">“OK, that’s a bit unusual,” she recalled. </p> <p dir="ltr">For the next two days, she monitored the lump, but it didn’t go away.</p> <p dir="ltr">So, she booked a doctor’s appointment and her GP reassured her there shouldn’t be “much need to worry”.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, to rule out anything malicious, the GP booked her in for an ultrasound of the lump and an X-ray. </p> <p dir="ltr">A week later, as Watson was set for her ultrasound, the technician contacted a radiologist and requested that Watson also undergo a CT scan. </p> <p dir="ltr">The scan showed “heaps of lumps” around her chest and heart.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s when they said, ‘This is more serious than just a lump growing on your neck’,” she revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">She underwent surgery to remove the lumps and admitted she had come to terms with the possibility she could have cancer. </p> <p dir="ltr">When she learned the results, Watson was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma - a rare type of blood cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was expecting a phone call, I knew it wasn’t going to be face to face,” she said, adding that by that point she was exhausted from going to appointments every day and waiting around for calls.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously, a call would have been better, but I got the text message instead,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel like I was a bit more mentally prepared when I got those results because by that time it had been three or four weeks with, ‘This is what you could have’ and me mentally preparing for that answer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Watson said her diagnosis put her life into perspective. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought by 24 I would have done a bit more than just do the old routine kind of thing,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I felt like I should have done more with my life than just sat here and worked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You spend so much time working - and not enough time living.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She has also connected with people on their own journeys throughout 2023 so far.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I get probably five messages a day of people telling me how much this has helped them and what they can look out for,” she admitted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not really the most common cancer out there and I didn’t know about it until I got diagnosed with it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So I’m glad to spread a bit more awareness.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m very, very excited for the day where I can say ‘I’m in remission’.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

Hit your head while playing sport? Here’s what just happened to your brain

<p>It’s Friday night, your team is playing, and scores are nail-bitingly close. A player intercepts the ball, and bam! A player tackles his opponent to the ground. Trainers and doctors gather nervously while the commentators wait for confirmation: a concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, head knock, strike, tap, bump, blow … there are many terms for it.</p> <p>How to prevent and treat such injuries is the subject to a <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Headtraumainsport">Senate inquiry</a>, with public hearings this week.</p> <p>But what exactly are these injuries? What’s going on in the brain?</p> <h2>What is concussion?</h2> <p>Concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussion typically falls at the milder end of the spectrum, and so is often called mild TBI.</p> <p>Concussions happen most often when the head directly hits against something. But it can also happen without head impact, when a blow to the body causes the head to move quickly.</p> <p>The brain is a soft organ in a hard case, floating in a thin layer of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">cerebrospinal fluid</a>. The brain can be damaged away from the site of impact for this reason, as it bounces with force within the skull.</p> <p>Concussions that happen during sport can be complex because the head often rotates as the person falls. This “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3979340/">rotational acceleration</a>” can cause more damage to the brain. This is especially the case for cells in the long tracts of white matter responsible for relaying signals around the brain.</p> <p>As well as causing initial damage to brain cells at the time of injury, concussion sets off a cascade of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479139/">chemical and biological changes</a>. These occur within minutes and may last for days or even weeks after concussion.</p> <p>Cell membranes become permeable (more leaky), causing an imbalance of brain chemicals inside and outside cells. Cellular functions shift into overdrive to try to restore balance, using more fuel in the form of glucose. At the same time, blood flow to the brain is often reduced, resulting in a mismatch between energy supply and demand.</p> <p>The structural scaffolding of cells in the white matter may begin to weaken or break, preventing or reducing the ability of cells to communicate.</p> <p>Sensing danger, cells from the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28910616/">immune system</a> begin to migrate to the brain in an attempt to stem the damage, spouting chemical signals to recruit other inflammatory cells to the sites of injury.</p> <p>These initial responses to concussion typically resolve over time, but the recovery period may be different for each person, and may persist even after symptoms go away.</p> <h2>What are the symptoms?</h2> <p>Concussion <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594">symptoms</a> can differ depending on the person and the circumstances of injury.</p> <p>Some people have more obvious symptoms like loss of consciousness, vomiting and confusion; others may have headaches, problems with their vision, or thinking and concentration. Some people may have one symptom while others have many. Some people’s symptoms may be severe, and others may have only mild symptoms.</p> <p>So diagnosing and managing concussion can be difficult. Most people who have a concussion will find their symptoms subside within days or weeks. But around <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26918481/">20% of people</a> will have persistent symptoms beyond three months after their concussion.</p> <p>Ongoing symptoms can make it harder to perform at work or school, to socialise with friends and to maintain relationships. Scientists don’t know why recoveries are different for different people. We have no way to <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e046460.info">predict</a> who will recover from concussion and who won’t.</p> <h2>How about repeat blows to the head?</h2> <p>People who play contact sports are more likely to have multiple concussions over a playing career. Higher numbers of concussions tend to mean <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28387556/">worse symptoms and slower recovery</a> for subsequent concussions.</p> <p>This indicates the brain doesn’t get used to concussions, and each concussion is likely to impart additional damage.</p> <p>Emerging evidence suggests repeated concussions may lead to <a href="https://n.neurology.org/content/88/15/1400.short">ongoing changes</a> in people’s brain cell structure and function.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32326805/">Inflammation</a> may persist inside and outside the brain. Inflammation may also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30535946/">cause or contribute</a> to someone developing symptoms, and long-term brain functional and structural changes.</p> <p>Prolonged symptoms and long-term brain changes may be worse in the long run for people who experience their concussions as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6595074/">young adults</a> compared to people who have concussions as older adults.</p> <p>Scientists are also starting to find differences in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30618335/">symptoms</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8596946/">brain alterations</a> in males and females. These could be related to newfound sex differences in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29104114/">scaffolding proteins</a> of male and female brains, making female brains more susceptible.</p> <h2>We’ve known about this for a long time</h2> <p>The long-term brain and behaviour changes resulting from repeated sports concussions have been reported since at least the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/1/3306/816">1920s</a>. Back then, it was seen in boxers and termed dementia pugilistica, or <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/260461">punch-drunk syndrome</a>.</p> <p>We now call this condition <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1934148211005296">chronic traumatic encephalopathy</a> (CTE). People found to have CTE don’t always experience severe symptoms. Instead, symptoms tend to emerge or worsen later in life, even decades after injury or at the end of a playing career.</p> <p>People also have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8166432/">varied symptoms</a> that can sometimes be hard to measure, like confusion, impaired judgement and aggression. This has made diagnosis difficult while people are alive. We can only confirm CTE after someone dies, by detecting altered structural proteins of the brain in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12024-023-00624-3">specific brain areas</a>.</p> <p>There is still a lot to learn about CTE, including the exact processes that cause it, and why some people will develop it and others won’t.</p> <h2>Concussion is common</h2> <p>Concussion is a common injury almost <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7048626/">30%</a> of us will experience in our lifetime.</p> <p>Although we have a lot still to learn, the current advice for people who experience concussion is to seek medical advice to help with initial management of symptoms and guide decisions on returning back to playing sports.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/hit-your-head-while-playing-sport-heres-what-just-happened-to-your-brain-203038" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Body

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.