Placeholder Content Image

Ozempic shown to reduce alcohol intake in world-first trial

<p>A world-first study has shown that Ozempic can reduce drinking among those with alcohol-use disorder (AUD). </p> <p>A small clinical trial, published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789?utm_campaign=articlePDF%26utm_medium=articlePDFlink%26utm_source=articlePDF%26utm_content=jamapsychiatry.2024.4789">JAMA Psychiatry</a>, studied 48 people with signs of moderate alcohol-use disorder and found that those taking semaglutide – the generic name of Ozempic – for nine weeks saw significantly reductions in how much alcohol they drank, as well as cravings for alcohol, compared with people on a placebo.</p> <p>The findings underscore many real-world claims of those taking these medicines have already hinted at: Ozempic and similar drugs, already incredibly popular, could help reduce risks of over-consuming alcohol, if the results bear out in larger and longer trials.</p> <p>Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the University of Southern California Institute for Addiction Science and the lead author of the study, said, "We hoped to see a reduction in drinking and craving."</p> <p>"What I didn't expect was the magnitude of the effects looks fairly good … compared to other alcohol-use disorder medications."</p> <p>The drug works in both the gut and the brain, which may be the way they could help with alcohol-use disorder, said Lorenzo Leggio, a physician-scientist at the US National Institutes of Health who wasn't involved in this study.</p> <p>"More research is needed to understand the mechanism(s) of action of these medications in AUD," Leggio, who's published research on semaglutide's ability to reduce alcohol drinking in animals, wrote to <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/12/health/ozempic-alcohol-use-disorder-trial/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a></em>.</p> <p>"Nonetheless, the work done now suggests that mechanisms may include their effect in reducing alcohol craving and in reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol."</p> <p>Whether Ozempic and other similar drugs present a new way of treating AUD will depend on larger trials in patients more heavily afflicted by the disorder, experts said, and potentially whether research can yield a better understanding of how the medicines work to reduce drinking.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

Does ‘made with love’ sell? Research reveals who values handmade products the most

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">Tuba Degirmenci</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>We’ve all seen the marketing message “handmade with love”. It’s designed to tug at our heartstrings, suggesting extra care and affection went into crafting a product.</p> <p>As Valentine’s Day approaches, many businesses will ramp up such messaging in their advertising.</p> <p>Handmade gifts are often cast as more thoughtful, special options than their mass-produced, machine-made alternatives.</p> <p>But does “love” actually sell? Our new <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cb.2455">research</a>, published in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, reveals not everyone feels the same way about these labels.</p> <p>Why do some people feel handmade products are made with love, while others don’t really care? We found it’s all about how they approach purchase decisions.</p> <h2>A deeper, human connection</h2> <p>Why do businesses market products as handmade? Previous research has shown handmade labels can lead to higher positive emotions. This tendency is known as the “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1509/jm.14.0018">handmade effect</a>”.</p> <p>In a world of seemingly perfect and polished products, <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09590551211267593/full/html">research</a> shows consumers increasingly prefer human (as opposed to machine) interactions, including in their shopping experiences.</p> <p>It’s also been shown that giving handmade gifts can <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11002-024-09722-w">promote social relationships</a>.</p> <p>We often associated handmade products with smaller “cottage” retailers. But many major global retailers – including <a href="https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=120955898011">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.ikea.com/au/en/new/handcrafted-textiles-for-a-better-future-pub6fc26570/">IKEA</a> – have strategically introduced handmade products, aiming to connect on a deeper emotional level with their consumers.</p> <p>Our research found not all consumers respond in the same way to these marketing messages.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYn-xUjv_qs?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">IKEA has previously run a dedicated handmade marketing campaign.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Who cares about love?</h2> <p>Across two studies, we found that the response to marketing products as “handmade” depends on a consumer’s locomotion orientation – put simply, how they approach decisions and other actions.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022435917300155">Low-locomotion individuals</a> take things more slowly. They take their time and can thoroughly consider their purchase decisions. Think of them as the “mindful”.</p> <p>In contrast, high-locomotion individuals are “doers”. They like to get things done quickly without getting stuck in the details. They are the “grab-and-go” shopper.</p> <p>When the way they perform an action – such as making a purchase – matches their fast-paced mindset, something remarkable happens: they experience what’s called “<a href="https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcpy.1317">regulatory fit</a>”.</p> <p>This fit boosts their emotions and engagement.</p> <h2>Our first study</h2> <p>In our first study, participants imagined buying a gift for a loved one. They were split into three groups and presented with a photo of the same mug.</p> <p>One group was informed that the mug was “handmade”, one group informed it was “machine-made”, and the last group was not offered any “production cue”.</p> <p>We also asked and measured how much “love” they felt the mug contained – and how much they would pay for it.</p> <p>The handmade mug evoked more love and led to a higher willingness to pay – but only for those with a “low-locomotion” orientation.</p> <p>High-locomotion individuals didn’t react in the same way. For these “doers”, the backstory of how the mug had been made wasn’t as important as just getting a product they needed.</p> <p>For the “doers”, the benefits of marketing the mug as handmade actually backfired.</p> <p>They felt more love for the mug if it had no label at all.</p> <h2>Our second study</h2> <p>By communicating with consumers on social media, marketers can trigger a mindset called “regulatory locomotion mode”. Put simply, this is the mode where we take action and make progress toward goals.</p> <p>Marketers can do this by using <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">locomotion-activating</a> words such as “move” and “go” to encourage active decision-making.</p> <p>To borrow one famous example from Nike: “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">Just Do It</a>”.</p> <p>Our second study examined the marketer-generated content of over 9,000 Facebook posts from the verified <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Etsy">Etsy</a> Facebook page.</p> <p>We analysed how locomotion-activating words in social media posts for handmade products influence consumer engagement.</p> <p>In other words, we wanted to understand how these words affected social media engagement with the potential consumers reading them, particularly in terms of social media shares.</p> <p>We found the higher an individual’s locomotion orientation was, the fewer social media “shares” for handmade products occurred.</p> <h2>So, does handmade really matter?</h2> <p>As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, understanding these differences can help retailers tailor their marketing strategies.</p> <p>For “mindful” customers, retailers should highlight the story of the craftsmanship, care, and love behind a handmade product for Valentine’s Day. Use emotional language such as “made with love”.</p> <p>But be aware this mightn’t work on everyone. For a customer base of “doers”, keep it simple, leaving out unnecessary details about production methods.</p> <p>There are a range of <a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/">website analytical tools</a> that can help retailers identify how their customers approach their purchase decision-making.</p> <p>Do they browse quickly, hopping from one product to the next, opting for “<a href="https://www.business.com/articles/one-click-purchasing-how-click-to-buy-is-revolutionizing-ecommerce/">one-click</a>” purchasing? Or do they take their time, browsing slowly and considering their product selection?</p> <p>Personalised marketing messages can then be crafted to emphasise the aspects – love or efficiency – that matter most to each group. The key lies in knowing who you’re speaking to.<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/247351/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">T<em>uba Degirmenci</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</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/does-made-with-love-sell-research-reveals-who-values-handmade-products-the-most-247351">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Top 10 must-do activities around the world in 2025

<p>Global travel brand <em>Time Out</em> has revealed their annual list of the best activities around the world. </p> <p>From a canoe trip in Australia to wildlife encounters in Singapore, here are the top 10 must-do activities and experiences around the world. </p> <p><strong>10. Take a micro cruise through the Arctic. </strong></p> <p>This year, Micro-cruise specialist Secret Atlas will be taking 12 passengers at a time through the Arctic, for a more "intimate, once-in-a-lifetime, eco-conscious trip". </p> <p>The cruise will take guests on a wildlife-spotting journey through Svalbard's lesser-known northern reaches, while the other cruise will sail past the icebergs in Northeast Greenland, including a visit to one of the most remote towns on earth. </p> <p>These trips, however, aren't cheap with prices starting at £15,500 (around AUD $30,500) for two weeks.</p> <p><strong>9. Explore the cross-border towns of Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia</strong></p> <p>These three towns make up 2025's European Capital of Culture, with over 400 events to be held throughout the year, including a piano performance on a 200m-high bridge, as well as a food and wine event called Tastes Without Borders.</p> <p><strong>8. Go on a wildlife-spotting adventure in Singapore's new Rainforest Park </strong></p> <p>The Mandai Wildlife Reserve is opening its fifth zoological park, Rainforest Wild Asia, this year, with 10 different zones, as well as 29 different species of animals, perfect for a family outing. </p> <p><strong>7. Discover Vietnam by a vintage steam train</strong></p> <p>Time Out explained that two of the "beautifully restored vintage trains" date all the way back to the 60s, and will take passengers between "the central city of Da Nang and the former royal capital of Hue."</p> <p><strong>6. Visit the Musée Granet celebrating the father of post-impressionism</strong></p> <p>Aix-en-Provence in France is celebrating the life of post-impressionist painter Paul Cezanne in his hometown, with the exhibition displaying almost 100 of Cèzanne’s works, as well as tours around the artist’s childhood home, former estate and art studio. </p> <p><strong>5. Visit the long-awaited Harlem's Studio Museum, New York</strong></p> <p>The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, was first opened 56 years ago, with an archive of almost 9,000 pieces from all kinds of creators. It was closed for construction almost seven years ago and will finally re-open in autumn. </p> <p><strong>4. Fly directly to Greenland </strong></p> <p>The grand opening of their brand-new international airport will make this stunning location <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">more accessible</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> for travellers wanting to view the Northern Lights and all of the territory's natural wonders. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">3. Visit the world's first museum telling stories of migration though art</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The Fenix museum in </span>Katendrecht, Rotterdam will open on May 16 and is the first museum telling stories of migration through art. </p> <p><strong>2. Walk, ride or cycle along Murray River, Australia</strong></p> <p>"The Murray River is the crowning jewel of Australia’s Echuca region," said <em>Time Out’s</em> Saffron Swire. </p> <p>With the opening of a new multisport adventure trail this year, cyclists, hikers and paddlers alike will get to enjoy the river in a new way. </p> <p><strong>1. Join a once-every-quarter-century spiritual celebration in Rome, Italy</strong></p> <p>Italy's capital will celebrate its spiritual Jubilee this year, a Catholic festivity that's held every 25 years, with Italy expert Rebecca Ann Hughes recommending the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, "which began in the 16th century and involves a 25km walk through the city and countryside between the major basilicas." </p> <p>Check out the full list <a href="http://www.timeout.com/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

The most turbulent flights in the world revealed

<p dir="ltr">While many travellers have experienced a bumpy ride while on a plane, there are some routes that are rougher than others. </p> <p dir="ltr">Thanks to <a href="https://turbli.com/historical-data/most-turbulent-flight-routes-of-2024/">Turbli research</a>, the most turbulent flight routes in the world for 2025 have been announced for worried flyers to avoid when booking their holidays. </p> <p dir="ltr">All destinations are situated in just two continents and four countries, and all involve flying over high altitudes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Turbulence is measured in Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), which describes turbulence levels without regard to aircraft characteristics, meaning the same levels of turbulence may be experienced differently depending on the size and build of the aircraft.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dramatic changes in land altitude, particularly mountain ranges, create eddies, or swirls of disrupted airflow all create turbulence. </p> <p dir="ltr">With 0-20 on the EDR scale is considered light turbulence, these flight paths measure double digits in their levels of severity. </p> <p dir="ltr">Most of these destinations are located in South America, so if you’re particularly adverse to a bumpy flight, maybe take these stats into account before booking your next holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the list of the 10 most turbulent flights in the world below. </p> <p dir="ltr">10. San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) to Santiago (Chile). 18.475 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Chengdu (China) to Xining (China). 18.482 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Kathmandu (Nepal) to Paro (Bhutan). 18.563 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Santa Cruz (Bolivia) to Santiago (Chile). 18.598 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Chengdu (China) to Lhasa (China). 18.644 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Kathmandu to Lhasa. 18.817 average EDR. </p> <p dir="ltr">4. Mendoza (Argentina) to San Carlos de Bariloche. 19.252 average EDR. </p> <p dir="ltr">3. Mendoza to Salta (Argentina). 19.825 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Córdoba to Santiago. 20.214 average EDR</p> <p dir="ltr">1. Mendoza to Santiago. 24.684 average EDR.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Most adults will gain half a kilo this year – and every year. Here’s how to stop ‘weight creep’

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-fuller-219993">Nick Fuller</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>As we enter a new year armed with resolutions to improve our lives, there’s a good chance we’ll also be carrying something less helpful: extra kilos. At least half a kilogram, to be precise.</p> <p>“Weight creep” doesn’t have to be inevitable. Here’s what’s behind this sneaky annual occurrence and some practical steps to prevent it.</p> <h2>Small gains add up</h2> <p>Adults <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3151731/">tend to gain weight</a> progressively as they age and typically gain an average of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23638485/">0.5 to 1kg every year</a>.</p> <p>While this doesn’t seem like much each year, it amounts to 5kg over a decade. The slow-but-steady nature of weight creep is why many of us won’t notice the extra weight gained until we’re in our fifties.</p> <h2>Why do we gain weight?</h2> <p>Subtle, gradual lifestyle shifts as we progress through life and age-related biological changes cause us to gain weight. Our:</p> <ul> <li> <p>activity levels decline. Longer work hours and family commitments can see us become more sedentary and have less time for exercise, which means we burn fewer calories</p> </li> <li> <p>diets worsen. With frenetic work and family schedules, we sometimes turn to pre-packaged and fast foods. These processed and discretionary foods are loaded with hidden sugars, salts and unhealthy fats. A better financial position later in life can also <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00953.x">result in more dining out</a>, which is associated with a higher total energy intake</p> </li> <li> <p>sleep decreases. Busy lives and screen use can mean we don’t get enough sleep. This disturbs our body’s energy balance, increasing our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945708700133">feelings of hunger</a>, triggering cravings and decreasing our energy</p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p>stress increases. Financial, relationship and work-related stress increases our body’s production of cortisol, triggering food cravings and promoting fat storage</p> </li> <li> <p>metabolism slows. Around the age of 40, our muscle mass naturally declines, and our body fat starts increasing. Muscle mass helps determine our metabolic rate, so when our muscle mass decreases, our bodies start to burn fewer calories at rest.</p> </li> </ul> <p>We also <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807660">tend to gain a small amount</a> of weight during festive periods – times filled with calorie-rich foods and drinks, when exercise and sleep are often overlooked. <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807660">One study of Australian adults</a> found participants gained 0.5 kilograms on average over the Christmas/New Year period and an average of 0.25 kilograms around Easter.</p> <h2>Why we need to prevent weight creep</h2> <p>It’s important to prevent weight creep for two key reasons:</p> <p><strong>1. Weight creep resets our body’s set point</strong></p> <p>Set-point theory suggests we each have a predetermined weight or set point. Our body works to <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-weight-set-point-and-why-does-it-make-it-so-hard-to-keep-weight-off-195724">keep our weight around this set point</a>, adjusting our biological systems to regulate how much we eat, how we store fat and expend energy.</p> <p>When we gain weight, our set point resets to the new, higher weight. Our body adapts to protect this new weight, making it challenging to lose the weight we’ve gained.</p> <p>But it’s also possible to <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-weight-set-point-and-why-does-it-make-it-so-hard-to-keep-weight-off-195724">lower your set point</a> if you lose weight gradually and with an interval weight loss approach. Specifically, losing weight in small manageable chunks you can sustain – periods of weight loss, followed by periods of weight maintenance, and so on, until you achieve your goal weight.</p> <p><strong>2. Weight creep can lead to obesity and health issues</strong></p> <p>Undetected and unmanaged weight creep <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817436/">can result in</a> obesity which can increase our risk of heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and several types of cancers (including breast, colorectal, oesophageal, kidney, gallbladder, uterine, pancreatic and liver).</p> <p>A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817436/">large study</a> examined the link between weight gain from early to middle adulthood and health outcomes later in life, following people for around 15 years. It found those who gained 2.5 to 10kg over this period had an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, obesity-related cancer and death compared to participants who had maintained a stable weight.</p> <p>Fortunately, there are steps we can take to build lasting habits that will make weight creep a thing of the past.</p> <h2>7 practical steps to prevent weight creep</h2> <p><strong>1. Eat from big to small</strong></p> <p>Aim to consume most of your food earlier in the day and taper your meal sizes to ensure dinner is the smallest meal you eat.</p> <p>A low-calorie or small breakfast <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32073608/">leads to increased feelings of hunger</a>, specifically appetite for sweets, across the course of the day.</p> <p>We burn the calories from a meal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32073608/">2.5 times more efficiently</a> in the morning than in the evening. So emphasising breakfast over dinner is also good for weight management.</p> <p><strong>2. Use chopsticks, a teaspoon or an oyster fork</strong></p> <p>Sit at the table for dinner and use different utensils to encourage eating more slowly.</p> <p>This gives your brain time to recognise and adapt to signals from your stomach <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28718396/">telling you you’re full</a>.</p> <p><strong>3. Eat the full rainbow</strong></p> <p>Fill your plate with vegetables and fruits of different colours first to support eating a high-fibre, nutrient-dense diet that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.</p> <p>Meals also need to be balanced and include a source of protein, wholegrain carbohydrates and healthy fat to meet our dietary needs – for example, eggs on wholegrain toast with avocado.</p> <p><strong>4. Reach for nature first</strong></p> <p>Retrain your brain to rely on nature’s treats – fresh vegetables, fruit, honey, nuts and seeds. In their natural state, these foods release the same pleasure response in the brain as ultra-processed and fast foods, helping you avoid unnecessary calories, sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.</p> <p><strong>5. Choose to move</strong></p> <p>Look for ways to incorporate incidental activity into your daily routine – such as taking the stairs instead of the lift – and <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-exercise-help-you-lose-weight-198292">boost your exercise</a> by challenging yourself to try a new activity.</p> <p>Just be sure to include variety, as doing the same activities every day often results in boredom and avoidance.</p> <p><strong>6. Prioritise sleep</strong></p> <p>Set yourself a goal of getting a minimum of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945708700133">seven hours of uninterrupted sleep</a> each night, and help yourself achieve it by <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms3259">avoiding screens</a> for an hour or <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477153515584979?journalCode=lrtd">two</a> before bed.</p> <p><strong>7. Weigh yourself regularly</strong></p> <p>Getting into the habit of weighing yourself weekly is a guaranteed way <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-often-should-you-really-weigh-yourself-223864">to help avoid the kilos creeping up</a> on us. Aim to weigh yourself on the same day, at the same time and in the same environment each week and use the best quality scales you can afford.</p> <hr /> <p><em>At the Boden Group, Charles Perkins Centre, we are studying the science of obesity and running clinical trials for weight loss. <a href="https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=RKTXPPPHKY">You can register here</a> to express your interest.</em><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/244186/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-fuller-219993">Nick Fuller</a>, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, <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/most-adults-will-gain-half-a-kilo-this-year-and-every-year-heres-how-to-stop-weight-creep-244186">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

World's safest airline for 2025 revealed

<p>The world's safest airline has been revealed, with two major carriers from Down Under nabbing the top two spots in the prestigious AirlineRatings.com rankings. </p> <p>Air New Zealand has been rated the safest airline in the world, with Qantas coming in a close second and only 1.50 points separating the two carriers. </p> <p>Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates came equal third, while Virgin Australia came in fourth and Etihad Airways in fifth. </p> <p>“It was extremely close again between Air New Zealand and Qantas for first place with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines,” AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen said.</p> <p>“While both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continue to have a younger fleet than Qantas which separates the two.”</p> <p>AirlineRatings.com is the world's only safety and product rating website, and Air NZ also won the title last year and in 2022, with Qantas nabbing the top spot in 2023. </p> <p>The watchdog monitors 385 airlines and takes into account serious incidents, recent fatal accidents, audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, profitability, safety initiatives, expert pilot training assessment and fleet age.</p> <p>They also shared the rankings for the safest low-cost airlines, with Cathay Pacific-owned Hong Kong Express claiming the top spot and Qantas-owned Jetstar coming in second. </p> <p>“Everyone at Qantas and Jetstar is incredibly proud of our commitment to safety, which will always be our number one priority. The whole aviation industry is focused on ensuring flying remains the safest way to travel through continual learning and improvement,”  A Qantas Group spokesperson told <em>news.com.au</em>. </p> <p>While Air NZ CEO Greg Foran said: “I’m very proud of our entire Air New Zealand whānau for consistently and diligently putting safety at the forefront of everything we do." </p> <p>“Operational integrity is at the heart of our business. We have a strong culture of safety that puts our team and passengers first. I’m proud of how this culture has been fostered over many years and how it underpins every aspect of the airline’s everyday operations.”</p> <p><strong>The Top 25 World's Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025: </strong></p> <ol> <li>Air New Zealand</li> <li>Qantas</li> <li>Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates</li> <li>Virgin Australia</li> <li>Etihad Airways</li> <li>ANA</li> <li>EVA Air</li> <li>Korean Air</li> <li>Alaska Airlines</li> <li>Turkish Airlines (THY)</li> <li>TAP Portugal</li> <li>Hawaiian Airlines</li> <li>American Airlines</li> <li>SAS</li> <li>British Airways</li> <li>Iberia</li> <li>Finnair</li> <li>Lufthansa/Swiss</li> <li>JAL</li> <li>Air Canada</li> <li>Delta Airlines</li> <li>Vietnam Airlines</li> <li>United Airlines</li> </ol> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

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

<p dir="ltr">An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost.</p> <p dir="ltr">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. </p> <p dir="ltr">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. </p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">"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.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">"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.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

World's oldest man passes away aged 112

<p>The world's oldest man has passed away aged 112. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying that the centenarian spent his final day "surrounded by music and love".</p> <p>Tinniswood, who was born on 26 August 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, became the UK’s oldest man in 2020. </p> <p>In April 2024, he was recognised as the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of Records.</p> <p>Tinniswood, who worked as an accountant for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972, attributed his longevity to "pure luck".</p> <p>"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.</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/DC1Lp79NvYI/?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/DC1Lp79NvYI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>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. </p> <p>"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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>"He really appreciated these birthday greetings and other messages of support."</p> <p>"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."</p> <p>Tinniswood lived through two world wars and served in the British Army Pay Corps in World War II.</p> <p>He is survived by his daughter Susan, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. </p> <p>The world's oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan's Tomiko Itooka, who is currently 116.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram/ Guinness World Records</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

World reacts as Donald Trump wins US election

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

News

Placeholder Content Image

The most underrated Europe destinations to see in 2025

<p dir="ltr">When travellers usually decide to head to Europe on their next holiday, they tend to stick to the capital cities and major tourist attractions. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, there is a lot to be said for going off the beaten track and exploring hidden gems. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.timeout.com/europe/travel/most-underrated-travel-destinations-europe">Time Out</a> has made your next European getaway even easier, compiling a list of the 21 most underrated destinations to put on your 2025 travel bucket list. </p> <p dir="ltr">The influential guide shared their arguments for exploring the lesser known corners of Europe, writing, “This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So there's never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“These destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Coming in at number one on the list is the hidden gem of Ulcinj in Montenegro, which is located at the southern tip of the country.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Time out guide, Ulcinj “provides a different vibe to the more celebrated spots up north. Ulcinj’s Old Town is arguably the most dramatically situated in the country, and its beaches provide excitement and serenity in equal measure.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the entire list of 21 underrated European destinations below. </p> <p dir="ltr">21. Ponza, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">20. Pamukkale, Turkey</p> <p dir="ltr">19. Isles of Scilly, UK</p> <p dir="ltr">18. Landes, France</p> <p dir="ltr">17. Dordrecht, Netherlands</p> <p dir="ltr">16. Imotski Lakes, Croatia</p> <p dir="ltr">15. Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina</p> <p dir="ltr">14. Vilnius, Lithuania</p> <p dir="ltr">13. Faroe Islands</p> <p dir="ltr">12. Extremadura, Spain</p> <p dir="ltr">11. Tartu, Estonia</p> <p dir="ltr">10. Emilia-Romagna, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Cluj-Napoca, Romania</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Bergen, Norway</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Levi, Finnish Lapland</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Gozo, Malta</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Gerês, Portugal</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Aarhus, Denmark</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Ulcinj, Montenegro</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Most popular wedding song revealed

<p dir="ltr">A classic 1980s hit has been crowned the most popular wedding song according to a recent study. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the new research by Breezit, an online wedding vendor search tool that collates data, Whitney Houston’s pop ballad <em>I Wanna Dance With Somebody</em> is the most popular song for couples tying the knot. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 1987 hit, which was on Houston’s second studio album, ‘<em>Whitney</em>’, appeared 484 times across the 2,000 wedding-themed Spotify playlists the company poured through, which contained a total of 49,091 songs.</p> <p dir="ltr">Among thousands of playlists, <em>I Wanna Dance With Somebody</em> featured on more than 24 per cent of those nuptial-centric compilations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Coming in second on the list of most popular wedding songs was ABBA’s 1976 worldwide hit <em>Dancing Queen</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Music plays an incredibly important role in wedding celebrations, and it’s fascinating to see which songs are still hailed as wedding classics, even years after their initial release,” Arturas Asakavicius, co-founder and CEO of Breezit, told <em><a href="https://www.brides.com/all-time-most-popular-wedding-song-new-study-8733497">Brides</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wedding playlists can help create lasting memories” he added, “capturing both the joy of the dance floor and the romance of walking down the aisle. Certain songs have become intertwined with the celebration of a wedding, which is why some have become timeless classics for many couples’ big day.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What’s the most interesting cultural experience you've had while travelling?

<p>When travelling abroad, we are often exposed to new and fascinating cultures that can open our eyes to different ways of life.</p> <p>We asked our readers to share the most interesting cultural experience they've had while travelling, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Sandra Beckett</strong> - Staying overnight in a Ger in Mongolia miles from anywhere, listening to Throat singing accompanied by two traditionally dressed musicians playing Horsehead fiddles. Also, travelling across Russia by train, visiting the Galapagos islands, Skara Brae in the Orkneys, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.</p> <p><strong>Denise Ryan</strong> - Listening to glorious classical music played in Havana’s Plaza de la Catedral and attending a stunning performance of Swan Lake in the Grand Theatre of Havana.</p> <p><strong>Deedee Cullum</strong> - Visiting Ypres in Belgium and staying the night so we could see the evening ceremony at the Menin gate.</p> <p><strong>Alison Davenport</strong> - 50 years ago visiting a Fijian village made me realise everyone didn't live like I did. Have been amazed at all travel experiences since.</p> <p><strong>Glenn Turton</strong> - Staying in a farmhouse in Normandy for a week. Visiting D-Day beaches and Mont St Michel from there and local villages and markets on the days between. Back to the farmhouse each night to cook local produce and sit by an open fire.</p> <p><strong>Karen Psaila</strong> - Sitting in a small ally sipping black sweet tea in Egypt looking at the pyramids and sphinx whilst camels are strolling by. Amazing.</p> <p><strong>Patricia Watson</strong> - Darwin. Spending a day with First Nation Women and Children in the bush and learning about food that grows and is edible in that area.</p> <p><strong>James Langabeer</strong> - This are my three top three most interesting cultural experiences.</p> <p>1. Japan's Tea Ceremony: Attending a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan, where I learned about the intricate rituals and Zen Buddhism's influence.</p> <p>2. Indian Holi Festival: Celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors, in Mumbai, India, surrounded by vibrant colors, music, and joyful locals.</p> <p>3. Moroccan Hammam: Experiencing a traditional Moroccan bathhouse (hammam) in Marrakech, where I discovered local customs and relaxation techniques.</p> <p><strong>Margaret Mason</strong> - Staying for a couple of days in a small, traditional village in China.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Are older adults more vulnerable to scams? What psychologists have learned about who’s most susceptible, and when

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/natalie-c-ebner-1527554">Natalie C. Ebner</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/didem-pehlivanoglu-1527551">Didem Pehlivanoglu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a></em></p> <p>About 1 in 6 Americans <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-states-older-population-grew.html">are age 65 or older</a>, and that percentage <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-older-americans">is projected to grow</a>. Older adults often hold positions of power, have retirement savings accumulated over the course of their lifetimes, and make important financial and health-related decisions – all of which makes them attractive targets for financial exploitation.</p> <p>In 2021, there were more than 90,000 older victims of fraud, according to the FBI. These cases resulted in <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf">US$1.7 billion in losses</a>, a 74% increase compared with 2020. Even so, that may be a significant undercount, since embarrassment or lack of awareness <a href="https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/fraud-victims-11.pdf">keeps some victims from reporting</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://ncea.acl.gov/elder-abuse#gsc.tab=0">Financial exploitation</a> represents one of the most common forms of elder abuse. Perpetrators are often individuals in the victims’ inner social circles – family members, caregivers or friends – but can also be strangers.</p> <p>When older adults experience financial fraud, they typically <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/AgeandFraud/Infographic">lose more money</a> than younger victims. Those losses can have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2012.11">devastating consequences</a>, especially since older adults have limited time to recoup – dramatically reducing their independence, health and well-being.</p> <p>But older adults have been largely neglected in research on this burgeoning type of crime. We are <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/natalie-c-ebner-phd/">psychologists who study social cognition</a> and <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/didem-pehlivanoglu/">decision-making</a>, and <a href="https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/">our research lab</a> at the University of Florida is aimed at understanding the factors that shape vulnerability to deception in adulthood and aging.</p> <h2>Defining vulnerability</h2> <p>Financial exploitation involves a variety of exploitative tactics, such as coercion, manipulation, undue influence and, frequently, some sort of deception.</p> <p>The majority of current research focuses on <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3052">people’s ability to distinguish between truth and lies</a> during interpersonal communication. However, deception occurs in many contexts – increasingly, over the internet.</p> <p>Our lab conducts laboratory experiments and real-world studies to measure susceptibility under various conditions: investment games, lie/truth scenarios, phishing emails, text messages, fake news and deepfakes – fabricated videos or images that are created by artificial intelligence technology.</p> <p>To study how people respond to deception, we use measures like surveys, brain imaging, behavior, eye movement and heart rate. We also collect health-related biomarkers, such as being a carrier of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8346443/">gene variants</a> that increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease, to identify individuals with particular vulnerability.</p> <p>And <a href="https://doi.org/10.20900/agmr20230007">our work</a> shows that an older adult’s ability to detect deception is not just about their individual characteristics. It also depends on how they are being targeted.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=339&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=339&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=339&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593784/original/file-20240513-16-j9zy1i.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A figure with two circles and an arrow between them. One circle shows icons that symbolize individual susceptibility to deception -- like a brain, and a walking cane -- while the other has icons of types of deception, like mail or a text message." /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Vulnerability depends not only on the person, but also the type of fraud being used.</span> <span class="attribution">Natalie Ebner and Didem Pehlivanoglu</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Individual risk factors</h2> <p>Better cognition, social and emotional capacities, and brain health are all associated with less susceptibility to deception.</p> <p>Cognitive functions, such as how quickly our brain processes information and how well we remember it, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691619827511">decline with age</a> and impact decision-making. For example, among people around 70 years of age or older, declines in analytical thinking are associated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000426">reduced ability to detect false news stories</a>.</p> <p>Additionally, low memory function in aging is associated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gby036">greater susceptibility to email phishing</a>. Further, according to recent <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/osf/6f2y9">research</a>, this correlation is specifically pronounced among older adults who carry a gene variant that is a genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Indeed, some research suggests that greater financial exploitability may serve as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104773">an early marker</a> of disease-related cognitive decline.</p> <p>Social and emotional influences are also crucial. Negative mood can enhance somebody’s ability to detect lies, while <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000426">positive mood in very old</a> age can impair a person’s ability to detect fake news.</p> <p>Lack of support and loneliness exacerbate susceptibility to deception. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa077">increased reliance on online platforms</a>, and older adults with lower digital literacy are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac188">more vulnerable to fraudulent emails and robocalls</a>.</p> <p>Finally, an individual’s brain and body responses play a critical role in susceptibility to deception. One important factor is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2020.10.007">interoceptive awareness</a>: the ability to accurately read our own body’s signals, like a “gut feeling.” This awareness is correlated with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.3714">better lie detection</a> in older adults.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx051">a first study</a>, financially exploited older adults had a significantly smaller size of insula – a brain region key to integrating bodily signals with environmental cues – than older adults who had been exposed to the same threat but avoided it. Reduced insula activity is also related to greater difficulty <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218518109">picking up on cues</a> that make someone appear less trustworthy.</p> <h2>Types of effective fraud</h2> <p>Not all deception is equally effective on everyone.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3336141">Our findings</a> show that email phishing that relies on reciprocation – people’s tendency to repay what another person has provided them – was more effective on older adults. Younger adults, on the other hand, were more likely to fall for phishing emails that employed scarcity: people’s tendency to perceive an opportunity as more valuable if they are told its availability is limited. For example, an email might alert you that a coin collection from the 1950s has become available for a special reduced price if purchased within the next 24 hours.</p> <p>There is also evidence that as we age, we have greater difficulty detecting the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”: someone who appears trustworthy, but is not acting in a trustworthy way. In <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50500-x">a card-based gambling game</a>, we found that compared with their younger counterparts, older adults are more likely to select decks presented with trustworthy-looking faces, even though those decks consistently resulted in negative payouts. Even after learning about untrustworthy behavior, older adults showed greater difficulty overcoming their initial impressions.</p> <h2>Reducing vulnerability</h2> <p>Identifying who is especially at risk for financial exploitation in aging is crucial for preventing victimization.</p> <p>We believe interventions should be tailored, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, perhaps machine learning algorithms could someday determine the most dangerous types of deceptive messages that certain groups encounter – such as in text messages, emails or social media platforms – and provide on-the-spot warnings. Black and Hispanic consumers are <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/combating-fraud-african-american-latino-communities-ftcs-comprehensive-strategic-plan-federal-trade/160615fraudreport.pdf">more likely to be victimized</a>, so there is also a dire need for interventions that resonate with their communities.</p> <p>Prevention efforts would benefit from taking a holistic approach to help older adults reduce their vulnerability to scams. Training in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-019-01259-7">financial, health</a> and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08437-0.pdf">digital literacy</a> are important, but so are programs to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10363-1">address loneliness</a>.</p> <p>People of all ages need to keep these lessons in mind when interacting with online content or strangers – but not only then. Unfortunately, financial exploitation often comes from individuals close to the victim.<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/227991/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/natalie-c-ebner-1527554"><em>Natalie C. Ebner</em></a><em>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/didem-pehlivanoglu-1527551">Didem Pehlivanoglu</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher, Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</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/are-older-adults-more-vulnerable-to-scams-what-psychologists-have-learned-about-whos-most-susceptible-and-when-227991">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

World’s longest treasure hunt ends as Golden Owl finally unearthed in France

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">After more than three decades of mystery and intrigue, the world’s longest-running treasure hunt has come to a thrilling conclusion with the discovery of the elusive Golden Owl. Valued at approximately $240,000, the treasure had captivated the imaginations of thousands since it was first buried in France in the early 1990s.</span></p> <p>The hunt began with the publication of the now-famous book, <em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em>, written by communications expert Régis Hauser under the pseudonym “Max Valentin” and illustrated by artist Michel Becker. The 1993 book challenged readers to solve a series of intricate riddles and clues, which, when deciphered, would reveal the owl’s secret location.</p> <p>Despite years of painstaking attempts to crack the mystery, the Golden Owl remained hidden for decades, surviving even its creator. Hauser passed away in 2009, leaving the prize still buried. Michel Becker, who took over the management of the hunt, delivered the long-awaited news on October 3 via an online announcement that sparked a frenzy among treasure hunters: “A potential winning solution is currently being verified.”</p> <p>Two hours later, he confirmed: “Don’t go digging! We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night.”</p> <p>The treasure hunt’s <a href="https://goldenowlhunt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website was also updated with the announcement</a>, bringing an end to a search that has been both thrilling and, for some, overwhelming.</p> <p><strong>The obsession and madness behind the search</strong></p> <p>For over 30 years, the Golden Owl hunt transcended being just a hobby for many treasure hunters and became an all-consuming obsession. While some enjoyed it as a leisurely pursuit, others were driven to extreme lengths – financially, emotionally and mentally. The search for the owl has been linked to personal crises, including financial ruin and broken marriages. At least one individual reportedly ended up in an asylum due to their fixation on solving the hunt’s riddles.</p> <p>The toll wasn’t limited to individuals. Searchers caused considerable disruption across France, digging unauthorised holes in public and private lands. In one eastern French village, the local mayor was forced to plead with hunters to stop digging around its chapel, while in other cases, searchers brought power tools to banks and even considered destroying structures in the hopes of unearthing the treasure.</p> <p><strong>The Golden Owl’s elusive clues</strong></p> <p><em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em> contained a complex series of 11 riddles, each paired with a painting by Becker. The riddles, combined with maps, colours and hidden details, challenged readers to work out the owl’s hidden location.</p> <p>Before his death, Hauser revealed three crucial elements to solving the puzzle:</p> <p>The use of maps: Hunters needed to work with maps to narrow down the search area and use a specific map to pinpoint the final zone.</p> <p>A “mega trick”: This was the key to using the sequence of riddles to locate the final area where the owl was hidden.</p> <p>A final hidden riddle: Once in the final zone, hunters had to uncover one last riddle to lead them to the exact spot of the treasure.</p> <p><strong>Joyous celebration among treasure hunters</strong></p> <p>The treasure-hunting community was overjoyed when the news broke, with many expressing their disbelief and excitement. “Finally – liberated!” exclaimed one fan on the hunt’s Discord forum. Another added, “I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”</p> <p>As of now, the exact location of the owl’s discovery and the identity of the finder remain undisclosed. However, Becker hinted at the complexity involved in concluding this monumental hunt. “Tons of emotions to manage for all those who are responsible for managing the end of this episode and complex logistics to put in place,” he said in a statement on October 6.</p> <p>For now, the Golden Owl, a treasure that has held a generation of sleuths in its grasp, has been unearthed. Yet, the fascination with its story will undoubtedly linger for years to come.</p> <p><em>Images/Illustrations: Michel Becker</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself through travel?

<p>When it comes to travelling, it's not uncommon to have revelations about yourself while self-reflecting in a new place. </p> <p>We asked our readers what the most unexpected thing they've learned about themselves is through travel, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Penny Corbin</strong> - I don't need the cathedrals, monuments, the tours, I just love walking in the space and finding my own beauty wherever it leads me.</p> <p><strong>Dom Cimino</strong> - That I really love meeting people of all backgrounds.</p> <p><strong>Jenny Halkett</strong> - To treat it as an adventure, and don’t be afraid to ask a qualified person for advice.</p> <p><strong>Kristeen Collison</strong> - That I’m more adventurous than I thought.</p> <p><strong>Angie Jansen</strong> - That I love it. Just new places, culture, food, history, the wonderful people, the adventures you have and the memories, it’s the experiencing new things and learning, exploring, being amazed. Just so grateful I can still do it.</p> <p><strong>Palma Hemer </strong>- To have a sense of humour, rain hail or shine.</p> <p><strong>Anne Jenkin</strong> - That I can enjoy the travel by myself but I do like meeting new people on these trips.</p> <p><strong>Kath Sheppard</strong> - To try to learn basic phrases when travelling. It's definitely appreciated.</p> <p><strong>Kerry Fischer</strong> - Soak up the vibe wherever you are! Every place has beauty!</p> <p><strong>Jacqueline Buchanan</strong> - That a smile speaks many languages.</p> <p><strong>Martin Drake</strong> - That there is just too much to see and not enough time.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What movie have you rewatched the most?

<p>We all have our favourite movies. The ones that make us feel comforted and happy each time we rewatch them.</p> <p>We asked our readers what movies they have rewatched the most, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Heather Fuchs</strong> - Pretty Woman, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.</p> <p><strong>Nola Schmidt</strong> - Gone with the Wind, Sound of Music and Breakfast at Tiffanys.</p> <p><strong>Isabel Pritchard</strong> - Love Actually, watched it every Christmas since it was released.</p> <p><strong>Angela Chapman</strong> - The Notebook, Back to the Future trilogy, The Sound of Music, Grease, Sleepless in Seattle, and Sweet Home Alabama.</p> <p><strong>Margie Grass</strong> - Grease! Was watched over and over and over, would finish watching and go "oh let’s do it again". My kids knew the words by heart and did a running commentary when they replayed it again.</p> <p><strong>Naomi Thacker </strong>- The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars. I must have seen it 10 or more times.</p> <p><strong>Terri Cameron</strong> - The Lion King with my eldest grandson who was very young then and is 30 now. Neither of us seemed to tire of it. It was just a wonderful film.</p> <p><strong>Beverley Hoffman</strong> - LOTR, Harry Potter, The Ten Commandments.</p> <p><strong>Christine Thompson</strong> - Sound of Music, Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman. Anything that you would class as a “chick flick” really.</p> <p><strong>Maggie Geeves</strong> - Steel Magnolias.</p> <p><strong>Rhonda Woods</strong> - The Castle. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What is the most expensive place you've visited?

<p>When it comes to travelling, there are some destinations around the world that are definitely more expensive than others. </p> <p>We asked our readers which place left them the most out of pocket, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Angela Budden</strong> - Switzerland for sure. </p> <p><strong>Vera Hunt </strong>- Italy, but it's a beautiful place so worth every cent.</p> <p><strong>Pat Isaacs</strong> - Probably London, back in 2011. Such a contrast to Bali, in 2013. Had two weeks there, total cost was under $1600, including air fare, accommodation, food etc. Just the air fare to London was more than the total cost of my time in Bali.</p> <p><strong>Eileen Dunford</strong> - The Amalfi Coast.</p> <p><strong>Roz Harris</strong> - Ashford Castle in Ireland, but I would give anything to go back again and stay for longer.</p> <p><strong>Valerie Southam</strong> - Iceland and Finland.</p> <p><strong>Peter Connolly</strong> - I think Qatar, although the Netherlands wasn't that far behind.</p> <p><strong>Marirose Piciucco</strong> - Tahiti and Copenhagen.</p> <p><strong>Maree Newhouse</strong> - Iceland, I just came back from there. $48 for a bowl of lamb soup and $52 for a hamburger!</p> <p><strong>Gail Ladds</strong> - Positano in Italy. Cost me $25 for a milkshake about $7 years ago. It was the cost of the view I think.</p> <p><strong>Kevin Chapman</strong> - Hawaii, but worth every penny.</p> <p><strong>Peter Brady</strong> - Everywhere in the US given the lousy exchange rate, the plethora of additional government taxes, and the mandatory 20% tip.</p> <p><strong>Chaz Maree</strong> - Scandinavian countries are very expensive to visit but so beautiful, so who cares.</p> <p><strong>Catherine Cotterell</strong> - Venice, where the traders sting you as fiercely as the mosquitos.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What’s your most memorable birthday party?

<p>One of the best parts of birthdays is celebrating with your loved ones, whether it's a milestone birthday or not. </p> <p>We asked our readers to share the stories from their most memorable birthday parties, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Jill Harker </strong>- My 80th birthday last November! My family organised it! Had no idea who was coming! I'm a big Elvis fan and when I got to the hotel for lunch everybody was holding up an Elvis face in front of their face so I still had no idea who was there! When they took the faces down there were all my family from Queensland including grandchildren and great grandchildren! Plus my 2 sons organised a birthday video message from Tex Walker my favourite footballer! Plus my granddaughter organised a ride in a Cadillac for me! So many wonderful surprises! It was fantastic!</p> <p><strong>Judi Baker </strong>- My 21st. My Mum and Dad were there. Plus my late Mum's 70th and 80th. Both so funny.</p> <p><strong>Annette Guernier Clay</strong> - In 2007 when two good friends and I celebrated our 60th birthdays with a party at the old Cairns Yacht Club. Live band, lots of dancing, loads of friends.</p> <p><strong>Lesley Peacock</strong> - My 21st, as it was the only one I had.</p> <p><strong>Christine Whyte </strong>- Never had children’s birthday party as mine was always with immediate family, but had a memorable 70th last year with my family and 3 grandkids in Townsville.</p> <p><strong>Barbara Jaramenko</strong> - Didn’t have one as there was no money, but just had a homemade birthday cake with siblings which was lovely. </p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - On my 40th, I was a single mum and I held a combined party- my 40th, end of 3rd term (teacher) &amp; taking leave service leave, the Parliamentary election &amp; going overseas! I took a cruise from Singapore for a week, beginning with a Singapore Gin Sling in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. that was pretty memorable. </p> <div dir="auto"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></div>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

"World's biggest" amber nugget worth over $1 million used as doorstop for decades

<p>An elderly woman in Romania has unknowingly used one of the largest known amber nuggets in the world - worth over €1 million ($1.6 million) - as her doorstop for decades. </p> <p>The woman found the stone in the bed of a stream in Colti, a village in the southeast Romania, and used it as her doorstop for years without realising its value. </p> <p>Members of her family also reported that thieves had once broken into her home, but only stole a few pieces of gold jewelry, missing the seemingly insignificant rock. </p> <p>“In their frantic search for valuables, they overlooked the real treasure that was there before their eyes,” they said.</p> <p>It wasn't until after the woman died in 1991 that a relative who inherited her home suspected the doorstop might be more than meets the eye - and he was right. </p> <p>When he sold the amber to the Romanian state, experts at the Museum of History in Krakow, Poland appraised the rock and found that the amber is likely between around 38 and 70 million years old.</p> <p>“Its discovery represents a great significance both at a scientific level and at a museum level,” Daniel Costache, director of the Provincial Museum of Buzau, told  local news outlet <em>El Pais</em>.</p> <p>The expert also claimed that the amber is one of the largest pieces in the world and the largest of its kind weighing a hefty 3.5-kilograms.</p> <p>It has now been classified as a national treasure of Romania, and can be found in the Provincial Museum of Buzau, where it has been since 2022. </p> <p>Romania is one of the countries with significant deposits of amber, with Buzau County being one of the areas where you can find these beautiful stones in abundance. </p> <p>The protected area also contains the old Stramba amber mine, which was very productive during the first half of the 21st century, before it was shut down by the communist regime as it was considered unprofitable. </p> <p><em>Image: Buzău County Museum</em></p>

Home & Garden