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People in the world’s ‘blue zones’ live longer – their diet could hold the key to why

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justin-roberts-1176632">Justin Roberts</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joseph-lillis-1505087">Joseph Lillis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-cortnage-438941">Mark Cortnage</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> Ageing is an inevitable part of life, which may explain our <a href="https://time.com/4672969/why-do-people-want-to-live-so-long/">strong fascination</a> with the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726954">quest for longevity</a>. The allure of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26566891/">eternal youth</a> drives a <a href="https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/longevity-and-anti-senescence-therapy-market-A14010">multi-billion pound industry</a> ranging from anti-ageing products, supplements and <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/longevity-diet">diets</a> for those hoping to extend their lifespan. f you look back to the turn of the 20th century, average life expectancy in the UK was around 46 years. Today, it’s closer to <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/">82 years</a>. We are in fact <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27706136/">living longer than ever before</a>, possibly due to medical advancements and improved <a href="https://www.health.org.uk/publications/reports/mortality-and-life-expectancy-trends-in-the-uk">living and working conditions</a>. But living longer has also come at a price. We’re now seeing higher rates of <a href="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death">chronic and degenerative diseases</a> – with heart disease consistently topping the list. So while we’re fascinated by what may help us live longer, maybe we should be more interested in being healthier for longer. Improving our “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4632858/">healthy life expectancy</a>” remains a global challenge. Interestingly, certain locations around the world have been discovered where there are a high proportion of centenarians who display remarkable physical and mental health. The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15489066/">AKEA study of Sardinia, Italy</a>, as example, identified a “blue zone” (named because it was marked with blue pen), where there was a higher number of locals living in the central-eastern mountainous areas who had reached their 100th birthday compared with the wider Sardinian community. This longevity hotspot has since been expanded, and now includes several other areas around the world which also have greater numbers of longer-living, healthy people. Alongside Sardinia, these blue zones are now <a href="https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81214929">popularly recognised</a> as: Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California. Other than their long lifespans, people living in these zones also appear to share certain other commonalities, which centre around being <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3874460">part of a community</a>, having a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4224996/">life purpose</a>, eating <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33514872/">nutritious, healthy foods</a>, keeping <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-021-01735-7">stress levels</a> low and undertaking purposeful daily <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30202288/">exercise or physical tasks</a>. Their longevity could also relate to their <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9010380/">environment</a>, being mostly rural (or less polluted), or because of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22253498/">specific longevity genes</a>. However, studies indicate genetics may only account for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8786073">around 20-25% of longevity</a> – meaning a person’s lifespan is a complex interaction between lifestyle and genetic factors, which contribute to a long and healthy life. <h2>Is the secret in our diet?</h2> When it comes to diet, each blue zone has its own approach – so one specific food or nutrient does not explain the remarkable longevity observed. But interestingly, a diet rich in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288">plant foods</a> (such as locally-grown vegetables, fruits and legumes) does appear to be reasonably consistent across these zones. For instance, the Seventh-day Adventists of Loma Linda are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10641813/">predominately vegetarian</a>. For centenarians in Okinawa, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20234038/">high intakes of flavonoids</a> (a chemical compound typically found in plants) from purple sweet potatoes, soy and vegetables, have been linked with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11710359/">better cardiovascular health</a> – including lower cholesterol levels and lower incidences of stroke and heart disease. In Nicoya, consumption of locally produced rice and beans has been associated with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34444746/">longer telomere length</a>. Telomeres are the structural part at the end of our chromosomes which protect our genetic material. Our telomeres get shorter each time a cell divides – so get progressively shorter as we age. Certain <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21102320/">lifestyle factors</a> (such as smoking and poor diet) can also shorten telomere length. It’s thought that telomere length acts as a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31728493/">biomarker of ageing</a> – so having longer telomeres could, in part, be linked with longevity. But a plant-based diet isn’t the only secret. In Sardinia, for example, meat and fish is consumed in moderation in addition to locally grown vegetables and <a href="https://journalofethnicfoods.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42779-022-00152-5">traditional foods</a> such as acorn breads, pane carasau (a sourdough flatbread), honey and soft cheeses. Also observed in several blue zone areas is the inclusion of <a href="https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041">olive oil</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33669360/">wine</a> (in moderation – around 1-2 glasses a day), as well as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830687/">tea</a>. All of these contain powerful antioxidants which may help <a href="https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10049696/">protect our cells</a> from damage <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273542/">as we age</a>. Perhaps then, it’s a combination of the protective effects of various nutrients in the diets of these centenarians, which explains their exceptional longevity. Another striking observation from these longevity hot spots is that meals are typically <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7232892">freshly prepared at home</a>. Traditional blue zone diets also don’t appear to contain <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6538973/">ultra-processed foods</a>, fast foods or sugary drinks which may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32330232/">accelerate ageing</a>. So maybe it’s just as important to consider what these longer-living populations are not doing, as much as what they are doing. There also appears to be a pattern of eating until 80% full (in other words partial <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9036399/">caloric reduction</a>. This could be important in also supporting how our cells deal with damage as we age, which could mean a longer life. Many of the factors making up these blue zone diets – primarily plant-based and natural whole foods – are associated with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35706591/">lower risk of chronic diseases</a> such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28728684/">heart disease</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37589638/">cancer</a>. Not only could such diets contribute to a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37836577/">longer, healthier life</a>, but could support a more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33397404/">diverse gut microbiome</a>, which is also associated with healthy ageing. Perhaps then we can learn something from these remarkable centenarians. While diet is only one part of the bigger picture when it comes to longevity, it’s an area we can do something about. In fact, it might just be at the heart of improving not only the quality of our health, but the quality of how we age.<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/221463/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/justin-roberts-1176632">Justin Roberts</a>, Professor of Nutritional Physiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joseph-lillis-1505087">Joseph Lillis</a>, PhD Candidate in Nutritional Physiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-cortnage-438941">Mark Cortnage</a>, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Nutrition, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/people-in-the-worlds-blue-zones-live-longer-their-diet-could-hold-the-key-to-why-221463">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379">Laura Downie</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Blue-light glasses are said to <a href="https://www.baxterblue.com.au/collections/blue-light-glasses">reduce eye strain</a> when using <a href="https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/collections/computer-glasses">computers</a>, improve your <a href="https://www.ocushield.com/products/anti-blue-light-glasses">sleep</a> and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your optometrist can prescribe them. But <a href="https://mivision.com.au/2019/03/debate-continues-over-blue-blocking-lenses/">do they work</a>? Or could they do you harm? We <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">reviewed</a> the evidence. Here’s what we found. <h2>What are they?</h2> Blue-light glasses, blue light-filtering lenses or blue-blocking lenses are different terms used to describe lenses that reduce the amount of short-wavelength visible (blue) light reaching the eyes. Most of these lenses prescribed by an optometrist decrease blue light transmission by <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">10-25%</a>. Standard (clear) lenses do not filter blue light. A wide variety of lens products are available. A filter can be added to prescription or non-prescription lenses. They are widely marketed and are becoming <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">increasingly popular</a>. There’s often an added cost, which depends on the specific product. So, is the extra expense worth it? <h2>Blue light is all around us</h2> Outdoors, sunlight is the main source of blue light. Indoors, light sources – such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the screens of digital devices – emit varying degrees of blue light. The amount of blue light emitted from artificial light sources is much lower than from the Sun. Nevertheless, artificial light sources are all around us, at home and at work, and we can spend a lot of our time inside. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Blue light-filtering lenses block some blue light from screens from reaching the eye" /></a><figcaption>Screens emit blue light. The lenses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/blue-light-blocking-ray-filter-lens-2286229107">Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Our research team at the University of Melbourne, along with collaborators from Monash University and City, University London, sought to see if the best available evidence supports using blue light-filtering glasses, or if they could do you any harm. So we conducted a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">systematic review</a> to bring together and evaluate all the relevant studies. We included all randomised controlled trials (clinical studies designed to test the effects of interventions) that evaluated blue light-filtering lenses in adults. We identified 17 eligible trials from six countries, involving a total of 619 adults. <h2>Do they reduce eye strain?</h2> We found no benefit of using blue light-filtering lenses, over standard (clear) lenses, to reduce eye strain with computer use. This conclusion was based on consistent findings from three studies that evaluated effects on eye strain over time periods ranging from two hours to five days. <h2>Do they help you sleep?</h2> Possible effects on sleep were uncertain. Six studies evaluated whether wearing blue-light filtering lenses before bedtime could improve sleep quality, and the findings were mixed. These studies involved people with a diverse range of medical conditions, including insomnia and bipolar disorder. Healthy adults were not included in the studies. So we do not yet know whether these lenses affect sleep quality in the general population. <h2>Do they boost your eye health?</h2> We did not find any clinical evidence to support using blue-light filtering lenses to protect the macula (the region of the retina that controls high-detailed, central vision). None of the studies evaluated this. <h2>Could they do harm? How about causing headaches?</h2> We could not draw clear conclusions on whether there might be harms from wearing blue light-filtering lenses, compared with standard (non blue-light filtering) lenses. Some studies described how study participants had headaches, lowered mood and discomfort from wearing the glasses. However, people using glasses with standard lenses reported similar effects. <h2>What about other benefits or harms?</h2> There are some important general considerations when interpreting our findings. First, most of the studies were for a relatively short period of time, which limited our ability to consider longer-term effects on vision, sleep quality and eye health. Second, the review evaluated effects in adults. We don’t yet know if the effects are different for children. Finally, we could not draw conclusions about the possible effects of blue light-filtering lenses on many vision and eye health measures, including colour vision, as the studies did not evaluate these. <h2>In a nutshell</h2> Overall, based on relatively limited published clinical data, our review does not support using blue-light filtering lenses to reduce eye strain with digital device use. It is unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep, and no conclusions can be drawn about any potential effects on the health of the retina. High-quality research is needed to answer these questions, as well as whether the effectiveness and safety of these lenses varies in people of different ages and health status. If you have eye strain, or other eye or vision concerns, discuss this with your optometrist. They can perform a thorough examination of your eye health and vision, and discuss any relevant treatment options.<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/213145/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379">Laura Downie</a>, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-blue-light-glasses-really-work-can-they-reduce-eye-strain-or-help-me-sleep-213145">original article</a>.

Body

How to beat the retirement blues

When people plan their retirement they don’t usually expect Post retiring depression (PRD). This kind of depression usually stems from dashed expectations, financial trouble or feeling lost and lonely. That’s why we’ve got four top tips to avoid PRD and enjoy your free time. 1. Plan it out Know what you want to do, not what you think you should be doing. Don’t hold back in indulging yourself, travelling the world, volunteering abroad – the temporary discomfort of not knowing is better than realising when it’s too late that you never completed your bucket list. 2. Routine A sudden lack of structure can become exhausting or at least unsettling. Schedule activities such as exercise, housework, errands, and social time. Then let the day flow from there. 3. Keep active There is a lot of research to show that the people who cope best with retirement are those who stay active and involved. This might include: <ul> <li>Developing an old hobby or starting a new one. </li> <li>Staying physically active, through walking, swimming, gym or sport. Make sure your exercise routine is appropriate for your physical capacities and limitations. </li> <li>Volunteering with a charity or church group. </li> <li>Working part-time. </li> <li>Studying a course.</li> </ul> 4. Stay in touch Loneliness and isolation can be easily avoided, so don’t fall into the trap of feeling alone. Make the effort to stay in contact with family and friends. Offer to babysit your grandchildren. Check out local community centres for upcoming activities you might enjoy. Even if you're not sure try something new, you might surprise yourself! Images: Getty

Retirement Life

"I fell for it!": Boys in blue crash gender reveal party

One Sydney couple have taken their friends and family by surprise with their high-stakes gender reveal, where the father-to-be was apparently put under arrest by two police officers. Mina Ibrahim revealed their elaborate prank with a video posted to his TikTok account. Mina’s video begins with footage of the moment of his ‘arrest’, before it cuts to the TikToker at a later date, explaining that “that’s me being arrested at my baby’s gender reveal.” He goes on to share the full video, and a promise that the ending will answer any questions his viewers may have. In the clip, the parents-to-be can be seen talking to two uniformed NSW ‘police officers’, guests all around them, with Mina asking for onlookers to get their phones out. He then pushes one of the officers, telling them to leave, and both grab him before attempting to handcuff him, while his pregnant partner attempts to intervene. As family members rush to assist, one of the officers calls for everyone to calm down, then delivers news that takes them all by surprise - and delight - by telling them, “it’s a baby girl.” “So it was the cops who announced to everyone that I was having a baby girl,” present-day Mina informed his audience, before noting that there was a fake balloon inside to throw their guests off the surprise scent. <div class="mol-embed" style="margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px; letter-spacing: -0.16px; text-align: center; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"> <blockquote id="v34606683345148116" class="tiktok-embed" style="margin: 18px auto; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; position: relative; width: 605px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.15; overflow: hidden; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: proxima-regular, PingFangSC, sans-serif; max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@mina.ibs/video/7232964823296773383" data-video-id="7232964823296773383" data-embed-from="oembed"><iframe style="letter-spacing: -0.01em; border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 605px; height: 735px; display: block; visibility: unset; max-height: 735px;" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7232964823296773383?lang=en-GB&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-12082153%2FGender-reveal-party-prank-sees-cops-arrest-father-be.html&embedFrom=oembed" name="__tt_embed__v34606683345148116" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin"></iframe></blockquote> </div> The prank attracted thousands of views online, with many flocking to his comments section to share their congratulations with the parents-to-be. Others, while thrilled for them and their happy news, were open about their concern, having fallen for the trick right along with the couple’s loved ones. “I fell for it and I was worried for your wife!!!,” one confessed. “I was freaking out hahahah you got me”. “I was worried too haha … you scared me,” another said. “Omygosh! I was ready to sue them coppas with you!” came one response, “but congratsss! What a way to reveal!” One other simply wanted to know if the entire situation was even allowed, believing that impersonating the police may not be. And another had simply been suspicious from the very start, noting “Broooo the whole time I was like … something ain’t right! He’s not carrying his gun”. Images: TikTok

Family & Pets

Aussie author of "Puberty Blues" dies at 64

Gabrielle Carey, co-author of the iconic novel Puberty Blues, has passed away at 64. The news was reportedly broken by Carey’s old friend and co-writer Kathy Lette, who was the other half of the creative powerhouse that brought Puberty Blues to life. In a post to social media, Lette shared a throwback picture of the pair in their younger years, and wrote, “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news about my old friend Gabrielle Carey. “I have such happy memories of our teenage years. They were halcyon, heady days full of love, laughter and adventure. “We made some mischief and broke some barriers by writing Puberty Blues – our raw, earthy take on the brutal treatment of young women in the Australian surfing scene which is sadly, still so relevant. “My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news about my old friend Gabrielle Carey. I have such happy memories of our teenage years. They were halcyon, heady days full of love, laughter and adventure. 1/2 🧵 <a href="https://t.co/2wZZiRf1hd">pic.twitter.com/2wZZiRf1hd</a> — Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) <a href="https://twitter.com/KathyLette/status/1654136967636959234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> The groundbreaking book they penned together, which went on to be adapted as both a movie and a hit TV series, was a candid - then-controversial - story of two teenage girls growing up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. It pushed boundaries, captivated young audiences while tackling themes many did not expect for said target audience, and is regarded by many as being the first Australian teenage novel to be written by teens. From Puberty Blues, Carey went on to publish memoirs and nonfiction works, with another of her books - her 1984 Just Us, which covered her relationship with rapist and prisoner Terry Haley, who she married while he was imprisoned - also made into a telemovie in 1986. No suspicious circumstances surrounded her death, according to The Australian, though the tragic news comes just months after she wrote about her father’s suicide in The Sydney Morning Herald. At the time, Carey had revealed she was afraid of reaching 64, as that was when he too had passed on. “It was only decades later, when my father died from suicide on the very day he turned 64, that I became terrified of that number,” she wrote. “If I have inherited my father’s disposition for depression, did that mean I would also end up in an early grave? Carey’s early passing is one that has hit her friends and her fans hard, with many joining Lette in sharing their grief and their condolences on social media. “Farewell dear Gabrielle. You were a sister in the cause of mental illness, its impact & our children. I’m enriched for having known you,” one supporter wrote. “Thank you.” “Writer - Reader - Intellectual - Joycean (fanatical) - Elizabeth von Arnim devotee - Avid Gardener - Rose Petal Jam Maker - Football Follower - Kayaker - Yogi - Joker - Irrepressible Spirit - Hobbit - Underground Writer - My Friend,” friend and fellow writer Yumna Kassab wrote. “I will always miss you.” “So sorry for your loss,” one fan said in response to Lette’s tweet. “You have no idea how much as a girl growing up in a coastal town with a surfing scene I understood Puberty Blues. I saw it every day. You & Gabrielle laid it all bare & made girls stand up for themselves. Thank you”. “My deepest condolences Kathy,” another offered. “The two of you wrote something so treasured by Gen X girls. It was our ‘how to say no guide’. Our Teen handbook. But it still let us live our lives & learn as we went. RIP Gabrielle Carey.” Images: Facebook

News

“I didn’t want to come out!”: Spanish mountaineer emerges after 500 days underground

When Spanish mountaineer Beatriz Flamini descended into her cave - and home for the next 500 days - the world was an entirely different place. COVID-19 restrictions were still enforced, Queen Elizabeth II was still alive and on the throne, war hadn’t been declared in Ukraine, and Flamini herself was only 48. She entered the cave on November 20 2021, and while she was forced to surface for eight days while repairs were made to a router - one used for transmitting audio and video - she spent that brief period isolated in a tent. And then, a year and a half later, a 50-year-old Flamini emerged from 230 feet underground outside of Granada, Spain. And while most would be eager for some sunshine and some company after such a stint, Flamini had an entirely different take, informing everyone that she had actually been sound asleep when her team came to collect her. “I thought something had happened,” she said. “I said, ‘already? Surely not.’ I hadn’t finished my book.” And when it came to whether or not she’d struggled while down there, Flamini was quite to declare “never. In fact, I didn’t want to come out!” To keep herself occupied during the marathon stay, Flamini tried her hand at a whole host of popular pastimes, from knitting to exercising, painting, knitting, and reading. The effort paid off, the days flying by as the determined mountaineer successfully lost track of time. “On day 65, I stopped counting and lost perception of time,” she explained. “I didn’t talk to myself out loud, but I had internal conversations and got on very well with myself. “You have to remain conscious of your feelings. If you’re afraid, that’s something natural, but never let panic in, or you get paralysed.” Flamini was given a panic button in case of emergency, but she never felt the need to use it. And while her support team were on hand to give her clean clothing, provide essential food, and remove any waste that had accumulated, they were not to talk to her. “If it’s no communication it’s no communication, regardless of the circumstances,” Flamini said of that particular decision. “The people who know me knew and respected that.” As for what comes next, Flamini will now be studied by a team of experts - psychologists, researchers, and the like - to determine what impact the isolation of her extended time below might have had on her. Images: Getty, Sky News

Travel Trouble

Hill Street Blues star passes away

Hill Street Blues star Barbara Bosson has passed away aged 83. Bosson, who played Fay Furillo in the American police drama, was a popular TV star in the ‘80s, earning five consecutive Emmy nominations for her role. She was also the ex-wife of TV giant Steven Bohcho, who created Hill Street Blues and several other hit shows at the time. The news of Bosson’s death was shared by her son, Jesse Bohcho, who shared an image of he and his mother when he was a child. "More spirit and zest than you could shake a stick at. When she loved you, you felt it without a doubt. If she didn't, you may well have also known that too. Forever in our hearts. I love you Mama. Barbara "Babs" Bosson Bochco 1939-2023," he captioned the image. Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey shared her support, commenting a red heart under Bochco’s Instagram. Bosson was also known for her roles in shows including Murder One, Hooperman and films including Cop Rock and Calendar Girl Murders. Hill Street Blues proved Bosson's main claim to fame, with her leaving the show in 1985 during its sixth season after being fired from the project over creative disagreements. Bosson and Steven Bohcho went on to work together on other projects, including the Rockford Files spin-off Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, Hooperman and the musical Cop Rock. The pair divorced in 1997 but continued to co-parent their son Jesse, who was born in 1975. Steven died in 2018 at the age of 73. Further details of Bosson’s death are yet to be revealed. Image credit: Instagram

News

How to make the most of your hard-earned savings

When you have a lump sum of money, it can often be very confusing to know what to do with it, when putting it into a bank offers little in the way of interest or reward. Chances are you might have been neglecting your savings, leaving them languishing in accounts that pay very little, if anything at all. But there is a better option that could see you drastically increasing your savings. A term deposit taker, such as boutique investment company Blue Sky money, can offer you far greater returns on your deposit – an impressive 7 per cent, around twice that which banks offer. Better yet, with all profits staying within and benefiting the community, you can also enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping to make a difference to New Zealanders while growing your nest egg. <a href="https://blueskymoney.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/Blue-Sky-7.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1062" /></a> Set and forget Most of us are far too busy and time-poor to spend too much time tending to our finances. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see them grow! At Blue Sky money, with a minimum deposit of $30,000 and a minimum 12-month fixed term, you don’t need to think about anything. You’ll have your own personal customer service agent, and can just sit back and watch as your interest is calculated and paid into your account monthly – no fees, no charges. Believing that looking after your finances should be a pleasure, not a chore, Blue Sky money prides itself on offering a superior service and being far more user friendly than banks, so not only will your money work harder, but you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of feeling part of a financial family that truly cares about your wellbeing. Blue Sky money can also assist with small to medium loans for land, houses or other assets, are on hand to help with reverse mortgages and are even investing in retirement villages. And in an exciting new addition, from 2023 Blue Sky is launching its own travel club for all those who place their deposits. You’ll receive special deals and tour packages, ensuring your money goes even further, while enjoying everything the world has to offer. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/money-laptop-happy-GettyImages-1307391886.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Improving New Zealanders’ lives And while getting some much-needed extra cash seems like a pretty good deal all on its own, you’ll also have the piece of mind of knowing that with Blue Sky money – a family run business owned by Blue Sky charity, which is registered in New Zealand – all profits stay within New Zealand. With a philosophy of trying to make the world a better place, Blue Sky invests in research and development to better New Zealanders lives – everything from groundbreaking cancer treatment using ultrasound, to sustainable energy, sea trailers and indestructible home builds. Blue Sky money can also assist with small to medium loans for land, houses or other assets, and are available to help with reverse mortgages. And in an exciting new addition, from 2023 Blue Sky is launching its own travel club, where you can receive special deals and tour packages. So if you’re looking to make your savings work harder for you, while aligning yourself with a humanitarian company that’s working to improve the lives of New Zealanders, be sure to get in touch with the Blue Sky team at <a href="https://blueskymoney.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blueskymoney.co.nz</a> <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/tropical-island-GettyImages-1360554439.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Images: Supplied. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://blueskymoney.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue Sky money</a>.

Money & Banking

"So proud": Blue Wiggle's daughter joins the cast

The daughter of Blue Wiggle Anthony Field has shared she has joined the children's entertainment group as a dancer. Lucia Field, 17, made the announcement on her TikTok account, as she shared a throwback picture of her and her famous dad with Dorothy the Dinosaur. She wrote, "I never would've believed you if 16 years ago you told me I'd be here." She then shared a photo of her in a blue skivvy dancing in front of the giant Wiggles logo. The video, which was posted on the offical Wiggles account, was flooded with comments of people cheering on the new dance member. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7132666717473344769&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40thewiggles%2Fvideo%2F7132666717473344769%3Fis_copy_url%3D1%26is_from_webapp%3Dv1%26lang%3Den&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Anthony also commented, saying he was "so proud" of his daughter. Lucia graduated from high school in December last year, with her excited father sharing a photo to Instagram of them together at her formal. In addition to Lucia, Anthony is father to daughter Marie, 16, and son Antonio, 14, whom he shares with his wife of 18 years, Michaela Patisteas. Anthony joined The Wiggles in 1979 alongside retired members Murray Cook, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt. The trio were replaced by 'Yellow Wiggle' Emma Watkins, who left the group in October last year, 'Purple Wiggle' Lachlan Gillespie and 'Red Wiggle' Simon Pryce. Image credits: TikTok

Family & Pets

Warming oceans may force New Zealand’s sperm and blue whales to shift to cooler southern waters

The world’s oceans are absorbing more than <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90% of the excess heat and energy</a> generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions. But, as the oceans keep warming, rising sea temperatures generate unprecedented cascading effects that include the melting of polar ice, rising seas, marine heatwaves and ocean acidification. This in turn has profound impacts on marine biodiversity and the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities, especially in island nations such as New Zealand. In our latest <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22007075?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, we focused on great whales – sperm and blue whales in particular. They are crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but have limited options to respond to climate change: either adapt, die, or move to stay within optimal habitats. We used mathematical models to predict how they are likely to respond to warming seas by the end of the century. Our results show a clear southward shift for both species, mostly driven by rising temperatures at the sea surface. <h2>Computing the fate of whales</h2> Data on the local abundance of both whales species are <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v690/p201-217/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deficient</a>, but modelling provides a powerful tool to predict how their range is likely to shift. We used a <a href="http://macroecointern.dk/pdf-reprints/AraujoNew2007.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">combination of mathematical models</a> (known as correlative species distribution models) to predict the future range shifts of these whale species as a response to three future climate change scenarios of differing severity, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCC</a>). We applied these models, using the whales’ present distributions, to build a set of environmental “rules” that dictate where each species can live. Using climate-dependent data such as sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll A (a measure of phytoplankton growth), as well as static data such as water depth and distance to shore, we applied these rules to forecast future habitat suitability. We chose a scenario of “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00177-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modest</a>” response to cutting greenhouse gas emissions (the IPCC’s mitigation strategy RCP4.5), which is the most likely given the current policies, and a worst-case scenario (no policy to cut emissions, RCP8.5), assuming the reality will likely be somewhere between the two. Our projections suggest current habitats in the ocean around the North Island may become unsuitable if sea-surface temperatures continue to rise. These range shifts become even stronger with increasing severity of climate change. For sperm whales, which are currently abundant off Kaikōura where they support eco-tourism businesses, the predicted distribution changes are even more evident than for blue whales, depending on the climate change scenario. While our results do not predict an overall reduction in suitable habitat that would lead to local extinctions, the latitudinal range shifts are nevertheless bound to have important ecological consequences for New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. <h2>How whales maintain ecosystems</h2> Great whales are marine ecosystem engineers. They modify their habitats (or create new ones), to suit their needs. In fact, these activities create conditions that other species rely on to survive. They engineer their environment on several fronts. By feeding in one place and releasing their faeces in another, whales convey minerals and other nutrients such as nitrogen and iron from the deep water to the surface, as well as across regions. This process, known as a “<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whale pump</a>”, makes these nutrients available for phytoplankton and other organisms to grow. This is very important because phytoplankton contributes about <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/plankton-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of all oxygen to the atmosphere</a> and also captures <a href="https://www.imf.org/Publications/fandd/issues/2019/12/natures-solution-to-climate-change-chami" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 40% of all released carbon dioxide</a>. By helping the growth of phytoplankton, whales indirectly contribute to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tiny-plankton-drive-processes-in-the-ocean-that-capture-twice-as-much-carbon-as-scientists-thought-136599" target="_blank" rel="noopener">natural ocean carbon sink</a>. On top of this, each great whale accumulates about <a href="https://www.arcticwwf.org/the-circle/stories/protecting-the-earth-by-protecting-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 tonnes of carbon dioxide in their body</a>, which they take to the ocean floor when they die and their carcass sinks. <figure></figure> Ultimately, the impact of warming oceans on whale distribution is an additional stress factor on ecosystems already under pressure from wider threats, including acidification, pollution and over-exploitation. <h2>A way forward to help whales</h2> Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales (odontocetes) and deep-diving apex predators. They primarily feed on squid and fish that live near the bottom of the sea. Blue whales are baleen whales (mysticetes) and filter small organisms from the water. They feed at the surface on zooplankton, particularly dense krill schools along coastlines where cold water from the deep ocean rises toward the surface (so-called <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upwelling areas</a>). These differences in feeding habits lead to divergent responses to ocean warming. Blue whales show a more distinct southerly shift than sperm whales, particularly in the worst-case scenario, likely because they feed at the surface where ocean warming will be more exacerbated than in the deep sea. Both species have important foraging grounds off New Zealand which may be compromised in the future. Sperm whales are currently occurring regularly off Kaikōura, while blue whales forage in the South Taranaki Bight. Despite these ecological differences, our results show that some future suitable areas around the South Island and offshore islands are common to both species. These regions could be considered sanctuaries for both species to retreat to or expand their habitat in a warming world. This should warrant <a href="https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/Environmental-Report-Card-Marine-Areas-with-Legal-protection_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased protection of these areas</a>. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/warming-oceans-may-force-new-zealands-sperm-and-blue-whales-to-shift-to-cooler-southern-waters-188522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Landslide victim identified

The victim of the Blue Mountains landslip has been identified as Mehraab Nazir, a British Lawyer who was holidaying in Australia, and his 9-year-old son. Both bodies were recovered on Tuesday the 5th of April. Mr Nazir, 49, had been on a hike with his family in the Wentworth Pass area of the Blue Mountains, a national park west of Sydney in NSW on Monday, when the incident occurred. Mr Nazir's wife remains in a critical condition in an intensive care unit, while another son, 14, has undergone surgery and is in a stable condition. His 15-year-old daughter walked from the scene and is under observation in hospital. Mr Nazir was a partner at law firm Watson Farley & Williams and was based in its Singapore office. "It is with the greatest sadness that we must confirm that our dear friend and colleague Mehraab Nazir, a partner in our Singapore office, tragically lost his life in a landslide in Australia earlier this week alongside his young son," the company said in a statement. "We will be remembering and honouring Mehraab, however, with the surviving members of the family in serious conditions or in shock, we ask that you respect their privacy and grief at this incredibly difficult time." NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is seeking advice as to whether the walking track should have been open given recent heavy rain in area. "Obviously, the Blue Mountains is a place where people love to go trekking. It's one of the wonders of the world but when those tragedies occur it would be remiss of any government not to act." Following the removal of the bodies, the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage announced that the area was closed to the public until further notice and a "comprehensive review" would be undertaken. The department said it had a program to assess geotechnical risks and maintain the safety of walking tracks and that the walking track was inspected in the days leading up to the landslip. Image: Nine News

News

Young girl's desperate walk to safety after deadly landslide

The victims of a horror landslide in the NSW Blue Mountains have been identified as a British family of five holidaying in Australia. The father, 49, and his nine-year-old son died at the scene after the family was caught in a landslide on a Wentworth Falls walking track at around 1.30pm on Monday afternoon. The 50-year-old mother and 14-year-old son, both found in critical condition, were winched out that evening and taken to hospital. They remain in critical condition. The couple’s 15-year-old daughter escaped injury, with NSW Police saying she was walked from the location by emergency services and treated for shock. It is understood the young girl also assisted rescuers on the ground, as reported by <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/blue-mountains-wentworth-falls-landslide-hikers-trapped/18dff055-80de-4549-a5c5-371704d0e7a0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a>. Police have confirmed the family were visiting from the United Kingdom, and that the British consulate is assisting with the incident. With the dense bush making the rescue even more difficult, two police helicopters and special operations paramedics were among those enlisted to help. Seven road crews and two road crews were also dispatched to the scene by NSW Ambulance. “Unfortunately there’s been a landslip while they were bushwalking and a man and a boy have passed away,” NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Nelson told reporters. “In terms of the site, it’s extremely dangerous and unstable. “Two other patients are critical, with head and abdominal injuries, requiring sedation before extraction.” NSW Ambulance superintendent Stewart Clarke addressed the incident on Monday night, telling the media it was “absolutely heartbreaking”. “This is absolutely heartbreaking for all involved and a truly tragic ending to what I’m sure was meant to be a pleasant day out,” he said. “It is terribly sad to have lost two lives here today and my heart goes out to the families and the survivors of this horrific ordeal who have witnessed what is certainly a traumatic event.” Trish Doyle, the Labor MP for the Blue Mountains, and the Wentworth Falls City - Blue Mountains Council Deputy Mayor, Romola Hollywood, both shared their condolences to the family online. “My heart goes out to this family, their friends and community, on behalf of ours,” Ms Doyle commented on a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/posts/352525600253199" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> from NSW Police about the incident. “I extend the deepest respect to our Blue Mountains Police Rescue, Special Ops Paramedics & all first responders - for your traumatic but crucial work. Thank you.” “Our hearts go out to the family in these tragic circumstances. So incredibly sad,” Ms Hollywood also commented. “And we hope the woman and boy in hospital make a strong and speedy recovery. “Deepest thanks to our first responders for your amazing work in difficult circumstances and thanks to all who support them too. Take care everyone too.” The devastating incident comes after weeks of heavy rain across the state forced the National Parks and Wildlife Service to close several popular tracks due to “flood damage and ongoing rockfall risk”. All tracks in the area have been closed since the incident. A coroner’s report will be prepared for the man and young boy, as Blue Mountains police return to the area to retrieve their bodies. Image: 9News

News

How to roll away all your sore back blues

We all know that working a 9-5 and sitting all day leads to various health problems. For me personally, it manifests itself through chronic back pain and tight hip flexors. Fortunately, there's a way for me to soothe these aches and pains from home. I've been using <a href="https://www.therabody.com/anz/en-nz/wave-roller-anz.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Therabody's Wave Roller</a> for the past week, and my back pain has significantly reduced. The Wave Roller is a Bluetooth-enabled vibrating foam roller that proposes benefits like increasing blood flow, enhancing mobility, and releasing tension. You can connect the roller to a free Therabody App, where you can find personalised recovery routines targeting all parts of your body, along with instructions and how-tos. Here are some of my initial thoughts. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/03_RizWaveroller01.jpg" alt="Therabody Wave Roller in use" width="1280" height="720" /> My personal favourites are the mid back and upper back routines, which take up to 5 minutes to complete. Since most of the tension is in my upper body, which causes my lower back to overcompensate, I've decided to focus on these areas. The foam roller comes with a bag and charger and is reasonably lightweight, so you could easily carry it around. The foam itself is a high-density foam, and I like that you can customise the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. There are five customised vibration settings, with 5 being the highest and most intense. I could only handle up to the third setting or the medium-intensity. But, the higher the intensity, the more noise it produces, although I didn't mind it so much for the other benefits it provided. The routines are easy to follow, with pictures demonstrating each move and seamless transitions from one exercise to the next. I also liked that the intensity of the vibrations automatically changes according to what's best for that particular movement. I would have loved seeing a video demonstration before each routine, as I wasn't sure if I was doing some of the exercises quite correctly. I also found that the Wave Roller can be slippery to use in some movements, like when I tried it on my rotator cuffs. Despite this, the Wave Roller is a pleasure to use after a long day, when my muscles are the most tense. I find it a helpful tool in managing pain, soreness, and releasing tension. Although it is on the higher end of the price range compared to other foam rollers, I think it's worth the investment. The technology is advanced, and you can personalise the areas you want to work on using the step-by-step programs in their app. It also feels like you're getting a massage, but it's more personalised and customisable. If using the app seems intimidating or too complicated, you can use the Wave Roller by itself and adjust the intensity using the + and - buttons. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/02_RizWaveroller.jpg" alt="Therabody Wave Roller" width="1280" height="720" /> In summary, here are the pros and cons to consider if you're thinking of purchasing one for yourself. Pros: <ul> <li>Relieves soreness and muscle tension</li> <li>Variety of settings for the vibrations</li> <li>App integration </li> <li>Personalised programs that are quick and easy to follow</li> <li>3-hour battery life and it doesn’t take too long to charge</li> </ul> Cons: <ul> <li>The cost (RRP AU$249), but worth every penny! </li> <li>Medium to High setting intense and pretty noisy </li> <li>Depending on the exercise you do it can be quite slippery</li> <li>Video demonstrations before each exercise would be even better </li> </ul> The Wave Roller series is available via the <a href="https://www.therabody.com/anz/en-nz/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Therabody website</a>. Images: Rizna Mutmainah & Therabody

Body

Man charged with murder of missing 9-year-old

Image: NSW Police A man has been charged with murder after nine-year-old Charlise Mutten disappeared from the Blue Mountains last Thursday. Police have arrested a 32-year-old at a unit in Surry Hills, in central Sydney, at about 8:30 pm on Tuesday evening, and he is due to appear in Central Local Court late on Wednesday. NSW Police established Strike Force Buena to investigate Charlise's disappearance. Last Friday morning she was reported missing, officers last night carried out a search at Colo River, about an hour from the Blue Mountains. It is unclear if anything was found. The young girl was a student from Tweed Heads Public School, who lived with her grandmother in Coolangatta, Queensland. She was holidaying in the Blue Mountains with her mother, Kallista Mutten. The pair were staying at a wedding and function venue when she disappeared last Thursday afternoon. Ms Mutten reported her daughter missing the next morning but police haven't revealed whether she was formally interviewed since she was hospitalised for a medical condition. NSW homicide detectives joined the investigation on Monday. Volunteers helping with the search were instructed to call out Charlise's name loudly and told to flag any evidence with police before touching it. They were also told to search for anything out of the ordinary including footprints or bike tracks. A large-scale search had been underway in the area since late last week, with a hundred emergency services staff on the ground and in the air. Police divers spent hours searching the Hawkesbury River in Windsor, with Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers also joined the search. On Monday morning police searched a cubby house on a neighbouring property but found nothing.

News

Blue-sky thinking: net-zero aviation is more than a flight of fantasy

As international air travel rebounds after COVID-19 restrictions, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation are expected to rise dramatically – and with it, scrutiny of the industry’s environmental credentials. Aviation emissions have almost <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2253626-aviations-contribution-to-global-warming-has-doubled-since-2000/">doubled since 2000</a> and in 2018 reached <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-aviation">one billion tonnes</a>. Climate Action Tracker rates the industry’s climate performance as <a href="https://climateactiontracker.org/sectors/aviation/">critically insufficient</a>. As the climate change threat rapidly worsens, can aviation make the transition to a low-carbon future – and perhaps even reach net-zero emissions? The significant technological and energy disruption on the horizon for the industry suggests such a future is possible. But significant challenges remain. Achieving a net-zero aviation sector will require a huge collaborative effort from industry and government – and consumers can also play their part. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nW6J989UBhA?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <h2>Build back better</h2> The aviation sector’s progress in cutting emissions has been disappointing to date. For example, in February last year, <a href="https://theconversation.com/major-airlines-say-theyre-acting-on-climate-change-our-research-reveals-how-little-theyve-achieved-127800">research</a> on the world’s largest 58 airlines found even the best-performing ones were not doing anywhere near enough to cut emissions. Most recently, at the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, the industry merely reasserted a commitment to a plan known as the <a href="https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Pages/default.aspx">Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation</a>. The scheme relies on carbon offsetting, which essentially pays another actor to reduce emissions on its behalf at lowest cost, and doesn’t lead to absolute emissions reduction in aviation. The scheme also encourages alternative cleaner fuels, but the level of emissions reduction between fuels varies considerably. Governments have generally failed to provide strong leadership to help the aviation sector to reduce emissions. This in part is because pollution from international aviation is not counted in the emissions ledger of any country, leaving little incentive for governments to act. Aviation is also a complex policy space to navigate, involving multiple actors around the world. However, COVID-19 has significantly jolted the aviation and travel sector, presenting an opportunity to build back better – and differently. Griffith University recently held a <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/institute-tourism/our-research/rethinking-aviation/aviation-reimagined-2021?fbclid=IwAR3Hd8xLJkEWMaHae8sho1MiSfV6TzbPbf30vo2fbJ0CHMg-xdvywNCmZbU">webinar series</a> on decarbonising aviation, involving industry, academic and government experts. The sessions explored the most promising policy and practical developments for net-zero aviation, as well as the most significant hurdles. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437570/original/file-20211214-25-1rc1cnc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="passengers queue at airport" /> COVID-19 has significantly jolted the aviation sector. Steven Senne/AP <h2>Nations soaring ahead</h2> Some governments are leading the way in driving change in the aviation industry. For example, as a result of <a href="https://www.government.se/495f60/contentassets/883ae8e123bc4e42aa8d59296ebe0478/the-swedish-climate-policy-framework.pdf">government policy</a> to make Sweden climate-neutral by 2045, the Swedish aviation industry developed a <a href="https://fossilfrittsverige.se/en/roadmap/the-aviation-industry/#:%7E:text=The%20strategic%20objective%20for%202030,line%20with%20the%20Government%27s%20goals">roadmap</a> for fossil-free domestic flights by 2030, and for all flights originating from Sweden to be fossil-free by 2045. Achieving fossil-free flights requires replacing jet fuel with alternatives such as sustainable fuels or electric and hydrogen propulsion. The European Union plans to <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_3662">end current tax exemptions</a> for jet fuel and introduce measures to <a href="https://www.eurocontrol.int/article/eus-fit-55-package-what-does-it-mean-aviation">accelerate</a> the uptake of sustainable fuels. The United Kingdom is finalising its strategy for <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/achieving-net-zero-aviation-by-2050">net-zero aviation</a> by 2050 and a public body known as UK Research and Innovation is <a href="https://www.ukri.org/our-work/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/future-of-mobility/future-flight-challenge/">supporting</a> the development of new aviation technologies, including hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Australia lacks a strategic framework or emissions reduction targets to help transition the aviation industry. The <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/emerging-aviation-technologies/drones/eatp">Emerging Aviation Technology Program</a> seeks to reduce carbon emissions, among other goals. However, it appears to have a strong focus on freight-carrying drones and <a href="https://www.greenbiz.com/article/7-urban-air-mobility-companies-watch">urban air vehicles</a>, rather than fixed wing aircraft. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437569/original/file-20211214-13-lsswi6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="plane taking off" /> Some governments are leading the way in driving change in the aviation industry. Zhao Xiaojun/AP <h2>Building tomorrow’s aircraft</h2> Low-emissions aircraft technology has developed substantially in the last five years. Advancements include electric and hybrid aircraft (powered by hydrogen or a battery) – such as that being developed by <a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/innovation/zero-emission/hydrogen/zeroe">Airbus</a>, <a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/innovation/accel.aspx">Rolls Royce</a> and <a href="https://www.zeroavia.com/">Zero Avia</a> – as well as <a href="https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2021-07-14-Boeing-and-SkyNRG-Partner-to-Scale-Sustainable-Aviation-Fuels-Globally">sustainable aviation fuels</a>. Each of these technologies can reduce carbon emissions, but only battery and hydrogen electric options significantly reduce non-CO₂ climate impacts such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), soot particles, oxidised sulphur species, and water vapour. For electric aircraft to be net-zero emissions, they must be powered by renewable energy sources. As well as being better for the planet, electric and hydrogen aircraft are likely to have <a href="https://www.zeroavia.com/">lower</a> energy and maintenance <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/electric-aviation-could-be-closer-than-you-think/">costs</a> than conventional aircraft. This decade, we expect a rapid emergence of electric and hybrid aircraft for short-haul, commuter, air taxi, helicopter and general flights. Increased use of sustainable aviation fuel is also likely. Although electric planes are flying, commercial operations are not expected until at least 2023 as the aircraft must undergo rigorous testing, safety and certification. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437571/original/file-20211214-23-1clsep1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A solar powered aircraft prototype flies in mountainous terrain" /> Electric planes exist, but the route to commercialisation is long. Pictured: a solar powered aircraft prototype flies near the France-Italy border. Laurent Gillieron/EPA <h2>Overcoming turbulence</h2> Despite real efforts by some industry leaders and governments towards making aviation a net-zero industry, significant strategic and practical challenges remain. Conversion to the commercial mainstream is not happening quickly enough. To help decarbonise aviation in Australia, industry and government should develop a clear strategy for emissions reduction with interim targets for 2030 and 2040. This would keep the industry competitive and on track for net-zero emissions by 2050. Strategic attention and action is also needed to: <ul> <li> advance aircraft and fuel innovation and development </li> <li> update regulatory and certification processes for new types of aircraft </li> <li> enhance production and deployment of new aviation fuels and technologies </li> <li> reduce fuel demand through efficiencies in route and air traffic management </li> <li> create “greener” airport operations and infrastructure </li> <li> build capability with pilots and aerospace engineers. </li> </ul> The emissions created by flights and itineraries can <a href="https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/variation-aviation-emissions-itinerary-jul2021-1.pdf">vary substantially</a>. Consumers can do their part by opting for the lowest-impact option, and offsetting the emissions their flight creates via a <a href="https://theconversation.com/flying-home-for-christmas-carbon-offsets-are-important-but-they-wont-fix-plane-pollution-89148">credible program</a>. Consumers can also choose to fly only with airlines and operators that have committed to net-zero emissions. Net-zero aviation need not remain a flight of fantasy, but to make it a reality, emissions reduction must be at the heart of aviation’s pandemic bounce-back.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/171940/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-rachel-whittlesea-1280917">Emma Rachel Whittlesea</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tim-ryley-1253269">Tim Ryley</a>, Professor and Head of Griffith Aviation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/blue-sky-thinking-net-zero-aviation-is-more-than-a-flight-of-fantasy-171940">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

One last look for dying woman

Image: Ambulance NSW Two paramedics in NSW have given a very special treat to one palliative care patient, taking her to The Three sisters in the Blue Mountains for one last look. Penrith woman Evelyn Collins suffered from dementia and was diagnosed with Leukaemia in October, and as part of her treatment is taken to Katoomba’s Blue Mountains Hospital for blood transfusions. While under the care of paramedics Judy Andrews and Mike Horan, the 85-year-old was treated to a heart-warming surprise. “We were asked to take her to Blue Mountains as it was quieter and even though she had dementia as soon as we walked outside she said the fresh air was beautiful,” Ms Andrews told the Western Weekender. “As she was not at risk and just receiving treatment and we had a quiet moment, we decided to take her to the lookout to show her the view on the way.” She added that she never could’ve predicted the impact the moment had on Ms Collins and her family. “We wheeled her down and as she was looking around she had this moment of clarity and said she remembered coming there a long time ago with her husband,” Ms Andrews said of the experience. “She had this beautiful glow and look of happiness on her face so I took a photo to send to her daughter Kim, who said the family was overwhelmed that we would take the time to do that.” Ms Collins said it was “lovely” that the paramedics thought to take her there. “It made me feel special. It makes all the difference when you are treated with patience and kindness,” she said. After two years on the pandemic frontline, Ms Andrews said paramedics pride themselves on providing high levels of care to each patient. After sharing the photo on Facebook, NSW Ambulance were flooded with comments on the “beautiful gesture”. “Thank you for being so generous … the world is a better place having you both in it,” one woman commented. While another wrote: “It’s these special moments that make the job mean something. In all the usual nightmares that we all face, it’s these times that have the biggest effect on us. These times and these memories where you become a part of someone’s journey – whether it’s the beginning or the end, it’s these moments that stick with us forever.” “So much respect for our first responders. This is the most beautiful act of kindness,” added another.

Caring

Blue Wiggle's stunning gesture for late veteran's family

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field has donated all his latest album's royalties to the family of a war veteran who passed away from cancer at age 30. Afghanistan veteran Brendan Nikolajew <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/tragic-update-from-wife-of-terminally-ill-veteran" target="_blank">died</a> on July 29 this year after fighting testicular cancer on-and-off for the past three years. A few weeks prior, the Blue Wiggle <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/veteran-with-terminal-cancer-speechless-after-blue-wiggle-s-kind-act" target="_blank">promised</a> to donate the royalties from the group’s latest album, Lullabies With Love, and has lived up to his word. After giving Mr Nikolajew all of his songwriting credits, the royalties will now go to his wife Leah, and their two young children. “I took my name off all the songwriting and put Brendan’s name instead, and gave him all the royalties and credits,” the musician <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-16/blue-wiggle-donates-aria-nominated-album-to-veterans-family/100620444" target="_blank">said</a>. He said Mr Nikolajew found the situation to be quite amusing. “We had a good laugh about this, because it’s nominated for an ARIA award, so if we win the ARIA that ARIA is going straight to Leah and the family, and we’ll get Brendan’s name engraved on it,” Field explained. “It would be fantastic — I mean, he’s got so many medals from his service and now he might end up with an ARIA too. “He was hoping to still be around for the ARIAs. He was going to take his daughter and son.” Field, a fellow Army veteran, became acquainted with Mr Nikolajew two and half years ago, and described him as “one in a million”. “He’s one of those people you are very lucky to meet in your life,” the 58-year-old said. “I learnt so much from that young man. He taught me how to live and boy, did he teach me how to die.” Just before Mr Nikolajew passed away, Field said the pair spoke about the loss of his niece. “Brendan lost his niece in the lead-up to his death and we had a good talk about it,” Field recalled. “I said to Brendan, ‘What’s going to happen when you pass over?’ “He said, ‘I’m going straight to my little niece’ — that’s the sort of man he was and I know he would be there now, looking after her.” Mr Nikolajew’s status as an ARIA award winner is yet to be determined, with the winners to be announced on November 24. Images: @anthony_wiggle / @brendans.cancer.fight (Instagram)

Music

Dean Stockwell, star of Quantum Leap and Blue Velvet, dies at 85

Actor Dean Stockwell has passed away at the age of 85. According to a family spokesperson, Stockwell died of natural causes at home over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy that includes an early career as a child actor before quitting the industry at the age of 16, only to be drawn back into it in his 20s, where he would go on to star in films such as Quantum Leap, Blue Velvet, Dune, and Married to the Mob. His family said in a statement, "Dean spent a lifetime yo-yoing back and forth between fame and anonymity," his family said in a statement. Because of that, when he had a job, he was grateful. He never took the business for granted. He was a rebel, wildly talented and always a breath of fresh air." Stockwell, born to actor parents, grew up in North Hollywood, and started his career as a child actor during Hollywood’s Golden Age, making his Broadway debut in 1943 before being signed to a contract with MGM that saw him starring alongside Gregory Peck in The Valley of Decision and Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in Anchors Aweigh, both when he was just nine years old. In 1947, at the age of 11, he starred alongside Peck once more in Elia Kazan’s Gentlemen’s Agreement, playing Peck’s son. The 1950s saw him move back and forth between film and the emerging medium of television, before taking a break in 1951 and not acting again until 1956. The late 50s, 60s, and 70s saw Stockwell primarily appearing in countless television shows such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dr Kildare, Bonanza, and Wagon Train, although there were a few memorable forays into film, including a role in Psych Out alongside Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🎶 In Dreams 🎶 The late Dean Stockwell in David Lynch’s BLUE VELVET (1986) 💙🎙 <a href="https://t.co/H3wZmmyvMC">pic.twitter.com/H3wZmmyvMC</a> — Criterion Collection (@Criterion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Criterion/status/1458130558584774656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2021</a></blockquote> The 80s saw him star in some of his most memorable roles, such as Walt Henderson in Paris, Texas, and Ben in David Lynch’s 1986 film Blue Velvet, after previously working with Lynch in his 1984 adaptation of Dune. For his role as Tony “the Tiger” Russo in the 1988 film Married to the Mob, Stockwell was nominated for an Oscar. Another memorable role of Stockwell’s was that of Admiral ‘Al’ Calavicci in the sci-fi series Quantum Leap, which ran for five seasons between 1989 and 1993 and for which he was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Co-star Scott Bakula, who played Dr. Sam Beckett, said of Stockwell, “He became a dear friend and a mentor and we grew very close over the next five, very intense years… In spite of having a career that came and went several times during his seventy plus years in the business, he was always grateful and delighted to have the chance to keep working.” Image: Jim Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Caring

New Gold Mountain review: a compelling murder mystery shines light on early Australian multiculturalism

The beautifully shot and evenly paced New Gold Mountain, the new series from SBS, is an 1850s-era murder mystery set in the Ballarat goldfields during the gold rush heyday. In 1851, gold was discovered in Ballarat – a little known pastoral outpost of the British empire. News of the strike quickly spread and the town rapidly developed. Initially, the first arrivals came from other parts of Victoria. Others followed from other Australian colonies. Soon after, international arrivals came from all regions of the globe and in 1852 many arrived from Southern China in search of gold. New Gold Mountain focuses on this Chinese-Australian goldfields experience, primarily from the point of view of Leung Wei Shing (Yoson An), the brooding headman of the Chinese miners and his relationships with his younger, errant brother Leung Wei Sun (Sam Wang) and his loyal assistant Gok (Chris Masters Mah). <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-8U7AmNp-U?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The narrative is widened to include Belle Roberts (Alyssa Sutherland), the English widow turned newspaper proprietor; Hattie (Leonie Whyman), the resilient Indigenous woman trying to get by; and Patrick Thomas (Christopher James Baker), the troubled Irish miner whose wife’s disappearance drives the plot. In their own ways, each character is caught between different cultures, friendships and allegiances in the rapidly forming goldfields frontier society on the far side of the world. <h2>A Chinese Australian tale</h2> Chinese migration patterns to Australia were largely based on regional associations, particularly in the localities of Toi Shan, Sze Yup and Sam Yup in Guangdong, Southern China. These regional associations and “brotherhoods”, as they are referred to in the series, were labour recruiting mechanisms similar to the one Wei Shing runs at this Chinese camp. Here, Cheung Lei (Mabel Li) brings into play the connections, allegiances and complexities between Chinese gold seekers in the Australian colonies and their backers in China. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425586/original/file-20211010-25-7hpfvp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425586/original/file-20211010-25-7hpfvp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Production image: a white woman and an Asian man talk." /></a> On one hand, relations between key characters and groups (primarily between the Chinese and Europeans) are typified by racism and hostility. But there is also cooperation, as Wei Shing and Belle unite to solve the murder. Sometimes there is brutal friendship, as when Wei Shing and the Chinese protector, Standish (Dan Spielman), finally establish exactly where they stand with each other. Director Corrie Chen and creator Peter Cox pull no punches while maintaining a compelling murder mystery and this lively ensemble offers a nuanced reading of the Australian goldfields experience, telling a mature and ambiguous account of the frontier. The other stars of the series are the distinctive former mining landscapes and Sovereign Hill providing the visual backdrops for the 1850s goldfields society. You can imagine how startled recent arrivals from the bustling South China trading ports of Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau must have been on disembarkation. The flora and fauna – literally everything – was so different to home. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425633/original/file-20211011-23-vtq501.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425633/original/file-20211011-23-vtq501.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A Chinese man stands amid red lanterns" /></a> Chen explores this shock in a moment of brief magical realism with Wei Shing’s encounters with a kangaroo. It seems the bush sees all. The Chinese miners and their Indigenous and European counterparts were all coming to terms with a landscape broken by mining and colonised by a disparate society coming to terms with its own experiences and opportunities. New Gold Mountain evocatively captures this moment. <h2>The gold rush on screen</h2> Australian goldfields life has been shown on television before, notably <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071046/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_7">Rush</a>, the Victorian gold rush era drama from the 1970s. But the obvious cultural point of reference is <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/">Deadwood</a> (2004-06), David Milch’s multi-layered historical narrative based on the 1850s gold-rush town in the Black Hills Indian Cession, a region that subsequently became South Dakota. Much of Deadwood centres on the business dealings between the Chinese headman, Mr Wu, and the corrupt saloon owner and town powerbroker, Al Swearengen. The inherent racism of frontier life is apparent, as is the mutual respect the two men have for each other as they seek to benefit from nefarious business dealings. Similar complex, intertwined plots of shifting alliances and a mutual desire to win money run through New Gold Mountain. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425627/original/file-20211011-21-1dkjedm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/425627/original/file-20211011-21-1dkjedm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Production image: a Chinese man looks for gold in his hands." /></a> On closer viewing, the series also shares a watermark with the New Zealand made <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195822/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Illustrious Energy</a> (1988), directed by Leon Narbey, which also explored the goldfields experience from a Chinese perspective. Other Australian colonial stories have been told in John Hillcoat’s <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421238/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2">The Proposition</a> (2005) and Jennifer Kent’s recent <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4068576">The Nightingale</a> (2018). Yoson An’s smouldering portrayal of Wei Shing resembles Jay Swan’s character in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7298596/">Mystery Road</a> (2018–). Both are extremely resourceful, conflicted and move between different worlds while confronting the ghosts of their own respective pasts in remote Australia. <h2>Historical voices together</h2> New Gold Mountain emphasises the little told history of the Chinese on the diggings. The paradoxical nature of the colonial gold seeking era is best understood when all the historical voices are heard together. If one story dominates, much of the historical themes which help to explain Australian society in the present day are missed. The show also reminds us of the complex enduring relationship between China and Australia, which has often been driven by the mining industry. But, ultimately, it’s a cracking murder mystery that reminds viewers the first Australian multicultural moment happened in the mid-19th century – not the 20th. New Gold Mountain premieres on SBS Wednesday 13 October. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/keir-reeves-872184">Keir Reeves</a>, Professor of History & Director Future Regions Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/federation-university-australia-780">Federation University Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-gold-mountain-review-a-compelling-murder-mystery-shines-light-on-early-australian-multiculturalism-169527">original article</a>. Image: SBS

Heroic mum fights off mountain lion with her bare hands

A mother in California is being hailed a hero after fighting off a dangerous mountain lion that attacked her son. The woman used her bare hands to fend off the animal after it lunged at her five-year-old son and dragged him along the front lawn of his home. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the boy was playing near his house, west of Los Angeles, when the mountain lion attacked. After the mother heard the boy's screams, her protective instincts kicked in and she rushed to the rescue. "She ran out of the house and started punching and striking the mountain lion with her bare hands and got him off her son," Department spokesman Patrick Foy told the Associated Press. "The true hero of this story is his mom because she absolutely saved her son’s life." Once the boy was free from the jaws of the mountain lion, he was immediately taken to the hospital where law enforcement were notified of the attack. Mr Foy shared that the five-year-old boy had sustained traumatic injuries to his head and torso. Authorities also confirmed that following the attack, the mountain lion has been shot and killed by a wildlife officer. The officer was sent to the scene shortly after the attack, arriving to find the mountain lion crouching in the bushes with its “ears back and hissing” at him. “Due to its behaviour and proximity to the attack, the warden believed it was likely the attacking lion and to protect public safety shot and killed it on site,” the wildlife department said in a statement Saturday. Image credit: Shutterstock

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People in the world’s ‘blue zones’ live longer – their diet could hold the key to why