Search

Do psychedelics really work to treat depression and PTSD? Here’s what the evidence says

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-moreton-194043">Sam Moreton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> As of July 1, authorised psychiatrists have been allowed to prescribe MDMA (the chemical found in “ecstasy”) to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”) to treat depression that hasn’t responded to other treatment. Psychedelic therapies have researchers excited because evidence suggests they might have lasting beneficial effects on factors that cause psychological distress beyond the treatment period. These include <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-017-4701-y">feeling disconnected from other people</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-019-05391-0">fear of death</a>, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212144719301140?casa_token=OP6tKGxjPHAAAAAA:NTQ4khgsOY5wmsQ5HzCMcZ4eZ43wQV-sdhUbf5LXFiIeKWNwdonhfCxo77k7QbNk4G69EfX-">rigid ways of thinking</a>. This stands in contrast to most medications for psychological issues, which only directly help while people keep taking them regularly. But how strong is the evidence for psychedelic therapy? <h2>Early promise</h2> Early results from studies around the world have found psychedelic therapy <a href="https://www.ranzcp.org/getmedia/0cf57ea2-0bd7-4883-9155-d2ba1958df86/cm-therapeutic-use-of-mdma-for-ptsd-and-psilocybin-for-treatment-resistant-depression.pdf">might be effective</a> for treating a range of psychological issues. For instance, most studies (<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994">but not all</a>) have found patients tend to report <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37357767/">fewer depression symptoms</a> for periods ranging from several weeks to several months after psilocybin therapy. Similarly, studies have found <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881120965915">reductions in PTSD symptoms</a> three weeks after MDMA therapy. <h2>Not so fast</h2> However, as psychedelic research has grown, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35243919/">limitations</a> of the research have been identified by researchers both <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/ak6gx/">within</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencefictions.org/p/psychedelics">outside</a> the psychedelic field. One issue is that we aren’t sure whether findings might be due to a <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/placebo-effect">placebo effect</a>, which occurs when a treatment works because people expect it to work. In clinical trials, participants are often given either a medication or a placebo (inactive) drug – and it’s important they don’t know which they have been given. However, due to the strong effects, it is difficult to prevent participants from knowing whether they have been given a psychedelic drug. Researchers have tried to use a range of different drugs (such as Ritalin) as a placebo in order to “trick” those participants not given a psychedelic into thinking they have received one. But this can be difficult to achieve. In 2021, researchers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512433.2021.1933434?casa_token=Dovn7x_rkdUAAAAA%3AsPzBTYNTPnNwqj9NvwN0m9ptrP4x4-c83gp3tGcshs30dWHNnmB_Vx-X5H5Y3pZJdG02IWW6X2E">reviewed</a> clinical trials involving psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine (found in animals and plants) for mood and anxiety disorders. They found trials either had not assessed whether participants guessed correctly which drug they had been given, or that this had been tested and participants tended to guess correctly. More recent trials <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994">either don’t measure this</a> or find participants have a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02698811231154852?casa_token=VsPt344fVGwAAAAA%3AA-i1VPBE1EWyFITWNncZEt876lWMiC7rtTOLJBQnb2pHI2775imUJhrzeSZW6r9doaBeDaj61D0">pretty good idea</a> of whether they’ve had a placebo or a psychedelic drug. Given the publicity and excitement around psychedelic research in recent years, it is likely most participants have <a href="https://culanth.org/fieldsights/the-pollan-effect-psychedelic-research-between-world-and-word">strong beliefs</a> such therapies work. This could lead to a significant placebo effect for participants given a psychedelic dose. Additionally, participants who realise they have received a placebo could experience <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10184717/">disappointment and frustration</a>, resulting in worse symptoms. The benefits of a psychedelic may seem even greater when they are compared to the experiences of disappointed participants. <h2>Translating trials to practice</h2> Anecdotally, patients might be motivated to report they have gotten better, even when they haven’t. On a 2021 podcast, one clinical trial participant <a href="https://www.psymposia.com/powertrip/">described</a> how, in hindsight, the information they provided to the trial did not accurately capture the worsening of their symptoms. Trial participants are likely aware their results might affect whether treatments are legalised. They may not want to “ruin” the research by admitting the treatment didn’t work for them. There is also uncertainty about whether the findings from clinical trials mean treatments will work in private practice. There may be a lack of clarity around <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/ak6gx/">how trial participants</a> are recruited and selected. Therefore participants may not represent the typical person with PTSD or treatment-resistant depression. And while <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02698811211069100">the safety of psychedelics</a> within controlled contexts is often emphasised by advocates, less is known about safety of psychedelic therapy <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.737738/full">outside</a> clinical trials. <h2>Resolving issues</h2> These issues do not mean the promising psychedelic research conducted over the past several decades is worthless. Nevertheless, a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285280/#full-view-affiliation-1">recent review</a> of the effects of MDMA and psilocybin on mental, behavioural or developmental disorders by Australian researchers concluded the “overall certainty of evidence was low or very low”. Dutch researchers recently drafted a <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/ak6gx/">roadmap for psychedelic science</a> with a checklist for future research to help avoid these pitfalls. When more research is done, it might turn out psychedelic treatments help patients and don’t come with unacceptable harms – we simply don’t know that yet.<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/208857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-moreton-194043">Sam Moreton</a>, Associate Lecturer, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</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-psychedelics-really-work-to-treat-depression-and-ptsd-heres-what-the-evidence-says-208857">original article</a>.

Mind

New Maddie McCann theory has "electrified" investigators

An important witness in the Madeleine McCann case has shared a valuable piece of information which has has "electrified" investigators, as the search for the missing child continues. The witness claims that Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in Maddie's disappearance, had a burglary tool kit that could unlock any security door, and boasted to friends about his lock picking skills. This new theory has raised fresh doubts over the official theory that Maddie’s kidnapper clambered in through a window of holiday apartment 5a in Praia da Luz when she was abducted. German police are said to be “electrified” by discovery, and are also probing the possibility that Christian B used car paint solvent to sedate Maddie. In an exclusive interview from a secret location, Helge B – now in German police witness protection – told filmmaker Jutta Rabe for <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22893975/madeleine-mccann-suspect-christian-b-lock-pick-kit/">The Sun on Sunday,</a> “He came through the door”. Helge B, 52, who met his fellow German a year before Maddie vanished aged three, said he found the kit at Christian B’s Algarve home. The petty criminal had decided to ransack it with another friend after learning Christian B was serving time for theft. He said, “I knew from Christian that he uses tools to break into holiday resorts, hotels and holiday homes to steal from tourists." “There were passports on the table. There was all sorts of stuff lying around – cameras, suitcases, everything that tourists have with them. I also found a lock pick set.” Helge B, who kept the kit and told German police about it, added, “You can use it to pick any lock, including security locks.” Despite police long believing Maddie's abductor had snuck in through the window, when asked how Christian B might've entered the hotel room, Helge simply said, “Through the door. Easily. He can open any door”. Upon the discovery of the new evidence, a police source said, “The German detectives were electrified by the discovery of the tool kit with the lock picks in it. This evidence is now very important to them." “It confirmed a suspicion that they’d had for a long time – that Christian B entered the apartment through the door.” German prosecutors hope to use the lock picks evidence to nail Christian B, who is in jail for drugs crimes and appealing a seven-year sentence for raping a woman of 72. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Benedict Cumberbatch fearing for his life after terrifying home invasion

Benedict Cumberbatch and his family have reportedly been left fearing for their lives as a knife-wielding man broke into the star’s North London home and threatened him. The Daily Mail reported that 35-year-old Jack Bissell, who previously worked as a chef at the Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair, kicked his way through the front gate of the Marvel star’s multimillion-dollar property, allegedly shouting, “I know you’ve moved here. I hope it burns down.” Cumberbatch, 46, his wife, Sophia Hunter, 45, and their three children were reportedly in the home at the time of the break-in and could hear the intruder screaming outside, according to Page Six. Bissell also allegedly took one of the family’s plants and threw it at the garden wall, and ripped the intercom off the building after spitting on it. The intruder reportedly fled the scene before police arrived but, authorities were able to track him down due to DNA evidence he left on the intercom. Bissell was reportedly arrested, fined and slapped with a three-year restraining order from the Cumberbatch family. A source told the outlet, “Naturally all of the family were absolutely terrified and thought this guy was going to get in and hurt them. “Luckily it never went that far. Benedict and Sophie have had many sleepless nights since, worrying that they may be targeted again,” the insider said. “The fact that it was a targeted intrusion makes it a lot more scary.” During the trial, prosecutors said Bissell allegedly told a nearby shopkeeper that he had planned to break into the actor’s home and burn it down. Bissell pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 10. However, details surrounding the date of the incident have not been disclosed. According to the Daily Mail, facts of the case could not be reported until they “successfully challenged blanket reporting restrictions this week”. No clear connection between Bissell and Cumberbatch has been established. Image credit: Getty / Instagram

News

Many people are tired of grappling with long COVID – here are some evidence-based ways to counter it

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kyle-b-enfield-1409764">Kyle B. Enfield</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-virginia-752">University of Virginia</a> A patient of mine, once a marathon runner, now gets tired just walking around the block. She developed COVID-19 during the 2020 Christmas holiday and saw me during the summer of 2021. Previously, her primary care doctor had recommended a graded exercise program. But exercise exhausted her. After months of waiting, she finally had an appointment at our post-COVID-19 clinic at the University of Virginia. She is hardly alone in her extended search for answers. Studies suggest that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01214-4">from 10%</a> to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101762">45% of COVID-19 survivors</a> have at least <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html">one of the following symptoms three months after recovery</a>: fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, difficulty with daily activities or mental fogginess, otherwise known as “brain fog.” There are many names for this condition: <a href="https://theconversation.com/long-covid-stemmed-from-mild-cases-of-covid-19-in-most-people-according-to-a-new-multicountry-study-195707">long COVID</a>, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and chronic COVID. Patients report that their symptoms, or the severity of them, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007004">fluctuate over time</a>, which <a href="https://theconversation.com/deciphering-the-symptoms-of-long-covid-19-is-slow-and-painstaking-for-both-sufferers-and-their-physicians-164754">makes diagnosis and treatment difficult</a>. <h2>A response to infection</h2> Researchers and doctors have seen <a href="https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2694">similar recovery patterns from other viruses</a>, including <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html">Ebola</a> and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, <a href="https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/middle-eastern-respiratory-syndrome-mers">or MERS</a>, which is another coronavirus. This suggests that the illness we see following a bout with COVID-19 may be part of a patient’s response to the infection. But doctors and researchers do not yet know why some patients go on to have persistent symptoms. My clinical practice and academic research <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2022&q=Kyle+Enfield&hl=en&as_sdt=0,47">focus on critically ill patients</a>. Most of my patients now are people who had COVID-19 with various levels of severity. I often tell these patients that we are still learning about this disease, which wasn’t part of our vernacular before 2020. Part of what we do at the clinic is help patients understand what they can do at home to start improving. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ype9O4rD3Gk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>For millions of Americans, COVID-19 is still a part of their lives.</figcaption></figure> <h2>Dealing with fatigue</h2> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95565-8">Chronic fatigue</a> can greatly affect quality of life. Exercise limitations can have their roots in problems with the lung, heart, brain, muscles or all of the above. Graded exercise therapy works for some but not all patients. Graded exercise is the slow introduction of exercise, starting slowly and gradually increasing in load over time. Many are frustrated because they feel more exhausted after exercising or even doing the routine tasks of daily living. The lack of progress <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109893">leads to feelings of depression</a>. The condition of feeling more exhausted after exercise <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/clinical-care-patients-mecfs/treating-most-disruptive-symptoms.html">is called post-exertional malaise</a>, which is defined as physical and mental exhaustion after an activity, often 24 hours later, that is out of proportion with the activity. For example, you feel good today and decide to go for a walk around the block. Afterward you are fine, but the next day your muscles ache and all you can do is lie on the couch. Some patients don’t even have the energy to answer emails. Rest or sleep do typically relieve the fatigue. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment; the severity and frequency of post-exertional malaise varies from person to person. <h2>Signs and symptoms</h2> Fatigue following any illness is common, as is exercise intolerance. So when should you see a medical professional? Diagnostic testing for post-exertional malaise exists, but it’s not readily available to all patients. These questions may provide clues to whether or not you are experiencing it: <ul> <li>Does it take more than one day to recover to your usual baseline activity?</li> <li>Do you feel unwell, weak, sleep poorly or have pain when recovering from activity?</li> <li>Are you feeling limited in your ability to do your daily tasks after activity?</li> <li>Does exercise activity affect you positively?</li> <li>Do you have soreness and fatigue after nonstrenuous days, or mental fatigue after strenuous or nonstrenuous activities?</li> </ul> All of these can be clues to discuss with your primary care provider, who may want to do additional testing to confirm the diagnosis, such as a <a href="https://me-pedia.org/wiki/Two-day_cardiopulmonary_exercise_test">two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test</a>. Before your appointment, there are a few things you can do at home that may help. <h2>Taking it easy</h2> One of those techniques is pacing, or activity management, an approach that balances activities with rest. The <a href="https://www.rcot.co.uk/">Royal College of Occupational Therapists</a> and the <a href="https://ics.ac.uk/">Intensive Care Society</a>, both in the U.K., developed what they call the <a href="https://www.rcot.co.uk/conserving-energy">3Ps – Pace, Plan and Prioritize</a>. Pacing yourself means breaking down activities into smaller stretches with frequent breaks rather than doing it all at once. An example would be to climb a few steps and then rest for 30 seconds, instead of climbing all the stairs at once. Planning involves looking at the week’s activities to see how they can be spread out. Think about the ones that are particularly strenuous, and give yourself extra time to complete them. This helps with prioritizing – and recognizing those tasks that can be skipped or put off. <h2>Focusing on the breathing</h2> Some patients with long COVID develop abnormal breathing patterns, including shallow rapid breathing, known as hyperventilating, or breath-holding. Either of these patterns can make you feel short of breath. Symptoms of abnormal breathing patterns include frequent yawning, throat-clearing, experiencing pins-and-needles sensations, palpitations and chest pain. Don’t ignore these symptoms, because they can be signs of serious medical problems like <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm">heart attacks</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm">abnormal heart rhythms</a>. Once those are ruled out, it is possible to relearn to breathe properly. You can <a href="https://longcovid.physio/breathing-pattern-disorders">practice these techniques at home</a>. The simple version: Find a comfortable position – either lying down or sitting upright with your back supported. Place one hand on your chest and the other over your belly button. Exhale any stale air out of your lungs. Then breathe in through your nose and into your abdomen, creating a gentle rise in the belly. You should feel the hand resting on your belly button move up and down. Try to avoid short, shallow breaths into the upper chest. Slowly exhale all the air out of your lungs. The goal is to take around eight to 12 breaths per minute. Focus on a longer exhale than inhale. For example, inhale as described for a count of two, then exhale for a count of three, as a starting point. If you take one breath every five seconds, you will be breathing 12 breaths per minute. As you get more comfortable with this, you can increase the time to further reduce your breaths per minute. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tEmt1Znux58?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Box breathing is easy to learn and you can do it anywhere, anytime.</figcaption></figure> A more advanced tool <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7uQXDkxEtM">is called box breathing</a>: Breathe in for a count of four to five, holding your breath for a count of four to five, breathing out for a count of four to five and hold that for a count of four to five. Long COVID patients who use these techniques show improvement in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00125-4">symptoms of breathlessness and sense of well-being</a>. <h2>The road to recovery</h2> The patient I referred to earlier did all of these things. As we worked with her, we discovered she had multiple reasons for her symptoms. In addition to overbreathing and symptoms of post-exertion malaise, she had a new cardiac problem, possibly related to her COVID-19 illness, that made her <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.121.024207">heart work less well during exercise</a>. Now she is recovering; while not back to marathon running, she is feeling better. Currently there is no cure for long COVID, though we hope research will lead to one. <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=long+covid&term=&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=">Clinical trials looking at potential therapies</a> are continuing. In the meantime, people should be cautious about using medications that are not proved to help – and if you’re having symptoms, get evaluated.<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/201451/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kyle-b-enfield-1409764">Kyle B. Enfield</a>, Associate Professor of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-virginia-752">University of Virginia</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/many-people-are-tired-of-grappling-with-long-covid-here-are-some-evidence-based-ways-to-counter-it-201451">original article</a>. Images: Getty

Body

Woman shares "evidence" that she is Madeleine McCann

A young woman from Poland has shared "evidence" to support her claims that she is Madeleine McCann. Julia Wendell went viral after starting an Instagram account named @iammadeleinemcann, which claims she began wondering if she was Maddie “a few months ago” after hearing “something” suspicious from her grandma. Julia has since amassed an online following of almost 500,000 people who are gripped by the latest twist in one of the world’s most infamous unsolved cases. The 21-year-old went on to share a series of photographs which she believes prove her likeness to the missing girl. In one video, Julia showed marks on her body that are similar to Maddie’s, while also showing their similar facial structure. Perhaps the most convincing image is one showing Julia with what appears to be a similar eye defect to the one missing Madeleine also has. In Maddie’s case, this was caused by an extremely rare condition in her right eye, which police had hoped for years would help identify her. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou2m5Dt7vs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou2m5Dt7vs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Help me, I need to talk with Kate and Gerry McCann (@iammadeleinemccan)</a> </div> </blockquote> Julia told followers she’s not looking for viral fame and “truly believes” she is missing Maddie, even asking her parents for proof of her birth and contacting police. “Police investigators from UK and Poland try to ignore me. I will tell my story in posts here. Help me,” she wrote on Instagram. Julia has called on Maddie's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, to agree to a DNA test to prove Julia is who she says she is. Her story has caught the attention of the McCann's, with a source telling the <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/girl-who-says-shes-maddie-29250933" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Star</a>, “The family are taking no chances, they are willing to look at all leads.” “It is important they look at all of the factors, the girl does look similar. There’s no disputing that. “If what she says is true, there is every chance it could be her. It all adds up.” Kate and Gerry, now both 54, recently pledged to “never give up” their quest to find their missing daughter – adding they were entering their 16th year without her with “continued determination and positivity”. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cov49H9o37g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cov49H9o37g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Help me, I need to talk with Kate and Gerry McCann (@iammadeleinemccan)</a> </div> </blockquote> Madeleine McCann, from Leicestershire in the UK, went missing from her bed in a holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort town Praia da Luz on the evening of May 3rd 2007. She was three years old at the time of her disappearance, meaning if she was alive today, she would be 19. Despite Julia's beliefs, and her online following supporting her claims, investigators in Germany believe Madeleine was killed by Christian Brueckner. He was charged with three counts of aggravated rape and two counts of sexual abuse of children in October last year. The alleged offences span a 17-year period between 2000 and 2017, <a title="www.thesun.co.uk" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20073185/madeleine-mccann-suspect-charged-germany-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a> reported at the time. Brueckner has never been charged with any offence related to Maddie's disappearance, and despite extensive police efforts, Madeleine's body has never been found. Image credits: Instagram

News

Love languages are hugely popular – but there’s very little evidence they exist at all

Love languages – the concept coined by Baptist pastor Gary Chapman some 30 years ago – has taken the relationships world by storm. It’s often the “go-to” topic on first dates, and for those in relationships love languages are said to provide deep, meaningful and reliable insights into how relationships function. Putting love languages into action is believed to increase relationship happiness. The concept clearly has appeal. At last count, 20 million copies have been sold worldwide of Chapman’s 1992 book The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts. The book has been translated into 49 languages. There is only one catch. There is little evidence to support the idea that love languages are “a thing”, or that love languages do much of anything to help improve relationships. <h2>What are the love languages?</h2> According to <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=j6d2EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT9&dq=chapman+(1992)+the+five+love+languages&ots=nDeGjK61-3&sig=cBkMcFvfus9SdjVo7_XMWwCSQdo#v=onepage&q=chapman%20(1992)%20the%20five%20love%20languages&f=false">Chapman</a>, there are five love languages. Each of these love languages is a way to communicate your love to your romantic partner. In his role as a Baptist pastor, Chapman had been counselling couples for years. It was through his observations of couples that the idea of love languages was born. He believed love languages were an intuitive and simple way to teach couples about how to tune into each other’s ways of expressing love. And so, he began running seminars for husbands and wives, and the popularity of his seminars grew. The five love languages are: (1) acts of service (doing something that helps a partner, such as running an errand) (2) physical touch (demonstrating physical affection, such as giving your partner a hug or kiss) (3) quality time (spending time together and giving each other undivided attention) (4) gifts (giving your partner a present that communicates thoughtfulness, effort, and/or expense) (5) words of affirmation (such as expressing your admiration, or complimenting your partner). Chapman suggests that people typically use all love languages, but that most people tend to rely on one love language most of the time. This is referred to as a person’s primary love language. According to Chapman, people are more satisfied in their relationships when both partners match when it comes to their primary love language. However, people experience less satisfaction in their relationships when both partners do not share the same primary love language. Another important aspect of the love languages concept is that relationships are likely to deliver the greatest satisfaction when a person can understand their partner’s love language, and act in ways that “speaks to” their partner’s language. In essence, this idea is about tuning in to what a partner wants. This is an idea that has existed across many models and theories about how relationships function well. That is, responding to a partner in a way that meets their needs and wants makes a person feel <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X16300884">understood, validated, and cared for</a>. <h2>What does the evidence tell us?</h2> Despite the popularity of the theory of love languages, only a handful of studies have been conducted and reported over the past 30 years. Research is largely inconclusive, although the balance sways more towards refuting rather than endorsing the love languages concept. Let’s start with how love languages are assessed. In popular culture, the <a href="https://5lovelanguages.com/">Love Language QuizTM</a> is an online questionnaire that people can complete to find out about their love languages. Despite millions of individuals having taken the quiz (according to 5lovelanguages.com), there are no published findings as to the reliability and validity of the measure. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17464090500535822">Researchers</a> have developed their own version of the love languages survey, but the findings did not meet the statistical thresholds to suggest the survey adequately captured the five love languages. Also, their findings did not support the idea that there are five love languages. Furthermore, a qualitative study in which <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08934215.2022.2113549?src=recsys">researchers</a> coded the written responses of undergraduate students to questions about how they express love, suggested there may be six love languages. However, the researchers reported difficulty agreeing on how some of the students’ responses neatly fitted into Chapman’s love languages, particularly in the categories of “words of affirmation” and “quality time”. Next, let’s turn to research testing a core premise of the love language theory: that couples with matching love languages experience greater satisfaction than those who do not. Evidence for this premise is very mixed. Three <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pere.12182">studies</a>, including <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-53018-004">one</a> that used Chapman’s Love Language Quiz, have found that couples with matching love languages were no more satisfied than couples who were mismatched. However, a more recent <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0269429#sec006">study</a> found that partners with matching love languages experienced greater relationship and sexual satisfaction than partners with mismatched love languages. This research also found that men who reported greater empathy and perspective-taking had a love language that better matched the language of their partner. Finally, what does the research say about whether having a better understanding of your partner’s love language is linked to higher relationship satisfaction? Only <a href="https://www.proquest.com/openview/33e5ad9d94f22e2e3ed60d20094eec27/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y">two</a> studies have investigated this question. Both <a href="https://www.proquest.com/openview/0e7114482de1edf3625039e63b72e678/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y">found</a> that knowing your partner’s primary love language did predict relationship satisfaction in the present or into the future. So, as you can see, not only is there very little research investigating love languages, but the research to date doesn’t strengthen belief in the powerful properties of love languages. Image credits: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/love-languages-are-hugely-popular-but-theres-very-little-evidence-they-exist-at-all-198065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Relationships

Are our phones really designed to slow down over time? Experts look at the evidence

It’s usually around this time of year you hear people complain about their phones slowing down. Apple and Google release new versions of their operating systems (OS) and suddenly there’s a slew of people <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51413724">claiming their old devices have started to lag</a> – conveniently just before Christmas. But do manufacturers really slow down our phones on purpose to nudge us towards shiny new ones, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936268845/apple-agrees-to-pay-113-million-to-settle-batterygate-case-over-iphone-slowdowns">as has been claimed</a>? The answer to this, as usual, is complicated. Let’s take a look at the evidence. <h2>The ol’ operating system shuffle</h2> Every year, usually around <a href="https://infonewt.com/apple-release-patterns">May and June</a>, tech companies announce their new OS updates. The main news surrounding the releases is often <a href="https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-15-the-macstories-overview/">new system features</a>such as <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204380">Facetime</a> enhancements, improvements to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/7/22522993/apple-siri-on-device-speech-recognition-no-internet-wwdc">voice assistants</a>, or a <a href="https://www.wired.com/2013/06/ios7-redesign/">fancier system design</a>. But did you know these features are optimised for the new hardware traditionally released during the summer, and the chips that come with it? As such, system updates have to be programmed to work towards two goals. The first is to support the new hardware and chip, which deliver the newest features. The second is to continue to work with existing hardware that won’t support the new features. And this means coding the OS so it’s not reliant on the new features having to work. This challenge exists for desktop OSs as well, as evidenced by the recent removal of old systems <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/29/22555371/microsoft-windows-11-cpu-support-hardware-requirements-tpm-response">from the Windows 11 compatibility list</a>. Microsoft decided coding around new features was an insurmountable challenge in some instances. <h2>Hardships with hardware</h2> So your old smartphone won’t support new features – fair enough. But why does it feel like the new OS update is making existing features slower? To understand this, you need to first understand some of the mechanics of chip design. Apple used to use other manufacturers’ chips for its devices, but for the past few years has made its own custom silicon. This is referred to as a “<a href="https://anysilicon.com/what-is-a-system-on-chip-soc/">system on a chip (SoC)</a>, as the entire system exists on a single chip designed and manufactured by Apple. But even if manufacturers design their own chips, it can be hard to predict what consumers will want in the future, and thus which upgrades will come with future iterations of a device. Manufacturers have to write OS updates to suit the latest hardware, so consumers who purchase it can take advantage of the latest features. In doing so, they must work around the fact that older hardware doesn’t have the same capacity. These workarounds mean older devices will run more slowly with the new OS installed, even for tasks the system had done for years. The latest OS is not written to make your old device slower, but because it’s written for the latest device, it can’t help but run more slowly on old hardware. Examples of this abound in the industry, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/ios-14-on-the-iphone-6s-and-se-performance-is-fine-other-stuff-is-not/">with many articles written</a> about a newly released OS version running slow on older devices until the manufacturer optimises it (if they ever do). You might be wondering: if a new OS will slow down old phones, why install the update at all? Well, it’s because people don’t like being told to stick with old features. Apple <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2021/06/07/apple-will-let-users-stay-on-ios-14-and-receive-security-updates-even-after-ios-15-is-released/">recently allowed</a> users of its latest devices to keep the old system, but this is unusual. There is usually a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/update-every-gadget/">push for users to install new OS versions</a>. <h2>It’s all business</h2> The truth is device manufacturers are in the business to make money. And this means being able to sell new devices. While there is often an <a href="https://theconversation.com/upgrade-rage-why-you-may-have-to-buy-a-new-device-whether-you-want-to-or-not-153105">implied expectation</a> from consumers that manufacturers will commit to maintaining old products, at the same time they need to write updates that will work for their latest hardware. Meanwhile, tech companies aren’t doing enough to educate users on how to adjust their settings to get the best out of their phones, or <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/remove-bloatware-phone/">how to manage software bloat</a> which might contribute to a phone slowing down. Compounding this are other factors such as network connection issues, like when the 3G mobile network was stopped. <h2>Burden of proof</h2> There’s something else to consider, too. If an OS update was designed to intentionally slow down a phone over time, this would be very difficult to prove. The system codes are "closed source”, so experts can’t look into them. The best we can do is run timers on different processes and see if they are slowing down over time. But even if they are, is it because of a system update that can’t be supported by old hardware, or is it malicious conduct from the manufacturer? Could the code be written to force the device to sleep for half a second, every ten seconds, with a sleep command? It’s hard to say for sure, although our personal opinion is this is highly unlikely. <h2>Choose not to play</h2> Ultimately, the issue comes down to how device manufacturers sell their products. The best option for their bottom line is to deliver OS updates and features that work with the latest hardware, even if this leaves old devices behind. The evidence suggests manufacturers are not intentionally slowing phones down, but are prioritising the latest release so you’ll buy it. In the meantime, if your slow device is getting you down, the best option is to resist the urge to upgrade. You might get prompts directing you to install the latest OS version (and the frequency of these will depend on the company) but you can ignore them. There may be auto-updates which you can’t avoid, but in most cases these are for security purposes and don’t include major changes or new features. It’s only once these security updates stop coming that you should upgrade. Until then, a phone running on its original OS should, in theory, run well for a long time. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-our-phones-really-designed-to-slow-down-over-time-experts-look-at-the-evidence-170962" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Technology

Evidence that human evolution driven by major environmental pressures discovered

The genes of ancient humans might have changed substantially due to environmental pressures and change, say an international team of researchers. A widely held belief related to human evolution is that our ancient ancestors’ ability to fashion tools, shelter, and use advanced communication skills may have helped to shield them from large environmental impacts such as changing climate, disease and exposure to other events affecting mortality. But research led out of Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide suggests that beneficial genes may have played a more important role in preserving our ancestors. Until now, the sudden increase in frequency of these genes in human groups was masked by the exchange of DNA between people during reproduction. Now, analyses of more than one thousand ancient genomes dating as far back as 45,000 years ago have found historic signals showing genetic adaptation was more common than previously thought. The study of evolutionary events, says the study’s co-lead author Dr Yassine Souilmi, has increased substantially in recent years, as these are the points where human genetics take historic turns. “Evolutionary events [are] exactly what shape our genetic diversity today,” Souilmi tells Cosmos. “That’s what makes us vulnerable to certain diseases [and] resistant to others. “Having a good understanding of evolution, we can have a better understanding of who we are.” Previous research by the Centre has uncovered a range of evolutionary trends, from historic climate change causing the demise of ancestral lions and bears, to the first interactions between humans and coronaviruses 20,000 years ago. And the broader field of research into ancient DNA has shed light on important moments in human history. Only recently did analyses of ancient genes uncover locations on the human genome associated with surviving Yersinia pestis – the bacterium that causes the bubonic plague. <h2>Single events probably triggered selection</h2> This study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, has similarly found environmental events might have been more influential on evolution among Eurasian groups. Such events might lead to a point of natural selection. Take, for instance, the emergence of a pathogen. If such a disease could kill people, those who managed to survive and continue reproducing would pass down favourable traits to subsequent generations. “Natural selection acts in two different mechanisms,” says Souilmi. “It only cares about whether you’re procreating successfully… when it acts, it’s either killing a lot of people, [preventing] some people from reproducing successfully, or some people are just not finding mates because they have some sort of ailment that’s not allowing them to mate successfully, or might make them undesirable. “What we’re finding is that the signal of natural selection we detected in this [research] was likely a single event, because the signal is clustered in time in a very early migration out of Africa. “Not all of the [events] we detected occurred at the same time, but the bulk of them did.” <h2>A mirror to the present</h2> This ‘agnostic’ study did not seek to identify the external pressures leading to the selection events indicated in these ancient genes, but future research by the team will seek to uncover that information. Studies like this, or those into specific pressures like the influence of the Black Death or coronaviruses on humans, show the impact of environmental change on our genetics. Souilmi says this is both insightful and cautionary, as environmental change in the present could be studied by humans in the future. He speculates that changes in the Earth’s climate, or the emergence of new pathogens, likely imposed selection pressures on ancient groups, whether through forcing shortages or changes to food supply or imposing physiological stressors. “Very likely, it’s the environment, the temperature, the weather patterns, that would have somewhat impacted the dietary regime of our ancestors out of Africa, and pathogens would have driven this [genetic] adaptation, which has shaped our genetic diversity now,” Souilmi says. “The direct lesson, socially, now, is that if we’re ever faced with events that are similar to that, we are not as immune to extreme episodes of adaptation where a lot of people might die, or be unable to reproduce. “Unless we do something to counteract the environmental changes, or viruses, bacterial or other pandemics, it could be a bad thing.” This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/human-evolution-driven-by-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Matthew Agius. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Do these three popular anti-ageing skincare ingredients work? Here’s what the evidence says

For people looking to press pause on ageing, it hasn’t always been as easy as it is today. Throughout history people have used all sorts of outlandish anti-ageing skincare techniques – such as <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/science-science-everywhere-you-asked/why-did-cleopatra-supposedly-bathe-sour-donkey-milk">bathing in donkey’s milk</a> as Cleopatra supposedly did, or <a href="https://thedermreview.com/elizabethan-beauty-and-skin-care/">applying mercury</a> directly to the skin, as the Elizabethans did. While the modern era has certainly seen its fair share of bizarre anti-ageing skincare methods – such as <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a14382/anti-aging-beauty-through-history/">placenta and vampire facials</a> – the latest trend in anti-ageing skincare is using science. But with ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants and acids now commonplace in ingredients lists, it can be difficult for someone without a background in biology or chemistry to know if what they’re putting in their basket really is backed by science – or if it’s just clever marketing hype. Here, we take a look at three of the most popular ingredients currently found in many anti-ageing products – and whether there’s any evidence they do what they claim. <h2>Vitamin C</h2> Products containing vitamin C often claim that it “brightens” the skin’s appearance and encourages collagen production. The middle layer of our skin (the dermis) produces both collagen and elastin, which work together to give the skin its <a href="https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863">stiffness and elasticity</a>. But as we get older, the skin produces less collagen and elastin – which is why we develop wrinkles. Vitamin C is a bit tricky to deliver to the skin. This is because the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, acts as a barrier to water. Since vitamin C is water soluble, this can make it difficult to develop a product that is able to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/">get vitamin C into the skin</a>. But some research does suggest that concentrations above 5% of vitamin C may work on the skin. For example, one study found that in ten women aged 50-60, applying a cream containing 5% vitamin C to the forearms daily for six months showed an <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15412564">increase in collagen production</a> in the skin. <a href="https://jcadonline.com/february-2019-vitamin-c/">Other research</a> also suggests that vitamin C applied to the skin daily can noticeably reduce hyperpigmentation (patches of skin that are slightly darker) caused by sun damage. In multiple studies, creams with and without vitamin C were applied to different areas of skin on each person. It was found that people who used vitamin C creams for a total of 47 days saw a noticeable difference in the colour of their skin after 12 days of use. However, there was little further change after the first 12 days. However, it’s unknown if the results persisted after the study was finished. <h2>Hyaluronic acid</h2> Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that our body makes. It’s usually found in the fluids in the eyes and between the joints and tissues. Many skincare products now include hyaluronic acid, claiming it’s a good skin moisturiser which may help reduce wrinkles. A 2011 study, which looked at 76 women aged between 30 and 60, found that using creams containing 0.1% of hyaluronic acid twice daily for two months improved <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22052267/">skin hydration and elasticity</a>. But improvements to the appearance of wrinkles and skin roughness was only seen in creams where the hyaluronic acid molecules were smaller in size. This is because hyaluronic acid molecules that are larger can be <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/srt.12228">more difficult for the skin to absorb</a>. But many high street skin creams containing hyaluronic acid don’t tell you the exact size of the molecules used in the product – making purchasing decisions difficult. It’s worth reading the label and taking note of the type and/ or concentration of hyaluronic acid it contains. Reassuringly, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181301833770X?via%3Dihub">other studies</a> have shown that many hyaluronic acid products (from creams and serums to injectables) can help increase skin hydration and reduce wrinkles – including a <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-021-00566-0">2021 study</a>, which showed a significant increase in skin hydration and reduction in fine lines in participants. But it’s worth noting this study used a commercial product that contained a blend of niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid applied twice a day, alongside daily sunscreen use. This makes it difficult to know if the results were solely because of hyaluronic acid. <h2>Retinol</h2> Retinol-based products are popular these days, often promoted for their ability to reduce the effects of long-term sun damage to the skin (photoageing) – including hyperpigmentation and wrinkling. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. It’s converted to retinoic acid once it’s absorbed into the skin. Once absorbed, it helps increase collagen production and increases cell turnover. All of these effects combined help plump out the appearance of wrinkles and decrease hyperpigmentation. Studies in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8757759/">humans cells</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9517919/">skin samples</a> and humans all suggest products containing retinol can have an effect on the skin’s appearance. For example, one study in humans showed using a product with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/">at least 0.4% retinol</a> three times a week for six months did decrease the appearance of wrinkles. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27332694/">Previous studies</a> have shown even products containing 0.04% retinol can have this effect when used for at least 12 weeks. While the effects will not be as pronounced when compared to other prescription-grade retinoid products, commercial products containing at least 0.04% retinol should be able to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles with continued used over a period of months especially when combined with <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/">sun protection</a>. <h2>What to look for</h2> If you’re considering buying an anti-ageing skincare product, there are a few things to think about. First, consider whether you may be allergic to any of the ingredients in the product and whether it’s suitable for your skintype. For example, if you have dry, sensitive skin, retinol may not be suitable for you as it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and irritate it further. You should also take note of the concentration of the active ingredient within the product and follow the recommended use advised by the manufacturer. This will be stated on the label. Of course, you also need to remember the product you have bought is not a cure-all. It’s equally important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet and get adequate rest to maintain visibly healthy skin. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-these-three-popular-anti-ageing-skincare-ingredients-work-heres-what-the-evidence-says-182200" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Beauty & Style

Annual leave: here’s the evidence for why you should use it up – and how to make the most of it

We are currently at the peak of the holiday season, but instead of drinking cocktails on the beach, hiking the mountains and enjoying what life has to offer, a surprising number of people are reluctant to take time out from work. Recent research shows one in five people in Ireland do not take their full <a href="https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pwlbmr/personalandwork-lifebalance2021-mainresults/leaveintheworkplace/">annual leave entitlement</a>. And in the UK, <a href="https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1747255/four-in-10-workers-taken-less-holiday-during-pandemic-survey-finds">two in five</a> workers have taken less leave in recent years as a result of the pandemic. It is important to take time out from work in order to fully live our lives, but there are several issues that can discourage us from taking annual leave. Some people have doubts about whether taking time out will allow for full <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32406700/">psychological detachment</a> from work, for example. The fear that thoughts of work will invade our minds encourages many people to just keep working. A common trend among those who are obsessively <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260832037_Vallerand_R_J_Houlfort_N_Forest_J_2014_Passion_for_work_Determinants_and_outcomes_In_M_Gagne_Ed_The_Oxford_Handbook_of_Work_Engagement_Motivation_and_Self-Determination_Theory_pp_85-105_Oxford_Oxford_">passionate</a> about their work, these feelings can become overbearing, controlling their thoughts and making them unable to temporarily forget about work. Another reason people do not take time off is because they do not expect to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32406700/">feel relaxed</a> while on holidays. This may be due to their circumstances or choices made about how to spend time off. In particular, family holidays may generate a lot of conflict, sometimes becoming even <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15022250510014255?casa_token=6cmhqIg0WPsAAAAA%3AViEAGpjmW3PjZc6UzCaijcXlDqzlE1sF8emH8kuG6yU9nf8HR-3uFwcdPJGzGsE0zHUThyxrR64knQ">more stressful than work</a>. It’s unsurprising then that staying on at work instead of taking time out may be tempting for many. Alternatively, some people fear the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32406700/">financial consequences</a> of annual leave. Holidays are expensive, especially for large families, leading many to forgo their leave entitlement to save money. <div data-id="17"> </div> <h2>Benefits of annual leave</h2> These are just some examples of why people may avoid holidays, but regardless of the reason, taking time off – especially from demanding jobs – has immediate benefits in terms of decreasing stress and <a href="https://d-nb.info/1097755169/34">burnout</a>. These benefits are only temporary, with stress often climbing again shortly after returning to work. As such, regular respites throughout the year can help achieve the accumulative benefits of annual leave on health. The good news is that taking time out for a week to two weeks is <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255708351_How_Do_We_Feel_on_Vacation_A_Closer_Look_at_How_Emotions_Change_over_the_Course_of_a_Trip">enough</a> to recover and experience a boost of positive emotions. This will begin to decline as the time off comes to an end, but still offers the break needed to recharge your batteries. Annual leave is also <a href="https://www.hrlocker.com/features/time-management/time-management-software/profuductivity-increases-annual-leave/">beneficial for employers</a>, as it improves employee productivity by up to 40%, reduces the likelihood of sick leave by 28%, and boosts creativity and mental health. Taking time out is also essential for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2661484/">parents</a>, as their children gain immense benefits from spending more time together. <h2>Getting the best from annual leave</h2> While these figures may have you reaching for your phone to search for package deals, the spike in <a href="https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/flight-cancellations-airports-routes-cancelled-flights-avoid-how-1724492">travel disruption</a> this summer may put you off from searching for the farthest-flung destination. But you don’t need expensive foreign holidays to enjoy annual leave. Here are three vacation <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Positive-Health-100-Research-based-Positive-Psychology-and-Lifestyle-Medicine/Burke-Dunne-Meehan-OBoyle-Nieuwerburgh/p/book/9781032246383">activities</a> that can improve wellbeing, whether you are away or on a staycation: 1. Practice relaxation Relaxation can involve simple <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ppc.12184?casa_token=YgyHqZvOXj0AAAAA%3ApeIFfCofPsvwVJkZ9RX6S24jLLOw-rQ0sZYYFhWyIMfFOZx4eG00FPz066hV0RJsZjI7Q02Fr2NnWi4">breathing practice</a> that can help reduce anxiety. An alternative that can have similar benefits is to use meditation techniques such as <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1359432X.2017.1308924?casa_token=jP_gVWSNsL8AAAAA:1TYdaHq2Ua9lgg4vr7bdaXMkozyrUJdHcEx9HCMKSabC2x8ftYft9WQTv7070bsUVFJT4j0SYK8G">mindfulness</a>. 2. Spend time in nature When on annual leave, try to spend as much time as you can in nature because it is associated an improvement in both <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494419301185">emotional and psychological</a> health. It doesn’t matter what you do when enjoying nature; you can be active, for example walking, running, gardening, or simply sitting on a park bench or spending time sky-gazing. 3. Engage your brain Take time off as an opportunity to develop your interests. If you love reading, plan to read a few books over the holiday. Research shows these activities <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1948550618775410">support our minds</a> and our moods, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740818818300537?casa_token=4CPDmuirRlcAAAAA:-7008IJWIawAD85BjnNIyJhqScOhD7Ov0Ju4bCqTvBy8WIB2Q0D-htnHoEHBiC2ZhO2_9Logtg">regardless of age</a>. There are additional benefits if you help your <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284286/reading_for_pleasure.pdf">children enjoy books</a> over the summer. Alternatively, if you enjoy listening to music, take this time to dust off your CDs or rearrange your digital music library. Share music, play an instrument, write lyrics, dance or even just <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8455907/">listen to</a> as much music as you can to improve your physcial and mental health. These are just a few ideas. What’s most important is to do something that engages your mind, helps you forget about your job and allows for a respite before you return to work feeling happier and more energised than before. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/annual-leave-heres-the-evidence-for-why-you-should-use-it-up-and-how-to-make-the-most-of-it-185503" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

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

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

Body

New evidence found as Madeleine McCann's parents release statement

The German prosecutor in charge of Madeleine McCann’s case has alluded to “new evidence” in relation to the young girl’s disappearance 15 years ago to the day. Christian Brueckner has been officially declared the first formal suspect in the case - years after Madeleine’s parents were also considered suspects but were cleared in 2008. In a televised interview, Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters indicated there is new evidence linking Brueckner to Madeline’s murder but stopped short of revealing any more. “We are sure that he is the murderer of Madeleine McCann. We are sure that he killed Madeleine McCann,” he said. “The investigation is still going on and I think we found some new facts, some new evidence – not forensic evidence, but evidence.” The potential incriminating evidence comes 15 years to the day that Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007, with her parents Kate and Gerry McCann releasing a statement. “This year we mark 15 years since we last saw Madeleine. It feels no harder than any other but no easier either,” the statement read. “It’s a very long time. Many people talk about the need for closure. It’s always felt a strange term. “Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed. These things will remain.” Brueckner, 45, is currently serving seven years for raping a 72-year-old woman, and is being probed over the 2004 rape of a second woman and sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl at Praia da Luz a month before Madeleine disappeared Image: Getty

Legal

William Tyrrell investigation unearths potential new evidence

NSW Police have been spotted bagging potential new evidence at the search site in Kendall as the investigation into William Tyrrell's disappearance continues. Investigators were seen placing a small piece of cloth into an evidence bag on the fifth day of renewed search efforts for the missing child. The potential evidence was reportedly found while scouring a piece of bushland on Batar Creek Rd, about a kilometre from the Kendall home where William was last seen. The cloth was bagged close to a nearby creek, which is being drained as a part of the ongoing search. A police spokesperson at the scene said the cloth was light blue in colour and measured about 8x8cm. The potential evidence will be sent off for testing, as police continue a range of new tactics in their search. This is only the second time in the past five days that police on site have been seen bagging potential evidence, as two pieces of seemingly degraded material were collected on Wednesday. Investigators have produced a sample of a Spider-Man costume - the same outfit William was last seen in - ands used it to compare against the threads found. A police spokesperson said it could be days before the test results from the items are confirmed. Joining the search near the creek for any evidence of William's disappearance if hydrologist Professor Jon Olley, who found murdered Queensland schoolboy Daniel Morcombe’s remains in 2011. Jon, along with NSW Police, have bee searching through the mud for any clues that relate to William's disappearance. A NSW Police spokesperson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/renewed-search-for-william-tyrell-enters-its-fifth-day-as-creek-drained/news-story/5e213685adb9e172993fd69f91bea153" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> draining nearby water sources is standard practice in these types of searches. Investigators have temporarily wrapped up the site in black tarps in an attempt to protect it from anticipated storms. Image credits: Channel Nine

News

Huge twist in Ben Roberts-Smith case

A former SAS soldier has said he will testify that Ben Roberts-Smith is a war criminal in Mr Roberts-Smith’s defamation case against Nine newspapers, a court has heard. But, lawyers representing the war hero claim the new testimony has come about due to a closed-door deal with the media. Mr Roberts-Smith is suing the newspapers over claims they defamed him by publishing false claims that he killed six prisoners during his deployment in Afghanistan. Nine has said the claims are true. The court has heard that several of Mr Roberts-Smith’s former SAS squadmates will give evidence that both supports and undermines the media giant’s allegations. At least one soldier is expected to implicate himself in one of the alleged murders when he gives evidence in support of Nine. In the most recent development, the Federal Court heard that another soldier was now willing to give evidence in relation to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/that-s-not-a-cliff-ben-roberts-smith-downplays-fresh-allegations-in-court" target="_blank">alleged murder</a> that has become the main focus of Nine’s claims. The media company alleges that Mr Roberts-Smith kicked a handcuffed shepherd off a cliff in a remote Afghan village of Darwan in 2012. Nine claims the shepherd, named Ali Jan, fell into a dry creek bed below and was then executed by an Afghan soldier assisting the Australian SAS. One SAS soldier, referred to as Person 56, was in the village at the time and has now agreed to give evidence that corroborates Nine’s account. However, Arthur Moses SC, Mr Roberts-Smith’s barrister, argued that Nine already accused the soldier of being involved in the war crime. Mr Moses also claimed that they had promised they wouldn’t ask about any other events during his time in Afghanistan if he testified against Mr Roberts-Smith. “This is a flip, a flop and a flip again from Nine regarding a very serious murder allegation,” Mr Moses <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/troubled-sas-accused-killer-squadmate-turns-against-ben-robertssmith/news-story/d39286092daa8f130eb3e75097e0fda4" target="_blank">told</a> the court. “We are very troubled about this. They have reached agreement with Person 56. He will come to court and give evidence about one particular issue.” He added that Nine was clearly troubled about the progression of the trial so far, and said he wanted to see communications between them and Person 56. Nicholas Owens SC, Nine’s barrister, denied that there was any “deal” between the two parties. “We have been able to establish contact with Person 56 and he agreed to speak to us - there is no side deal,” Mr Owens said. He told the court that Person 56 would give evidence about Darwan, but would object if asked about anything else. Mr Owens added that Nine agreed they wouldn’t pressure him to speak about it. He said Person 56 would be asked about the events in Darwan to support the claims made by Ali Jan’s relatives. “We say Person 56’s account corroborates that of the Afghan witnesses and contradicts that of (Mr Roberts-Smith),” Mr Owens said. The court also heard that Person 56 was involved in another incident where Mr Roberts-Smith was allegedly involved in executing an Afghan teenager. Nine claimed that Mr Roberts-Smith and his squad planted evidence on the adolescent’s body, such as radios and weapons, in order to cover up the killing. However, the court will decide whether Person 56 will be allowed to give evidence at a later date. Image: Getty Images

Legal

William Tyrrell’s foster parents charged with alleged assault

Image: NSW Police William Tyrrell’s foster parents have been charged over the alleged assault of a child following investigations looking into the little boy’s disappearance. Detectives from Strike Force Rosann received information relating to the suspected assault of a child, who is not William, at a home in Sydney’s upper North Shore. The pair aged 56 and 54, were charged with common assault and are due to face Hornsby Local Court next week after being served with Court Attendance notices on Wednesday. The charges come as police spend a third day searching three areas in Kendall, on the NSW Mid-North Coast, for William’s body. On Monday, NSW Police announced they would launch a new “high-intensity” search near William’s foster grandmother’s home, where he was last seen, after “new evidence” was received. “This activity is in response to evidence we’ve obtained in the course of the investigation, it’s not speculative in any way,” Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said in regard to the search. “It’s highly likely that if we found something, it would be a body. We are looking for the remains of William Tyrrell, there’s no doubt about that.” William’s foster parents have never been publicly named due to legal reasons. In the last three days, police have begun examining parts of the Kendall home’s garden bed - to investigate one theory that William may have fallen to his death from a second-storey balcony. They also sprayed luminol, a chemical that detects traces of blood, during the night. In nearby bushland, volunteers cut down trees to help in the search. A grey Mazda was later seized from a home in Gymea in Sydney’s south under a coronial order and is undergoing extensive forensic examination. Excavators and cadaver dogs have also been brought in as part of the search as police dug up areas of bushland.

News

"We have that evidence now": Maddy McCann case moving ahead

A German prosecutor has doubled down on his claims that Christian Brueckner took and killed missing Madeleine McCann, saying he is “confident we have the man”. After prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters named Mr Brueckner as the alleged prime suspect last year, Mr Wolters has also admitted that detectives have no DNA evidence or a body to support the allegations. “We’re confident we have the man who took and killed her,” Mr Wolters told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/madeleine-mccann-prosecutor-100-convinced-25173564" target="_blank">Daily Mirror</a>. Mr Wolters said the case against the 44-year-old, currently in prison in northern Germany for an unrelated charge, is circumstantial. “It is now possible that we could charge. We have that evidence now,” he said. “But it’s not just about charging him - we want to charge him with the best body of evidence possible. “When we still have questions, it would be nonsense to charge rather than wait for the answers that could strengthen our position. “That’s why we said we’ll investigate as long as there are leads or information for us to pursue.” The <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10075115/Prosecutors-100-sure-convicted-Christian-Brueckner-murdered-Madeleine-McCann.html" target="_blank">new evidence</a> includes phone analysis which places him at the resort where Madeleine disappeared, as well as an alleged confession Mr Brueckner made to a friend. “It is circumstantial evidence - we have no scientific evidence,” Mr Wolters said. “If we had a video of the act or a picture of Madeleine dead with Brueckner on camera, we wouldn’t have to make a public appeal. But we only have circumstantial evidence.” Mr Wolters admitted that prosecutors have no proof that Madeleine is dead, nor do they have evidence indicating how she died or linking Brueckner to her alleged murder. “We have no body and no DNA but we have other evidence. Based on the evidence we have, it leads to no other conclusion,” he said. “I can’t tell you on which basis we assume she is dead. But for us, there’s no other possibility. There is no hope she is alive.” Despite <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/madeleine-mccann-german-prosecutor-claims-100-per-cent-sure-christian-b-killed-maddie/fe682412-fac8-4f51-ba3a-79526dd276f9" target="_blank">Mr Wolters’ claims</a>, London Metropolitan Police maintain they are still investigating it as a missing person case. Madeleine disappeared in 2007, while her family was staying at the Praia de Luz resort in Portugal. It is understood that Mr Brueckner was living in a camper van near the resort at the time of her family’s stay. Mr Brueckner is also being investigated for several other incidents, including the murder of a teenage girl in 1996, and several sex-related crimes. Image: Getty Images

Legal

New evidence Prince Charles KNEW about Simon Dorante-Day

Simon Dorante-Day, the Queensland man claiming to be the secret son of Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, has shared new explosive evidence. Mr Dorante-Day has made global headlines after going public with his case and continues to share new evidence. “My grandmother, who had worked for the Queen, told me outright that I was Camilla and Charles’ son many times,” he told 7NEWS.com.au. The 55-year-old revealed his latest evidence, an email from Detective Inspector Dave Smith of the UK Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit which could be crucial in assisting in his case. Detective Inspector Smith sent an email to Mr Dorante-Day on July 7, 2015, confirming that he had hand-delivered a letter from Mr Dorante-Day to Prince Charles’ aides. <img style="width: 500px; height: 212.3236822568671px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844437/241520460_259289839535029_7314315210199105916_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2220738e6df44f6c9f0e516a4c49e386" /> Image: Simon Dorante-Day / Facebook In the letter, the Queensland engineer outlined his belief that Prince Charles and Camilla are his parents. “Just to confirm that I received the letter you sent by airmail addressed to me,” Detective Inspector Smith wrote. “I opened the outer packaging containing my details. The inner letter addressed to the Prince I took by hand, unopened to the Princes’ correspondence team. “I hope this is suitable.” Mr Dorante-Day believes the email confirms that Prince Charles and Camilla are aware of his claims, despite refusing to publicly comment. “Making “No Comment” doesn’t make the issue go away, nor does it negate their responsibility for what we are enduring,” Mr Dorante-Day said. He said he released the email to show the effort he made to solve the matter privately before going public with his claims. “The depth to which I had already acted before this issue broke the media, or was even on Facebook or the TV, is just not clearly understood,” he said. “This evidence is from July 2015 when my letter was handed to Prince Charles’ private secretary by D.I. David Smith of SO14 and the Metropolitan Police Professional Standards Unit. “I authored the letter, but it was reviewed and approved by a leading Australian Family Law Firm before it was despatched.” The email evidence comes a week after Mr Dorante-Day shared a suite of images comparing himself to Prince William and Francois Graftieaux, the alleged love-child of Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844435/dorante-day2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3b5ff8d71dbe4d24afb1c2242968d5f3" /> Image: Simon Dorante-Day / Facebook “You resemble [Graftieaux] more than you do William. The familial likeness is undeniable,” one Facebook user wrote. <img style="width: 357px; height: 280px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844438/242419439_255726669891346_6744475498948158942_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6be80be326c441e985a6c26d32c90b26" /> Image: Simon Dorante-Day / Facebook “Wow! The resemblance is quite incredible,” another wrote of the comparison between Mr Dorante-Day and Prince William. “There is no doubt that he is your brother,” another said. Image: Simon Dorante-Day / Facebook

Legal

New “striking” evidence in Dorante-Day claims

Simon Dorante-Day, the Queensland grandfather who believes he is the son of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has shared a new, “striking” piece of evidence for his claim. He has released a new photo comparing the 55-year-old’s son against two images of The Queen, causing a stir on social media. With the image of Liam Dorante-Day in the centre, it can be compared against a photo of her majesty in her earlier years on one side and a more recent image of her on the other. “The similarities are hard to deny, that’s for sure,” Mr Dorante-Day told 7NEWS.com.au. “The teeth, the smile, all of it. And Liam has Prince Charles’ ears, that’s plain to see.” Others online have agreed, saying the likeness in the photos was “undeniable”. “He is the double of The Queen in her older years,” one said. “I’ve never seen anyone so alike! Wow,” wrote another. “Check the teeth in picture on the right with your son,” a third added. “Striking similarities,” another said. Many of Mr Dorante-Day’s supporters say they used to be sceptics - but have since been convinced. “When I first came across [this] story I honestly rolled my eyes and thought these claims were rubbish,” one said. “But it’s the photos that continue to convince me I’m wrong. I hope the truth comes out to the public one day.” Another added: “The picture speaks volumes. I wish someone could wave a magic wand and bring this to a conclusion.” The new evidence comes weeks after another photo of Simon compared to a younger Queen Elizabeth shocked many. <img style="width: 280px; height:210px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842714/d16914878b71a9bf81af5f2369cb61938ad7eb94-4x3-x0y24w280h210.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a807af7ee39444d88e2ef71b6e4370d" /> Image: Facebook “You have the Queen’s eyes. Out of all the pictures and comparisons, you should use this one when anyone doubts you,” said one. “A blind man could see you are theirs! They won’t ever admit it because it has too many implications. It’s really sad they won’t/can’t just tell the truth,” another sympathised. Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

Compelling new baby bump pic in saga of Charles and Camilla's “secret son”

Simon Dorante-Day, the Queensland man who believes he is Prince Charles and Camilla’s “secret son'' has come forward with a new “baby bump” photo he argues is a key piece of evidence for his claim. Since going public with his claims, Dorante-Day has attracted attention from around the world. “My grandmother, who had worked for the Queen, told me outright that I was Camilla and Charles’ son many times,” he told 7NEWS.com.au. He has claimed that Camilla disappeared from the English social scene for at least nine months after first becoming close with Charles in 1965 several months prior. “I have been unable to find any photos of Camilla from the last months of 1965 or the beginning of 1966, when she would’ve been heavily pregnant with me.” The photo of Camilla at a film preview at a theatre in London when she was 18 - taken six days after Dorante-Day was born - has caused a stir amongst his fans. “This is the first time Camilla was photographed in months,” Dorante-Day said. Many of his supporters believe the photo shows Camillia having a “post baby bump” that most mothers experience in the weeks after giving birth. “Absolutely covering up post baby bump,” one said on Facebook. “Camilla was always so slim, this little bump was most certainly out of the ordinary,” another added. “Very significant photo in my eyes,” a third wrote. Dorante-Day believes the photo acts as even more evidence to back his case. “I think it’s very telling that Camilla was out of the social scene for so many months in the lead-up to my birth,” he said. “And then the first photo of her in so long, she has a slight bump. “But this is just another piece in a very big jigsaw puzzle which is coming together for me. “As I have always said, there isn’t just one clue or one piece of proof. “There are a lot of evidence and when it’s all put together, it makes for a compelling argument.” He said he’s desperate for the truth to finally be revealed. “I want a DNA test and I’m working with the courts to get one. I just want the truth to come out once and for all,” he said. Image: Facebook, 7NEWS.com.au

Legal

New Princess Charlotte photo evidence for Aussie "son" of Charles and Camilla

A Queensland man who claims he is the secret love child of Prince Charles and Camilla has released a shocking series of new photographs comparing his family to members of the royal family. Simon Dorante-Day made global headlines since he went public with his claims that he says are a culmination of years of research. And now, the British-Australian man has featured Princess Charlotte, Prince Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals to further prove his claim. One comparison photograph has piqued interest for the “striking similarity” between Princess Charlotte and Dorante-Day’s daughter Meriam. Dorante-Day also released a photograph of his son Liam alongside Prince Charles and also Prince Andrew which surprised many with one observer saying there was “no denying this one”. Dorante-Day told <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/" target="_blank">7NEWS.com.au</a> that he himself is surprised by the resemblance between his children a number of other royals. “The one of Liam and Prince Charles really got me,” he said. Dorante-Day went on to say: “I think it’s really hard to look at that one and not see the resemblance, it’s pretty compelling. “The one with Princess Charlotte and our Meriam is also a head-turner. We have always had people tell us how much she looks like Charlotte - even by people who don’t know about our background. “But to see it in black and white is pretty hard to refute. “We are always receiving these sorts of comparisons that supporters on my Facebook page and royal fans and watchers have put together. “They’re always fascinating and definitely gives people food for thought.” A number of curious people have commented on the similarity between the Dorante-Day’s and British royal family members. “There is no denying here,” one person said. Another wrote: “I must say the area above the top lip is typical Windsor on all the children including yourself Simon.” Said one more: “Wow. it’s amazing how much you and your children look like the royal family I wish you good luck and hope the truth comes out in the end.”

Family & Pets

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Do psychedelics really work to treat depression and PTSD? Here’s what the evidence says

New Maddie McCann theory has "electrified" investigators

Benedict Cumberbatch fearing for his life after terrifying home invasion

Many people are tired of grappling with long COVID – here are some evidence-based ways to counter it

Woman shares "evidence" that she is Madeleine McCann

Love languages are hugely popular – but there’s very little evidence they exist at all

Are our phones really designed to slow down over time? Experts look at the evidence

Evidence that human evolution driven by major environmental pressures discovered

Do these three popular anti-ageing skincare ingredients work? Here’s what the evidence says

Annual leave: here’s the evidence for why you should use it up – and how to make the most of it

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

New evidence found as Madeleine McCann's parents release statement

William Tyrrell investigation unearths potential new evidence

Huge twist in Ben Roberts-Smith case

William Tyrrell’s foster parents charged with alleged assault

"We have that evidence now": Maddy McCann case moving ahead

New evidence Prince Charles KNEW about Simon Dorante-Day

New “striking” evidence in Dorante-Day claims

Compelling new baby bump pic in saga of Charles and Camilla's “secret son”

New Princess Charlotte photo evidence for Aussie "son" of Charles and Camilla

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Do psychedelics really work to treat depression and PTSD? Here’s what the evidence says

New Maddie McCann theory has "electrified" investigators

Benedict Cumberbatch fearing for his life after terrifying home invasion

Many people are tired of grappling with long COVID – here are some evidence-based ways to counter it

Woman shares "evidence" that she is Madeleine McCann

Love languages are hugely popular – but there’s very little evidence they exist at all

Are our phones really designed to slow down over time? Experts look at the evidence

Evidence that human evolution driven by major environmental pressures discovered

Do these three popular anti-ageing skincare ingredients work? Here’s what the evidence says

Annual leave: here’s the evidence for why you should use it up – and how to make the most of it

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

New evidence found as Madeleine McCann's parents release statement

William Tyrrell investigation unearths potential new evidence

Huge twist in Ben Roberts-Smith case

William Tyrrell’s foster parents charged with alleged assault

"We have that evidence now": Maddy McCann case moving ahead

New evidence Prince Charles KNEW about Simon Dorante-Day

New “striking” evidence in Dorante-Day claims

Compelling new baby bump pic in saga of Charles and Camilla's “secret son”

New Princess Charlotte photo evidence for Aussie "son" of Charles and Camilla

Join Over60