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

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

TV

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

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

Body

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Steve McQueen’s Ferrari heads to auction

<p>Steve McQueen’s Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is set for auction in California in late 2023, almost 10 years on from its previous sale at ~$14.9 m NZD (~$19.3 NZD in today’s economy). </p> <p>The vehicle, listed by RM Sotheby’s, found its first ever owner in the American actor, and was one of only 330 examples created between 196 and 1968 with bodywork by Scaglietti. </p> <p>And while McQueen had previously owned the car’s convertible version - the N.A.R.T Spider - an accident saw him purchase the coupe from Hollywood Sport Cars’ Chic Vandagriff. </p> <p>When McQueen received the car, it was actually coated in a Nacciola golden metallic paint, but was soon transformed into its iconic red self asking a request from McQueen to his mechanic, Lee Brown. Brown had also worked on the Ford Mustang from McQueen’s Bullitt, and with this job, created the colour known as ‘Chianti Red’. </p> <p>The paint job wasn’t the only custom work that the Ferrari saw, with parts from the N.A.R.T Spider transferred across - including its Borrani wire wheels and its bespoke wing mirror. </p> <p>None of it, however, was enough for the actor to keep the car, with McQueen selling it on to fellow screen star Guy Williams in 1971.</p> <p>From there until 2009, it encountered a number of new owners, before it arrived in the United Kingdom and crossed paths - as a silver vehicle - with retired Australian Formula One driver 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Vern Schuppan. </p> <p>Schuppan had a vision in mind from the moment of the sale, intending to restore the Ferrari to how it had been in the hands of McQueen. It was a big task, and Schuppan had to call in help, even sending the car to Ferrari for restorations. </p> <p>In the hands of the company and its in-house restoration program, the car underwent another painting session - first to its original Nocciola, before it was sprayed back to its Chianti Red roots with a little help from a swatch from Lee Brown.</p> <p>Back in prime condition, the Ferrari made its way to Italy’s Museo Ferrari and then California’s Petersen Automotive Museum, before Schuppan made the decision to sell - also with RM Sotheby’s - in 2014.</p> <p>And while it sold then for a staggering ~$14.9m, an estimate is unavailable for the car’s - likely astronomical - 2023 selling price.</p> <p><em>Images: RM Sotheby’s </em></p>

Money & Banking

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Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. </strong></em></p> <p>A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. </p> <p>School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. </p> <p>As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. </p> <p>By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead.</p> <p>Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. </p> <p>Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide.</p> <p>Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life.</p> <p>Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point."</p> <p>“We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives."</p> <p>The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. </p> <p>One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.”</p> <p>Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news."</p> <p>“They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.”</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help.</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / </em><em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk</em></p>

News

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"He wants to get in my head": Djokovic takes stand against rowdy fans

<p>Novak Djokovic has spoken out against tennis officials for how they reacted when a group of fans disrupted play at the Australian Open.</p> <p>The Serbian tennis player, ranked world number one, was up against World Number 191 Enzo Enzo Couacaud when he was forced to take his fight from the court to the stands. </p> <p>A group of four young men dressed in <em>Where’s Waldo </em>costumes were responsible for the chaos, and poked at the tennis star’s patience until the fourth set, when Djokovic had had enough. </p> <p>“He’s been provoking all night, the entire night, the entire night,” Djokovic said to the chair umpire, “what are you going to do about it?”</p> <p>The problems began when the group saw fit to shout and taunt during Djokovic’s serves, with their drunken antics leading him to suspect they intended to throw off his game. </p> <p>“The guy's drunk out of his mind, from the first point he's been provoking me,” he told the umpire, gesturing to the trouble in the crowd, “he's not here to watch tennis. He just wants to get in my head.</p> <p>“So I’m asking you, what are you going to do about it? You’ve heard him at least 10 times — I’ve heard him 50 times. What are you going to do about it?”</p> <p>Djokovic called for the expulsion of the disruptive fans, asking officials, “why don’t you get security guards and get him out of the stadium?”</p> <p>A security guard was reportedly sent to speak with the men, and sat in the row before them.</p> <p>The week before, the organisers of the Australian Open stated that anyone who was found to be taunting Djokovic without reason, and disrupting the enjoyment of everyone else, would be removed from the venues. </p> <p>The measure was likely put in place as Djokovic, like Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, is frequently the subject of heckling from audiences at these events. </p> <p>Despite the security guard’s presence, the interruptions were ongoing, and eventually the men were escorted from the game - but it may have proven too little too late for the Serbian player. </p> <p>In a press conference about the event, Djokovic told reporters, “it’s just unnecessary because why should we as players be put in a position where we have to always react when it‘s been two hours. It’s not been 10 minutes. This is what I mind, and this is why I felt the need to go out there because I had enough, you know?</p> <p>“I can tolerate five, six times somebody telling me something, but there is a limit. That limit was crossed, and I stepped in and I asked the chair umpire, is he going to do something about it or not? He did, and I thanked him.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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More than 100,000 tourists will head to Antarctica this summer. Should we worry about damage to the ice and its ecosystems?

<p>As the summer sun finally arrives for people in the Southern Hemisphere, more than 100,000 tourists will head for the ice. Travelling on one of more than 50 cruise ships, they will brave the two-day trip across the notoriously rough Drake Passage below Patagonia, destined for the polar continent of Antarctica. </p> <p>During the COVID summer of 2020-21, just 15 tourists on two yachts visited Antarctica. But now, tourism is back – and bigger than ever. This season’s <a href="https://iaato.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ATCM44-IAATO-Overview.pdf">visitor numbers</a> are up more than 40% over the largest <a href="https://iaato.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IAATO-on-Antarctic-visitor-figures-2019-20-FINAL.pdf">pre-pandemic year</a>. </p> <p>So are all those tourists going to damage what is often considered the last untouched wilderness on the planet? Yes and no. The industry is well run. Tourists often return with a new appreciation for wild places. They spend a surprisingly short amount of time actually on the continent or its islands. </p> <p>But as tourism grows, so will environmental impacts such as black carbon from cruise ship funnels. Tourists can carry in microbes, seed and other invasive species on their boots and clothes – a problem that will only worsen as ice melt creates new patches of bare earth. And cruise ships are hardly emissions misers.</p> <h2>How did Antarctic tourism go mainstream?</h2> <p>In the 1950s, the first tourists hitched rides on Chilean and Argentinian naval vessels heading south to resupply research bases on the South Shetland Islands. From the late 1960s, dedicated icebreaker expedition ships were venturing even further south. In the early 1990s, as ex-Soviet icebreakers became available, the industry began to expand – about a dozen companies offered trips at that time. By the turn of this century, the ice continent was receiving more than 10,000 annual visitors: Antarctic tourism had gone mainstream. </p> <p>What does it look like today? </p> <p>Most Antarctic tourists travel on small “expedition-style” vessels, usually heading for the relatively accessible Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, they can take a zodiac boat ride for a closer look at wildlife and icebergs or shore excursions to visit penguin or seal colonies. Visitors can kayak, paddle-board and take the polar plunge – a necessarily brief dip into subzero waters. </p> <p>For most tourists, accommodation, food and other services are provided aboard ship. Over a third of all visitors never stand on the continent. </p> <p>Those who do set foot on Antarctica normally make brief visits, rather than taking overnight stays. </p> <p>For more intrepid tourists, a few operators offer overland journeys into the continent’s interior, making use of temporary seasonal camp sites. There are no permanent hotels, and Antarctic Treaty nations recently <a href="https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM44/fr/ATCM44_fr001_e.pdf">adopted a resolution</a>against permanent tourist facilities. </p> <p>As tourists come in increasing numbers, some operators have moved to offer ever more adventurous options such as mountaineering, heli-skiing, underwater trips in submersibles and scuba diving.</p> <h2>Is Antarctic tourism sustainable?</h2> <p>As Antarctic tourism booms, some advocacy organisations have warned the impact may be unsustainable. For instance, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition <a href="https://www.asoc.org/campaign/responsible-tourism-and-shipping/">argues</a> cruise tourism could put increased pressure on an environment already under significant strain from climate change. </p> <p>In areas visited most by tourists, the snow has a <a href="https://theconversation.com/each-antarctic-tourist-effectively-melts-83-tonnes-of-snow-new-research-177597">higher concentration</a> of black carbon from ship exhaust, which soaks up more heat and leads to snow melt. Ship traffic also risks carrying <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2110303118">hitchhiking invasive species</a> into the Southern Ocean’s vulnerable marine ecosystems.</p> <p>That’s to say nothing of greenhouse gas emissions. Because of the continent’s remoteness, tourists visiting Antarctica have a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09669581003653534">higher per capita carbon footprint</a>than other cruise-ship travellers. </p> <p>Of course, these impacts aren’t limited to tourism. Scientific expeditions come with similar environmental costs – and while there are far fewer of them, scientists and support personnel spend far more time on the continent. </p> <h2>Antarctic tourism isn’t going away – so we have to plan for the future</h2> <p>Are sustainable cruises an oxymoron? Many <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/why-cruise-ships-are-bad-for-the-environment/#:%7E:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20one%20cruise,in%20unhealthy%20levels%20of%20pollution.">believe so</a>. </p> <p>Through its sheer size, the cruise industry has created <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-rock-the-boat-cruise-ships-can-destroy-the-very-destinations-they-sell-to-us-55245">mass tourism</a> in new places and <a href="https://theconversation.com/overtourism-a-growing-global-problem-100029">overtourism</a> in others, generating unacceptable levels of crowding, disrupting the lives of residents, repurposing local cultures for “exotic” performances, damaging the environment and adding to emissions from fossil fuels. </p> <p>In Antarctica, crowding, environmental impact and emissions are the most pressing issues. While 100,000 tourists a year is tiny by global tourism standards – Paris had almost 20 million in 2019 – visits are concentrated in highly sensitive ecological areas for only a few months per year. There are no residents to disturb (other than local wildlife), but by the same token, there’s no host community to protest if visitor numbers get too high. </p> <p>Even so, strong protections are in place. In accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System – the set of international agreements signed by countries with an Antarctic presence or an interest – tourism operators based in those nations have to apply for permits and follow <a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/protocol.html">stringent environmental regulations</a>. </p> <p>To avoid introducing new species, tourists have to follow rules such as disinfecting their boots and vacuuming their pockets before setting foot on the ice, and keeping a set distance from wildlife. </p> <p>Almost all Antarctic cruise owners belong to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, the peak body that manages Antarctic tourism. </p> <p>For the first time this year, operators have to report their <a href="https://iaato.org/antarctic-tour-operators-fuel-consumption-to-be-analysed-as-they-embark-on-climate-strategy/">overall fuel consumption</a> as part of IAATO’s efforts to make the industry more climate-friendly. Some operators are now using hybrid vessels that can run partly on electric propulsion for short periods, reducing carbon dioxide emissions.</p> <h2>Returning from the ice: the ambassador effect</h2> <p>Famed travel writer Pico Iyer <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/t-magazine/travel-destinations-experiences.html?te=1&amp;nl=from-the-times&amp;emc=edit_ufn_20221127">recently wrote</a> of his experience in the deep south of the world. The visit, he said, “awakens you to the environmental concerns of the world … you go home with important questions for your conscience as well as radiant memories”. </p> <p>Iyer isn’t alone. This response is widespread, known in the industry as <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/polar-record/article/what-and-who-is-an-antarctic-ambassador/4943D999A9D58BC00D1705C110075163">Antarctic ambassadorship</a>. As you’d expect, this is <a href="https://iaato.org/antarctic-ambassadors/antarctic-ambassadors/">strongly promoted</a> by tourism operators as a positive. </p> <p>Is it real? That’s contentious. Studies on links between polar travel and pro-environmental behaviour have yielded <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247408007456">mixed results</a>. We are working with two operators to examine the Antarctic tourist experience and consider what factors might feed into a long-lasting ambassador effect. </p> <p>If you’re one of the tourists going to Antarctica this summer, enjoy the experience – but go with care. Be aware that no trip south comes without environmental cost and use this knowledge to make clear-eyed decisions about your activities both in Antarctica and once you’re safely back home.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-100-000-tourists-will-head-to-antarctica-this-summer-should-we-worry-about-damage-to-the-ice-and-its-ecosystems-192843" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

International Travel

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Coastal property prices and climate risks are both soaring. We must pull our heads out of the sand

<p>Australians’ <a href="https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/australians-beach">well-documented</a> affinity with the sun, surf and sand continues to fuel <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/stunning-holiday-hotspots-where-house-prices-have-doubled-in-five-years-20221109-p5bwuk.html">coastal property market growth</a>. This growth defies rising interest rates and growing evidence of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/23/against-the-tide-storm-battered-wamberal-residents-cling-to-beachfront-homes">impacts of climate change</a> on people living in vulnerable coastal locations.</p> <p>People in these areas are finding it harder to insure their properties against these risks. Insurers view the Australian market as sensitive to climate risks, as climate change impacts can trigger large insurance payouts. They are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/12/australians-facing-prohibitive-insurance-premiums-after-climate-related-disasters">pricing their products accordingly</a>.</p> <p>Clearly, there is a vast disconnect between the coastal property market and climate change impacts such as increasingly severe storms, tidal surges, coastal erosion and flooding. There is no shortage of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/32-billion-of-cba-mortgages-exposed-to-extreme-weather-risks-climate-analysis-finds-20220819-p5bb5p.html">reports</a>, <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/australian-homes-uninsurable-2030-climate-risk-map/">studies</a> and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-18/gold-coast-council-additional-88-000-properties-at-flood-risk/101664596">analyses</a> confirming the climate risks we are already living with. Yet another alarming <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/State-of-the-Climate">State of the Climate</a> report was released last week.</p> <p>We keep talking about reaching global net-zero emissions. But this “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwD1kG4PI0w">blah blah blah</a>” masks the fact that climate impacts are already with us. Even if we make deeper, faster cuts to emissions, as we must, our world is now warmer. Australians will <a href="https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/reports-and-publications/risks-australia-three-degrees-c-warmer-world">feel the effects of that warming</a>.</p> <p>We ultimately cannot afford the price of business as usual, as embodied by so many coastal developments.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZwD1kG4PI0w?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Greta Thunberg denounces the ‘blah, blah, blah’ from world leaders in response to the climate emergency.</span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Risks are worrying banks and insurers</strong></p> <p>In Australia, the disasters and the environmental collapse we are experiencing will get worse. While a range of businesses see this as opening up <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-internet-sweeps-target-greenwashing-fake-online-reviews">new market and product frontiers</a>, the fact is climate change is creating a fundamentally uncertain, unstable and difficult world.</p> <p>Banks have a <a href="https://law-store.wolterskluwer.com/s/product/banking-on-climate-change-how-finance-actors-regulatory-regimes/01t0f00000J3aMk">central role</a> in addressing climate risks. They are <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-your-bank-help-reduce-climate-change-risks-to-your-home-60049">exposed to climate risk</a> through residential lending on properties that are vulnerable to climate impacts and now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/26/australias-unraveling-climate-risk-leaving-more-homes-uninsurable-against-flooding-expert-warns">face insurance pressures</a>.</p> <p>One in 25 Australian homes are <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/australian-homes-uninsurable-2030-climate-risk-map/">projected to be uninsurable by 2030</a>. The Australian government risks bearing the large costs of supporting the underinsured or uninsured – otherwise known as <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/disaster-funding/report">being “the insurer of last resort”</a>.</p> <p>This costly legacy shows why planning decisions made now must take account of climate change impacts, and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40641-020-00161-z">not just in the wake of disasters</a>.</p> <p>The rapidly escalating impacts and risks across sectors demand that we undertake mitigation and adaptation at the same time, urgently and on a large scale. This means reducing emissions to negative levels – not just reaching net zero and transitioning our energy sector, but also actively removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.</p> <p>We must also respond to climate change risks already locked into the system. We have to make substantial changes in how we think about, treat, price and act on these risks.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia’s ‘unraveling’ climate risk leaving more homes uninsurable against flooding, expert warns <a href="https://t.co/cLj1SKei72">https://t.co/cLj1SKei72</a></p> <p>— Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuardianAus/status/1596294943529893888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>As the climate shifts, so must our coastal dream</strong></p> <p>The consequences of a warming climate, including reaching and crossing tipping points in the Earth’s weather systems, are <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn7950#core-collateral-purchase-access">occurring sooner than anticipated</a>. The required behavioural, institutional and structural changes are vast and challenging.</p> <p>People are often attached to places based on <a href="https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/tran.12368">historical knowledge</a> of them. These lived experiences, while important, inform a worldview based on an understanding of our environment before the <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-19-2428-6_2">rapid onset</a> of climate change. This can skew our climate risk responses, but compounding climate impacts are outpacing our ability to adapt as we might have in the past.</p> <p>Institutional signalling, such as <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/property-values-are-at-risk-in-climate-change-hot-spots-rba-warns-20210917-p58skt.html">warnings by the Reserve Bank</a>, support greater public awareness of climate impacts and risks.</p> <p>When buying a property, people need to consider these factors more seriously than, say, having an extra bathroom. Obligatory disclosure of regional climate change impacts could inform buyers’ decision-making. The data and models used would have to be clear on the validity and limitations of their scenarios.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A great presentation from <a href="https://twitter.com/Tayanah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tayanah</a> at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C2C2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#C2C2021</a> about the legal status of property rights in Australia enabling (or otherwise...) managed retreat as a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climateadaptation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#climateadaptation</a> solution. Once again we find the climate projections are ahead of our legal preced…<a href="https://t.co/XgDVV5O0Gj">https://t.co/XgDVV5O0Gj</a></p> <p>— Anthony Boxshall (@ScienceN2Action) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScienceN2Action/status/1420173588217303044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>Nature-based and equitable solutions</strong></p> <p>In recent years there has been an increasing focus on nature-based solutions. This approach uses natural systems and tools for tackling societal issues such as the enormous and complex risks posed by climate change. Indeed, many Indigenous peoples, communities and ways of knowing <a href="https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/full/10.1139/facets-2019-0058">have long recognised</a> the fundamental role of nature in making good and safe lives possible for people.</p> <p>Nature-based solutions provide a suite of valuable tools for remedying issues we’re already facing on coasts. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569121000399">For example</a>, in many contexts, building hard seawalls is often a temporary solution, which instils a false sense of security. Planting soft barriers such as mangroves and dense, deep-rooting vegetation can provide a more enduring solution. It also restores fish habitat, purifies water and eases floods.</p> <p>Acknowledging the well-being of people and nature as interconnected has important implications for decisions about relocating people from high-risk areas. Effective planned retreat strategies must not only get people out of harm’s way, but account for where they will move and how precious ecosystems will be protected as demand for land supply shifts. Nature-based solutions must be built into retreat policies too.</p> <p>As the Australian Academy of Science’s <a href="https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/events/launch-national-strategy-just-adaptation">Strategy for Just Adaptation</a> explains, effective adaptation also embeds equity and justice in the process. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-019-02535-1">Research</a> on historic retreat strategies has shown that a failure to properly consider and respect people’s choices, resources and histories can further entrench inequities. Giving people moving to a new home as much choice as possible helps them work through an emotional and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569116301119">highly political process</a>.</p> <p>We all need to find the courage to have difficult conversations, to seek information to make prudent choices, and to do all we can to respond to the growing climate risks that confront us. As climate activist Greta Thunburg <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwD1kG4PI0w">says</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>“Hope is not passive. Hope is not blah blah blah. Hope is telling the truth. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.”</p> </blockquote> <p>Acting on this kind of hope can put us on an altogether different and more positive path.<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/195357/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>Writen by Tayanah O'Donnell and Eleanor Robson. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/coastal-property-prices-and-climate-risks-are-both-soaring-we-must-pull-our-heads-out-of-the-sand-195357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

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Long COVID symptoms not ‘all in the head’

<p>Researchers have found new evidence linking COVID-19 and changes to the brain.</p> <p>A <a href="https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/least-two-thirds-australians-including-children-and-adolescents-have-had-covid-19-two-national" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent survey</a> has shown that at least two thirds of all Australians have had COVID-19 and in the US figures suggest that around <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220622.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in five adults</a> will develop long-term effects from infection.</p> <p>‘<a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/is-long-covid-real-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long COVID</a>’ effects can include lasting neurological issues, as well as changes to vital organs such as the heart and lungs, even when the original COVID-19 infection was asymptomatic. Sufferers of long COVID often report trouble sleeping, difficulties concentrating or thinking, changes in mood (such as heightened levels of depression or anxiety) and complications like headaches, light-headedness, pins and needles and changes in the sense of smell or taste.</p> <p>Now, <a href="https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/rsna/newsroom2022.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers have found evidence</a> for significant changes in parts of the brain that may correspond to many of the most common neurological symptoms.</p> <p>Using a specialised type of MRI scan known as ‘magnetic susceptibility’ researchers compared the brains of 46 patients up to six months after they have recovered from COVID-19 with a control group of 30 healthy participants.</p> <p>Magnetic susceptibility is often used to detect and keep an eye on other conditions like microbleeds, tumours and strokes.</p> <p>“Our study highlights this new aspect of the neurological effects of COVID-19 and reports significant abnormalities in COVID survivors,” said study co-author Sapna S. Mishra, a Ph.D. candidate at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> </div> <p>Although there have been reports on abnormalities in magnetic susceptibility of the brain post-COVID-19 recovery, there has so far been little research on it.</p> <p>These ‘abnormalities’ include significant changes in the parts of the frontal lobe and brain stem. Affected parts of the <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/does-language-born-into-change-our-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frontal lobe</a> are associated with understanding and forming language, cognitive functions such as attention, motor inhibition and imagery, as well as social cognitive processes, while changes in the brain stem were in regions associated with systems controlling hormone regulation, sensory relay and maintaining circadian rhythms.</p> <p>“These brain regions are linked with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches and cognitive problems,” Mishra said. “This study points to serious long-term complications that may be caused by the coronavirus, even months after recovery from the infection.”</p> <p>At this stage, the study only provides a snapshot of patients up to 6 months post-recovery, although the research team plan to continue monitoring the patient cohort.</p> <p>“The present findings are from the small temporal window,” said Mishra. “However, the longitudinal time points across a couple of years will elucidate if there exists any permanent change.”</p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=225622&amp;title=Long+COVID+symptoms+not+%E2%80%98all+in+the+head%E2%80%99" width="1" height="1" /></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/long-covid-not-all-in-the-head/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Clare Kenyon. </em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Mind

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New details emerge after Coolio heads to 'Gangsta's Paradise’

<p dir="ltr">In the wake of the death of Coolio, the rapper behind the iconic ‘90s hit <em>Gangsta’s Paradise</em>, new details of his final moments have emerged.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the Grammy-award-winning artist was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a friend’s LA home on September 28, paramedics frantically worked to save him for 45 minutes before stopping.</p> <p dir="ltr">Coolio, who was born Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found on the bathroom floor after he had gone in and not returned for “a while”, according to <em>TMZ</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3e291696-7fff-d63f-69b6-2faeb3d14919"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">He was later pronounced dead at the scene, with paramedics reportedly believing he suffered a cardiac arrest.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace <a href="https://twitter.com/Coolio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coolio</a> <a href="https://t.co/vCeyn08Vsi">https://t.co/vCeyn08Vsi</a></p> <p>— Ice Cube (@icecube) <a href="https://twitter.com/icecube/status/1575295135516020737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Jarez Posey, Coolio’s friend and manager, confirmed the 59-year-old had died on Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Posey told <em>TMZ </em>that the rapper had travelled to LA to sort out an issue with his passport ahead of his performance in Germany the following weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">As tributes flowed for Coolio, one fan shared a story highlighting a kind and thoughtful side to him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So much respect for the man!” the fan wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My schoolfriend was murdered in ‘97 and Coolio sent flowers to his funeral in London because he had heard he was a fan.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with a rap career that kicked off in the 1980s, Coolio also built a career in film and TV, including roles in <em>Batman & Robin</em> (1997), <em>The Nanny</em>, <em>Charmed</em>, and as a voice actor in <em>Futurama </em>and <em>Gravity Falls</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also went on to release the reality TV show <em>Cooking with Coolio</em>, followed by the show <em>Coolio’s Rules</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">But it was <em>Gangsta’s Paradise</em>, which featured on the soundtrack of the film<em> Dangerous Minds</em>, that earned him his Grammy award in 1996 and elevated him to stardom.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a recent interview, Coolio said it was a song “that transcends generations”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t use any trendy words ... I think it made it timeless.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Michelle Pfeiffer, who starred in <em>Dangerous Minds</em>, quickly shared a tribute to the artist after his passing.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d5677dd1-7fff-fb08-22b6-14f1c8ef51c6">“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio,” she captioned a clip from the film where <em>Gangsta’s Paradise</em> plays.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjEs3_XAkp6/?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/reel/CjEs3_XAkp6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Michelle Pfeiffer (@michellepfeifferofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“A life cut entirely too short. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on <em>Dangerous Minds</em> in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack - which I think was the reason our film saw so much success.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr. ❤️”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Compton-born artist leaves behind ten children, including six he shared with ex-wife Josefa Salinas.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b0856cb6-7fff-1263-cefc-8412cc1c156d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @coolio (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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Get out your glitter and head down the Atlanta Highway – the B-52s are setting out on their final dance party!

<p>After 45 years together the B-52’s have announced they are unplugging and de-wigging for their final US tour. “No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blowout with our friends and family… our fans,” <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/b-52s-farewell-tour-2022/?utm_source=tsmclip&amp;utm_medium=referra">said Fred Schneider</a>.</p> <p>Who was to know that an impromptu jam session in 1976 in the American college town of Athens, Georgia, would be the foundation of a 45-year career?</p> <p>The innovative band that formed in 1976 originally consisted of Cindy Wilson (vocals and guitar), Kate Pierson (vocals and keyboards), Fred Schneider (vocals), Ricky Wilson (guitar) and Keith Strickland (drums). </p> <p>The world’s introduction to the B-52’s was the almost seven-minute song <em>Rock Lobster</em>. An unexpected hit, this uplifting musical concoction is comprised of a baritone-tuned Mosrite electric guitar riff, interspersed with stabbing Farfisa organ accents, and an array of vocal interplay with jazz-esque backing vocal parts.</p> <p>These are interspersed with Pierson’s dolphin like vocal sounds while Schneider’s unique lead vocal spoken delivery offers lyrics about a crustacean. The accompanying video presented a mixture of pop culture’s past with 1950’s cartoonist hair styles, surf culture, combined with uniquely erratic choreography, but musically there are elements that serve as a disruption to pop music.</p> <p><em>Rock Lobster</em> reached number one in Canada, three in Australia, 37 on the UK singles charts and 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100.</p> <h2>Influences and scene</h2> <p>The band’s influences draw from diverse sources across pop culture, such as B-grade movies, Captain Beefheart, 60’s dance moves, Dusty Springfield, comic books, animated cartoons, the composer Nino Rota (Fellini films), pulp science-fiction and Yoko Ono. </p> <p>This is perhaps best illustrated in the song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VujxeH8uK_Q"><em>Planet Clair</em>e</a> (1978) which opens instrumentally with intermittent radio frequencies that fade to a central guitar riff derived from Mancini’s Peter Gunn theme, then bongos and keyboards stabs, and Pierson’s mesmerising unison singing (chromatic long notes) with the DX7 keyboard part. This is followed by witty, farcical lyrics with an abundance of sci-fi references: satellites, speed of light, Mars.</p> <p>The B-52’s emerged from the 1970’s New Wave (rock) scene with their own combination of non-threatening post-punk and alternative surf rock musical aesthetics. Subversion was in the form of less musical dissonance and less density, more freedom, more harmonies, more play. Less aggressive, more diva, with an infectious enthusiasm.</p> <p>They created their own niche that was unquestionably southern, and importantly broke new ground as LGBTIQ+ icons, by infusing an uncompromisingly camp and queer sensibility into pop culture. </p> <p>From 1979 to 1986, the band recorded four studio albums that were best known for dance grooves, featuring the distinctive vocals of Schneider using sprechgesang(a spoken singing style credited to Humperdinck in 1897 and Schoenberg in 1912), the highly experimental vocal approaches of Pierson, growls and harmonies by Wilson, and Strickland’s surf guitar riffs. </p> <p>They made novel instrumentation choices: toy pianos, walkie talkies, glockenspiels, and bongos, coupled with the innovative use of up-cycled fashion and costumes evoking individuality and liberation. </p> <p>The exception was the EP <em>Mesopotamia</em> (1982) produced by David Byrne, a significant departure from their previous song production. Most noticeable is the slower tempo of <em>Mesopotamia</em>, 119 beats per minute (BPM) compared with <em>Rock Lobster’s</em> (1978) 179 BPM and <em>Private Idaho’s</em> (1980) driving 166 BPM tempo. <em>Mesopotamia</em> features additional synthesizer parts, poly-rhythmic beats (the combination of two or more different rhythms following the same pulse) and world beat influences.</p> <p>On the surface the B-52s lyrics could be misconstrued as merely comedic, or nonsensical, however there are deeper underlining lyrical meanings that speak for the marginalised, referencing the band’s political ideology: environmental causes, feminism, LGBTIQ+ rights, and AIDS activism.</p> <h2>Late 1980s and early 1990s</h2> <p><em>Bouncing Off The Satellites</em> took three years to complete and was released in 1986. Sadly, Ricky Wilson died from HIV/AIDS related illness in 1985 just after the recording sessions were complete. The B-52s reshaped the band with Strickland switching from drums to lead guitar. Later, the band also added touring members for studio albums and live performances. </p> <p>The B-52s album with the greatest commercial success was <em>Cosmic Thing</em> (1989) co-produced by Don Was and Nile Rodgers. The single <em>Love Shack</em>, went double platinum, reached number 1 for eight weeks, and sold 5 million copies. </p> <p>The song opens with engaging drum sounds at an infectious dance tempo of 133 BPM (beats per minute). Schneider’s distinctive vocal enters, then the bass and guitar parts. The arrangement places the hooks at the front in the song, with chorus vocal parts in 4ths. </p> <p>Adding to the infectious groove is the live band sound featuring real brass section, and bass guitar and a bluesy guitar riff with crowd noises in the background. The alluring backing vocal parts on the lyrics “bang, bang, bang, on the door baby” are clearly reminiscent of the <em>Batman</em> television theme music.</p> <h2>Into the 21st century</h2> <p>In 2008 the band re-emerged from a 16-year recording absence with the 11-track album <em>Funplex</em>. There are notable modifications to the B-52s signature sound. <em>Funplex</em> is not the frenetic and spontaneous party music of previous albums. There are a few adaptations vocally too, with a change of roles with spoken word from Wilson and Pierson.</p> <p>The band has toured every summer, with a variety of other bands on the circuit, the Tubes, Go-Go’s, Psychedelic Furs and KC &amp; The Sunshine Band building new audiences.</p> <p>Their appeal is still broad. In 2020, <em>Rock Lobster</em> was used in Australia for an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-VHByOdHmg">Optus ad</a>. The farewell tour billed as “their final tour ever of planet Earth” commences in August this year in Seattle.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/get-out-your-glitter-and-head-down-the-atlanta-highway-the-b-52s-are-setting-out-on-their-final-dance-party-182934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

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A history of head injuries could impact your sense of smell

<p dir="ltr">A history of head injuries could make you more likely to experience a loss of your sense of smell, according to a team of international researchers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The study, published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2022.1920" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JAMA Otolaryngology-Head &amp; Neck Surgery</a></em>, found that out of 5,961 participants - including 1,666 people who had a history of head injuries - those who had suffered from at least two head injuries or had more severe injuries were more likely to report a loss of smell.</p> <p dir="ltr">If you’ve ever had a nose full of snot during a severe cold or sinus infection, you’ve likely experienced a temoorary bout of anosmia - a full or partial loss of your sense of smell - but it can also be permanent.</p> <p dir="ltr">The team reported that 24 percent of those with a history of head injuries self-reported a loss of smell, in comparison to 20 percent of those with no head injuries, with 15 percent having objective anosmia versus 13 percent in the cohort with no injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">For those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), previous studies have found that 14 to 20 percent suffer from a loss of smell, with this most-recent study finding that the likelihood of suffering from smell loss relied on both the number of head injuries and their severity.</p> <p dir="ltr">The researchers found that both self-reporting a loss of smell and being objectively assessed to have anosmia were associated with a person having a history of at least two head injuries which were moderate, severe or penetrating.</p> <p dir="ltr">As for how TBIs cause a loss of smell, the authors suggest that it could include the shearing of the olfactory nerve fibres anchored to the cribriform plate, a part of the ethmoid bone that is anchored in the nasal cavity that is covered in holes to allow for nerves to convey smells to the brain.</p> <p dir="ltr">They also suggest that injuries to the sinonasal tract, olfactory bulbs, and olfactory-eloquent cortical brain regions could be behind smell loss, but note that other factors such as severe depression, posttraumatic epilepsy, and medications prescribed to manage TBIs could be responsible.</p> <p dir="ltr">Surprisingly, the team reported that a high proportion of participants were unaware of the extent of their loss of smell, echoing findings from previous studies.</p> <p dir="ltr">They found that those with a history of head injuries were more likely to under-report or over-report the extent of their smell loss - which was also measured using objective olfactory testing - in comparison to those who hadn’t suffered a head injury.</p> <p dir="ltr">Given that a loss of smell is often inaccurately reported by those with head injuries and that it is associated with negative effects on mental and physical health, the team argue that their study has important considerations for health practitioners working with patients with a history of head injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Findings also suggest important clinical considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of posttraumatic olfactory loss; that individuals with remote prior head injury are at risk for posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction but are unlikely to be aware of their deficits; and conversely, that individuals with prior head injury may be more likely to overreport subjective olfactory deficits, which may not be confirmed by objective testing,” they write.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Taken together, there should be consideration of objective psychophysical olfactory assessment in patients with head injury.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3fa7b9f3-7fff-41af-93ce-6d8988e762d4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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“Keep doing you”: Kyrgios goes head to head with reporter

<p dir="ltr">After cinching a five-set win against Brandon Nakashima, Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios shut down a reporter’s attempts to stir up controversy.</p> <p dir="ltr">During his post-match press conference, one reporter targeted Kyrgios’ wardrobe choices - namely the red Jordans and matching cap he wore for his fourth round clash against Nakashima - but the athlete was having none of it.</p> <p dir="ltr">Referring to Wimbledon’s dress code rules - where players are required to wear almost entirely white while on the court - the reporter questioned why Kyrgios made such bold outfit choices in light of previous comments he made about controversy seeming to “materialise around” him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Because I do what I want,” Kyrgios said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So you’re above the rules?” the reporter hit back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No. I’m not above the rules,” the 27-year-old answered.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So what is it? They don’t apply to you?” the reporter asked.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fe3979cd-7fff-13af-fba8-d0214e7a0de9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I just like my Jordans.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Keep doing you then champion”: the way Kyrgios fails to get riled up by this line of questioning is a delight to watch <a href="https://t.co/M6u6T94Wu0">pic.twitter.com/M6u6T94Wu0</a></p> <p>— Gavin Coote (@GavinCoote) <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinCoote/status/1544100665282007041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Though Kyrgios wasn’t biting, the reporter kept trying to bait the athlete.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t want to ruin the surprise but the referee’s going to be speaking to you about (his uniform),” the reporter said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s OK. I’ll wear triple whites tomorrow,” Kyrgios said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But that’s fine then. No one else, in both draws, wear …” the reporter began, with Kyrgios interjecting: “But no one else - even after Wimbledon - no one else really walks with Jordans on the court.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When the moderator tried to interject, the reporter apologised, saying that Kyrgios “just moaned about the controversy that surrounds him”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I haven’t moaned. I love it.” Kyrgios said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So you just laugh it off then?” the reporter asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yeah, it’s just more attention for me. What’s that saying? Any publicity is good publicity right?” Kyrgios answered.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you say so,” the reporter said, to which Kyrgios replied, “Keep doing you then champion”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kyrgios has been the subject of plenty of controversy and criticism, but has said he’s okay with it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just smile,” he said. “It’s so funny. Hilarious. I almost just wake up and read things, I just laugh.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I never forget things. Whether it was three, four years ago, I have a massive chip on my shoulder. I sit here now in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon again, and I just know there’s so many people that are so upset.</p> <p dir="ltr">“None of you know me at all - people love just to have an opinion.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce17fed0-7fff-2fd0-1bc4-566351598a66"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Elvis Presley's childhood home heads to auction

<p dir="ltr">The childhood home of Elvis Presley has been listed for auction - but the once-abandoned little blue house will be sold in an unusual way.</p> <p dir="ltr">Located in Tupelo, Mississippi, the dilapidated structure was home to the King of Rock'n'Roll and his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, from 1943 to 1944.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2022/06/28/elvis-presleys-abandoned-childhood-home-goes-up-for-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a></em>, the home will be auctioned off on August 14 as part of week-long celebrations of Elvis Week 2022 in Memphis.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the home has been listed by Rockhurst Auctions with an estimated price of $US 30,000-50,000 ($NZD 48-80,000) and doesn't come with any land.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, the house comes completely disassembled, ready to be taken to a new location. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The house itself has been dismantled and taken apart meticulously, so it can be put back together. It is being stored in a trailer,” Jeff Marren, owner of Rockhurst Auctions, explained to The Post.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So when someone buys the house, they’re going to get the whole trailer and the designs for putting back together.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whoever buys it can actually hire the person who took it apart to put it back together for them.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When the home is put back together again, it's a simple three-bedroom, one-bathroom home with just 117 square metres of living space - a polar opposite to the sprawling Graceland, Presley's final home.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-21febfaa-7fff-4120-83da-27422b1de263"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Domain.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Surprise favourite heading into Logies weekend

<p dir="ltr">With the Logies just around the corner, debates about who could take home the Gold Logie are heating up, with gambling platforms even weighing in on who it could be.</p> <p dir="ltr">Radio star Hamish Blake has been dubbed a “shoo-in” for the award, but Sportsbet claims Channel 7’s Sonia Kruger could be tipped to nab the award instead, per <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/awards/logies/sportsbet-betting-odds-hint-sonia-kruger-is-hot-on-hamish-blakes-tail-for-gold-logie/news-story/06132b23f0f63ab0760c5d5ab77b766d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though Blake is still the frontrunner, with betting at $1.80, it’s come as a drop from $1.40 over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Kruger has gone from $6 to $4, making her the second favourite.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following close behind is <em>MasterChef</em>’s Melissa Leong at $5.50, with <em>Home and Away </em>star Ray Meagher sitting at $10 and <em>I’m a Celeb</em>’s Julie Morris on $11.</p> <p dir="ltr">A victory for Kruger has been a long time coming, with her 20-year career being recognised with a nomination for Most Popular Personality.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em><a href="https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/06/2022-gold-logie-nominee-sonia-kruger.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TV Tonight</a></em> earlier in the week, the 56-year-old said it was “high time” a women nabbed the award, noting that most of the male nominees already have a Gold Logie to their name.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And it’s not a popularity contest but I did host every show on Channel 7 last year and deserve it more than everyone else,” she joked. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sportsbet’s Sean Ormerod echoed the sentiment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sonia would be a deserved winner if she takes home the Gold,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There isn’t much she hasn’t appeared on, <em>Big Brother</em>, <em>Holey Moley</em>, <em>Dancing With The Stars</em>, to name a few, and there’s no doubt her popularity with the voting public.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 62nd TV Week Logie Awards is set to air on Channel Nine this Sunday at 7pm, with live voting for the Gold Logie open from now until the red carpet telecast.</p> <p dir="ltr">To vote for your favourite from the short-list of nominees, head <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/awards/oscars/the-will-smith-slap-has-no-place-at-the-oscars-but-absolutely-belongs-at-the-logies/news-story/91b43d68880147bb09c11961703acbb5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-527adac2-7fff-0406-f3a1-fba2c5f87230"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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Off-the-grid homes head to New Zealand’s most stunning spots

<p dir="ltr">If getting away from the hustle and bustle of life for some peace, quiet and a mental recharge is particularly tempting, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to do so - and get totally immersed in nature while you do - thanks to the latest introduction to Aotearoa’s tourism scene.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unyoked, an Australian startup created by Cam and Christ Grant in 2016, found success with their concept cabins located in remote areas of NSW, Queensland and Victoria, and now they’ve taken their concept across the water to New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair started up with the belief that spending time in the wilderness is good for the body, mind and soul, with a company ethos being about total immersion in nature.</p> <p dir="ltr">The exact locations are still a secret, but the cabins will be appearing in some of New Zealand’s most stunning and remote locales, including the Bay of Islands, the west coast of North Island, and around the Port Waikato coastline, from July.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though they promise to be remote and far away from civilisation, you won’t be without creature comforts if you choose to stay there.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of the launch, Unyoked has confirmed they’re collaborating with some top local brands, including Raglan Roast coffee, McLeod’s Brewery, J.M.R&amp;Co, Webster’s tea and Sleepyhead beds.</p> <p dir="ltr">As of publication, one cabin called Maia is in the works, located on a 70-acre block of native bushland in Ōkaihau, about 3.5 hours north-west of Auckland. </p> <p dir="ltr">With a minimum two-night stay for Friday and Saturday, Maia will cost you $269 for weeknights or $299 for weekends.</p> <p dir="ltr">For more information about Maia and future cabins, head <a href="https://www.unyoked.co/results/NZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a11a9bc9-7fff-34e7-8392-87660fe27d7e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @unyoked.co (Instagram)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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8 secret signs your marriage is headed for divorce

<div>Sometimes the signs that your marriage is on the rocks are surprising and sneaky. Always consider seeking professional guidance to help save your marriage.</div> <div> </div> <div> <div><strong>You speak but don’t communicate</strong></div> <p>Your communication doesn’t have to be meaningful day in and day out. But it’s troubling – and possibly one of the signs of divorce – if you never talk with your spouse about anything besides the weather or who needs to get more milk. “It’s a bad sign when speaking to each other seems superficial,” says psychotherapist, Marni Feuerman. “If you keep the day-to-day stuff inside, it creates distance and disconnection in your marriage,” says Feureman. That can make you feel less affection and fondness for your partner. The same goes if it’s one person doing all the talking and the other doing all the listening. “Remember, good communication is not just about speaking up on behalf of yourself,” says Francesca Di Meglio, the former Newlyweds Expert for About.com.  “It’s also about listening to – and really hearing – your spouse.”</p> <p><strong>You disagree about whether to have kids</strong></p> <p>You likely discussed the topic of having children before you got hitched, but feelings may change. Maybe you feel kids will get in the way of your career or your spouse wants to give up trying after fertility issues have made starting or adding to a family difficult. Di Meglio suggests putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. Figure out why he or she doesn’t want a baby and what’s motivating the argument. Persuasion isn’t the answer either. It’s unfair if you’re trying to talk someone into or out of a desire to have kids, says marriage consultant, Lesli M. W. Doares. “Parenting is hard enough when both people are on board,” Doares says. “Being talked into it will only create resentment.”</p> <p><strong>You’re spending less and less time together</strong></p> <p>You don’t have to be attached at the hip 24/7. But you should want to spend your free time with one another and enjoy being with your partner more than anyone else (most of the time). It’s perfectly fine to binge-watch a television show, surf the Internet on your phone, get lost in a book, work late, or socialise without your spouse. But consider if you’re using these activities as a distraction – to the point that it feels like a relief not to be together – from dealing with any issues in your marriage, one of the signs of divorce. “Creating regular time to be together as a couple and doing things that are fun is critical for a lasting, successful marriage,” says Doares.</p> <p><strong>You’re not putting in the work to improve your marriage</strong></p> <p>Both spouses need to put forth equal effort to make the relationship work. One person can’t go it alone. “If you lack the motivation to work on your marriage, to address issues that are cracking away at your relationship, then you have to figure out why,” says Di Meglio. “Often, the lack of motivation is an indication that something has been lost. It doesn’t mean you can’t get it back, but you have to dedicate yourself to figuring out why you’re feeling disenchanted and uninterested.”</p> <p><strong>You lack respect for one another</strong></p> <p>It starts with an innocent complaint, says Doares, like: “You didn’t do the dishes.” Then it morphs to more general criticism: “You never help around the house.” Then it evolves into a personality judgment: “You’re a selfish, lazy slob.” “This doesn’t happen overnight, but it gradually chips away at the foundation of your marriage,” says Doares. If you put one another down or constantly criticise one another, this may be one of the signs of divorce. “If you don’t respect the person, then you’ll have a hard time liking him or her, let alone loving him or her,” says Di Meglio. Think about whether something was said or done that made you lose respect, she adds. “Both people must be committed to earning back the respect, changing the questionable behaviour and communicating better,” says Di Meglio. “If that’s not possible or too much damage has been done, the marriage won’t last.”</p> <p><strong>Your partner is a serial cheater</strong></p> <p>Some couples can recover and move on from a marital stray, even making their marriage more united after one partner cheated. “Couples can survive an isolated affair,” says Doares. However, a serial cheater who has multiple affairs likely has a problem you can’t fix. “The only way to get over a betrayal – emotional or physical – is to earn back trust by not cheating ever again,” says Di Meglio. “If this is a pattern of behaviour, then you’ll never earn back the trust.” Some people just can’t be monogamous and aren’t cut out for marriage. Doares reminds people not to blame themselves. “This isn’t about you, but about your partner’s refusal to fully participate in your marriage,” she says.</p> <p><strong>You’re no longer intimate</strong></p> <p>We’re not saying you have to be all over one another like honeymooners, but a lack of chemistry is one of the signs of divorce. “The chemistry we feel for a spouse can ebb and flow for many reasons,” says Cathy W. Meyer, the About.com Divorce Support Expert. “It’s not unusual in a marriage to go through periods where we feel a lack of desire for our spouse.” When someone is sick or you have young kids, it’s natural to be less intimate. Even as you age, you might not want to be as physical as you once were. “But if you’re no longer intimate and this is consistent, you have to ask yourselves why,” says Di Meglio. “This is an even bigger problem if one of you wants sex and the other doesn’t.” A lack of physical affection means you’re in a platonic relationship. “Couples cease to be lovers and become roommates and business partners,” says Doares. “But that’s not the reason most of us get married.”</p> <p><strong>You argue about the same things over and over</strong></p> <p>It’s common for people to argue about the same issue throughout their marriage, says Feuerman. “This might lead to divorce if you let the arguments seriously escalate, fight dirty, shut down and refuse to talk, or excessively blame,” says Feuerman. You may need to compromise and do some give and take to put an end to the constant battles and differences. “It’s been my experience that couples get caught in a cycle of the same-old drama because they’ve lost interest in each other and the health of their relationship,” says Meyer.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/8-secret-signs-your-marriage-is-headed-for-divorce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. </em></p> </div>

Relationships

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Guy Sebastian questioned over home intruder head-butt

<p>Guy Sebastian has been grilled in court over claims he head-butted an intruder who broke into his Sydney home while his wife and newborn son were sleeping. </p> <p>The singer recalled the incident while being cross-examined at the embezzlement trial of his former manager Titus Day.</p> <p>“I had a newborn who was sleeping, I was at my recording studio … I received a call from my wife about this person who was trying to get into our house through my little boy’s window and as a result I arrived home,” Mr Sebastian told the court on Tuesday.</p> <p>“By the time I got home the guy trying to break in was still there. I chased after him.”</p> <p>However, the court heard different stories about what the singer told people happened next. </p> <p>When asked repeatedly if he head-butted the intruder, Mr Sebastian said he had not.</p> <p>But he agreed with Dominic Toomey SC, who is acting for Mr Day, that’s what he told people afterwards.</p> <p>“While I was holding him he was trying to grab me … elbowing and kicking me … he grabbed my [motorbike] helmet,” Mr Sebastian said.</p> <p>“I’ve told people that I knocked him out … I didn’t head-butt him … I agree I’ve told people that I head-butted him."</p> <p>“You’re implying I head-butted him as an intentional act but it just didn’t happen like that.”</p> <p>The incident was brought up in relation to its inclusion in an Apprehended Violence Order taken out by Titus Day.</p> <p>Mr Sebastian was served with the AVO application two days before he reported Mr Day to police over the allegations of embezzlement.</p> <p>Mr Sebastian said his former manager was trying to “weaponise” the incident by including it in his AVO.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Record-busting quilt convention heads Down Under

<p dir="ltr">For the first time, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest quilt convention will be heading to Brisbane in a three-day event showcasing the best quilts from around the country and the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australasian Quilt Convention runs from May 26 to May 29 and features exhibitions of quilts that are award-winning, never-before-seen and even some made especially for the convention’s yearly challenge.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a83866f9-7fff-ea0a-66f9-f06262c4d46d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Thirty finalists from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from this year’s challenge, themed ‘Going Green’, will be on display at the convention, with the winners announced during Wednesday night’s cocktail party.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/quilt-show1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>A variety of quilts will be exhibited at the convention’s Quilt Show. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">There will also be daily classes, where top quilters will take you through how to make everything from tote bags and cushions to framed quilts and adorable animals, and free seminars where you can pick up tips to improve your patchwork, sewing and other crafty skills.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4f17f5a-7fff-02ac-f10b-2a529d161bbb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Along with plenty of things to see and do, you can also take something home with you from the Expo floor, with patterns, kits, and even quilting machines available to purchase.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/quilt-show2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Daily classes, run by top quilters, will take you through how to make all sorts of pieces. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">To book your tickets to the event, hosted at Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, head <a href="https://aqc.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b1c436f-7fff-189a-710a-28476493efa0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Art

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The benefits of vitamin D – from head to toe

<p><strong>The benefits of vitamin D</strong></p> <p>Is it the magic vitamin? Well, it might be close. Research in recent years has shown that vitamin D may be one of the most powerful supplements to boost your total wellness and even help promote longevity. For years, vitamin D was touted as an ace for stronger bones, shinier hair and as a potential mood-booster. But you might not be aware of the many benefits vitamin D can provide for your whole system.</p> <p><strong>Brain</strong></p> <p>When taken with fish oil, vitamin D is a powerful mood booster, according to a study published in the <em>FASEB </em>journal. The aptly named ‘sunshine vitamin’ improves mood and lowers depression by aiding the conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan into serotonin – a brain chemical that regulates mood. But that’s not all! Vitamin D improves memory and cognitive functions in older women, according to a separate study published in <em>Journals of Gerontology A</em>. Meanwhile, previous research has found it may also have some protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p><strong>Eyes</strong></p> <p>Laugh lines aside, your eyes themselves undergo signs of ageing that can impair your vision. According to a study published in <em>Neurobiology of Ageing</em>, a daily dose of vitamin D reduced some of the effects of ageing on eyes, reduced inflammation and improved vision in mice. A second study found that it may also help prevent macular degeneration, a common eye disease that can lead to blindness if it goes untreated.</p> <p><strong>Ears</strong></p> <p>What causes vertigo, that disorienting sensation of dizziness and spinning? Vertigo may feel like your head is spinning, but the problem often stems from the structures in your inner ear that are responsible for balance. However, taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce vertigo and lower your chances of getting vertigo again, according to a study published in <em>Neurology</em>.</p> <p><strong>Teeth</strong></p> <p>Want stronger, whiter teeth and fewer cavities? Taking a daily vitamin D supplement may help, according to a meta-analysis published in <em>Nutrients</em>. Researchers analysed dozens of controlled studies with thousands of participants in several countries to find that that vitamin D was associated with a 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.</p> <p><strong>Gums</strong></p> <p>The same vitamin D supplement that strengthens your teeth can also help protect your gums from bacterial infections that lead to problems like gingivitis and periodontitis, according to the <em>Nutrients </em>study. Periodontitis, a potentially serious infection of the gum tissue, is a major cause of tooth loss and can also contribute to heart disease.</p> <p><strong>Heart</strong></p> <p>One of vitamin D’s most powerful roles is in the cardiovascular system, where there are 200 genes regulated by vitamin D. How does it work? Vitamin D may help stop cholesterol from clogging arteries, regulate blood pressure and improve the function of cells in the heart. Even better, it may also be able to help heal existing heart damage, according to research published in the <em>International Journal of Nanomedicine</em>.</p> <p><strong>Lungs</strong></p> <p>Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis affect many people. While it’s not a cure, vitamin D can reduce the number of lung disease flareups by 40 per cent, a study published in <em>The Lancet</em> concluded. The same may be true for asthma, according to a separate study published in <em>Cochrane Review</em>. Researchers found that people who took a daily dose of vitamin D in addition to their asthma medication reduced the number of severe asthma attacks they experienced.</p> <p><strong>Gut</strong></p> <p>People with metabolic syndrome – increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels – are at a high risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Exercise and a healthy diet are important practices to avoid or heal the syndrome, but research has suggested vitamin D may also help. In a study published in <em>Frontiers in Physiology</em>, vitamin D improved signs of metabolic syndrome by boosting healthy gut bacteria in mice.</p> <p><strong>Liver</strong></p> <p>Higher vitamin D levels are linked with lower levels of cancer in general, and less liver cancer specifically, according to a <em>BMJ </em>study. Researchers took samples from over 33,000 adult participants and found that higher levels of the nutrient were associated with a 20 per cent reduction in cancer and a 30-50 per cent reduction in liver cancer.</p> <p><strong>Reproductive system</strong></p> <p>Both men and women show reproductive and fertility benefits from vitamin D. Female participants who had a healthy vitamin D level early in pregnancy were more likely to have a baby with a healthy weight and head size in a study published in the <em>Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &amp; Metabolism</em>. Similarly, men with higher vitamin D levels had a better fertility potential, particularly through better sperm motility, say researchers in a separate study, published in<em> World Journal of Men’s Health</em>.</p> <p><strong>Bones</strong></p> <p>Think calcium is the best nutrient for bones? Think again. The positive effects of vitamin D on bone health are some of the most documented benefits of the nutrient. Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, while inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p><strong>Knees</strong></p> <p>Your knees are one of the most-used joints in your body and often one of the first places to experience joint pain as you get older. Research has suggested the most common causes of joint pain are osteoarthritis from joint overuse or injury, and rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that attacks joints. Vitamin D can help protect against both types of arthritis. People who maintained healthy vitamin D levels were less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in <em>Journal of Autoimmunity</em>. Similarly, people with low vitamin D levels reported more symptoms of osteoarthritis, like knee pain and difficulty walking, according to research by the American College of Rheumatology.</p> <p><strong>Feet</strong></p> <p>Stress fractures – microfractures that often occur in small bones due to overuse – are fairly common injuries, particularly in people who participate in high impact activities, like running, or people who are significantly overweight. According to a study published in <em>The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery</em>, vitamin D may reduce stress fractures by helping improve bone density.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-41d08e27-7fff-fd5c-6a8f-fc6514936626">Written by Charlotte Hilton Andersen. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/the-benefits-of-vitamin-d-from-head-to-toe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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A new light festival is heading to Sydney Zoo

<p dir="ltr">Sydney’s newest zoo is welcoming a festival of lights that promises to rival the annual Vivid festival with dazzling exhibitions and a chance to get up close to some iconic critters.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7e369fc9-7fff-34bd-6b21-7ab03378e625"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">GLOW will be taking over the Western Sydney zoo in Bungarribee nightly between Friday, May 13 and Sunday, June 5.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdIVzWDqMPo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdIVzWDqMPo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sydney Zoo 🦁 (@thesydneyzoo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The star of the show will be the GLOW Light Walk, which takes visitors on a full tour of the zoo complete with giant glowing animal lanterns and sculptures, and past the festival’s other attractions, including a12-metre tunnel of fairy lights, and a giant glowing Ferris wheel.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-999ef17b-7fff-5aa2-77cb-1020dec7dfb5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans of creepy crawlies can also enjoy the Reptile &amp; Nocturnal house - the biggest in the country - and come face-to-face with snakes and glowing UV scorpions.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/glow-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>GLOW’s extensive list of attractions include real-life UV scorpions (left) and towering interactive installations such as Trumpet Flowers (right). Images: Sydney Zoo</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The neon festival will also include the Glow Zone, featuring an ice rink, golf course, and Octopoda, a giant statue with eight tentacle-drums that light up, as well as plenty of food and drink.</p> <p dir="ltr">GLOW has also been designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible with no hills of steps to grapple with.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tickets start at $25 online - which you can book <a href="https://sydneyzoo.com/glow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> - or $30 at the gate, while babies under two enter for free.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-09f693ab-7fff-720f-8380-e9042b4dbaac"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Sydney Zoo</em></p>

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