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What happens to teeth as you age? And how can you extend the life of your smile?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/arosha-weerakoon-792707">Arosha Weerakoon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>A healthy smile <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37314011/">helps us</a> live long, well and happy lives. But just <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37436910/">like our bodies</a>, our teeth succumb to age-related changes.</p> <p>So what happens to teeth as you age? And what can you do to ensure your smile lasts the distance?</p> <h2>First, what are teeth made of?</h2> <p>The tooth crown is covered by a hard enamel coat that surrounds softer, brown dentine, which protects a centrally located pulp.</p> <p>Enamel is a complex weave of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2584618/">brittle</a>, honeycomb-clustered strands that interact with light to make teeth appear opalescent (a pearly, milky iridescence).</p> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1601-1546.2012.00269.x">Dentine under enamel</a> forms most of the tooth crown and root, and is made of collagen, mineral, water and proteins. Collagen strands are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003996922002102?via%3Dihub#bib12">woven</a> to stretch and spring back, to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003996922002102?via%3Dihub#bib12">prevent teeth</a> from cracking and breaking when we grind and chew.</p> <p>The pulp has blood vessels and nerves that communicate with the rest of your body.</p> <p>Enmeshed in the dentine mineral and collagen are small, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8809302/">interconnected tubules</a> formed by specialised cells called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1047847799940960">odontoblasts</a> that settle around the pulp, once our teeth completely form.</p> <p>Each tooth contains a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23803461/">finite number of odontoblasts</a>, unlike the constantly replenished special bone cells that renew.</p> <h2>How do our teeth change as we age?</h2> <p>Unable to renew, our teeth <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003996922002102?via%3Dihub#bib19">become brittle</a>, and prone to fracture as dentine loses its spring.</p> <p>This is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002817714613532?casa_token=1K9Y6CJXmsAAAAAA:t6y_b_Iy02AWpUGaiz4H8Fk0Kdfx6z1ypHiGOEjFqFNlU1jvSRCVjfYOyysgIErJvgCzh33c2hfX">more common</a> in teeth with existing crack lines, large fillings or root canal treatments.</p> <p>With time, the outer surface of enamel <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022391305004348?casa_token=xXfdecXrLaoAAAAA:YE_0swAFtT3RyCUeJmPwciixQ0hwL-foLyC2RGtnlyUSJ9O-pPLQz0B8XNd4Gq1AMtCN2BgnCrqo">thins</a> to reveal the relatively opaque dentine that darkens as we age.</p> <p>The dentine darkens because the collagen weave <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1047847722000697">stiffens and shrinks</a>, and the fluid in the tubules <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590152422000010?via%3Dihub">fills with mineral</a>.</p> <p>The odontoblasts continue to form dentine inside the tooth to reduce the translucent pulp space. The increase in dentine makes our teeth appear <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003996913003294">opaque</a> and insulates from hot and cold sensations. This is why <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571215000494?casa_token=iiLtoxOZOYQAAAAA:RfaGR7lrq9dgWuO_nh6hLETzVUiIWdu-mB-Ev019vZH5t6meVyAHs3YpZzcu9FNrDBYQL6OExu6j">X-rays</a> are useful to detect cavities we may not feel.</p> <p>Food and drink particles fill micro-gaps and age-related fine crack lines that run up and down enamel to <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yash-Kapadia/publication/322509199_Tooth_staining_A_review_of_etiology_and_treatment_modalities/links/5b4cd922a6fdcc8dae245b7d/Tooth-staining-A-review-of-etiology-and-treatment-modalities.pdf">discolour and stain</a>. These stains are easily managed by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772559622000207">tooth whitening</a>.</p> <p>How else can you extend the life of your teeth and brighten your smile? Here are seven tips to avoid dental decline:</p> <h2>1. Avoid unnecessary forces</h2> <p>Avoid <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2012.722">using</a> your teeth to hold things such as working tools or to open packaging.</p> <p>Take measures to avoid forces such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1882761622000059">grinding or clenching</a> by wearing a night guard.</p> <p>If you have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564122002421">large fillings</a> or <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564122001579?casa_token=kQPjGNgU2iQAAAAA:ytMnT5MLV8aRehNyyWD7qC7FXSBE5xpPCxnzZ2ryKsuyJePq1jHisue1udtN0Cs6NDYJ37xYHy_5">root canal-treated</a> teeth, speak to your dentist about <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/aej.12002?casa_token=RwMhhwmgjwwAAAAA%3AGCWVA9vjFX68S2DdKbCFl4jwTAjMeqVDoT3GtXTSjA7SMEc3ksktOMCUSz9ArikD4XhBM5v08nGCvmVF0g">specific filling materials or crowns</a> that can protect your teeth from cracking or breaking.</p> <h2>2. Share the load</h2> <p>If you are missing molars or premolars, distribute chewing forces evenly to prevent overloading your remaining teeth.</p> <p>Replace missing teeth with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S010956411100858X?casa_token=4vrj3ssj0PEAAAAA:UODaFxNDCKmQ_lQs1faL6lh0xIeIfSFrRQBq-s0KF1ZvUJd6ytbXX37TVaiHLRzJPJaSDF_2aVmL">bridges</a>, <a href="https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1902/jop.2008.080188?casa_token=uA0r7imcRbUAAAAA%3AeXGszI5-Dcu4oKi33FCrRRviiAj0uyoP7V5wApIRQD1-1Zu-rkLAcoLhKMAJYVnC9tEnxj33UdNJIndEBA">implants</a> or well-fitted <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/6776">dentures</a> to support your bite. Get your dentures <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022391320301554">checked regularly</a> to ensure they fit and support adequately, and replace them at least every ten years.</p> <h2>3. Preserve your enamel</h2> <p>Reduce <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpe.12330?casa_token=W2Ib34A77-QAAAAA%3AnLZtwwqZuueyHf1CMX0K9MERSW_Pvc3w0KlpArFT1KNusuopjEUcWmGd8pDUA7fQcj6DMkcS-JnXISFV1w">further enamel and dentine loss</a> by selecting soft-bristled <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00016350802195041?casa_token=E-ErdP543QUAAAAA%3A0Wz5AWwQxntBIc3UndFX_5nVbAYoPDx-PX1tg7Umxjr_QepX3CSIFVXYcrrxWV9iTx99Afk8c_zff-o">tooth brushes and non-abrasive toothpastes</a>.</p> <p>Certain whitening toothpastes can be abrasive, which can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8874033/">roughen and wear</a> the tooth surfaces. If you are unsure, stick with toothpastes that are labelled “sensitive”.</p> <p>Reduce your exposure to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2012.722">acid</a> in food (think lemons or apple cider vinegar) or illness (reflux or vomiting) where possible to maintain enamel and prevent erosion.</p> <h2>4. Enhance your saliva</h2> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jtxs.12356?casa_token=1moXbwnrDQIAAAAA%3AHz3Im9lmR3h75TmG8FSUQH-8_0UGnQ9TNkgaPL79LlrCmwC3kzZZJaAB2mSZHf4X7PX5y3GKaVoY5cm5JA">Saliva</a> protects against acid attacks, flushes our teeth, and has antibacterial properties to reduce erosion and decay (holes forming).</p> <p>Saliva is also important to help us chew, swallow and speak.</p> <p>But our saliva quality and quantity reduces because of age-related changes to our salivary glands as well as certain medications prescribed to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19392837/">manage chronic illnesses</a> such as depression and high blood pressure.</p> <p>Speak to your doctor about other medication options to improve your saliva or manage reflux disease to prevent erosion.</p> <h2>5. Treat gum disease</h2> <p>Aesthetically, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37358230/">treating gum disease (periodontitis)</a> reduces gum shrinkage (recession) that typically exposes the relatively darker tooth roots that are more <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00220345231166294">prone to developing holes</a>.</p> <h2>6. Manage and prevent senescence</h2> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36908187/">Cellular senescence</a> is the process that changes DNA in our cells to reduce our ability to withstand physical, chemical or biological damage.</p> <p>Cellular senescence enhances new cancer formation, the spread of existing cancers and the onset of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.</p> <p>You can prevent cell damage by managing lifestyle factors such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and chronic infections such as gum disease.</p> <h2>7. Adapt and ask for help</h2> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jan.15769?casa_token=SC-LouFQThsAAAAA%3A4jcvLRuJ56dGEm7ttvMad65hvUoZ7V5nvILg5sLFVZo8jxyQGR6YFeTcfM8sByTbdVrCWR1O5ytI3Z_crA">Ageing</a> can affect our cognition, hand dexterity and eyesight to prevent us from cleaning our teeth and gums as effectively as we once could.</p> <p>If this describes you, talk to your dental care team. They can help clean your teeth, and <a href="https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/bjon.2020.29.9.520?casa_token=_rol0NXx9c8AAAAA%3Aq8zgxiMSASwF1MRQZnZzfzmttn2x7FfGwsiIv71C_s_PTTmGD9JOIbqqtLNXa0oF9ogOjOCZwwpwB94">recommend products and tools</a> to fit your situation and abilities.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/215786/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/arosha-weerakoon-792707"><em>Arosha Weerakoon</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland and General Dentist., <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-happens-to-teeth-as-you-age-and-how-can-you-extend-the-life-of-your-smile-215786">original article</a>.</em></p>

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“You won’t believe it”: An a-moo-sing new addition for one Victorian farm

<p>Megan and Barry Coster, two dairy farmers from Victoria’s West Gippsland region, were given the smiling surprise of a lifetime during their latest round of calving. </p> <p>“My husband was collecting calves to bring in for the day,” Megan told ABC’s rural reporter Annie Brown. “And I think I was off with the kids at sport, and I just got this text message of this calf, and he’s [Barry] like ‘you won’t believe it’.</p> <p>“Originally when he got the calf up he didn’t notice, and then he turned around and looked on the other side, and couldn’t believe it.” </p> <p>The calf, affectionately named ‘Happy’ by the family, had been born with an award-winning grin - just not where one would expect. On his side was a very unique marking - two eyes, a nose, and a big smile. </p> <p>When asked how old Happy was, Megan explained that he had only been born three or four days prior to the discovery, and went on to add that they had a lot of calving going on, so it was a busy time for them, and likely why they hadn’t immediately noticed what made Happy so special. </p> <p>“We’ve seen some number sevens, or love hearts on the head, and a few strange markings but we’ve never seen anything that resembles a smiley face before … we’ve had thousands over the years, and we’ve never had anything like it,” Megan said. </p> <p>“I couldn’t believe it,” she went on, before admitting she’d checked to ensure none of their staff had added any of the lines to the young cow. “And then I was pretty quickly sharing it with some of my friends - none of them could believe it either.” </p> <p>Megan went on to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1591950161115622/permalink/3523334507977168/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post to Facebook</a>, sharing a photo of their spectacular latest addition with the caption “the funniest marking we’ve had for a while”, to the delight of fellow dairy fans around the world. </p> <p>“They look fake! How awesome,” wrote one individual, who seemed to share Megan’s initial disbelief, “best marking I’ve seen.”</p> <p>“I guess that's his good side,” joked another. </p> <p>“Love it. That's got to be a keeper as a pet,” said one, unaware that the family had every intention of keeping Happy on a pet - though he might also have to pull his weight as a lawn mower.</p> <p>“One very happy calf,” came one declaration. </p> <p>One person hit the nail on the head when they said “this one will always put a smile on your face every time u c [you see] it.” </p> <p>Although not everyone was quite so onboard with the lovefest, with one woman admitting that she found it to be “a little bit clown-creepy”. </p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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Johnny Ruffo is all smiles celebrating his 35th birthday

<p>Johnny Ruffo has shared a heartwarming photo with his Instagram followers as he celebrated his 35th birthday at Crown Sydney’s Nobu restaurant. </p> <p>The picture captures Australia’s sweetheart smiling, and presenting a dessert with the words “happy birthday” written in chocolate across the plate. </p> <p>“35 and sure feeling it!!!” he wrote, “grateful for another lap around the sun, thanks to everyone for all of the birthday wishes”.</p> <p>As with any update the former <em>Home and Away </em>star provides, friends, family, and fans flocked to his comment section to share their love, and to celebrate his milestone birthday with him. </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/CphVrBpLn81/?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/CphVrBpLn81/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Happiest of birthdays darling,” friend and former co-star Lynne McGranger gushed, “hope you’re getting spoiled rotten”. </p> <p>“Happy birthday mate,” chimed actress Georgie Parker, “I hope you had a beautiful day”.</p> <p>“Happy birthday Johnny,” said <em>Home and Away</em>’s Ada Nicodemou. </p> <p>In a similar vein, <em>Morning Show </em>host Kylie Gillies wrote, “happy happy Johnny.”</p> <p>Singer Jason Owen stopped by to offer his well wishes for his friend, too, writing, “happy birthday buddy!! Love ya mate hope you had a ripper day champion”.</p> <p>And Johnny’s beloved girlfriend of eight years celebrated with a “happy happy happppppy birthday” comment on his post, as well as a throwback video to her own account, and a series of snaps in her stories. </p> <p>Johnny responded to Tahnee’s celebration to thank her “for all the amazing memories babe”.</p> <p>Supporters of the couple also took the time to comment on the post, many thanking her for the fun glimpses into their relationship, and wishes Johnny nothing but the best in his ongoing fight against terminal cancer. </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/CphSepbjjdF/?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/reel/CphSepbjjdF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tahnee Sims (@tahneesims)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Happy Birthday Johnny,” wrote one, “thank you Tahnee for sharing your beautiful memories and [here’s] to making many many many more”.</p> <p>“Happy birthday,” wrote another, “you’re an absolute inspiration to us”.</p> <p>“Thanks for sharing this beautiful reel, it warms one’s heart,” came another comment. </p> <p>Meanwhile, one supporter simply said what everyone was thinking, and what was warming all of their hearts, writing “always smiling.”</p> <p>The happy day comes for Johnny just one week after he returned to “his favourite chair” in the hospital for another brutal round of chemotherapy. </p> <p>His latest health update was accompanied by another smiling picture of Johnny, with the appropriate hashtags “#ihatethischair #f**kcancer”.</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/CpPaa5jrkqC/?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/CpPaa5jrkqC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Fun until it wasn’t”: Grant Denyer takes smiling selfie moments before disaster

<p>Former <em>Sunrise</em> presenter Grant Denyer has taken to Instagram to report that he was involved in a disastrous biking accident.</p> <p>Grant, who has been training ahead of the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour race this weekend, was with friend and training partner Mick when they ran into trouble. </p> <p>Despite dubbing the incident a “huge stack”, it seems no real injury was sustained, with Denyer’s sharing a light hearted take with his 408k followers. </p> <p>“No joke, 2 mins after this photo we had a huge stack doing wheelies and clipping handlebars,” he captioned the image. The photo in question features Grant and Mick on their bikes, cycling along a country road, with big smiles on each of their faces.</p> <p>“D*ckheads,” Grant said of the pair, and added that they were “putting in the big yards for the @bathurst12hr this weekend. Doing a lot of riding. New to it. As our crash proves … Thx Mick from @bathurstaquapark for being a great training partner. Most of the time”.</p> <p>Grant’s post was met with great amusement from his followers, with most making fun of the situation along with him. It didn’t seem to phase Grant, who met their comments with lighthearted jokes of his own. </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/CoEdKdkrFGG/?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/CoEdKdkrFGG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Grant Denyer (@grantdenyer)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Two hands for beginners, legend,” wrote one. </p> <p>“Yeah um…. Was fun until it wasn’t!” Grant responded, going on to mention that they  “took each out and ended up in the scrub. Naturally we did it on the last kilometre of the run. It’s always the ‘last run’ isn’t it?”</p> <p>“Yep, you certainly were putting lots of effort into the big hill as I was passing,” said one supporter, suggesting they had spotted Grant out on the road. </p> <p>Grant, who mentioned that he was new to riding in his original caption, responded to confirm that “it does not come natural I can assure you!! These little legs work HARD”. </p> <p>Mick, Grant’s riding partner, came up in a few of the comments, and Grant made sure to praise his skill while still poking some fun at the whole situation. </p> <p>“He’s a wildcat that’s for sure! A beast on the bike.” He said of his training partner, “bloody talented at everything. Except keeping to himself”. </p> <p>Grant, who has quite the history with motorsports under his belt, will still be participating in the Bathurst 12 hour, an international endurance race that will span Friday through to Sunday.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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"I can't stop smiling": Jimmy Barnes overwhelmed by honour

<p dir="ltr">Jimmy Barnes has received an Honorary Doctorate for his distinguished service to the community. </p> <p dir="ltr">The legendary rock singer, who left school at 16 to join Cold Chisel as lead singer, was humbled when he accepted the award from the University of South Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 66-year-old shared heartwarming photos to his Instagram with his family, and included a short snippet of his acceptance speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am both humbled and proud to be receiving an Honorary Doctorate awarded to me by the @universitysa,” his caption read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What an Honour. The magnitude of this occasion has only just sunk in. You can see I can’t stop smiling.” </p> <p dir="ltr">In his short snippet video, Jimmy thanked the university for the honour and said everyone is capable of achieving their goals. </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/CjFbIMZgLC8/?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/reel/CjFbIMZgLC8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jimmy Barnes (@jimmybarnesofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations to each  and every one of you guys,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The Honours we receive today recognise what we are capable of achieving when you refuse to let anyone’s limitations stop you. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You continue to strive for that kind of honour in everything that you do in the year’s ahead. </p> <p dir="ltr">“And finally thank you to the University of South Australia for granting me this honour.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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"Her smile is all Diana": Royal fans flip out over Princess Charlotte's looks

<p>Royal fans have gone wild over how much Princess Charlotte, 7, is beginning to look like her late grandmother Princess Diana.</p> <p>The young royal made a rare appearance on social media as she joined her father, Prince William, in a video message to share their well wishes to the England women's football team ahead of their Euro final game.</p> <p>After the post racked up almost one million likes in a matter of hours, royal fans flocked to the comments to note how Charlotte bares an uncanny resemblance to the late Princess of Wales.</p> <p>One person commented, "Charlotte is starting to look just like Princess Diana."</p> <p>Another wrote, "Princess Charlotte = Princess Diana's looks + Kate's idiosyncrasy."</p> <p>A third person said, "Awww Princess Charlotte is sooo cute! Her little voice! And wow, she looks like William, Catherine and Diana at the same time! Her smile is all Diana."</p> <p>Addressing Prince William, a fourth commented, "Beautiful Charlotte, I can see your mum Diana in her, beautiful."</p> <p>"Princess Charlotte is so beautiful like her mother - and Princess Diana," another commented.</p> <p>In the video, Princess Charlotte sat with Prince William as they wished the Lionesses good luck in the 2022 Euro final against Germany.</p> <p>"We both want to wish the Lionesses the best of luck for tonight," William said.</p> <p>"You've done amazingly well in the competition and we're rooting for you all the way."</p> <p>Sitting on her father's lap, Charlotte chimes in with a short and sweet declaration of her own, saying, "Good luck, I hope you win. Bye!" and signing off with a wave.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Pay ‘with a smile or a wave’: Why Mastercard’s new face recognition payment system raises concerns

<p>Mastercard’s <a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/may/with-a-smile-or-a-wave-paying-in-store-just-got-personal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“smile to pay”</a> system, announced last week, is supposed to save time for customers at checkouts. It is being trialled in Brazil, with future pilots planned for the Middle East and Asia.</p> <p>The company argues touch-less technology will help speed up transaction times, shorten lines in shops, heighten security and improve hygiene in businesses. But it raises concerns relating to customer privacy, data storage, crime risk and bias.</p> <p><strong>How will it work?</strong></p> <p>Mastercard’s biometric checkout system will provide customers facial recognition-based payments, by linking the biometric authentication systems of a number of third-party companies with Mastercard’s own payment systems.</p> <p>A Mastercard spokesperson told The Conversation it had already partnered with NEC, Payface, Aurus, Fujitsu Limited, PopID and PayByFace, with more providers to be named.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464953/original/file-20220524-22-ga0v7l.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="The 'Fujitsu' logo in red is displayed on a building's side" /></a><figcaption><em><span class="caption">Mastercard has partnered with Fujitsu, a massive information and communications technology firm offering many different products and services.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p>They said “providers need to go through independent laboratory certification against the program criteria to be considered” – but details of these criteria aren’t yet publicly available.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/mastercard-facial-recognition-biometric-payments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">media</a> reports, customers will have to install an app which will take their picture and payment information. This information will be saved and stored on the third-party provider’s servers.</p> <p>At the checkout, the customer’s face will be matched with the stored data. And once their identity is verified, funds will be deducted automatically. The “wave” option is a bit of a trick: as the customer watches the camera while waving, the camera still scans their face – not their hand.</p> <p>Similar authentication technologies are used on smartphones (face ID) and in many airports around the world, including “<a href="https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/smartgates/arrivals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smartgates</a>” in Australia.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/4/16251304/kfc-china-alipay-ant-financial-smile-to-pay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> started using biometrics-based checkout technology back in 2017. But Mastercard is among the first to launch such a system in Western markets – competing with the “pay with your palm” <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/29/amazon-introduces-the-amazon-one-a-way-to-pay-with-your-palm-when-entering-stores/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">system</a> used at cashier-less Amazon Go and Whole Foods brick and mortars in the United States.</p> <p><strong>What we don’t know</strong></p> <p>Much about the precise functioning of Mastercard’s system isn’t clear. How accurate will the facial recognition be? Who will have access to the databases of biometric data?</p> <p>A Mastercard spokesperson told The Conversation customers’ data would be stored with the relevant biometric service provider in encrypted form, and removed when the customer “indicates they want to end their enrolment”. But how will the removal of data be enforced if Mastercard itself can’t access it?</p> <p>Obviously, privacy protection is a major concern, especially when there are many potential third-party providers involved.</p> <p>On the bright side, Mastercard’s <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/032615/how-mastercard-makes-its-money-ma.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">customers</a> will have a choice as to whether or not they use the biometrics checkout system. However, it will be at retailers’ discretion whether they offer it, or whether they offer it exclusively as the only payment option.</p> <p>Similar face-recognition technologies used in airports, and <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/research/police-surveillance-and-facial-recognition-why-data-privacy-is-an-imperative-for-communities-of-color/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by police</a>, often offer no choice.</p> <p>We can assume Mastercard and the biometrics provider with whom they partner will require customer consent, as per most privacy laws. But will customers know what they are consenting to?</p> <p>Ultimately, the biometric service providers Mastercard teams up with will decide how they use the data, for how long, where they store it, and who can access it. Mastercard will merely decide what providers are “good enough” to be accepted as partners, and the minimum standards they must adhere to.</p> <p>Customers who want the convenience of this checkout service will have to consent to all the related data and privacy terms. And as reports have noted, there is potential for Mastercard to integrate the feature with loyalty schemes and make personalised recommendations <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/17/mastercard-launches-tech-that-lets-you-pay-with-your-face-or-hand.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">based on purchases</a>.</p> <p><strong>Accuracy is a problem</strong></p> <p>While the accuracy of face recognition technologies has previously been challenged, the current <em>best</em> facial authentication algorithms have an error of just 0.08%, according to tests by the <a href="https://github.com/usnistgov/frvt/blob/nist-pages/reports/1N/frvt_1N_report_2020_03_27.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Institute of Standards and Technology</a>. In some countries, even banks have <a href="https://techhq.com/2020/09/biometrics-the-most-secure-solution-for-banking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">become comfortable</a> relying on it to log users into their accounts.</p> <p>Yet we can’t know how accurate the technologies used in Mastercard’s biometric checkout system will be. The algorithms underpinning a technology can work almost perfectly when trailed in a lab, but perform <a href="https://www.csis.org/blogs/technology-policy-blog/how-accurate-are-facial-recognition-systems-%E2%80%93-and-why-does-it-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poorly</a> in real life settings, where lighting, angles and other parameters are varied.</p> <p><strong>Bias is another problem</strong></p> <p>In a 2019 study, NIST <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2019/NIST.IR.8280.pdf#page=5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that out of 189 facial recognition algorithms, the majority were biased. Specifically, they were less accurate on people from racial and ethnic minorities.</p> <p>Even if the technology has improved in the past few years, it’s not foolproof. And we don’t know the extent to which Mastercard’s system has overcome this challenge.</p> <p>If the software fails to recognise a customer at the check out, they might end up disappointed, or even become irate – which would completely undo any promise of speed or convenience.</p> <p>But if the technology misidentifies a person (for instance, John is recognised as Peter – or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-yupM-6Oc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">twins are confused</a> for each other), then money could be taken from the wrong person’s account. How would such a situation be dealt with?</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=617&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=617&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=617&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=776&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=776&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464424/original/file-20220520-19-5hfuvx.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=776&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><em><span class="caption">There’s no evidence facial recognition technology is infallible. These systems can misidentify and also have biases.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Is the technology secure?</strong></p> <p>We often hear about software and databases being hacked, even in <a href="https://www.csoonline.com/article/2130877/the-biggest-data-breaches-of-the-21st-century.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cases of</a> supposedly very “secure” organisations. Despite Mastercard’s <a href="https://wwmastw.cnbc.com/2022/05/17/mastercard-launches-tech-that-lets-you-pay-with-your-face-or-hand.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">efforts</a> to ensure security, there’s no guarantee the third-party providers’ databases – with potentially millions of people’s biometric data – won’t be hacked.</p> <p>In the wrong hands, this data could lead to <a href="https://www.comparitech.com/identity-theft-protection/identity-theft-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identity theft</a>, which is one of the fastest growing types of crime, and financial fraud.</p> <p><strong>Do we want it?</strong></p> <p>Mastercard suggests 74% of customers are in favour of using such technology, referencing a stat from its <a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/ap/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/april/mastercard-study-shows-consumers-moving-to-contactless-payments-for-everyday-purchases/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">own study</a> – also used by <a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/ap/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/october/mastercard-idemia-and-matchmove-pilot-fingerprint-biometric-card-in-asia-to-enhance-security-and-safety-of-contactless-payments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">business partner</a> Idemia (a company that sells biometric identification products).</p> <p>But the report cited is vague and brief. Other studies show entirely different results. For example, <a href="https://www.getapp.com/resources/facial-recognition-technology/#how-comfortable-are-consumers-with-facial-recognition-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this study</a> suggests 69% of customers aren’t comfortable with face recognition tech being used in retail settings. And <a href="https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/93521-are-consumers-comfortable-with-facial-recognition-it-depends-says-new-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this one</a> shows only 16% trust such tech.</p> <p>Also, if consumers knew the risks the technology poses, the number of those willing to use it might drop even lower.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/183447/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rita-matulionyte-170113" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rita Matulionyte</a>, Senior Lecturer in Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Macquarie University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/pay-with-a-smile-or-a-wave-why-mastercards-new-face-recognition-payment-system-raises-concerns-183447" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

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13 secrets your smile can reveal about you

<p><strong>You’re lying</strong></p> <p>A smile can have a hidden meaning for a crafty person. “There is a smile called the ‘Duping’ smile or ‘Dupper’s Delight’ which is typically a little smile that comes across the face when a liar or deal-maker or cheating-winner thinks they have duped someone,” explains body language expert, Patti Wood. Another tool to decipher a gloating smile is that the smile may be a mismatch for the other person or people you are with so they feel left out and less than, she says.</p> <p><strong>You’re full of joy</strong></p> <p>Wood describes a ‘laughing smile’ as when the mouth is open upper and lower teeth showing. This comfortable and inviting face exudes joy and sincerity. “The head is usually thrown back,” adds Wood.</p> <p><strong>You want to put people at ease</strong></p> <p>Everyone wants to be a smooth socialiser – which is why you may want to improve your social interaction skills. Smiling helps too: there is a lot of evidence of body language mirroring, according to an article in Psychology Today. “We automatically copy the facial expressions of others. We reciprocate and in social groups it can be contagious. People respond to, and evaluate, those who smile differently and more positively than those who do not.”</p> <p><strong>You’re hiding how you really feel</strong></p> <p>Smiles are often used to cover up another emotion. “For example, someone might start to frown then cover this with a smile,” says Jonathan Gratch, the director for virtual human research at the Institute for Creative Technologies. “The nature of a smile also communicates subtle information about its authenticity.” Another tell-tale sign is if a smile starts and ends too quickly – that is seen as not genuine, he says.</p> <p><strong>You’re nervous</strong></p> <p>“Smile controls” are a set of facial muscles that can be used to regulate the smile expression, says Gratch. “These include things like pressing your lips together or activating the muscles that pull down on the corners of the mouth. These muscles are under voluntary control,” he affirms.</p> <p><strong>You’re under pressure</strong></p> <p>Sometimes under pressure, we react in ways that are incongruent with the situation at hand. “A common example of this is laughing when you receive bad news, freezing when you are in danger, or making jokes when you are uncomfortable,” says family and marriage therapist, Shadeen Francis. “These incongruous responses are just a few of the brain’s many ways of managing overwhelming emotional circumstances. An unexplainable smile may also be a signal of distress, especially when others are around.” Some studies, Francis says, have demonstrated that when under intense social distress, smiling was more common than in less alarming or in non-social situations.</p> <p><strong>You feel superior</strong></p> <p>Ironically, a smile can express contempt, says an article in Women’s Health. “The result is a conscious disconnect between outward expression and inner feelings. Other times, the disconnect may be unconscious, the result of pushing aside negative feelings. A person may have heard as a child that enraged feelings should never be expressed, so even the slightest inkling of anger is covered with a smile,” cites the article.</p> <p><strong>You’re in love (or lust)</strong></p> <p>Can a smile reflect sexual passion or true love? According to the same Women’s Health piece, “Social psychologists believe that deep love and passionate sexual attraction elicit entirely different types of smiles.” The article also states that “the more two people are in love, the more they show genuine smiles in each other’s company, and on the flip side, people who report high levels of sexual desire – but not a whole lot of love – show fewer genuine smiles and a greater number of other lip actions. In short, genuine smiles communicate the desire to be close; lip movements convey passion.”</p> <p><strong>You’re letting off stress</strong></p> <p>Smiling reduces stress and can improve your outlook. Stress levels were especially low in those with genuine smiles. Even those who forced a smile during an unpleasant task seemed to have lower stress levels, according to a WebMD article.</p> <p><strong>You’re fertile</strong></p> <p>Research out of the University of Western Australia suggests that gum disease can interfere with a woman’s chances to become pregnant, according to <em>Medical News Today</em>.  Even more reason to floss and catch up on your regular cleanings – time to call your dentist.</p> <p><strong>You want to feel happy</strong></p> <p>Smiling offers some surprising health benefits, but did you know it can be a blues buster? Yes, we smile when things are going well, but it turns out you can use a smile to cheer yourself up, according to a study published in the journal <em>Psychological Science</em>. Researchers recorded volunteers’ moods as they tricked them into smiling, and the bigger the smile, the better the volunteers felt.</p> <p><strong>Your marriage is likely to last</strong></p> <p>This is a crazy one: researchers asked volunteers to rate the intensity of people’s smiles in photos on a scale of one to ten. Afterwards, they checked the likelihood that the people were in a solid marriage. Sure enough, the people with the strongest smiles were the least likely to be divorced, reports<em> LiveScience</em>.</p> <p><strong>You’re practising social graces</strong></p> <p>Smiling should be an essential part of all human encounters when face-to-face, says the WebMD post. But we even do it over the phone.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-dca7e95a-7fff-9006-7f3e-37edb5c0ed87">Written by Erica Lamberg. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/13-secrets-your-smile-can-reveal-about-you" 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>

Beauty & Style

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Grace Tame reveals why she didn’t smile in infamous photo

<p dir="ltr">Grace Tame has opened up about her wedding plans, future advocacy, and the reason behind her expression from her photo op with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a new interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former Australian of the Year featured on the cover of <em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/grace-tame-i-dont-hate-men/news-story/cde4a44ab77c27aced8927484a8d8287" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stellar Magazine</a></em>’s International Women’s Day issue, and gave an accompanying, in-depth interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame rebutted claims she “hates men”, saying it struck a nerve after she worked so hard advocating for male survivors of child sexual abuse.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve never, never, never had the words ‘I hate men’ come out of my mouth,” she told the publication. “Male survivors are among my best friends … I do my darnedest to be the best advocate for the survivor community, which very much includes boys.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3ce87959-7fff-aab2-2e66-1c42dad6022e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The 27-year-old also said she has “never called herself a feminist” despite sharing ideals with the movement since she “just assumed everyone wants equality”.</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/CavLek8hCla/?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/CavLek8hCla/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Stellar (@stellarmag)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She said she hoped International Women’s Day would see the conversation of equality - regardless of gender - continue, in a similar sentiment to her speech at the National Press Club in February.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am an advocate for all survivors of child sexual abuse, many of whom are male. We cannot forget our boys, we cannot forget our men who are fellow survivors of abuse,” she said during her speech.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-027cd2bc-7fff-cec7-1156-65b391f367e9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Her interview with <em>Stellar </em>saw her share an insight into her relationship with Max Heerey, her fiancé and manager.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I said, “OATH, YES!!!” <a href="https://t.co/3UcltHdSRP">pic.twitter.com/3UcltHdSRP</a></p> <p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1484793251739860993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“We’re a team of two,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame said they hope to marry in February 2023, but that their shared “parmie and pub” natures might see them just run away and marry rather than hold a huge event.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Something low-key, maybe on a beach somewhere … Maybe we might just run away somewhere then have a party afterwards,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also touched on the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/why-telling-grace-tame-to-smile-more-is-a-double-standard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">now infamous images</a> of her with Mr Morrison, which sparked outrage among conservative MPs and male journalists, while speaking about her friendship with former parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins, who claims she was raped at Parliament House by a former colleague.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our stories are very different for obvious reasons. I stand with Brittany. I support Brittany at all costs. But the common thread is [the way the complaints have been handled]. There’s the protecting the institutional image over the wellbeing of an individual [who makes a complaint], which is inexcusable. It’s unforgivable,” Ms Tame said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We can add it to the long list of reasons that I was not going to compromise my principles and smile at the Prime Minister who has excused all of these things for the sake of civility.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-df882b71-7fff-e772-82c0-b6df985fa9d3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">As for her advocacy work, Ms Tame said she hoped 2022 would be the biggest year yet after launching a campaign to remove the word ‘relationship’ from the offence of Persistent Child Sexual Abuse under section 66EA of the NSW Crimes Act 1900.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let’s reform our laws so we can reform our cultures and perceptions.</p> <p>Words matter. ‘Relationship’ sanitises and normalises a sinister, premeditated evil. It belies the problematic journalistic practice of reporting CSA cases as ‘affairs’. This must end. </p> <p>We’re well on our way.</p> <p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1494487995562758145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“[This] is really important because it’s what drives a lot of the unhelpful perceptions and the victim-blaming around the whole offence of Persistent Child Sexual Abuse,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also hopes to support educational organisations and programs teaching children what grooming is and what it looks like.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7d377c21-7fff-00ad-1793-7c1bcea62cde"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @stellarmag (Instagram)</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Why telling Grace Tame to “smile more” is a double standard

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A 2019 photo of the man who led the royal commission into the banking sector posing with Josh Frydenberg has </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/why-kenneth-hayne-photo-exposes-grace-tame-critics-double-standards/news-story/bbb7115bb935cd9d0d2905af686cfc6c" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">re-emerged</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> following widespread discussion of Grace Tame’s most recent photo with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Former High Court judge Kenneth Haye refused to shake Frydenberg’s hand and refused to smile during a photo opportunity with the Treasurer as he prepared to release a damning report. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At best, the interaction was described as “brutal” and “awkward” in a handful of media reports.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meanwhile, the 2021 Australian of the Year sparked national debate following her unsmiling photo with Mr Morrison, with conservative MP’s and male journalists describing her behaviour as “ungracious and rude” and “childish and embarrassing”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Journalist Julia Baird quickly pointed out the double standard on Twitter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A quiet reminder that when Justice Kenneth Hayne, head of (the) royal commission into banking misconduct, refused to smile or even shake the hand of the Treasurer during a photo op in 2019, it was considered the stuff of national calamity,” the host of ABC’s </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Drum</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Grace Tame is making a similar point.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Such a clear example of when men are considered principled and women are called petulant - for the same behaviour. And yet Tame shook the PM’s hand, stood quietly and in place for the photos. <a href="https://t.co/h2dINgsTCO">https://t.co/h2dINgsTCO</a></p> — 💥Dr💥 Julia Baird (@bairdjulia) <a href="https://twitter.com/bairdjulia/status/1485908652095864832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Project</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">’s Lisa Wilkinson agreed, sharing Baird’s post and adding commentary of her own.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“True @bairdjulia,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not was there uproar when Scott Morrison turned his back on Tanya Plibersek &amp; played with his phone as she addressed him in fed parliament.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Nor when he refused to shake Bill Shorten’s hand at B</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ob Hawke’s funeral.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not sure why the rules are different. Oh wait…”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Man, that Grace Tame chick was outta line, right?...<br /><br />🧵 <a href="https://t.co/HEAi5I8yBb">pic.twitter.com/HEAi5I8yBb</a></p> — Brent Hodgson (@BrentHodgson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrentHodgson/status/1485956821722759168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wheelchair racer and Paralympian Kurt Fearnley spelled it out even more clearly while sharing a 2017 photo of an unsmiling Pope Francis alongside former US President Donald Trump.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not one bloke, from me to the Pope would’ve been told to ‘smile more’. #justsayin,” he added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The debate even spilled onto Wednesday night’s episode of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Project</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, with Carrie Bickmore asking co-host Peter van Onsolen about his own column criticising Ms Tame’s behaviour and claiming she was “acting like a child”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">If you missed it, here is THAT moment from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheProjectTV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheProjectTV</a> tonight. <a href="https://t.co/9D0lac85Vt">pic.twitter.com/9D0lac85Vt</a></p> — The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1485892588058312704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Why do you feel the need to tell Grace how she should have behaved?” Bickmore asked. “But second of all, why should she stand there and smile and pretend it’s all okay when there is an absolute catastrophe on the cards here?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t think she should stand there and smile and pretend it’s all OK, I just thought she shouldn’t go. If you can’t be polite in some form, then don’t go,” van Onsolen replied.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But why should she have to be silenced and quiet? Why can’t she go and make a statement in her behaviour about how she feels over what has happened in the past year?” Bickmore shot back.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Tame received the national honour for fighting to legally tell her story as a victim of child sexual abuse and grooming and in overturning a Tasmanian law preventing victims from identifying themselves in the media.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During her tenure she pushed the topic of child sexual abuse into the national spotlight and conversations around the country.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">What exactly did they think would happen when they organised this photo op?<br /><br />Grace Tame is not the type to lie about how she feels. And nor should we ever put her in a position where she is expected to.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetHerSpeak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetHerSpeak</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aoty2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#aoty2021</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AOTY2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AOTY2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/8wde7Vye2n">pic.twitter.com/8wde7Vye2n</a></p> — Nina Funnell, journalist &amp; #LetUsSpeak manager (@ninafunnell) <a href="https://twitter.com/ninafunnell/status/1485774656116527104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nina Funnell, the journalist behind the #LetHerSpeak campaign that allowed Ms Tame to speak out, asked on Twitter, “What exactly did they think would happen when they organised this photo op?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Grace Tame is not the type to lie about how she feels. And nor should we ever put her in a position where she is expected to.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @bairdjulie (Twitter)</span></em></p>

News

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"Smile for the camera!": Man caught trashing Bunnings van

<p dir="ltr">A vandal has been caught red-handed interfering with the windscreen wiper of a parked Bunnings vehicle over the weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">The act was caught on the car’s dashboard camera on Sunday, and shared to the Facebook page Dash Cam Owners Australia on Tuesday. The video shows a man approach the car from the passenger side before starting to tamper with the wiper, bending it back onto itself and then twisting it around. The man was dressed in a brown New York Yankees cap, grey shirt, blue board shorts and thongs. He then left the scene, walking in the opposite direction.</p> <p dir="ltr">The incident took place while the car was parked on Victoria Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Concord West. The video garnered over 70,000 views in less than four hours, as well as hundreds of comments.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many commenters were happy the culprit was caught, with one person writing, “Smile for the camera you angry little man! I hope he’s been identified,” while another wondered what prompted the attack, asking, “Makes you wonder why people actually do this. Crazy. I wonder if he is known to the dashcam owner? Seems like it’s revenge for something possibly?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Others wondered whether it was part of a vendetta against the hardware store, with someone suggesting, “Vandalism to a Bunnings van? Probably worked for Mitre10,” while another wondered if the man wasn’t just hungry, writing, “Hangry for a Bunnings snag! Maybe they should do a snag van like Mr Whippy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commenter pointed out that the attack wasn’t particularly effective, writing, “If you’re gonna be a vandal, at least be an intelligent one and do that to the driver’s side wiper. All he achieved there is made it ever so slightly more difficult to see out the extreme left of the windscreen, and some minor inconvenience by needing to replace it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Dash Cam Owners Australia</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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The Last Laugh will keep everyone smiling

<p>A lot of us grew up with Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss on our movie screens and so it’s nice to see these two American actors have made a film together about one of them staging a comeback at the age of eighty.</p> <p>Called <em>The Last Laugh</em>, this is a movie made by Netflix and it’s streaming on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand. It’s all about Buddy Green (played by Dreyfuss) who started out as a great stand-up comic and his agent (played by Chase) booked him for a spot on <em>The Ed Sullivan Show </em>back in the 1960s.</p> <p>But at the time for his own reasons, Buddy just up and quit. It’s now fifty years later and his agent, Al Hart, hasn’t seen or heard from him for half a century.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/he3DPldzW8I" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>So, you can bet Al is surprised when Buddy turns out to be his tour guide in the elderly assistance home he’s moving into. Even more surprising, Buddy is still getting laughs and is pretty much the life of the party.</p> <p>As they chat and get to know each other again, both men - who are in their 80s – say they’re bored and why not try show biz again. Al finds his old Rolodex and starts calling his contacts.</p> <p>And so begins a tough but revealing road trip from Los Angeles to New York, with Buddy performing at stops along the way.</p> <p>Chase and Dreyfuss play off each other like the pros they are. Yes, Chase must hold back his own humorous side to make way for Dreyfuss’ comic <em>tour de force. </em>But this casting works. <em>The Last Laugh </em>is sure to give you lots of laughs along the way.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.31634819532906px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844402/last-laugh-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4ff1879e7fad4a0ab8976edd8106f7cf" /></p> <p>Fortunately, all the cast members deliver the goods here. Standouts include: Andie MacDowell as an adventurous hippy follower; Lewis Black as a fellow comic with an important decision to make; Chris Parnell as Buddy’s worried son; and Kate Micucci as Al’s concerned granddaughter.</p> <p>Although not a completely perfect movie, <em>The Last Laugh </em>reminds us how important it is to follow your dream at any age.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4ff1879e7fad4a0ab8976edd8106f7cf" /><em>Images: The Last Laugh</em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Movies

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7 Mysteries of the Mona Lisa

<p>As the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa draws more than six million admirers to the Louvre each year. Just what is her peculiar power?</p> <p><strong>Monda Lisa mystery #1: Who was Mona Lisa?</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/96ac8753d46042ba935d8ca973208772" />Over the past century, it has been proposed that Mona Lisa was a noblewoman – Isabella d’Este, Marquise of Mantua, or Costanza d’Avalos, Duchess of Francavilla. Others have stared at that unsettling visage and seen the face of a man – Leonardo da Vinci himself, or the man who was for 20 years his assistant (and perhaps his lover), Gian Giacomo Caprotti. There is even a theory that the picture may have started out as a portrait from life but, over the years that Leonardo worked on it, evolved into an abstract vision of the feminine ideal.</p> <p>These days, most experts agree that the Mona Lisa is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, wife of a Florentine silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo (hence the name by which she is known in Italy and France, La Gioconda, or La Joconde). When she sat for Leonardo da Vinci, in around 1503, she was about 24 years old. Her <em>contrapposto</em> pose – with the body angled away from the viewer, head turned forward – was widely admired and copied by Leonardo’s contemporaries. And his<em> sfumato</em> technique, where sharp edges are blurred to create an uncannily lifelike effect, was seen as a brilliant technical innovation, very unlike the slightly frozen human figures of earlier, lesser painters.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #2: The hidden initials</strong></p> <p>In 2010, Silvano Vinceti, chairman of Italy’s National Committee for Cultural Heritage, claimed to have discerned letters minutely painted on Mona Lisa’s eyes: L and V (Leonardo da Vinci’s initials) in the right eye, and perhaps C, E or B in the left. The Louvre responded that Vinceti’s letters were simply microscopic cracks in the paint.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #3: The broken backdrop</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d24b5d5c75c44f5aa5f5219632097fab" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.5442561205273px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844236/mona-lisa-backdrop-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d24b5d5c75c44f5aa5f5219632097fab" /></p> <p>The distant, dreamlike vista behind Mona Lisa’s head seems to be higher on the right-hand side than on the left. It is hard to see how the landscape would join up. This is subliminally unsettling: Mona Lisa appears taller, more erect, when one’s gaze drifts to the left than when it is on the right.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #4: The bewitching smile</strong></p> <p>In 2000, scientists at Harvard University suggested a neurological explanation for Mona Lisa’s elusive smile. When a viewer looks at her eyes, the mouth is in peripheral vision, which sees in black and white. This accentuates the shadows at the corners of her mouth, making the smile seem broader. But the smile diminishes when you look straight at it. It is the variability of her smile, the fact that it changes when you look away from it, that makes her seem so alive, so mysterious.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #5: The unknown bridge</strong></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2138f0c4b92d42fd8502466377e2c2b8" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 280.97982708933716px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844234/mona-lisa-3-bridge-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2138f0c4b92d42fd8502466377e2c2b8" /></p> <p>The Mona Lisa’s background landscape seems unreal, but the bridge might be one that Leonardo knew. It is usually said to be Ponte Buriano in Tuscany, but in 2011, a researcher claimed it depicts the Bobbio Bridge over the Trebbia, which was washed away in a flood in 1472.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #6: Da Vinci’s obsession</strong></p> <p>Leonardo da Vinci worked on the painting for four years, and possibly at intervals after that. He always took it with him when he travelled, and he never signed or dated it. The picture went with him when, towards the end of his life, he moved to France.</p> <p>It was sold to his last patron, King François I, and remained out of sight in the royal collection for almost 200 years. In 1799 Napoleon came across the painting and commandeered it for his bedroom. Only in 1804 did the Mona Lisa go on public display – in the newly founded Louvre Museum.</p> <p>At that time, it was not seen as particularly interesting, but in the middle of the 19th century Leonardo’s stock as an artist slowly rose. He came to be seen as the equal of the two acknowledged Renaissance greats, Michelangelo and Raphael. This new interest in Leonardo as a painter drew attention to his few known works.</p> <p><strong>Mona Lisa mystery #7: Was Mona Lisa unwell?</strong></p> <p>Mona Lisa has often been scrutinised by medical experts. In 2010, an Italian doctor looked at the swelling around her eyes and diagnosed excess cholesterol in her diet. Other conditions ascribed to her include facial paralysis, deafness, even syphilis.</p> <p>More happily, it has been suggested that the look of contentment on her face indicates she is pregnant. Dentists have also posited bruxism, compulsive grinding of the teeth; or that the line of her top lip suggests that her front teeth are missing – which, along with the faintest hint of a scar on her lip, raises the possibility that she was a victim of domestic violence.</p> <p>Jungians have seen her as an accomplished representation of the anima, the female archetype that resides in each one of us. It seems that almost any condition can be read into that puzzling face.</p> <p><em><sub>From Great Secrets of History © 2012. The Reader’s Digest Association, inc.</sub></em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on </em><em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/entertainment/mysterious-mona-lisa">Reader’s Digest</a></em></p> <p><em>Images: Reader’s Digest</em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Art

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Martha Kalifatidis’ mum reveals sad truth behind dramatic transformation

<p><em>Big Brother</em> star Mary Kalifatidis, and mum to former <em>Married At First Sight</em> bride Martha, has shared the heartbreaking truth behind her recent makeover.</p> <p>The 56-year-old took to social media on Monday to unveil her dental transformation, revealing she can now feel confident after a lifetime of feeling ashamed about her teeth.</p> <p>Mary posted a beautiful snap with her daughter, looking happy and smiley in their new chic outfits.</p> <p>Mary explained the photo was taken earlier in the year, as she looks to celebrate her “smiling journey”.</p> <p>She also went on to reveal she was always assumed to be very “unhappy” as she would purposefully refuse to smile – even on her wedding day.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841846/martha-mum-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8b6d95ab4dd340e4add68def75aecf80" /></p> <p>"This photo was taken about 2 months ago," she began.</p> <p>"And the reason I am sharing it with you, is it is the beginning of my smiling journey.</p> <p>"All my life I would keep my mouth closed when I would smile. In every photo I have, my mouth is closed, even in my wedding, birthday, engagement photos."</p> <p>Mary admitted that she still struggles to smile after a lifetime of hiding her beautiful teeth.</p> <p>"Even in that photo I struggle to smile, because all my life I have never smiled," she said.</p>

Beauty & Style

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"Made me smile": Kmart's heartwarming gesture to expecting mum

<p>A woman has shared her surprise at the heartwarming discovery inside her Kmart delivery.</p> <p>Jaimie Leigh from NSW said she was humbled when she opened up the box to find a note inside from the employee who had packed the maternity singlets she had ordered.</p> <p>The note read: “If you haven’t been told today I am proud of you,” with a love heart added at the end.</p> <p>The message was written by Bec, who signed her name along with a love heart.</p> <p>"I had just ordered some maternity singlets as I’m getting ready to have my first child,” Leigh told<span> </span><em>Yahoo Lifestyle.</em></p> <p>“I thought it was lovely and a sweet thing to get from a stranger.”</p> <p>Leigh said it brought a smile to her face and brightened up her day.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 353.099730458221px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839394/screen-shot-2021-01-08-at-10430-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f1fb15c5b16049e188e85a7f3b1254f3" /></p> <p>She took to Facebook to share a photo of the note with the caption: "I got some stuff delivered today. I opened it up to find this in it. Thanks Bec.”</p> <p>People online loved Bec’s gesture, with one saying: “We need more Bec’s in the world”.</p> <p>“Employee of the month right there,” another wrote, while another person wrote: “Something as simple as this will put a smile on your dial all day.”</p> <p>Another person said they had also received a note in their Kmart delivery.</p> <p>“I had a little note that said have a great day made me smile because I was actually having a shit day with my depression,” they wrote.</p>

Caring

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Smiling depression: Why being depressed while appearing happy is particularly dangerous

<p>The term “smiling depression” – appearing happy to others while internally suffering depressive symptoms – has become increasingly popular. Articles on the topic have crept up in the popular literature, and the number of Google searches for the condition <a href="https://trends.google.co.uk/trends/explore?q=smiling%20depression">has increased dramatically this year</a>. Some may question, however, whether this is actually a real, pathological condition.</p> <p>While smiling depression is not a technical term that psychologists use, it is certainly possible to be depressed and manage to successfully mask the symptoms. The closest technical term for this condition is “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">atypical depression</a>”. In fact, a significant proportion of people who experience a low mood and a loss of pleasure in activities <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">manage to hide their condition</a> in this way. And these people might be <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-guest-room/201411/smiling-depression">particularly vulnerable</a> to suicide.</p> <p>It can be very hard to spot people suffering from smiling depression. They may <em>seem</em> like they don’t have a reason to be sad – they have a job, an apartment and maybe even children or a partner. They smile when you greet them and can carry pleasant conversations. In short, they <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-guest-room/201411/smiling-depression">put on a mask</a> to the outside world while leading seemingly normal and active lives.</p> <p>Inside, however, they feel hopeless and down, sometimes even having thoughts about ending it all. The strength that they have to go on with their daily lives can make them especially vulnerable to carrying out suicide plans. This is in contrast to other forms of depression, in which people might have suicide ideation but <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-guest-room/201411/smiling-depression">not enough energy</a> to act on their intentions.</p> <p>Although people with smiling depression put on a “happy face” to the outside world, they can experience a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">genuine lift in their mood</a> as a result of positive occurrences in their lives. For example, getting a text message from someone they’ve been craving to hear from or being praised at work can make them feel better for a few moments before going back to feeling low.</p> <p>Other symptoms of this condition include overeating, feeling a sense of heaviness in the arms and legs and being <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">easily hurt by criticism</a> or rejection. People with smiling depression are also more likely to feel depressed in the evening and feel the need to sleep longer than usual. With other forms of depression, however, your mood might be worse in the morning and you might feel <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">the need for less sleep</a> than you’re normally used to.</p> <p>Smiling depression seems to be more common in people with certain temperaments. In particular, it is linked to being more prone to anticipate failure, having a hard time getting over embarrassing or humiliating situations and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990566/">tending to ruminate</a> or excessively think about negative situations that have taken place.</p> <p>Women’s Health magazine captured the essence of smiling depression – the façade – when it asked women to share pictures from their social media and then to recaption them on Instagram with how they really felt in the moment they were taking the picture. Here are <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19973575/true-emotion-behind-smiling-instagram-pictures/">some of their posts</a>.</p> <h2>Burden and treatment</h2> <p>It is difficult to determine exactly what causes smiling depression, but low mood can stem <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-guest-room/201411/smiling-depression">from a number of things</a>, such as work problems, relationship breakdown and feeling as if your life doesn’t have purpose and meaning.</p> <p>It is very common. About <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-21243-x">one in ten people</a> are depressed, and between 15% and 40% of these people <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181236/">suffer from the atypical form</a> that resembles smiling depression. Such depression often starts early in life and <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Atypical_depression">can last a long time</a>.</p> <p>If you suffer from smiling depression it is therefore particularly important to get help. Sadly, though, people suffering from this condition usually don’t, because they might not think that they have a problem in the first place – this is particularly the case if they appear to be carrying on with their tasks and daily routines as before. They may also feel guilty and rationalise that they don’t have anything to be sad about. So they don’t tell anybody about their problems and end up feeling ashamed of their feelings.</p> <p>So how can you break this cycle? A starting point is knowing that this condition actually exists and that it’s serious. Only when we stop rationalising away our problems because we think they’re not serious enough can we start making an actual difference. For some, this insight may be enough to turn things around, because it puts them on a path to seeking help and breaking free from the shackles of depression that have been holding them back.</p> <p>Meditation and physical activity have also been shown to have tremendous mental health benefits. In fact, a study done by Rutgers University in the US showed that people who had done meditation and physical activity twice a week <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/tp2015225">experienced a drop</a> of almost 40% in their depression levels only eight weeks into the study. Cognitive behavioural therapy, learning to change your thinking patterns and behaviour, is another option for those affected by this condition.</p> <p>And finding meaning in life is of utmost importance. The Austrian neurologist <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Viktor-Emil-Frankl">Viktor Frankl</a> wrote that the cornerstone of good mental health is <a href="https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/viktor-frankl/">having purpose in life</a>. He said that we shouldn’t aim to be in a “tensionless state”, free of responsibility and challenges, but rather we should be striving for something in life. We can find purpose by taking the attention away from ourselves and placing it onto something else. So find a worthwhile goal and try to make regular progress on it, even if it’s for a small amount each day, because this can really have a positive impact.</p> <p>We can also find purpose by caring for someone else. When we take the spotlight off of us and start to think about someone else’s needs and wants, we begin to feel that our lives matter. This can be achieved by volunteering, or taking care of a family member or even an animal.</p> <p>Feeling that our lives matter is ultimately what gives us purpose and meaning – and this can make a significant difference for our mental health and well-being.</p> <p><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/olivia-remes-187983">Olivia Remes</a>, Postdoctoral researcher, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cambridge-1283">University of Cambridge</a></em></span></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/smiling-depression-its-possible-to-be-depressed-while-appearing-happy-heres-why-thats-particularly-dangerous-110928">original article</a>.</p>

Mind

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How to have fabulous teeth at any age

<p>Oral health is important for all of our wellbeing and prevention is the key.</p> <p>According to the National Oral Health Plan, three out of ten adult Australians have untreated tooth decay. Oral hygiene is an important health issue that affects all of us. Poor oral health is among the most common health problems experienced by Australians and it can lead to a slew of other problematic health-related issues.</p> <p><strong>Why is oral health important?<br /></strong>The last National Survey of Adult Oral Health showed more than fifty per cent of Australians 65 and older suffered from periodontal (gum) disease.  As well as causing discomfort and social difficulties, poor oral health can lead to a suite of other serious health problems.</p> <p>An analysis by the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry indicated that people with gum disease were twice as likely as others to die from a heart attack and three times as likely to have stroke. Why? The researchers found that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can release toxins into or travel through the bloodstream and help to form fatty plaques in the arteries. These plaque deposits can lead to serious problems, such as blood clots, which can block blood flow.</p> <p>Poor oral health may even be connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the UK discovered the presence of a bacterium called Porphyromonas gingivalis in the brains of dementia patients. The researchers noted that this bug is also usually associated with chronic periodontal disease.</p> <p>People with diabetes must be particularly vigilant with their dental hygiene as they have a lower resistance to infection and thus their gums are more susceptible to bacteria. Consequently, diabetics should regularly visit their dentist for advice on how to keep their teeth and gums healthy.</p> <p><strong>Prevention is key<br /></strong>Not surprisingly, the best way to avoid dental problems is through prevention. The National Oral Health Plan recommends that Australians receive an oral health check up and preventatively focused oral health care a minimum of once every two years. However, the consultation report also notes that four out of ten Australians with good oral health visited the same dentist at least once a year for a check up.</p> <p>Every individual has different dental needs, so consult your dentist to find out yours. On top of regular check ups, be sure to visit your dental practitioner urgently if you have pain in your mouth, bleeding gums or any sores, lumps or discoloured patches in your mouth.</p> <p><strong>Did you know?  Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months and after a cold is important because bristles contain bacteria. </strong></p> <p><strong>Brushing, flossing and mouthwash<br /></strong>Brushing twice daily is crucial for removing plaque from your teeth. Aim to brush your teeth and along the gum line with a soft toothbrush after breakfast every morning and before going to bed each night. Also, be sure to brush your tongue to remove particles and bacteria that can build up on its surface, particularly towards the back.  Finally, don’t brush too quickly after eating as this can brush acid onto your teeth, a process which erodes tooth enamel. Try to wait at least thirty minutes between your last meal and brushing or rinse your mouth out with water first. </p> <p>Getting into the habit of flossing (by sliding the floss between the teeth and using a saw-like motion) every day is important for removing plaque where your toothbrush can’t reach. In doubt if you are doing it right? Ask your dentist to show you how on your next visit.</p> <p>By flossing, you can effectively prevent - or at least cut down dramatically - on cavities and gum disease. Mouthwash can also help to ward off gum disease, but that’s only if you use a bacteria-fighting, non-alcoholic rinse after brushing and flossing. Ask your dentist for the best options for you. It is also important that dentures be cleaned with soap and water after every meal, to remove food particles and bacteria. </p> <p>Did you know? Chewing gum is good for you. Numerous studies have confirmed that chewing sugar-free gum can in fact reduce your risk of tooth decay. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva and makes your salivary glands larger and more efficient. This helps to protect teeth by keeping them clean and strengthening the natural production of enamel. </p> <p><strong>Fluoride<br /></strong>In the 1930s, American scientists discovered that towns with higher levels of fluoride in the water-supply experienced less tooth decay. Most Australian towns and cities were fluoridated in the 1960s and 1970s, and today around 90% of Australians enjoy the decay-fighting benefits of fluoride. According to the Australian Dental Association, it contributes to fewer fillings, fewer extractions and fewer visits to the dentist. Fluoridated toothpaste has also had similar effects.</p> <p><strong>Did you know? Smoking has been proven to cause mouth cancer and gum disease. Quitting smoking will improve the health of your mouth, gums and teeth.</strong></p> <p><strong>Medication<br /></strong>Medication with added sugar isn’t ideal for your teeth. Consequently, try and get sugar free medication, or if that isn’t possible get into the habit of rinsing your mouth out every time you take medication which includes sugar. Some medications can also cause xerostomia (dry mouth), which increases risk of tooth decay. Seek professional medical advice if your medication is giving you a dry mouth.</p> <p><strong>Dental diet<br /></strong>Eating foods with high levels of sugar is a leading cause of tooth decay. Aim to limit your intake of food with added sugars and try not to add sugar to tea or coffee. Fruit juices and soft drinks can also contribute, so aim to stick to tap water (bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride). Also, limit between-meal snacks as this reduces the number of acid attacks on your teeth and gives them a chance to ‘repair themselves’.</p> <p>Beneficial foods include ones that make you chew, such as raw fruit and vegetables. Calcium rich foods such as salmon, almonds and kale are also highly beneficial. Don’t forget to also consume plenty of dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K2, which are found in quality butter, organic meats, avocados and eggs.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/how-to-have-fabulous-teeth-at-any-age.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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11 heart-warming dad stories to make you smile

<p>How would you describe your dad, grandpa or father figure in your life? A hero, a comedian, a disciplinarian, a mentor or a best friend? Whether he was a bit of a wise-cracker or a master chef in the kitchen – most of them are great at doing what they do best – loving their kids.</p> <p>We asked our reader to share their fondest dad memories; from heartwarming stories to hilarious tales you just can’t make up. Here are a select few:</p> <p><strong>The cat's out of the bag</strong></p> <p><strong>By Yuki Sayeg, QLD</strong></p> <p>My father died when I was 16 but this story still cracks me up whenever I think of it. When our cat died, Dad buried her under a tree in the back yard. A few nights later Mum went into the garden and found that the dog had dug Taffy up and eaten one of its leg.</p> <p>She woke Dad up, so he went out in PJs and army boots with a shovel over his shoulder and re-dug the hole. But because it was late, he decided to get rid of the towel he'd originally wrapped Taffy in and chucked it aside. He then reburied the cat and went back to bed.</p> <p>The next morning, Mum discovered that he'd chucked the cat aside and buried the towel.</p> <p><strong>In-home barbershop</strong></p> <p><strong>By Kevin Denham, NSW</strong></p> <p>My wife used to cut my hair and the falling hair would get stuck on my clothes and make me itchy. She told me to take my clothes off and step into the bath tub and all the falling hair would end up in the bottom of the tub. My parents came over for a visit and I told dad my wife had just cut my hair. He asked if she could cut his and I told him you have to strip off and stand naked in the bath tub.</p> <p>He turned to my wife and said: "I'm game if you are." We all started laughing. We miss his wit and humour.</p> <p><strong>A splashing surprise</strong></p> <p><strong>By Liberta Mitten, VIC</strong></p> <p>When I was 10 years old, I was in a swimming race from school. My mum couldn't come to watch, with three young children at home and my dad was at work. Although I was a very good swimmer, I didn't really care about the race since my parents would not be there. But half way through the race I heard my dad’s voice yelling out: “Go girl, I am here.”</p> <p>He had slipped away from work to be there. So I sprinted as hard as I could, as I was behind in the race and didn't want to disappoint my dad.</p> <p>I had two laps to go and finished up winning my race – and the next one.</p> <p>I adored my dad. He taught me to swim when I was two years of age. He helped me always, and encouraged me to dive off a 10-meter board. Great memories! I am now 86 years old.</p> <p><strong>Just married</strong></p> <p><strong>By Beverley Wrenn, QLD</strong></p> <p>Funny thing about my late Dad; I was told that while he and my mother were on their honeymoon, he went to the reception at the place where they were staying and asked if they had seen his girlfriend. The receptionist said: "No, but your wife has just gone back to your room."</p> <p>"Oh," said Dad, "I forgot I just got married."</p> <p><strong>Daddy's little princess</strong></p> <p><strong>By Kathy Roberts, NSW</strong></p> <p>My dad has been gone for 21 years. Unfortunately, we no longer have photos from when I was little as they all got burnt in a house fire but he was my hero, my rock.</p> <p>I always remember the times when he would come home from work calling out, “Where’s my princess?” I would run to him and jump in his arms where he would greet me and ask, “How is my little princess?” He did that right up until the day he died of a heart attack.</p> <p>He was there to walk me down aisle and I left my wedding photo in his coffin, but I will always carry him close to my heart. No one could ever replace my dad. To this day, I tell my grandkids all about him and how I was his princess, and now I call my granddaughters, “my little princesses".</p> <p><strong>Scribble, Scramble, Scrabble</strong></p> <p><strong>By Ann Darbyshire, NSW</strong></p> <p>My dad, George, was born into a large family in Ireland and together with many of his siblings, he only had a casual relationship with spelling. He turned to Scrabble as a means of improving this, which became necessary for writing reports in a job in Western Australia where our family had emigrated. He became a keen and competitive player. However, his spelling still occasionally let him down.</p> <p>With great confidence he would plop down a word that bore no resemblance to anything in English. We would remonstrate with him: "That's not a word," we chorused. Undeterred he would respond, "Well, it should be!"</p> <p><strong>Running with the horses</strong></p> <p><strong>By Karen Gaynor-Sperring, NSW</strong></p> <p>My Pop was a tough old bugger. He had to be! Leaving school at 11, when the bank foreclosed on the family property, it was off to work for him. No high wages for a kid in those days – just enough to eat if you were lucky or back luck otherwise. A job during those times was droving, sheep or cattle; it took a few people to move them along and a boy was as good as any man – and cheaper. Pop proved good with the horses so breaking them in became part of his job and later, he trained them for racing.</p> <p>He won a few country races for his owners. It was being thrown from a horse and breaking a leg that showed his stubbornness. In those days it was standard treatment to amputate. His father and a brother had both lost legs this way. But he said "NO!" because he was determined to die with both legs attached – and made his point to any medical person who approached. I'd not be telling this tale if the doctors' predictions had been fulfilled, but he amazed them by living. Amongst his other quirks my grandfather did not sit around the campfire drinking billy tea, as seemed the default social custom of the time. He never drank anything stronger than water.</p> <p>My grandfather finally retired at seventy-two, but he did give up breaking in horses at sixty-five. I doubt there's many of us who would wish to work so long.</p> <p><strong>Sweet tooth</strong></p> <p><strong>By Althia Davis, VIC</strong></p> <p>Granddad, along with my five-year-old son and myself, were waiting at the counter of a shop. On the counter was a bowl of lollies, which my son was eyeing very seriously. The man at the counter asked my son if he would like a lolly, to which my son said, “Yes, please."</p> <p>He then also asked Granddad if he wanted one too. "Oh no,” said my son, “you can't give Granddad any because he hasn't got any teeth."</p> <p>To which Granddad piped up, "Oh yes I have! They’re in my pocket.” And he proceeded to take them out and put them on!</p> <p><strong>Frequent flyer</strong></p> <p><strong>By Diane Richardson, WA</strong></p> <p>My Dad was always running late. One time he had to catch the plane at the local airport, but the plane was at the end of the runway so he got Mum to drive him down the side of the runway. They actually lowered the steps and he caught the plane! It wouldn't happen these days, and mum refused to take him to the airport after that.</p> <p><strong>War hero</strong></p> <p><strong>By Ian James, ACT</strong></p> <p>My father has always maintained that he ended the Second World War. He had started training with the Australian Air Force as a radio operator and when the Japanese got wind of this, they surrendered. We've had fun with this story for years.</p> <p><strong>The simple life</strong></p> <p><strong>By Jennifer Manison, TAS</strong></p> <p>My dad, Tom Sutton, worked all his life in a sheet metal factory in Lea Village, Birmingham, England. Every year my parents took our family of three daughters on holiday for a week so we could make sandcastles, paddle in the sea and breathe the fresh air – often travelling to Christchurch in New Zealand, Torquay in Victoria or Ilfracombe in Queensland.</p> <p>My parents never had a car and my dad never had a holiday abroad. He lived a very simple life. He would have a bottle of beer and put a small bet on the horses every Saturday; the rest of his wages went on rent, food, bills and other things for his family.</p> <p>For 10 years he kept from everyone that he had cancer, until it became obvious. His philosophy was to just get on with life and not complain. Just before he died my mom told me that, when he was a boy, my dad had the chance to go to grammar school. So he set off for his appointment there, but got lost, and nobody followed it up. I can't bear to think of the opportunity he missed but he enjoyed his life and was the best father we could have wished for.</p> <p>Note: some of these stories have been edited for clarity.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/11-funny-and-heartwarming-stories-about-dads.aspx"><em>Wyza.com.au</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p> </p>

Art

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Dental tourism: Things to consider before going that extra mile for your smile

<p>Australians spend up to <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2015/januaryfebruary/medical-tourism/">A$300 million</a> each year on health-care costs abroad. As part of this phenomenon, each year <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/hospitals-and-medical-procedures/medical-treatments/articles/cosmetic-surgery-holidays">around 15,000 of us</a> are travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery tourism, including dental procedures.</p> <p>We don’t have firm numbers on exactly how much Australians spend on dental procedures. But we know for sure dental implants, crowns and bridges (prosthetic devices implanted to cover a damaged tooth or missing teeth), endodontics (such as root canal treatments) and other cosmetic dental procedures are becoming highly desirable.</p> <p>There has never been more pressure to have a straight, bright and white set of teeth.</p> <p><strong>The rise of dental tourism</strong></p> <p>Health-care tourism refers to people travelling overseas to undergo a medical or dental procedure. People travel for a range of dental procedures including having implants, crowns and bridges fitted, or for dentures, root canal treatment, fillings, veneers and teeth whitening.</p> <p>In Australia, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia-2015/contents/cost-of-dental-care">three in ten people</a> have avoided visiting a dentist due to cost, while <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia-2015/contents/cost-of-dental-care">one in five</a> were unable to afford treatment recommended by a dentist. Dental care in Australia is <a href="https://chf.org.au/sites/default/files/health-voices-may12_web.pdf">not subsidised</a> for the majority of Australians, and <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-statistics/health-conditions-disability-deaths/dental-oral-health/overview">about half</a> don’t have any private dental insurance, which makes the allure of dental tourism clear.</p> <p>Some companies offer all-inclusive packages for sun, sea and smiles, meaning you can receive dental care as part of your holiday.</p> <p>Dental treatment abroad including flights and luxury hotel accommodation is often still cheaper than some dental treatments at home. For Australians, the most popular destinations are countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.</p> <p>Patients who travel tend to be ordinary people with modest incomes. And, like medical tourism, a substantial part of overseas dental travel involves diaspora patients returning to their home country for more familiar (and cheaper) care.</p> <p><strong>What are the risks?</strong></p> <p>Dentistry, whether provided at home or abroad, is never risk-free. You might pay top dollar to see the best provider and still have something go wrong.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Younger-Adults-18-30/Dental-Tourism">Australian Dental Association</a> advocates for patients to reconsider mixing holidays abroad with their oral health care. The association says the standards of dentistry overseas aren’t as good as in Australia and there could be issues with cleanliness and infection risk.</p> <p>While there are no strong population-based studies that prove overseas dental treatment leads to poor outcomes, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2010.01267.x">case studies</a> do exist. These have shown lack of accountability and regulation are the main issues with dental tourism, particularly when complications arise.</p> <p>Education, training and practice philosophies of overseas-trained dentists might be different to those of Australian-trained dentists. Dental education systems in a few major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent are facing several challenges in terms of rapid privatisation, quality and regulation.</p> <p>On the other side on the coin, Australia has also had <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/up-to-10000-sydney-dental-patients-are-being-urged-to-get-blood-tests-for-hiv-hepatitis/news-story/9195b8da90deda723ac9093f2b66360e">reported cases</a> of poor infection control practices.</p> <p><strong>Things to consider</strong></p> <p>Whether you choose to have dental treatment overseas or in Australia, here are some things to consider:</p> <p><strong>Have you had enough time to think about your treatment?</strong> If you have a plane to catch and a tight schedule, you need to be wary about being pressured into committing to treatments before you feel ready. Holidays come and go but the effects of dental treatment stick around for a lot longer.</p> <p><strong>Have you been able to ask questions?</strong> Most dentists are really good at telling patients about treatments and different options. If you don’t feel you can ask questions, or that you are getting answers that satisfy your needs, you should be able to have a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to ask for one.</p> <p><strong>What happens if things don’t work out?</strong> Dentistry is as much of an art as it is a science. No matter how skilled your dentist, sometimes things don’t go to plan or are more complex than first thought. It usually isn’t too much of a problem to put things right, but if you need to see a dentist again, is this going to be difficult?</p> <p><strong>From dental tourism to transnational dental care</strong></p> <p>In this era of globalisation, overseas travel for dental care seems unavoidable. On a positive note, increased international flows of patients are likely to stimulate debate and develop solutions to enable more effective and cheaper access to dental care in Australia.</p> <p>Host countries that benefit from dental tourism and have modified their clinical facilities for an international clientele may be encouraged to offer similar levels of quality care to local patients.</p> <p>Professional and patient regulation and other mechanisms (such as insurance) that are preserved for national interests will need to widen to include the concerns of overseas health-care travellers.</p> <p>Regional cooperation across countries where dental tourism occurs will need to be actively pursued. This includes streamlined support for understanding dental tourism such as the inflows and outflows of patients, types of treatments, care providers and after care. Better data on dental tourism are vital for tracing and explaining this phenomenon.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102910/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Madhan Balasubramanian, NHMRC Sidney Sax Research Fellow, University of Sydney and Alexander Holden, Lecturer in Dental Ethics, Law and Professionalism, University of Sydney</span>. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/dental-tourism-things-to-consider-before-going-that-extra-mile-for-your-smile-102910"><span>The Conversation</span></a>.</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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That smile! Prince Louis is the happiest baby in newly released portrait with mum Kate

<p>Little Prince Louis has one gorgeous smile!</p> <p>In a newly released photo from his christening last Monday, the youngest royal laughed as he was photographed in the arms of his proud mum Kate.</p> <p><img style="width: 441px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeopledotcom.files.wordpress.com%2F2018%2F07%2Fprince-louis-1-2000.jpg&amp;w=1100&amp;q=85" alt="" /></p> <p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared the additional photograph to accompany the which took place in Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace on July 9.</p> <p>“Their Royal Highnesses hope that everyone enjoys this lovely photograph of Prince Louis as much as they do,” the office of Prince William and Kate at Kensington Palace <strong><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1018782335360290816" target="_blank">said in a statement on Monday.</a></strong></p> <p>The picture of 11-week old Louis was taken by photographer Matt Porteous in the garden at Clarence House following the christening, offering a much more candid and relaxed glimpse into the christening.</p> <p>Porteous previously photographed Louis’ brother Prince George when he turned three in 2016.</p> <p>The official family photographs were taken by Matt Holyoak which were released at the weekend.</p> <p>Missed Prince Louis' official christening album of photos? See all the <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/2018/07/prince-louis-official-christening-portraits-released/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>official pictures of the christening here. </strong></span></a></p>

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