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Why we’re more prone to car-sickness when we set off on holiday

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/william-emond-1431510">William Emond</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-de-technologie-de-belfort-montbeliard-2637">Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard</a> Travel sickness isn’t just hearsay. Nearly <a href="https://www.autonomicneuroscience.com/article/S1566-0702(06)00212-8/fulltext">a third of people</a> experience motion sickness – and to this day we don’t exactly know what causes it. The prevailing theory suggests it is triggered by a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cns.12468">poor perception of movement</a>. Departure to and return from summer holidays seem moments especially prone to this sickness’ stealthy advances. We (or at least those of us inclined to travel sickness) are more often ill during these particular journeys than during our normal comings and goings. Let’s note too that lots of travellers feel a sense of fatigue, drowsiness, apathy or lack of energy without having done any particularly exhausting activity. These are in fact symptoms of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576598001532">mild motion sickness</a>, which show that many more people are affected by the condition than you’d think. Why this apparent heightened susceptibility during holiday trips? There are many reasons. Compared to normal travel, these journeys feature certain conditions, all with the potential to increase the incidence and severity of symptoms. Here are some pieces of explanation, and advice to minimise the risk. <h2>Long journeys – repetition of movements that make you queasy</h2> In a car, the further one travels, the more likely one is to feel ill, as shown by a number of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1243/0954407042580093">mathematical models which predict motion sickness</a>. It’s the adding up of unpleasant movements which takes us over the threshold where we feel symptoms. For certain people, this <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1566070206002128">can happen after just a few minutes</a>); for others it develops more slowly. Only on long journeys, after several hours on the road, in the air or on a boat, will this latter group be pushed over their limit and start feeling unwell. Activities undertaken to pass the time during a long journey could add to feelings of queasiness. Often people do something to occupy and entertain themselves: read a book, watch a film, play a video game or scroll through social media. Except, these visually stimulating activities absorb our attention to the point that we’re not tuned in to the visual cues that allows our brain to assess the movement of the vehicle. This creates a confusion in the perception of movement. As a result, it becomes <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141938214000043?via%3Dihub">much easier to feel sick</a>. <h2>Journey conditions: risks adding up</h2> In summer, the temperature inside a vehicle is difficult to control, with the sun often imposing a stifling heat; conditions which <a href="https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2013/00000084/00000005/art00004">tend to accentuate the symptoms of motion sickness</a>. When it’s hot, <a href="https://theconversation.com/lesquels-de-nos-organes-sont-les-plus-menaces-par-la-canicule-119563">our body has to make an effort to regulate its temperature</a>, through sweat or breathing for example. These various signals amount to ‘primary symptoms’ as they can contribute to the appearance of other more substantive symptoms: dilation of the blood vessels, sickness, nausea or vomiting, as applicable. To counter these effects, one is tempted to switch the air conditioning on, which could itself, perversely, <a href="https://www.francetvinfo.fr/sante/environnement-et-sante/la-climatisation-rend-elle-malade_2885673.html">worsen the situation for passengers highly susceptible to motion sickness</a>. Ventilation and cabin air systems also push people toward their nausea thresholds. Unpleasant smells are another factor that can <a href="https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2013/00000084/00000005/art00004">accentuate car sickness symptoms</a>: traffic fumes, cigarette smoke, fetid air or even <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-015-4209-9">the smell of leather</a> were identified as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847819306539">second most common cause of car sickness</a>! These are bigger risk factors at the start of holiday season, when <a href="https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/trafic/vacances-les-vagues-de-departs-massifs-sont-associees-a-de-fortes-emissions-de-polluants_2839361.html">air pollution peaks regularly</a> and the sun’s rays heat up materials. It’s also known that there is a region of the brain – the area postrema or chemoreceptor trigger zone – which can trigger over-production of saliva and nausea specifically when certain smells are detected – a protective reflex against toxins and other poisonous substances. <h2>Traffic: a physical and mental imposition</h2> In a car, it isn’t speed that makes one ill but <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/001401399184730">changes in speed</a>, especially abrupt ones. Acceleration and breaking movements aggravate the human body, even more than turning corners. In practice, variations in speed are often forced on the driver by road design (speed limits, crossings, traffic lights), but also by the state of the traffic. A car stuck in jams will be forced to speed up and slow down at random intervals, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366836220_Effect_of_Horizontal_Acceleration_and_Seat_Orientation_on_Motion_Sickness_in_Passenger_Cars">which grates, even at low speeds</a>. Traffic jams also have a psychological element. Delays to a journey (which might already have been very long), anxiousness about arriving at the arranged time, which is looking less and less likely, tiredness, stress and irritation can all cause the passengers’ mood to crash. It’s been observed that these factors <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0018720819876139">significantly impact the degree of motion sickness symptoms</a>. It would be better to take these setbacks calmly and stay in a relaxed frame of mind but that’s of course easier said than done. <h2>Some tips to limit the damage</h2> If you’re driving with passengers with a tendency to be car sick, or you’re susceptible yourself, some adjustments to your travel habits might help you. For the driver: <ul> <li> Take regular breaks. This allows passengers to take a breather, and to reduce to a significant extent or even get over their symptoms. Sometimes symptoms can take a while to disappear but <a href="https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vestibular-research/ves7-6-01">generally 15-30 minutes is enough</a>. </li> <li> Try to cut down the amount of hard acceleration and braking you do. Keep as far as possible to the same speed and adopt a smooth driving style, including when you overtake or brake. </li> <li> Avoid taking corners too sharply on winding roads. Passengers should be <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140139.2015.1109713">jolted in their seats as little as possible</a>. </li> </ul> For passengers <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/001401399184730">Sit as far forward in the vehicle as possible</a>. Any movement while travelling is better absorbed by the body from this position. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140139108964831">It’s in the driver’s seat that people are least affected by car sickness</a>, since one has control over the vehicle’s movement. </li> <li> Avoid looking at screens and other visual content (books, etc.), particularly when the vehicle isn’t moving at a constant speed. Instead, <a href="https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/000712699161594">try and look forward out of the window</a>, towards the horizon. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140139.2015.1109713">Shut your eyes</a> or <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1976-12574-000">try to sleep</a>. Slowing down activity soothes the body. </li> <li> <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-27928-8_26">Tilt your seat back</a>. This allows you to be less destabilised by the vehicle’s movements </li> <li> Go for car games with the other passengers if you get bored: play “I Spy”, <a href="https://theses.gla.ac.uk/80069/1/13905209.pdf">sing songs</a>, count cars of a particular colour or make, and other old favourites of proven effectiveness to help pass the time and, above all, <a href="http://iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vestibular-research/ves00541">take your attention away from the queasiness</a>. The emergence and disappearance of symptoms is mainly a psychological phenomenon. </li> </ul> Finally, given the role of the mind in car sickness symptoms, note that passengers experiencing queasiness can feel better with a placebo (something with no proven medicinal value but presented to them as a magic cure). Simple tips <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/5/2/89/1801039">have been shown to be particularly effective</a>. For example, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-021-06303-5">offering a sweet, a piece of chewing gum</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-017-5009-1">a sip of water or a breath of fresh air</a> while talking up their effectiveness will give your fellow travellers a little boost. We wish you happy travels, hoping your journey conditions are as good as they can be. <hr /> Translation from French to English by <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshNeicho">Joshua Neicho</a><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/210338/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/william-emond-1431510">William Emond</a>, Doctorant en mal des transports (PhD Student on carsickness mitigation), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-de-technologie-de-belfort-montbeliard-2637">Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/why-were-more-prone-to-car-sickness-when-we-set-off-on-holiday-210338">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

Six tricks to combat air travel sickness

If there’s one thing that's guaranteed to ruin a travel experience, it’s unexpected motion sickness, as there's nothing worse than feeling ill and not being able to escape until you land. Experts at Travel Lens have shared their holy grail tips for people to do before and during their flights to help reduce air sickness travel symptoms. Airsickness, otherwise known as motion sickness, is caused when the body receives conflicting information from the eyes, ears and muscles in regards to movement. This confuses the brain, which can cause nausea, fatigue and dizziness. "Air sickness is very common and with plenty of holidays still to come this year, it's important that people can enjoy them fully without the added stress of feeling ill on the plane," a spokesperson told <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/travel-advice-tricks-to-combat-airsickness-on-flights-expert/91e42ab8-ae9b-4b5a-a0f2-88525ee38886#1">9Honey</a>. "For some people, sickness may be a persistent problem when travelling, but there are certain things that can be implemented to help ease any symptoms.” "Whilst on the plane it's important to stay as calm as possible and by making small adjustments you can reduce the effects of airsickness." Select your seat mindfully Your position on a plane has a drastic effect on how much movement you can expect throughout your journey. Typically the middle, the wing and closer to the front of the plane are the best places to sit as this is where the journey feels most stable. Try to avoid the back of the plane as seats further back can be subject to more turbulence. Put the book and screens down While reading or watching is a great way to pass the time on a flight, focusing on these forms of entertainment can only exacerbate the feeling of motion sickness. The best thing to do instead of reading or watching something is to try to relax and focus on breathing. Avoid alcohol Many people are inclined to indulge in an alcoholic drink on a plane, however the effects of drinking while travelling are often less than desirable. Alcohol can dehydrate the body quickly and this can exacerbate symptoms, so it may be best to opt for a soda. Wait until symptoms have completely subsided before you consider having a drink or until you land. Use mint and ginger Some studies have suggested consuming ginger before heading off on a flight can help to stop feelings of nausea. Whether it's taken as a supplement, in raw form or even as a can of ginger beer, it's definitely worth a try. The same can be said for peppermint, so taking a packet of breath mints in your carry-on is a must. Choose your food wisely While plane food is always a bit of a gamble, it's a good idea to eat before boarding. Steer clear of greasy and spicy foods as these can unsettle an already nervous stomach. And make sure you stay hydrated! Get comfortable Instead of staying upright for your whole flight, take advantage of a slight recline in your seats (just don’t forget to talk to the person sitting behind you first!) Consider taking a travel pillow to ease the strain on the neck throughout the flight and put any unnecessary items in the overhead storage to ensure the most comfortable environment for dealing with any sickness symptoms. Use the blankets provided and tune out any noise, and focus on deep breathing until you arrive safely at your destination. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Motion sickness remedies everyone should know

From sweating to dizziness and at worst, vomiting, motion sickness isn’t pretty. The good news is you can beat it and we show you how. Travelling should be a time when you can enjoy yourself and look forward to your holiday ahead. But motion sickness, unfortunately, is one of those pesky little things you don’t have control over. It’s a common condition that can affect people when travelling by any form of transport, including car, train, boat and plane. While anyone can get motion sickness, some people are affected more than others. Either way, here are some things to keep in mind when you go on your next trip. <ul> <li>Position yourself where you will experience the least motion: for example, over the wings in an aeroplane or in the dead centre of a ship.</li> <li>So that your eyes confirm the sensation of motion picked up by your inner ear, watch the scenery going by. This may mean, you’ll want to be out on deck at sea. Remember, though, not to fix your gaze on individually moving objects, such as another moving car – just scan generally.</li> <li>If you can, drive the vehicle. Passengers in moving cars are more likely to experience motion sickness than drivers.</li> <li>The larger the moving vehicle you’re in, the better. Bigger vehicles are less susceptible to motion. If you can, try to travel on a ship rather than a small boat.</li> <li>Keep your head still as moving it around will swirl the fluid in your canals and add to the sensory confusion.</li> <li>Some people find that closing their eyes is the best way to eliminate sensory confusion.</li> <li>Lying down on your back allows the fluid in the ear canals to pool, rather than swirl around.</li> <li>Cut back on, or eliminate, alcoholic drinks and don’t have any alcohol for 24 hours before travelling.</li> <li>Make sure you have plenty of fresh air. Fumes or smoke can exacerbate symptoms.</li> <li>On brief journeys, try not to eat or drink anything.</li> <li>On long journeys, eat and drink sparingly and often.</li> <li>If all else fails, try to relax as anxiety worsens symptoms. Relaxation techniques such as abdominal breathing or distracting yourself with a book or hobby are good way to take your mind off worrying. If your anxiety is severe, you could consider professional counselling.</li> </ul> Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Motion sickness: this might explain why some people feel sick in cars or on trains

If you’re someone who suffers from motion sickness, travelling in many types of vehicles can be difficult thanks to a host of symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and even vomiting. But it’s not completely clear why some people can read and play games on their phone during a long drive while others spend the journey desperately trying not to be sick. Nor is it clear why some people only experience motion sickness in certain types of vehicles and not others. But there are two theories that might help explain what’s going on. The <a href="https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/y90-044">sensory conflict theory</a> proposes that a key player in motion sickness is our balance system. Balance is not maintained by just one single sensory organ. Rather, it combines what we’re seeing and feeling with information from the balance organ in our inner ears, which helps our balance system work out exactly where we are. If the information from our eyes, inner ears and touch or pressure senses doesn’t match up, it can make us feel off-balance or unsteady. This is why it’s thought that motion sickness is caused by a mismatch of information from our senses – with our eyes and inner ear telling our body that we’re moving, even though we’re actually sitting stationary. This is also why the <a href="https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/y90-044">less sensory mismatch we experience</a> in a vehicle, the less likely we are to experience motion sickness. For example, travelling in a car on a smooth, straight road will cause less sensory mismatch than travelling on a winding road with lots of potholes. This theory is currently considered the strongest explanation for motion sickness – though we’re still trying to understand the brain mechanisms that cause <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cns.12468">motion sickness</a>. An alternate (but related) theory suggests that it’s all down to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15326969eco0303_2?src=recsys">controlling posture</a>. According to this theory, motion sickness doesn’t happen just because of the mismatch of sensory information. Rather, it’s our inability to adjust our posture to reduce this mismatch of sensory information that makes us feel nauseous. While this makes sense – especially since we can’t always move around when travelling – there <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15326969eco0703_1">isn’t much evidence</a>to support this theory. <h2>No single reason</h2> Motion sickness affects people differently, and there’s no single reason why some people experience motion sickness more frequently than others. But differences in how well a person’s vision and balance systems work will affect how they may feel in different types of vehicles. Certain disorders – including migraines and inner ear diseases, such as Ménière’s disease – <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070206002128">increase the likelihood</a> of experiencing motion sickness. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070206002128">Age and sex</a> may also affect likelihood of experiencing motion sickness – with some research suggesting experiences peak around nine or ten years of age, and are more common in women. However, it is uncertain as to why this may be the case. The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070206002128">type of vehicle</a> people travel in will also have some affect on the amount of motion sickness a person may experience. Broadly, any factor that increases the mismatch between each of the senses that contribute to our balance system will increase the risk of motion sickness. The longer the experience lasts and the larger the size of the movement, the worse the symptoms. For example, travelling on a small boat in a storm for more than eight hours will cause quite severe symptoms – whereas a one-hour train journey will probably have little effect, even if the track isn’t perfectly smooth. Many people also report experiencing motion sickness when they’re a passenger – not when they’re driving a vehicle. This is probably because drivers are (unsurprisingly) much better at anticipating the motion of a vehicle and move their bodies according to the movement of the vehicle. For example, if a car travels around a sharp bend, the driver is going to be looking ahead and anticipating the movement of the car as they turn – while a passenger is likely to react as the turn happens by leaning in the opposite direction. Motion sickness also isn’t limited to the “real world”, with <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2677758.2677780?casa_token=Wni6ONyXbJsAAAAA:MgFIc_qg3Kos4-rIbVZQD_FfuRhmbuGqf4N6OO1rKuQitKBPbGJ7wxDbJJNEPPq0CryffMEmmPSc">cybersickness</a> another type of motion sickness that people get from the virtual environments, often when playing video games. This likely happens because of the sensory conflict of seeing the environment move on the screen while the body remains stationary. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0056160">Watching films in 3D</a> at the cinema can prompt motion sickness for the same reason. If you’re someone who suffers from motion sickness, the best thing to do the next time you’re in a vehicle is try to reduce the mismatch of sensory information. So avoid reading in the car – as this causes a mismatch between what we’re seeing and what we’re feeling – and try to instead look out the window. This may help reduce nausea as the visual information now better matches the balance information in our the inner ear. The same is true for boats and trains – focusing on the passing landscape can reduce symptoms. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7048153">Other tips</a> to reduce motion sickness include not having a heavy meal before travel, ventilating the vehicle and taking regular stops (when possible). But if these tips aren’t enough to tackle symptoms, using an <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/014556130608500110">anti-motion sickness medication</a> may help. These reduce activity in the balance system of the brain or reduce the number of signals the brain sends to the gut, which can help to stop nausea and vomiting. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/motion-sickness-this-might-explain-why-some-people-feel-sick-in-cars-or-on-trains-178087" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

"Why Phil Tippett will never do another film like ‘Mad God’

Phil Tippett, the man behind physical special effects seen in the likes of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Robocop has spoken about his latest project, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.madgodmovie.com/madgod-home" target="_blank">Mad God</a>, and why he could never do it again. The independent stop-motion film, funded partly through online platform Kickstarter, took the iconic animator 30 years to make, and premiered at the annual cult cinema festival, Monster Fest, in Melbourne this year. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846211/tippett3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/49414a0037f44b4d9eb0c8ee60851f41" /> Phil Tippett’s most memorable monster creations include the wooly Tauntauns which appeared in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’. Image: @tippettstudio (Instagram) Tippett’s latest feature is a wordless, nightmarish film that follows a figure in a gas mask known as the Assassin, as they make their way through a landscape filled with monsters, zombies, disturbing science experiments, and other grotesque forms. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/inside-the-nightmares-of-hollywood-s-mad-god-monster-maker-20211129-p59d29.html" target="_blank">The Sydney Morning Herald</a>, Tippett said his work comes “entirely from the unconscious”, which saw him experience a “psychic breakdown” while making Mad God. “You can only know your own mind. So my mind is a cage, and that’s where I am unconsciously trapped,” he said. “But within is an entire universe. And you never know what path you’re gonna go down. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846210/tippett1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8a0d0c80699746d49efe33cfadc5ee60" /> Grotesque figures and monsters fill Phil Tippett’s latest film. Images: Mad God Movie “And Mad God led to a psychic breakdown for me, and then I had to go to the psych ward for a little while, and then it took me six weeks to recover.” Tippett went on to say finishing Mad God came both as a personal triumph and a relief, as something he would not repeat. “I will never do another Mad God, ever. It’s impossible. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal,” he explained. But, he said he already has an outline and “about 800 storyboards” made up for Pequin’s Pendequin, a sequel that’s intentionally more commercial and influenced by classic Warner Brothers and Popeye cartoons. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6ZZ1yDVo0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6ZZ1yDVo0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Phil Tippett (@madphilg)</a> </div> </blockquote> Despite its clear change in direction, Tippett conceded that it will still contain elements of his style. “As the canary sings one song, it’ll get my flavour in it somehow,” he added. “There’s a certain amount of darkness to it. But it’s a lot more humorous, with very vibrant colours, and … happy.” See the trailer for Mad God below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pbW5ns_pIZo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Images: Tippett Studio / Getty Images

Movies

The new device that charges your phone while you’re on the go

Researchers from Queen’s University in Canada have developed an energy-harvesting device that exploits the side to side movement of a backpack that will generate electricity while you walk. The trial version would be suitable for people who work or trek to remote areas and the device has enough power to deploy an emergency beacon or a GPS. The researchers experimented with seven different conditions for energy harvesting and found that a load of nine kilograms generated the optimum amount of power without any extra effort to the wearer. The nine kilograms would be made up of clothes, food, a stove, fuel, a sleeping bag and a tent which was packed for a long trek. The weight of the device and the backpack adds another five kilos. The setup in total produces about .22 watts of electricity which is enough to power GPS and emergency beacons. <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.182021">In the paper</a>, the researchers Jean-Paul Martin and Qingguo Li calculate that adding more weight to the backpack will help it generate more power. “Modelling predicts that an increase in electrical power production could be achieved by increasing the weight carried,” they write. “If generating over (one Watt) of electrical power was desired for powering higher demand devices, such as talking or browsing the internet with a cell phone, our model indicates that over 20 kilograms of weight would need to be carried.” In total, you would be carrying 14 kilograms on your back to generate enough power for your GPS or emergency beacon. Although this might seem like too much weight for most people, it’s next to nothing for soldiers who are used to carrying at least 27 kilograms and as much as 45 kilograms on their back for long-haul missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Technology

Health check: Why do we get motion sickness and what’s the best way to treat it?

Motion sickness can be mild, but in some people it’s debilitating, and takes the fun out of a holiday. We think it’s caused by <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-mysterious-science-of-motion-sickness/385469/">temporary dysfunction</a> of our brain’s balance centres. The perception of motion of any sort can bring on <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/motion-sickness">symptoms of travel sickness</a>. These include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, excessive saliva, rapid breathing and cold sweats. The good news is, there are strategies and medicines you can use to <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/p41.html">prevent motion sickness</a>, or to help you ride it out. Ears and eyes disconnect As we move through space, multiple sensors in our middle ear, limbs and eyes feed information to our balance centre in our brains to orientate us. It’s when these sources of information are in apparent conflict that we may experience motion sickness. For example, in those who are particularly susceptible, watching certain movies can induce motion sickness as our eyes indicate we are moving, although other sensors confirm we are stationary. A boat trip in rocky seas or a car trip on winding roads means our head and body will be moving in unusual ways, in two or more axes at once, while sensing accelerations, decelerations and rotations. Together these are strong stimuli to bring on an attack of motion sickness. Motion sickness is common <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7430.long">Around 25-30% of us</a> travelling in boats, buses or planes will suffer – from feeling a bit off all the way to completely wretched; pale, sweaty, staggering, and vomiting. Some people are extremely susceptible to motion sickness, and may feel unwell even with minor movements such as “head bobbing” while snorkelling, or even <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-mysterious-science-of-motion-sickness/385469/">riding a camel</a>. <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7430">Susceptibility</a> seems to increase with age, while women are more prone to travel sickness than men. There is a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-mysterious-science-of-motion-sickness/385469/">genetic influence</a> too, with the condition running in families. It often co-exists with a history of migraines. Preventing motion sickness Sufferers quickly work out <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/hi-res/afp20140701p41-t2.gif">what to avoid</a>. Sitting in the back seat of the car, reading in a car or bus (trains and planes are better), facing backwards in a bus or train or going below deck on a boat in rough conditions are all best avoided if you’re prone to travel sickness. Medicines that control vomiting (antiemetics) and nausea (anti-nauseants) are the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7430">mainstay of medicines</a> used for motion sickness and are effective. But as there are unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, it’s reasonable to try behavioural techniques first, or alongside medicines. More time “on deck”, keeping an eye on the horizon if there’s a significant swell, and focusing on other things (for example looking out for whales) are <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/p41.html">good examples</a>. Desensitisation or habituation also <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/p41.html">work for some</a>. For example, increasing experience on the water in relatively smooth conditions in preparation for longer and potentially rougher trips can help. There tends to be a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25077501">reduction in symptoms</a> after a couple of days at sea. Medicines can then be reduced and even stopped. Symptoms often return when back on dry land, usually for just a day or two. Chewing hard ginger has been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=3277342">claimed to work</a> for naval cadets, but other studies have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2062873">not confirmed</a> its effectiveness. Some people find wrist bands that provide acupressure to be effective, although when these have been studied in controlled trials, <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7430">the proof is lacking</a>. Glasses with a built-in horizon to combat motion sickness were <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190079314A1/en">patented in 2018</a>, so watch this space. How medications work Travel sickness medications are more effective when taken pre-emptively, so before your journey begins. Antiemetics and anti-nauseants act on the brain and nervous system. Medicines used to prevent and treat travel sickness most commonly are either sedating antihistamines or anticholinergics. They block the effects of neurotransmitters (molecules that transmit information) such as histamine, acetylcholine and dopamine in our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0165017394000049">balance control centres</a>. But these sorts of medicines are not very specific. That is, they block the effects of acetylcholine and histamine wherever these neurotransmitters act throughout the body. This explains <a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0701/p41.html">unwanted side effects</a> such as sedation, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and confusion (in older, vulnerable people). Drowsiness is more likely to reach dangerous levels if other central nervous system depressants are taken at the <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/consumers/understanding-drug-interactions">same time</a>. This includes opioids (morphine, oxycodone, codeine), alcohol, sleeping pills and some antidepressants. So what’s the best option? A <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD002851/ENT_scopolamine-for-preventing-and-treating-motion-sickness">comprehensive review</a> of clinical trials in 2011 compared the medicine scopolamine as a preventative with other medicines, placebos, behavioural and complementary therapies. Most of the 14 studies reviewed were in healthy men serving in the Navy with history of travel sickness. Women have rarely been subjects, and there are no studies in <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/preventing-motion-sickness-in-children">children</a>. Although scopolamine was found to be marginally more effective than the alternatives, there’s not much to go on to recommend one travel medicine over another. If you’re somebody who experiences motion sickness, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Most medicines for motion sickness are <a href="https://ajp.com.au/news/travel-health-pharmacy/">available over the counter</a>. You may need to try a few different medicines to find the one that works best for you, but always follow dosage instructions and professional advice. Once motion sickness is established, the only option is to ride it out. Lying down where possible, getting fresh air and focusing on the horizon can all help alongside appropriate medications. Importantly, for prolonged episodes, try to keep your fluids up to avoid dehydration (especially if vomiting occurs). If you experience motion sickness for the first time, and if it’s associated with a migraine-like headache, you should seek the advice of a doctor to rule out other neurological conditions. Written by Ric Day and Andrew McLachlan. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-why-do-we-get-motion-sickness-and-whats-the-best-way-to-treat-it-112861">The Conversation</a>.

Body

Senator Larissa Waters breastfeeds while moving a motion

Last month, Greens Senator Larissa Waters became the first woman to breastfeed inside Federal Parliament. Yesterday, the senator was breastfeeding her 14-week-old daughter, Alia Joy, while passing a motion in the Senate in Canberra. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> First time I've had to move a Senate motion while breastfeeding! And my partner in crime moved her own motion just before mine, bless her — Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) <a href="https://twitter.com/larissawaters/status/877721835525201920">June 22, 2017</a></blockquote> “I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the Federal Parliament,” Senator Waters said in May. “We need more women and parents in Parliament. And we need more family-friendly and flexible workplaces, and affordable childcare, for everyone.” Last year, parliamentary rules were changed to allow mothers to breastfeed while in chamber. Previously, children were banned in chamber and mothers were given a proxy vote if they went outside to feed their babies. The policy was changed after a controversial incident involving Liberal MP Kelly O’Dwyer who was asked to express more breastmilk, rather than miss her duties due to leaving the chamber to breastfeed. The Victorian MP was initially furious when the request was made. It is believed that the request came after Ms O’Dwyer missed a division and a speaking engagement in parliament due to breastfeeding.

Family & Pets

5 ways to deal with seasickness on a cruise

If the thought of a cruise or bumpy bus ride makes your stomach flip, you need to know these tips. 1. Pick the right spot Where you are in the car, bus or ship can have a big impact on motion sickness. In vehicles, it’s always best to sit up the front, where you’ll be looking straight ahead at the moving road rather than having it rushing along beside you. When booking a cruise cabin, choose one closer to the middle of the ship where you will remain more stable during the voyage. It’s also best to book a cabin with a window or balcony so you’re able to look outside. 2. Plan ahead If you suspect that you will suffer from motion sickness, prepare yourself in the days leading up to the journey. Avoid heavy and spicy foods, and stay away from alcohol. You want your stomach to be feeling as calm as possible. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest before you board. And even though you may feel like a few stiff drinks will make you feel better on the road, the opposite is usually true. 3. Look outside If you’re feeling sick you might think that closing your eyes will help, but in fact the opposite is true. Look out of the window and focus on the road ahead or the horizon. Looking at the movement that’s happening outside will reorient your inner ear and alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. That also means you should avoid reading a book or playing on a device. 4. Try natural remedies Ginger is known to assist with digestion and alleviate nausea, so it’s one of the most popular natural remedies for motion sickness. You can grate up the root and use it to make a tea or try an herbal supplement. Some people also swear by acupressure, so you can easily try to work your own pressure points. With your thumb, press on the inside of your arm about three finger widths down from your wrist crease for a few minutes until your nausea subsides. You can also try motion sickness wristbands that have a small bead that presses on the right spot. 5. Hit the chemist If you want to call in the big guns, there are a lot of good over the counter medications available that will help with motion sickness. Travacalm is the most common brand and easily available from the chemist. Many antisthamines, like Avomine or Phenergan, are also recommended for motion sickness, though check with your doctor. It’s best to take them before you start feeling sick and be aware that many of these medications will also make you drowsy.

Cruising

10 ways to deal with motion sickness while travelling

Motion sickness can get even the best planned holiday off to a sour start. It can also be a debilitating condition, particularly for senior travellers. We’re going to take you through our best tips for coping with motion sickness while you’re travelling. By following this guide you can be sure you will make it to your destination fit, healthy and most-importantly, ready to enjoy your holiday. 1. Get fresh air Fresh air can soothe the symptoms of motion sickness. Something as simple as opening a car or bus window can make a big difference when you’re suffering. 2. Block your view Motion sickness can be exacerbated by the movement outside your vehicle, so consider sunglasses or sleep masks to block you view enough to curtail the symptoms. 3. Ginger products This one might seem a little out of left-field, but many people espouse the benefits of products like ginger chews and ginger biscuits when dealing with motion sickness. 4. Eat something dry Eating something dry like crackers, can help alleviate the symptoms of motions sickness, as the dry food can help soak up any access residing in your stomach. 5. Acupressure Applying a small amount of pressure to the underside of your wrist can help alieve the symptoms of motion sickness. Press the small “valley” in your wrist where you feel your tendons and you should experience relief in about 10 seconds or so. 6. Avoid visual stimuli Reading in cars and buses can help increase the onset of motion sickness as the movement of the vehicle makes it difficult to focus on words, so try to avoid this. 7. Watch consumption of food and drinks The night before a big trip, try to avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, foods that make you feel usually full and heavy, spicy, far-rich dishes. 8. Isolate yourself from other suffering from motion sickness If you’re suffering from motion sickness the last person you want to hear from is probably someone else who is suffering from it. Hearing about other people who are suffering from the same condition can often make you feel worse yourself! 9. Keep your gaze fixed on the horizon By keeping your eye on a fixed point, you can sometimes regain a sense of equilibrium when travelling by car or boat. Especially useful on a cruise! 10. Consider medication If you are particularly susceptible to motion sickness and you feel it will impact your trip, it’s worth touching base with you GP about medication you can take. Related links: <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/01/brace-position-in-an-air-emergency/">Is the brace position in an air emergency effective?</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/06/10-items-you-must-carry-in-your-travel-medical-kit/">10 items you MUST carry in your travel medical kit</a> <a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/03/how-to-keep-money-safe-while-travelling/">How to keep your money safe while travelling</a>

Travel Tips

How to create a slow motion video on your phone

They say life passes in the blink of an eye, but if you have an iPhone 5s or newer, you can slow it down. The latest models of the iPhone capture video in 1080p HD and give you the option of recording your videos in slow-motion. Here’s how to do it yourself. It’s easy, we promise. 1. From your home or lock screen, open the camera application 2. At the bottom of the screen above the shutter button it should say “Photo.” Swipe until you see “Slo-Mo” instead. 3. Press the shutter button to record a video as you normally would. Press again to stop recording. 4. Press the thumbnail on the bottom left of your screen. 5. Adjust the sliders beneath your video to change which seconds are in slow motion and which are in regular speed. It’s that simple! We’ll be reserving this effect for the dogs and grandkids, but maybe leave it at home when we go to the beach. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/07/emoji-use-study/">According to our emoji use, Australians love alcohol, junk food, holidays and clothes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/07/eight-tips-for-your-kindle/">8 great things you can do with your Kindle</a> <a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/07/camera-phones-for-organisation/">5 great ways your camera phones can help you remember and keep you organised</a>

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