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Asking ChatGPT a health-related question? Better keep it simple

It’s tempting to <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/chatgpt-and-dr-google/">turn to search engines</a> to seek out health information, but with the rise of large language models, like ChatGPT, people are becoming more and more likely to depend on AI for answers too. <div class="copy"> Concerningly, an Australian study has now found that the more evidence given to <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/chatgpt-an-intimate-companion/">ChatGPT</a> when asked a health-related question, the less reliable it becomes. Large language models (LLM) and artificial intelligence use in health care is still developing, creating a a critical gap when providing incorrect answers can have serious consequences for people’s health. To address this, scientists from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the University of Queensland (UQ) explored a hypothetical scenario: an average person asking ChatGPT if ‘X’ treatment has a positive effect on condition ‘Y’. They presented ChatGPT with 100 questions sourced from the <a href="https://trec-health-misinfo.github.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TREC Health Misinformation track</a> – ranging from ‘Can zinc help treat the common cold?’ to ‘Will drinking vinegar dissolve a stuck fish bone?’ Because queries to search engines are typically shorter, while prompts to a LLM can be far longer, they posed the questions in 2 different formats: the first as a simple question and the second as a question biased with supporting or contrary evidence. By comparing ChatGPT’s response to the known correct response based on existing medical knowledge, they found that ChatGPT was 80% accurate at giving accurate answers in a question-only format. However, when given an evidence-biased prompt, this accuracy reduced to 63%, which was reduced again to 28% when an “unsure” answer was allowed. “We’re not sure why this happens,” says CSIRO Principal Research Scientist and Associate Professor at UQ, Dr Bevan Koopman, who is co-author of the paper. “But given this occurs whether the evidence given is correct or not, perhaps the evidence adds too much noise, thus lowering accuracy.” Study co-author Guido Zuccon, Director of AI for the Queensland Digital Health Centre at UQ says that major search engines are now integrating LLMs and search technologies in a process called Retrieval Augmented Generation. “We demonstrate that the interaction between the LLM and the search component is still poorly understood, resulting in the generation of inaccurate health information,” says Zuccon. Given the widespread popularity of using LLMs online for answers on people’s health, Koopman adds, we need continued research to inform the public about risks and to help them optimise the accuracy of their answers. “While LLMs have the potential to greatly improve the way people access information, we need more research to understand where they are effective and where they are not.” Image credits: Getty Images <div> <noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MICROSCOPIC-TO-TELESCOPIC__Embed-graphic-720x360-1.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" width="600" alt="Buy cosmos print magazine" title="asking chatgpt a health-related question? better keep it simple 2"></noscript> </div>  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=301406&title=Asking+ChatGPT+a+health-related+question%3F+Better+keep+it+simple" width="1" height="1" loading="lazy" aria-label="Syndication Tracker" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/ai/asking-chatgpt-a-health-related-question-better-keep-it-simple/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/imma-perfetto/">Imma Perfetto</a>. </div>

Caring

What is POTS? And how is it related to long COVID?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-seeley-1364457">Marie-Claire Seeley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/celine-gallagher-1454881">Celine Gallagher</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> POTS or “postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome” is a poorly recognised condition we’ve been <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/what-is-pots-and-how-is-it-related-to-covid-20230529-p5dc3v.html">hearing more</a> about recently. When people stand up, get out of bed or off the sofa, their heart races and they feel dizzy and fatigued, severely impacting their quality of life. Everyday tasks, such as washing their hair in the shower or working, become challenging because people cannot stay upright. Before COVID, this debilitating condition was not widely talked about. But during the pandemic, we’ve been learning about the strong similarities with long COVID. In fact, our recent research shows more than <a href="https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(23)00402-3/fulltext">three-quarters</a> of people with long COVID we studied had POTS. <h2>What triggers it?</h2> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.12895">Multiple studies</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37338634/">including our own</a>, have shown viral infection is the most common trigger for POTS. Then came the pandemic, with <a href="https://covid19.who.int">almost 800 million people</a> infected so far with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. The World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/post-covid-19-condition">says</a> 10-20% of people infected with COVID are likely to develop long COVID – when unexplained symptoms persist three months or more after the infection. Now, more research is showing how long COVID resembles POTS. Many people with long COVID show similar symptoms. <h2>What we and others have found</h2> Our recent study found <a href="https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(23)00402-3/fulltext">nearly 80%</a> of people with long COVID had POTS. In people who had both and were of similar age, symptoms were indistinguishable from those who got POTS from other causes. The people in our study either attended a specialist cardiology clinic for people with POTS or long COVID, or came via a long COVID support group on social media. So we cannot generalise our results to people managing their long COVID at home or with their GP. Earlier this year, a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41569-023-00842-w">review</a> said about 30% of people with people with “highly symptomatic” long COVID also had POTS. <a href="https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(22)01091-1/fulltext">Most (73%)</a> met criteria for POTS and other types of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Taken together, we can conclude that many, but not all, cases of long COVID can be explained by POTS – a condition we’ve known about for years and know how to manage. <h2>What happens if you have POTS?</h2> We suspect some cases of POTS result from a hyper-vigilant immune response to an invading pathogen, such as a virus. This, or another trigger, affects the autonomic nervous system. This part of the nervous system balances a vast array of functions including maintaining blood flow to vital organs, digestion, temperature control, sweating and even sexual function. Even if the autonomic nervous system is marginally disturbed, it leads to the physiological equivalent of anarchy. The simplest of daily tasks – such as washing your hair in the shower – can result in profound symptoms of dizziness, a racing heart, breathlessness, brain fog and general exhaustion. In other research <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10286-023-00955-9">published</a> earlier this year, we found people with POTS have a poor quality of life – poorer than people with chronic illnesses such as HIV, cancer, or cardiovascular and kidney disease. <h2>A long path to diagnosis</h2> Many patients are also forced to negotiate a diagnostic odyssey littered with tales of disbelief and dismissal by medical professionals, friends and family. Diagnosis can <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.12895">take years</a>. In our <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/LongandrepeatedCOVID/Submissions">submission</a> to the parliamentary inquiry into long COVID, we shared the experiences of people with POTS symptoms and their frustration at the lack of recognition by the medical profession. One health worker said: "I am a nurse myself and specifically brought up that I believed I had POTS after COVID infection. I was treated like a hypochondriac and told I had anxiety, which was absolutely ludicrous as I had physical symptoms […] I had many presentations to [the emergency department] with no help or diagnosis whatsoever." <h2>We can do better</h2> Prompt diagnosis is vital in the face of what we suspect are rising numbers of newly diagnosed cases associated with long COVID. Although many people with POTS report they were referred to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.12895">multiple specialists</a> before they were diagnosed, this is not always necessary. GPs can ask you to do a <a href="https://potsfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NASA-Lean-Test-vFinal.pdf">ten-minute standing test</a> to help diagnose it. They can also exclude other common causes of POTS symptoms, such as lung and heart conditions. There is no known cure for POTS. However, once diagnosed, there are <a href="https://www.ausdoc.com.au/therapy-update/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome/">multiple things</a> that can improve and manage the condition. A <a href="https://potsfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Malmo-POTS-Score-vFinal.pdf">questionnaire</a> your GP can give you can help prioritise which symptoms to manage. You then work with your trusted GP to manage these. Increasing fluid and salt intake (under the supervision of your GP), and using full-length compression tights is recommended. These help control heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce dizziness. Avoiding triggers is important. These include avoiding standing still for extended periods, hot showers, large meals high in carbohydrates, and hot environments. Many people also benefit from <a href="https://www.ausdoc.com.au/therapy-update/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome/">medicines</a> to help control their blood pressure and heart rate. <h2>How about referral?</h2> If referral to specialist services are required, this can be complex and expensive. There are no specialised clinics for POTS in public hospitals. Instead, POTS is mainly managed in the private sector. Referral options can be overwhelming. People may benefit from referral to a range of health professionals to manage their symptoms, including a physiotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist or exercise physiologist – ideally ones familiar with POTS. All these barriers means access to diagnosis and treatment largely depends on someone having sufficient money, or being confident enough to navigate the health system. <hr /> If you have symptoms such as those we’ve described, see your GP for assessment. For more information about the condition, see the Australian POTS Foundation <a href="https://potsfoundation.org.au">website</a>, which also <a href="https://potsfoundation.org.au/clinician-directory/">lists</a> doctors and allied health professionals who are “POTS aware”.<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/208280/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-seeley-1364457">Marie-Claire Seeley</a>, PhD Candidate, Australian Dysautonomia and Arrhythmia Research Collaborative, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/celine-gallagher-1454881">Celine Gallagher</a>, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian Dysautonomia and Arrhythmia Research Collaborative, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-pots-and-how-is-it-related-to-long-covid-208280">original article</a>.

Body

Judi Dench's tough health update

Judi Dench has admitted that due to her degenerative eye disease she can barely see on a film set and can no longer read her scripts. The Oscar-winning actress known for her role as M16 head M in seven different James Bond films, told UK publication The Mirror that her age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has gotten so bad that she can now barely see. “I can’t see on a film set any more,” she told the publication. “And I can’t see to read. So I can’t see much. It’s difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven’t yet found a way. “But you just deal with it. I have so many friends who will teach me the script,” she added. The eight-time Academy Award nominee had previously said that she is unable to drive due to her AMD. “It’s the most terrible shock to the system. Ghastly. It’s terrible to be so dependent on people,” she had previously said. However, the actress is determined to maintain her independence and has no plans to stop working. “I have an irrational fear of boredom. That’s why I now have this tattoo that says carpe diem (“seize the day”). That’s what we should live by," she said. The actress has won various awards throughout extensive career including six BAFTAs, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. Dench currently lives with her partner David Mills, and has shared how grateful she is to have someone so caring by her side. “I’ve had many, many good friends, but it’s been very unexpected to have somebody new who is as caring as my partner, David. “I feel very lucky indeed. And to laugh with somebody is terribly important! Laughing is the most important thing. We laugh about everything,” she said. Image: Getty

Caring

What is ‘fawning’? How is it related to trauma and the ‘fight or flight’ response?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alix-woolard-409037">Alix Woolard</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/telethon-kids-institute-1608">Telethon Kids Institute</a> You have probably heard of “fight or flight” responses to distressing situations. You may also be familiar with the tendency to “freeze”. But there is another defence or survival strategy a person can have: “fawn”. When our brain perceives a threat in our environment, our <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/fight-flight-freeze#in-the-body">sympathetic nervous system</a> takes over and a person can experience any one or combination of the <a href="https://pete-walker.com/fourFs_TraumaTypologyComplexPTSD.htm">four F</a> responses. <h2>What are the four Fs?</h2> The fawn response usually occurs when a person is being attacked in some way, and they try to appease or placate their attacker to protect themselves. A fight response is when someone reacts to a threat with aggression. Flight is when a person responds by fleeing – either literally by leaving the situation, or symbolically, by distracting or avoiding a distressing situation. A freeze response occurs when a person realises (consciously or not) that they cannot resist the threat, and they detach themselves or become immobile. They may “space out” and not pay attention, feel disconnected to their body, or have difficulty speaking after they feel threatened. <h2>What does fawning look like?</h2> Previously known as appeasement or “people pleasing”, the term “fawning” was coined by psychotherapist <a href="http://pete-walker.com/complex_ptsd_book.html">Pete Walker</a> in his 2013 book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20556323-complex-ptsd">Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving</a>. A fawn response can look like: <ul> <li>people-pleasing (doing things for others to gain their approval or to make others like you)</li> <li>being overly reliant on others (difficulty making decisions without other people’s input)</li> <li>prioritising the needs of others and ignoring your own</li> <li>being overly agreeable</li> <li>having trouble saying no</li> <li>in more severe cases, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763421004917?casa_token=FzabbqNoE0UAAAAA:DAr_QkVegIa70Zheq6vTkCrsYPJdw06kdds659h-VHSRtPSUErDzVgj-YsLunjvGkn4Mwyb1">dissociating</a> (disconnecting from your mind and/or body).</li> </ul> While there isn’t yet much research on this response, the fawn response is seen more in people who have experienced <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00958964.2022.2163220?journalCode=vjee20">complex trauma</a> in their childhood, including among children who grew up with emotionally or physically abusive caregivers. Fawning is also observed in people who are in situations of <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/MED/37052112">interpersonal violence</a> (such as domestic violence, assault or kidnappings), when the person needs to appease or calm a perpetrator to survive. Fawning is also different to the other F responses, in that it seems to be a uniquely human response. <h2>Why do people fawn?</h2> <a href="https://www.proquest.com/docview/2447256147/abstract/13E401AC2C1C40C6PQ/1">Research</a> suggests people fawn for two reasons: <ol> <li>to protect themselves or others from physical or emotional harm (such as childhood trauma)</li> <li>to create or improve the emotional connection to the perpetrator of harm (for example, a caregiver).</li> </ol> This type of response is adaptive at the time of the traumatic event(s): by appeasing an attacker or perpetrator, it helps the person avoid harm. However, if a person continues to use this type of response in the long term, as an automatic response to everyday stressors (such difficult interactions with your boss or neighbour), it can have negative consequences. If a person is continually trying to appease others, they may experience issues with boundaries, forming a cohesive identity, and may not feel safe in relationships with others. <h2>What can I do if I ‘fawn’?</h2> Because fawning is typically a response to interpersonal or complex trauma, using it in response to everyday stressors may indicate a need for healing. If this is you, and you have a history of complex trauma, seek psychological support from a professional who is trained in trauma-informed practice. Trauma-informed means the psychological care is holistic, empowering, strengths-focused, collaborative and reflective. Evidence-based therapies that are helpful following trauma include: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/">eye movement desensitisation therapy</a>, which focuses on <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-emdr-therapy-and-how-does-it-help-people-who-have-experienced-trauma-161743">processing traumatic memories</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy#:%7E:text=In%20this%20form%20of%20therapy,reduce%20fear%20and%20decrease%20avoidance.">exposure therapy</a> to help expose people to things they fear and avoid </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4396183/">trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy</a> that aims to alleviate trauma symptoms by overcoming unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. </li> </ul> Depending on where you live, <a href="https://www.childabuseroyalcommissionresponse.gov.au/support-services">free counselling services</a> may be available for people who have experienced childhood abuse. Setting healthy boundaries is also a common focus when working with the fawn response, which you can do by yourself or alongside a therapist. If this article has raised issues for you or you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.<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/205024/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alix-woolard-409037">Alix Woolard</a>, Senior Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/telethon-kids-institute-1608">Telethon Kids Institute</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-fawning-how-is-it-related-to-trauma-and-the-fight-or-flight-response-205024">original article</a>.

Caring

How to prevent travel-related deep vein thrombosis

No matter your transportation of choice, sitting motionless for long periods of time puts people at increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT refers to blood clots that form deep in your veins, usually in the calf or leg, and results in the sensation of a swollen, painful limb. If you’ve been susceptible to DVT in your past travels, there are a few simple things to do to combat the problem. <ul> <li>Stand up and walk around at least every hour to keep blood flowing</li> <li>Exercise your calf muscles by standing on tip-toes a few times</li> <li>If you can’t walk around, exercise legs by stretching them, flexing feet and curling or pressing toes frequently</li> <li>Drink lots of fluids, especially water, to prevent dehydration</li> <li>Reduce alcohol and coffee consumption, which contributes to dehydration</li> <li>Avoid crossing your legs when seated or at least for long periods of time</li> <li>Wear compression stockings that put on gentle pressure on leg muscles.</li> <li>Don’t wear regular socks that are right or have tight elastic bands at top</li> <li>Skip the aspirin; there’s no evidence that it’s effective as a preventative measure</li> </ul> Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Warning signs of age-related eye problems not to ignore

The major causes of blindness and vision loss in Australia are age-related degenerative eye diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. To slow down, treat or avoid poor eye health as you age, there are actions you can take. For instance, regular eye exams are the very best way to avoid vision problems. Similarly being aware of certain warning signs also can help you take appropriate steps to maintain your eyesight, particularly if vision symptoms occur suddenly. In many cases, swift action is essential to avoid or minimise permanent vision loss. While many eye problems can occur at any age, they often are more common in older individuals. Unfortunately, ageing also increases your risk for certain types of sight-threatening eye conditions that can lead to blindness. The following signs and symptoms can indicate a medical emergency. In most cases, you should see your eye doctor immediately if you experience: Sudden blurry vision in one eye If you are over 60, your chance of developing a macular hole in the part of the retina where fine focusing occurs increases. Because macular holes can worsen and cause permanent loss of vision, it's important to visit your eye care practitioner for a diagnosis and prompt treatment (if necessary). A flood of spots and floaters in your field of vision Usually, spots and floaters are due to a benign, age-related condition called vitreous detachment. This occurs when the eye's gel-like interior liquefies and separates from the retina, where vision processing occurs.  But a sudden onset of spots and floaters also can be caused by a serious, sight-threatening tear or detachment of the retina. If you suddenly see a shower of spots and floaters, visit your optometrist immediately. Sudden eye pain, redness, nausea and vomiting These symptoms can signal a sudden (acute) attack of narrow-angle glaucoma, which can permanently damage the eye's optic nerve. Immediate treatment is required to prevent permanent vision loss. A gradual (or sudden) narrowing of your field of vision, leaving you with the ability to see only directly in front of you This could mean you have developed glaucoma that damages your optic nerve, with accompanying vision loss at the "edges" of your field of view. Without intervention, vision loss will continue and permanent blindness may result. A gradual loss of central vision, including distortions such as seeing wavy instead of straight lines These symptoms may be caused by macular degeneration (MD), a leading cause of blindness among older Australians. Today, there are several new medical treatments can effectively halt vision loss due to macular degeneration. Some treatments may even help you regain some vision lost to AMD, if therapy is initiated soon enough. Cloudy and blurred eyesight, "halos" around lights at night, loss of bright color vision These vision changes may be due to cataracts. Cataracts tend to worsen gradually over time and are not a medical emergency. Nevertheless, as your eye's natural lens continues to cloud with aging, you eventually will go blind unless you have cataract surgery that replaces your cloudy lens with a man-made intraocular lens. If you wait too long for cataract surgery, you increase your chance of complications such as glaucoma. Also, if cataract surgery is postponed too long, the cloudy lens can harden and become more difficult to remove. Scratchy or irritated sensation, eye surface pain, tearing These signs and symptoms are most commonly due to dry eye syndrome. Dry eye usually is more of a nuisance than a sight-threatening condition. But symptoms can be severe, particularly as you grow older and your body produces fewer tears or your tear chemistry changes. Consult your eye care practitioner for advice about remedies, which may include over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. Image: Getty

Caring

Woman arrested in relation to dead children found in suitcases

A South Korean woman has been arrested a few weeks after <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tragic-update-after-horrific-suitcase-discovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">children’s bodies were found in suitcases</a> in New Zealand. The 42-year-old woman was arrested by local police following a request from NZ Police after the harrowing discovery. Two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family who purchased the bags at an auction on August 11. An investigation launched into the shocking find with NZ Police saying the children may have been dead for years and finding a connection - <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/major-new-detail-in-suitcase-homicide-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">possibly the children’s mother</a> - in South Korea. "South Korean authorities arrested the woman today on a Korean arrest warrant pursuant to two charges of murder relating to the two young victims," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said. "The arrest warrant was issued by the Korean Courts as a result of a request by NZ Police for an arrest warrant under the extradition treaty between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). “NZ Police have applied to have her extradited back to New Zealand to face the charges and have requested she remain in custody whilst awaiting the completion of the extradition process.” A statement issued also thanked South Korean authorities for their assistance and coordination with NZ Police. No further information will be revealed as the case is now in front of the courts. News of the children’s bodies in the suitcases made headlines around the world with police scrambling to piece together evidence of what happened. At the time, Detective Inspector Vaaelua suggested that the children were aged 10 and five respectively when they died four years ago. He also said the family who purchased the property where the suitcases were found are not involved in the deaths and have asked for privacy. Image: Newshub

Family & Pets

"The relation between politics and culture is clear and real": how Gough Whitlam centred artists in his 1972 campaign

As we enter the final week of the election campaign with its scrappy debates and breathlessly seized “gotcha” moments, the impact of Gough Whitlam’s electoral reforms can be seen at every stage. From votes for 18-year-olds, senate representation in the ACT and Northern Territory, equal electorates and “one vote one value”, Whitlam’s commitment to full franchise and electoral equity remain central to our electoral process. No less significant is the innovative and dynamic election campaign built around the central theme “It’s Time” which propelled him into office. “It’s Time” was the perfect two-word slogan, encapsulating the urge for long overdue change after 23 years of coalition government, and carrying that momentum into the election itself. This was Australia’s first television-friendly, focus-group driven, thoroughly modern campaign. Its impact on political campaigning in this country <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-22/its-time-gough-whitlam-1972-campaign/5831996">was profound</a>. Behind the glitz of the theme song and the over 200 policies enunciated in the policy speech, a raft of celebrities and leading figures from the arts – authors, artists, actors, musicians – played a major role. <h2>Not just political star power</h2> The presence of well-known identities at the launch in Blacktown Civic Centre lent an air of celebration – of celebrity and even glamour – to the dour set pieces that owed more to the old-fashioned stump speeches of decades earlier, still used by the outgoing Prime Minister Billy McMahon. Led by soul singer Alison MacCallum, household names like singers and musicians Patricia Amphlett “Little Pattie”, Col Joye, Bobby Limb, Jimmy Hannan, actors Lynette Curran from the popular ABC series Bellbird, Terry Norris and Chuck Faulkner generated an immense reach for It’s Time both as a song and as a political moment. Patricia Amphlett <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/timely-campaign-signalled-start-of-whitlams-cultural-sea-change-20121111-296bi.html">recalls, "</a>The ‘It’s Time’ commercial was far more effective than anyone could have imagined. Long before Live Aid, it came as a shock to some people that popular personalities would stand up publicly and be counted for a cause." They were not simply there for added political star power. They were there because the arts had been neglected and constrained by decades of unimaginative conservative government – and they shared a mood for change. <h2>‘Intellectual and creative vigour’</h2> Whitlam harnessed the deep sense of frustration of the arts community after years of “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/timely-campaign-signalled-start-of-whitlams-cultural-sea-change-20121111-296bi.html">stifling conservatism</a>” in arts policy settings. Direct political intervention in literary grants also had a stultifying effect on cultural production. The author Frank Hardy’s successful application for a Commonwealth Literary Fund fellowship in 1968 <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-674387366/view?sectionId=nla.obj-691244162&partId=nla.obj-674555695#page/n14/mode/1up">had been vetoed</a> by the Gorton coalition government because Hardy was a member of the Communist Party. Whitlam was a member of the committee that had awarded Hardy the fellowship and it drove his determination to ensure arts bodies operated as autonomous decision-makers. He brought arts policy to the fore both in the development of his reform agenda and during the election campaign. He drew <a href="https://west-sydney-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ROSETTAIE3079&context=L&vid=UWS-WHITLAM&lang=en_US&search_scope=whitlam_scope&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=whitlam_tab&query=title,contains,labor%20and%20literature,AND&mode=advanced&offset=0">a direct link</a> between a healthy cultural sector, national identity and a flourishing political sphere, "the relation between politics and culture is clear and real. Political vigour has invariably produced intellectual and creative vigour." <h2>‘Refresh, reinvigorate and liberate’</h2> The rapid elevation of cultural policy as a major area for change soon after Whitlam came to office on December 5 1972 gave voice to his <a href="https://west-sydney-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ROSETTAIE3079&context=L&vid=UWS-WHITLAM&lang=en_US&search_scope=whitlam_scope&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=whitlam_tab&query=title,contains,labor%20and%20literature,AND&mode=advanced&offset=0">pre-election commitment</a> to the arts community “to refresh, reinvigorate and liberate Australian intellectual and cultural life”. Just six days later, in the ninth of the 40 decisions made by the first Whitlam <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Whitlam_ministry">“duumvirate” ministry</a>, the government announced major increases in grants for the arts in every state and the ACT and forecast a major restructure of existing arts organisations. On January 26 1973, Whitlam announced the establishment of the interim Australian Council of the Arts. A range of autonomous craft-specific boards would sit under it – Aboriginal arts, theatre, music, literary, visual and plastic arts, crafts, film and television – with the renowned arts administrator <a href="https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/australian-biography-hc-nugget-coombs">H.C. Coombes</a> as its inaugural head. After years of delay, a newly appointed interim council for the National Gallery began work in 1973 on the new gallery, with James Mollison as interim director. This was just the beginning of “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/timely-campaign-signalled-start-of-whitlams-cultural-sea-change-20121111-296bi.html">a cultural sea change</a>” in the arts. There would be reforms in radio with Double J, later Triple J, and the first “ethnic” broadcasting in Australia through 2EA and 3EA. The film industry was rebooted through the establishment of the Australian Film Commission, the Australian Film & Television School and Film Australia, and an increase in the quota for Australian made television and films. The Public Lending Rights scheme was introduced to compensate authors for the circulation of their works through libraries. Kim Williams <a href="https://www.whitlam.org/publications/2019/11/13/whitlam-the-arts-and-democracy">describes</a> the “innovative thinking” behind the close involvement of arts practitioners in policy development and administration as, "a new ground plane for empowered decision making by artists in a profoundly democratic action for the arts." <h2>A new choice</h2> At a time of relentless funding reductions, cost-cutting and job losses, renewal and revival is desperately needed across our most important cultural institutions. The dire effects of this decade of neglect can be seen most starkly in the 25% staff cuts and under-resourcing of the National Archives of Australia which, as the highly critical <a href="https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/publications/tune-review">Tune review</a> made clear, has led to the disintegration of irreplaceable archival material including recordings of endangered Indigenous languages. The 2022 budget <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-arts-and-culture-appear-to-be-the-big-losers-in-this-budget-180127">only continued</a> those reductions. We are again at a time when renewal and reinvigoration of the arts is urgently needed – yet it has scarcely featured thus far in this campaign. The Liberal Party’s <a href="https://www.liberal.org.au/our-policies">policy statements</a> do not feature the arts. In contrast, <a href="https://themusic.com.au/news/labor-2022-election-arts-policy-announcement/YT15dXR3dnk/16-05-22">Labor’s Arts policy</a>, announced last night, promises a “landmark cultural policy” which would restore arms-length funding, explore a national insurance scheme for live events and ensure fixed <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/better-funded-abc">five-year funding terms</a> for the ABC and SBS. There is a choice for the arts on 21 May between stasis and renewal. I’ll take the renewal, and hope it becomes a renaissance. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-relation-between-politics-and-culture-is-clear-and-real-how-gough-whitlam-centred-artists-in-his-1972-campaign-181243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

House plants were our link with nature in lockdown – now they could change how we relate to the natural world

They’re not the first generation to keep house plants, but millennials seem to have earned a reputation for gratuitous indoor foliage. Bloomberg reporter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-04-11/the-one-thing-millennials-haven-t-killed-is-houseplants">Matthew Boyle</a> claimed that young people have helped revive “the once moribund market for house plants” in the US, where, according to the National Gardening Association, sales surged 50% between 2016 and 2019. In the UK, the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/press/releases/RHS-grows-houseplant-and-floristry-offering-as-ind">Royal Agricultural Society</a> reported a 65% increase in house plant sales in 2018 alone. Why young people in particular might be so fond of house plants has invited numerous explanations. Lifestyle reporter <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/millennials-obsessed-houseplants-instagram_l_5d7a976de4b01c1970c433b9">Casey Bond</a> argued that house plants offer something to nurture that’s cheap and doesn’t involve a lot of maintenance, with obvious appeal to a generation whose entry into parenthood is stymied by <a href="https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-average-house-price-rise-2020-millennials-versus-baby-boomers-property-ladder-060042411.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEB84LlmZFsNTokd-kxf2HFZXpB5M_lQhZNMVcKQDBuUevGNEPHF8y2GNnE7xm_bdrYrgdZNrnENbC95LxdHuqCfekpSaSlJN6S99Z0fartMMnBdzbAAsHvvoa425lyGr5lsYK9h6UvugjtPP83kxYKjVT2TL-9cwdileX-xdpEo">house prices</a> and <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/241f0fe4-08f8-4d42-a268-4f0a399a0063">economic instability</a>. Young people today are thought to be more conscious of mental health and self-care too, and plants have been <a href="https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/30/1/article-p55.xml?ArticleBodyColorStyles=fullText">proven</a>to reduce stress levels and improve mood. But the <a href="https://canongate.co.uk/books/2902-rootbound-rewilding-a-life/">universal appeal</a> of house plants, according to writer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/succulent-mania-smuggling-millennials-roots">Alice Vincent</a>, is that they provide “a tangible way of connecting with nature that is absent from an increasingly screen-based world”. That could explain why their sales ballooned again during lockdown, and not just among younger customers. Anthropologist Gideon Lasco described the phenomenon in his native Philippines as a “<a href="https://www.sapiens.org/column/entanglements/covid-19-houseplants/?fbclid=IwAR32a9PK_rf4GsMQ0pTRPlE3LXvNtRgJch48YaCGMztStvc-VN6ZHxNykpY">botanical boom</a>” that seized Manila. Plants, far more mobile than locked down humans, were ordered online in record numbers and ferried to anxious households where they acquired names and were photographed alongside their new family. Patch, a British online plant store established in 2015, reported a sales increase of 500% during lockdown, with stock intended to last 12 weeks <a href="https://supplycompass.com/blog/feature/inconversationwith/patch/">vanishing in two</a>. Since June 2020, I’ve been talking to people around the world to better understand the role plants play in these times of forced isolation. My project, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/careforplants/">Care for Plants</a>, started by collecting photographs and videos of people caring for their plants and asking them to explain what they meant to them. By interviewing some of these people, I learned how plants provide care for their human companions too. <h2>A potted history</h2> Plants offered not only bonding, but recreational and educational opportunities to their human families during lockdown. Brian started growing tomatoes with his children – part scientific experiment, part family pastime. Mai had to keep her toddler busy, and turned the chore of watering and re-potting her plants into a fun activity. With her access to the outside world restricted, Aoife found solace in nature, and would gently submerge her hand in the soil to decompress and heal after a long day. Likewise, Aveline described her experience with plants as one that “empties the mind so that I can stop being anxious”. Merima talked about her lawn as a “void filler” for her family. “In the lawn we can still talk about the future. What should we plant and do next and it’s a very positive experience.” The pandemic tore away our shared sense of normality. Amid the rupture, caring for plants invited welcome new routines – watering, feeding, trimming and re-potting. Plants provided an escape from the anxieties of everyday life, offering beauty and proof that life could still flourish in the darkest times. Xin, who showed me her indoor jungle over a video call, told me that “more plants make a place feel luxurious. A sort of lockdown luxury for those who can work from home and create a nest”. But one of the most interesting aspects of my research was listening to stories about how people discovered a need to appreciate plants. Laura explained that she felt a new responsibility towards her plants because she more fully appreciated their companionship. Lucia, whose vibrant social life had made her largely unavailable to her plants, was finally able to keep them alive and wanted to learn how to make them feel appreciated, as a way of acknowledging how they enriched her life in lockdown. <h2>New shoots</h2> Conversations about care have multiplied during the pandemic. We clapped for carers and saw grassroots <a href="https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745343167/pandemic-solidarity/">mutual aid networks</a> emerge, providing care in our neighbourhoods and often filling in for <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/books/3706-care-manifesto">inadequate public provision</a>. But speaking with plant owners in lockdown, I unearthed new networks of care and solidarity between humans and other species. The gratitude that people felt for their floral companions challenged the view that nature exists simply to be used by humans and made many see for the first time how non-human beings enrich our social world. The stories I collected suggest we need a broader understanding of social relationships and solidarity; one that appreciates the importance of non-humans in everyday life. Many hope that the pandemic marks a turning point in the way humans interact with the rest of the natural world. Perhaps this watershed could be reached in our own homes, by recognising that the non-humans we share our lives with are equal partners in building a more sustainable and just future. All names have been changed to protect the individuals’ identities. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/house-plants-were-our-link-with-nature-in-lockdown-now-they-could-change-how-we-relate-to-the-natural-world-147637" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

“Tips welcome”: Jacinda Ardern asks for help for relatable parenting experience

Parenting is a challenging task that even New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern struggles with - as showcased in a recent post from the PM. Ardern took to social media to share the relatable experience of being up multiple times in the night with a child who refuses to sleep. "In the office kitchen making the strongest tea possible pre my morning media round and wondering how many other parents have a 3 year old that suddenly gets up ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT! Tips welcome," the Prime Minister captioned a selfie shared on her Instagram Stories on Monday morning. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/jacinda35.jpg" alt="" width="992" height="1762" /> Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram) Ms Ardern shares three-year-old Neve with her partner, Clarke Gayford. It isn’t the first time Ms Ardern has shared the realities of parenting either - particularly when it comes to kids and bedtimes. Neve made an off-camera appearance on one of the Prime Minister’s live Facebook videos <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/bedtime-fail-jacinda-arden-interrupted-during-live-address" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last November</a>, interrupting her mum’s update on the country’s Covid response. “Mummy,” a tiny voice said in the background of the clip. “You’re meant to be in bed darling,” Ms Ardern said, turning away from the camera to address the little girl. “It’s bedtime darling, pop back to bed, I’ll come and see you in a second.” Luckily, Ms Ardern’s mum Laurell Ardern came to the rescue, ushering her granddaughter back to bed. “Well, that was a bedtime fail wasn’t it?” Ms Ardern joked to the camera. The most recent antics have generated plenty of responses on social media, with fellow parents and her supporters praising her. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The Prime Minister opening asking for toddler parenting tips is my kind of Prime Minister. There's something to be said for leadership sharing a human connection, and <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> does it naturally 🇳🇿💙 <a href="https://t.co/TdEZHiO6BL">pic.twitter.com/TdEZHiO6BL</a> — Geoff Wilson (@geoffwilsonHCD) <a href="https://twitter.com/geoffwilsonHCD/status/1538742469491232769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote> The Prime Minister (openly) asking for toddler parenting tips is my kind of Prime Minister,” one person tweeted. “There’s something to be said for leadership sharing a human connection, and @jacindaardern does it naturally.” “No idea but I have a two year old doing the same,” a fellow parent commented. “Isn’t it Neve’s birthday tomorrow? Probably excitement,” another theorised. Image: @jacindaardern (Instagram)

Family & Pets

Pre-term babies less likely to form relations

Premature babies are less likely to form romantic relationships, have sexual relations or experience parenthood as adults than those who go full term, new research shows. <div class="copy"> That’s likely due, at least in part, to pre-term birth being associated with being more often withdrawn and shy, socially excluded and less willing to take risks in adolescence, says a team from the UK’s University of Warwick. As such, they add, more needs to be done in schools and by parents to encourage social interactions when young. Their meta-analysis of data from up to 4.4 million adult participants shows that those born preterm (before 37 weeks’ gestations) are 28% less likely to be in a romantic relationship, 22% less likely to become parents, and 2.3 times less likely to ever have a sexual partner. The situation appears even worse for those born very (<32 weeks) or extremely preterm (<28 weeks). Those in the latter category are 3.2 times less likely to ever having sexual relations, for example. On the upside, the meta-analysis suggests the where adults born pre-terms do have friends or partners, the quality of those relationships is at least as good as for full-term adults. “The finding that adults who were born pre-term are less likely to have a partner, to have sex and become parents does not appear to be explained by a higher rate of disability,” says lead researcher Marina Goulart de Mendonça, from Warwick’s Department of Psychology. “Rather pre-term born children have been previously found to have poorer social interactions in childhood that make it harder for them to master social transitions such as finding a partner, which in turn is proven to boost your wellbeing.” The study’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.6961" target="_blank">findings</a> are published in the journal JAMA Network Open.  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=25931&title=Pre-term+babies+less+likely+to+form+relations" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> </div> <div id="contributors"> <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/pre-term-babies-less-likely-to-later-form-relationships/" target="_blank">This article</a> was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/nick-carne" target="_blank">Nick Carne</a>. Nick Carne is the editor of Cosmos Online and editorial manager for The Royal Institution of Australia. Image: Getty Images </div>

Relationships

World’s most relatable Olympic Athlete

In a bittersweet moment, the entire nation watched as the affable hurdler Nicholas Hough battled in the semi-final of the 110m on Wednesday. While he sadly failed to reach the finals, he did cross the line in 13.88 - just half a second slower than his heat time. However, Hough made international headlines after colliding with every single hurdle on his way through. It has been revealed the Australian Olympian was dealing with an injury he’d suffered from due to his previous race. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nicholas Hough just put in a lovely trial to represent the <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWWaratahs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSWWaratahs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/110mHurdle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#110mHurdle</a> — Matt Taylor 🐎💨 (@DreamTeamMatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/DreamTeamMatt/status/1422740467934851083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> "I'm just happy I got out there on the track today, I had a bit of a sore calf after the heat yesterday," Hough said. While the sportsman was able to run on the injury, he was forced to limit his preparation for the big semi-final. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842844/nicholas-hough.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6b233c7062014609babcd7a49b0a332b" /> Image: Getty Images "I didn't know how bad it was gonna get, but I got through the race. Be a bit sore tomorrow, but that's OK. "It was a bit of a struggle to warm up, didn't have much power getting going and driving through the hurdles - but it's great to be out here representing Australia." American Grant Holloway qualified fastest for tomorrow's final, with a time of 13.13. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nicholas Hough is a legend. Injured, but still ran. He knew what it meant. — Johnny Worthington (@jworthington) <a href="https://twitter.com/jworthington/status/1422774692591534081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Hough is determined to spend the next three years building up for the 2024 games in France. "It's a big couple of years - Paris is my time, that's going to be the big one for me,” he said. Image: Instagram <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nick_hough/?hl=en" target="_blank">@Nick_Hough</a>

News

Barnaby Joyce’s relatable ‘dad moment’

Barnaby Joyce had a relatable ‘dad moment’ during his swearing in as Deputy Prime Minister on Tuesday. The newly-reinstated leader of the Nationals Party attended the formal occasion with his partner Vikki Campion and their young sons Sebastian, three, and Thomas, two. Mr Joyce reclaimed leadership of the Nationals Party following a leadership spill on Monday, replacing Michael McCormack. Before the ceremony began, Mr Joyce was snapped holding Sebastian while Campion held Thomas’ hand, with Campion and the boys finding their seats in the front row shortly after. During the ceremony, Sebastian climbed over his mum and approached his dad, amusing the attending crowd. Photos of the two boys off their seats have since started circulating online. Mr Joyce has six children in total, including four daughters from his previous marriage to Natalie Abberfield. Mr Joyce’s return to the leadership position has been criticised by some as favourable treatment of male politicians, following his resignation from the top spot three years ago in light of sexual harassment claims and accusations he had violated ministerial standards.

Family & Pets

Vaccine-related blood clotting explained

With news spreading of the death of a second person due to an extremely rare blood clotting disorder after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, Australians are still feeling hesitant about getting the jab. According to the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), the blood clotting condition, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), is likely linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Of the 3.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that have been administered so far, 48 people have developed blood clots, with 31 recovering after a hospital stay. Despite the concerns over the vaccine, experts have said we’ve come a long way in understanding the disorder - as well as how to detect it and treat it. How are blood clots detected? The first step in detecting the blood clot relies on getting the timing right, said Vivien Chen, a haematologist specialising in coagulation disorders at the University of Sydney. “The first entry point is being a patient within the right time frame after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine,” Dr Chen said. “The first dose appears to be of particular concern.” TTS symptoms - including severe headaches that don’t go away, abdominal pain, blurred vision, and leg pain or swelling - appear within four to 30 days after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, with most occurring within six to 14 days. If you experience any of these symptoms after getting vaccinated, it’s recommended you go to your GP in order to get a blood test known as a platelet count. What are platelets? Platelets are fragments of cells that come from the bone marrow and play a vital role in blood clotting, including preventing excessive bleeding following a cut or scrape. Normal platelet levels hover between 150,000 and 450,000 per microlitre of blood. A platelet count lower than 150,000 results in a condition called thrombocytopenia, which usually results in excessive bleeding. But when it follows a vaccination, abnormal blood clotting can occur. For a small number of people, the immune system triggers antibodies that recognise COVID-19 proteins and platelets. These antibodies can then activate the platelets, cause them to cluster and go into blood-clotting mode. “The consequences of this is the platelets are getting used up in the blood clot and their count drops,” Dr Chen said. Next steps If the platelet count is low, doctors will look at blood samples to find protein fragments called D-dimers, which are produced by the body to break down blood clots. If the level of D-dimers is five times higher than that of normal blood, it can be a sign of TTS. When a low platelet count and high D-dimer level have been detected, clinicians then look for antibodies that target a protein called platelet factor 4, or PF4. The PF4 antibodies are also tested to determine whether they can activate platelets and cause TTS. Detection speeds Vaccine-related clots can be detected via blood tests as soon as symptoms appear - whether that’s four or 20 days after getting the jab - but not before that. “In most cases, [antibodies] can only be found after people feel unwell and present at hospital,” said Jose Perdomo, a haematologist at the University of New South Wales. Patients presenting at the emergency department of a metropolitan hospital with TTS symptoms can receive results from the blood-screening tests within one hour. But, wait times can be longer in regional hospitals. Once initial tests have confirmed platelet and D-dimer levels, patients can commence treatment while waiting for their PF4 antibody test results. Treatment Two different types of treatment are combined to battle TTS. To start with, patients start taking blood-thinning medication to slow down the formation of blood clots. Patients also receive a large dose of immunoglobulins - proteins that are part of the body’s defence system - to calm down the immune system. “This essentially swamps the antibody system, so that vaccine-induced antibodies can’t activate the platelets,” Dr Chen said. This combined treatment can help return blood platelet levels to normal within a few days, according to Dr Chen. “In more severe cases, it can take longer but it’s a rapid response to commencement of new therapy,” she said. She also said this treatment is safe to use even if the blood clots end up being unrelated to the vaccine. What to do if symptoms appear Though the risk of getting a blood clot following the vaccine is very low, Dr Chen said it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and take action as soon as they appear. If you have a headache that won’t go away after taking painkillers, you should visit your GP. But if you notice more severe symptoms - including numbness, difficulty speaking, or passing blood in bowel movements - head straight to the emergency department instead.

Body

Prince William's relatable COVID parenting confession

Prince William has made a parenting confession many can relate to, as he's exhausted raising three children while being under strict lockdown in the UK. He spoke to guests who attended an event in Belfast on Emergency Services Day and opened up about how tough it has been looking after three excited children. According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2020090996912/prince-william-shares-relief-children-return-school/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">HELLO!</a>, William explained to a police officer, "I think every parent is breathing a sigh of relief that school has started again." He added: "Five months – it's been wonderful, but it's been a long five months." <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/CBs47LKlPig/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBs47LKlPig/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Thank you everyone for your very kind wishes on The Duke of Cambridge's birthday today! 🎂 🎈</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/kensingtonroyal/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Duke and Duchess of Cambridge</a> (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 21, 2020 at 8:00am PDT </div> </blockquote> With three children under the age of ten, with George, 7, Charlotte, 5 and Louis, 2, homeschooling has been intensive. This has been confirmed by the Duchess of Cambridge herself, as the children have been bickering. "George gets very upset because he just wants to do all of Charlotte's projects. Spider sandwiches are far cooler than literacy work!" She told ITV's This Morning. She also has been running a tight ship, as she's kept schoolwork going during the Easter holidays. "Don't tell the children, we've actually kept it going through the holidays. I feel very mean," Kate told BBC Breakfast.

Family & Pets

Michelle Pfeiffer shares all-too-relatable makeup faux pas

Michelle Pfeiffer has shared a makeup mishap in a new Instagram selfie. The 62-year-old actress revealed that she had made a beauty faux pas. In a picture shared on Wednesday, she could be seen showing a wide-eyed expression with a black smudge under her nose. “EEK!!! Doing my makeup for an interview and picked up the wrong tissue,” she captioned. <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/CCHHh_JJSU4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHHh_JJSU4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">EEK!!! Doing my makeup for an interview and picked up the wrong tissue 🙄</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Michelle Pfeiffer</a> (@michellepfeifferofficial) on Jul 1, 2020 at 12:28pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The photo has received more than 85,000 likes. “Love your humor and beauty,” model Naomi Campbell commented on the post. “Lol - still a beauty!” wrote sister-in-law Rona Pfeiffer. <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/CB0rGKEpf1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0rGKEpf1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Just not feelin’ it 😒</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Michelle Pfeiffer</a> (@michellepfeifferofficial) on Jun 24, 2020 at 8:33am PDT </div> </blockquote> The Scarface star has been sharing glimpses into her life amid the coronavirus pandemic on Instagram. Last week, the star posted a photo of herself in all-black activewear on a Pilates machine with a disgruntled expression. “Just not feelin’ it,” she wrote alongside the snap. In May, she posted a selfie with the caption: “Is it over yet?” <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/CAF9QNdpnat/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAF9QNdpnat/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Is it over yet?</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Michelle Pfeiffer</a> (@michellepfeifferofficial) on May 12, 2020 at 8:36am PDT </div> </blockquote>

Beauty & Style

Samantha Armytage shares relatable problem while in self-isolation

Sunrise host Samantha Armytage has shown that she’s just like us after she showed off the reality of self-isolation in a candid Instagram post. The WW (formerly Weight Watchers) ambassador took to her social media page to check in with her followers and offer them words of reassurance during these trying times. And in the clip, the 43-year-old candidly made a relatable admission about turning to carbs during this stressful period, and it struck a cord with everyone watching. “Just wanted to see if you’re OK, I know the program is probably going a little bit out the window at the moment and it’s getting harder and harder,” she said, acknowledging how difficult it can be to be around your kids and partner 24/7. <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/B9qW_DOHbxY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qW_DOHbxY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">🖤</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sam_armytage/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Samantha Armytage ⭐️</a> (@sam_armytage) on Mar 12, 2020 at 10:20pm PDT </div> </blockquote> “It’s a really good time just to nurture yourself, take care of yourself, be kind to yourself if you fall off the wagon because carbs are so good right now.” She also gave her 227,000 followers a self-isolation tip, advising people to stay away from alcohol. “You’re probably tempted to have a drink, but if I can offer one little bit of advice at the moment, maybe just leave the alcohol because I just think it’s just a waste of points,” she said, referring to the program’s nutritional measurement system. Sam, who lost 10kg last year on the plan, said: “Be kind, try and stay out of the fridge as much as you can – I know that’s impossible.”

6 working from home cartoons we can all relate to right now

Being stuck in the home office can get old very fast. Remember to stay focused, don’t start going on a cleaning frenzy, and take a little break for some laughs. Written by Morgan Cutolo. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/work/11-working-from-home-cartoons-we-can-all-relate-to-right-now" target="_blank">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&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home & Garden

Warnings over coronavirus-related scams

Australia’s competition watchdog has urged people to be wary of coronavirus-related scams as the government escalates its efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said its Scamwatch website has received 45 reports of alleged coronavirus-related fraud since the beginning of the year. “Unfortunately, scammers are using the spread of coronavirus to exploit and play on the fears of consumers across Australia,” an ACCC spokesperson said. “Scammers are using tactics such as falsely selling coronavirus related products online, and using fake emails or text messages to try and obtain personal data.” Some known scams included phishing emails and text messages claiming to be the World Health Organisation, the Australian government, travel companies or other official entities, with links designed to steal personal information. “Be very wary of any communication, whether it comes by email or phone call, in relation to anything to do with coronavirus,” Nick Savvides, the chief information security officer for Asia Pacific at Forcepoint told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/coronavirus-scams-and-bogus-products-targeting-australian-shoppers-during-covid19-pandemic/0a14863d-6467-436f-9c9c-2cf00e277603">A Current Affair</a>. “We are extra vulnerable during times of crisis because people are at a heightened state of urgency.” Also among the reported scams were fake traders and shops. “Be careful of online shopping sites requesting unusual payment methods such as up-front payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, pre-loaded card or electronic currency, like Bitcoin,” the ACCC spokesperson said. “Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall [and] do not open attachments or click on links in emails, text messages or social media messages you’ve received from strangers – just press delete.” The Australian watchdog’s warning came as a UK police force issued an alert on a scam targeting seniors. Camden Police said a “small number of reports” were made about a shopping scam exploiting self-isolating elders. “We have recently received a small number of reports of individuals offering to go shopping for the elderly within our community as a means to then keep their money,” the force said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/MPSCamden/status/1239833098449190913">Twitter post</a>. “As ever, please ensure you or those more vulnerable in your circles treat such invitations with caution.”

Money & Banking

Australia confirms second death related to coronavirus

A 95-year-old woman has become the second Australian to die from the new coronavirus, with seven more cases confirmed in the country. The woman died in hospital on Tuesday before testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the woman was a resident of BaptistCare’s Dorothy Henderson Lodge in northern Sydney, the same aged care facility where a nurse in her 50s was diagnosed with the virus. A 70-year-old female resident and an 82-year-old male resident at the facility have also tested positive for the virus, bringing the state’s total to 22 cases, NSW Health confirmed on Wednesday night. The “much-loved” and longstanding nurse had not recently travelled overseas, Hazzard said. “She had not been to any of the hot spots around the world. So, that raises the question, how did she end up with coronavirus?” he said. The staff member had worked with 13 residents – including the woman who died – after first noticing symptoms on February 24, before being diagnosed on Tuesday. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised people to “stay calm” amid the rising number of cases. “Yes, it is a concern and all of us should be cautious, all of us should take the advice of health experts, no doubt about it,” she said. “But we should also go about our business and not panic.” There were 54 confirmed cases of coronavirus nationally as of Thursday morning. Out of the cases, 21 were reported to have recovered.

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6 working from home cartoons we can all relate to right now

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