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"Ice in his veins": Stunning result in First Ashes Test

Australia has emerged victorious in the first Ashes Test, with captain Pat Cummins chasing down 281 with just two wickets left inside the final five overs on the last day at Edgbaston. Cummins scored an unbeaten 44 as he and Nathan Lyon (16) put on 55 for the ninth wicket to bag the win — a thrilling reversal of Australia’s famous two-run loss at the same ground in 2005. The captain and Lyon hit occasional boundaries, wearing several short balls on the body before Cummins got a thick edge to third man off Robinson and Harry Brook’s fumble on the boundary saw Aussie fans and players erupt in raptures — reigning in a 1-0 lead in the series. "Ice in his veins," England great Michael Atherton said in commentary when Cummins' boundary sealed the result. "Pat Cummins has led his side to a famous victory here at Edgbaston. "Seventy-two they needed when he came to the crease and he has got his team over the line.” Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting was astounded. "What an end to a Test match, what a game of cricket," the former captain said. Needing 174 runs to win at the start of the day, in-form opener Usman Khawaja laid a platform for the late charge with 65 off 197 balls, before being bowled late in the day. He admitted he was “Sh****ng [himself]” as he watched the rest of the brutal run chase from the sheds. Despite being confined to a knee brace, Ben Strokes brought himself on to bowl and claimed the wicket of the eventual man of the match, Usman Khawaja. As the Aussie dressing room spiralled into a frenzy, an elated Cummins raced over to Lyon at the opposite end of the wicket and lifted his batting partner off the ground. The pair were then seen in a triumphant embrace as ecstatic Aussies in the Birmingham crowd celebrated the incredible result. The victory — initially appearing highly unlikely when Lyon joined Cummins with the visitors needing 54 runs to win — made for Australia’s highest successful run chase against England since 1948. Image credit: Getty

News

Why understanding how spiders spin silk may hold clues for treating Alzheimer’s disease

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-landreh-1328287">Michael Landreh</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-rising-1440132">Anna Rising</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a> Really, we should envy spiders. Imagine being able to make silk like they do, flinging it around to get from place to place, always having a <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00678">strong-as-steel safety line</a> or spinning a comfy hammock whenever they need a rest. The fascinating properties of spider silk make it no wonder that scientists have been trying to unravel its secrets for decades. If we could understand and recreate the spinning process, we could produce artificial spider silk for a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813021021292">range of medical applications</a>. For example, artificial silk can help <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120692">regenerate the nerves that connect our brain and limbs</a>, and can shuttle <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01138">drug molecules directly into the cells where they are needed</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zNtSAQHNONo?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Spider silk is made of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/spidroins">proteins called spidroins</a>, which the spider stores in a silk gland in its abdomen. There are several types of spidroin for spinning different sorts of silk. Spiders <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7673682/">store them as a liquid</a> that resembles oil droplets. But one of the questions that has eluded scientists so far is how spiders turn these liquid droplets into silk. We decided to investigate why the spidroins form droplets, to get us closer to replicating a spider’s spinning process. <h2>Weaving a web</h2> The trick that spiders use to speed up their spinning process can be used to spin better artificial silk, or even develop new spinning processes. In 2017, we learned to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15504">make synthetic silk fibres</a> by emulating the silk gland, but we did not know how things work inside the spider. Now we know that forming droplets first <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37084706/">speeds up the conversion to these fibres</a>. An important clue to how the droplets and fibres are related came from an unexpected area of our research – on <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23013511/">Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases</a>. Proteins that are involved in these diseases, called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/alpha-synuclein#:%7E:text=%CE%B1%2DSynuclein%20is%20a%20highly,linked%20to%20familial%20Parkinson%20disease.">alpha-synuclein</a> and <a href="https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-dementia-tau-ts.pdf">tau</a>, can assemble into tiny, oil-like droplets in human cells. Tau is a protein that helps stabilise the internal skeleton of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. This internal skeleton has a tube-like shape through which nutrients and other essential substances travel to reach different parts of the neuron. In Alzheimer’s disease, an abnormal form of tau builds up and clings to the normal tau proteins, creating “tau tangles”. Alpha-synuclein is found in large quantities in <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine">dopamine-producing nerve cells</a>. Abnormal forms of this protein are linked to Parkinson’s disease. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528217/original/file-20230525-25-p40y48.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Beautiful spider web with water drops close-up" /></a><figcaption>The trick spiders use to speed up their spinning process can be used to spin better artificial silk. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-spider-web-water-drops-close-155560781">Aastels/Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Oil droplets of either one of these proteins form in humans when they become entangled, like boiled spaghetti on a plate. At first, the proteins are flexible and elastic, much like spidroin oil droplets. But if the proteins remain entangled, they get stuck together which alters their shape, changing them into rigid fibres. These can be toxic to human cells – for example, in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. However, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33148640/">spidroins can form droplets</a> too. This left us wondering if the same mechanism that causes neurodegeneration in humans could help the spider to convert liquid spidroins into rigid silk fibres. To find out, we used a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nchembio.2269">synthetic spidroin called NT2RepCT</a>, which can be produced by bacteria. Under the microscope, we could see that this synthetic spidroin formed liquid droplets when it was dissolved in phosphate buffer, a type of salt found in the spider’s silk gland. This allowed us to replicate spider silk spinning conditions in the lab. <h2>Silky science</h2> Next, we studied how the spidroin proteins act when they form droplets. To answer this question, we turned to an analysis technique <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mass-spectrometry">called mass spectrometry</a>, to measure how the weight of the proteins changed when they formed droplets. To our surprise, we saw that the spidroin proteins, which normally form pairs, instead split into single molecules. We needed to do more work to find out how these protein droplets help spiders spin silk. Previous research has shown spidroins have different parts, called domains, with separate functions. The end part of the spidroin, called c-terminal domain, makes it form pairs. The c-terminal also starts <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1001921">fibre formation when it comes into contact with acid</a>. So, we made a spidroin which contained only the c-terminal domain and tested its ability to form fibres. When we used phosphate buffer to entangle the proteins into droplets, they turned into rigid fibre instantly. When we added acid without first making droplets, fibre formation took much longer. This makes sense since the spidroin molecules must find each other when forming a fibre. Entangling the spidroins like spaghetti helps them rapidly assemble into silk. This finding tells us how the spider can instantly convert its spidroins into a solid thread. It also uncovered how nature uses the same mechanism that can make brain proteins toxic to create some of its most amazing structures. The surprising parallel between spider silk spinning and fibres toxic to humans could one day lead to new clues about how to fight neurodegenerative disorders. Scientists may use spider silk research, including what we have learned about the spider silk domains, to keep human proteins from sticking together – to stop them from becoming toxic. If spiders can learn how to keep their sticky proteins in check, perhaps so can we.<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/205857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-landreh-1328287">Michael Landreh</a>, Researcher, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-rising-1440132">Anna Rising</a>, Researcher in Veterinary medicine biochemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/karolinska-institutet-1250">Karolinska Institutet</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-understanding-how-spiders-spin-silk-may-hold-clues-for-treating-alzheimers-disease-205857">original article</a>. Images: Getty

Body

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

Erin Molan collapses on-air during spider encounter

A creepy crawly encounter on 2Day FM’s Breakfast Show ended in dramatic scenes when presenter Erin Molan fainted, prompting co-host Hughesy to call for an emergency ad break. Molan had been facing her fear of spiders along with Linda, an arachnophobic listener, with footage of the segment showing the media personality shrieking in terror and falling to the floor. “We’re about to have spiders put on us,” Molan told the camera before a small tarantula was released beside her and its handler advising her and Linda to “breathe” and “stay calm”. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjlq-fNhWfT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjlq-fNhWfT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hughesy, Ed & Erin (@hughesyedanderin)</a>Erin Molan collapses on-air during spider encounter </div> </blockquote> While Linda held the spider briefly with guidance from the handler, things took a turn when Molan was faced with the spider. “We can stop if you want to stop,” the handler said, with Hughesy echoing the sentiment in the background. “The most important thing is that you feel safe and that you feel comfortable.” Determined to carry on, Molan agreed to have the spider put on her before she slowly fell to the floor. “We need to go to a break, go to a break, absolutely. We need to go to a break,” Hughesy frantically said, with a producer yelling for everyone to “get out of the studio” shortly after. In the clip, Moran can be seen apologising profusely and speaking with first aid before embracing Linda for helping her face her fear. As Moran managed to laugh off the moment, the segment seemed to end on a positive note with Hughesy saying, “All’s well that ends well”. Images: @2dayfm (Instagram)

Caring

Thousands of giant crabs amass off Australia’s coast

Every winter in shallow waters off Australia’s southern coast, armies of native spider crabs appear in their thousands. They form huge underwater piles, some as tall as a person. These fascinating crustaceans are on a risky mission – to get bigger. Crabs cannot simply grow like humans and other soft-bodied creatures. They must break free from their shells, expand their soft flesh and harden a new shell – all while dodging hungry predators on the hunt for a soft, easy meal. This moulting process leaves crabs clumsy and uncoordinated, making any escape tricky. That’s thought to be one reason they clump together in such big numbers – to keep each other safe. The spectacular gatherings attract tourists from interstate and overseas and have even been featured in a BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09gl670" target="_blank" rel="noopener">documentary</a>. But despite all this attention, scientists know very little about these quirky creatures. We need your help to investigate. <h2>Safety in numbers</h2> Southern Australia’s spider crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) are usually orange to red-brown. They can reach 16cm across their shell and 40cm across their legs, and are commonly known as great spider crabs. Spider crabs are believed to be widely dispersed in deeper waters. But they’re most visible to humans when they congregate <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/14370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">near shore in winter</a>, and occasionally at other times of year. Once together, spider crabs shed their old shells in a synchronised act thought to take about <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/14370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an hour</a>. The crabs stay together until their new hard shells form, which probably takes a few days. The aggregation can last a few weeks. Soft crabs are thought to take refuge in the middle of the piles, protected by crabs yet to moult. Afterwards, spider crabs return to deeper waters and their solitary lives, leaving the seafloor littered with discarded shells. <h2>Plenty of mysteries to solve</h2> Spider crab aggregations have been officially reported along the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts. Historically, most winter sightings have been reported on the Mornington Peninsula – particularly near the Rye and Blairgowrie piers. Anecdotal evidence suggests the gatherings can also happen elsewhere. For instance, an aggregation was reported this year on the western side of Port Phillip Bay. But there’s still so much we don’t know about spider crabs, such as: <ul> <li>how many spider crabs are out there?</li> <li>how many gather en masse?</li> <li>how long do the crabs stay?</li> <li>what signals do crabs use to know it’s time to come together?</li> <li>why do the crabs aggregate at one location in several consecutive years then not return?</li> </ul> Most spider crab gatherings seem to occur in winter, but they’re known to come together at other times. For example, aggregations in late spring, midsummer and early autumn have been reported in parts of Port Phillip Bay and elsewhere Victoria and Tasmania. Those aggregations don’t seem related to moulting – in fact, we have no idea why they occur! <h2>We need your help</h2> To better understand spider crab aggregations, a citizen science project called <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/spider-crab-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spider Crab Watch</a> has been launched. We’re inviting everyone – including divers, fishermen, swimmers and boaters – to report where they see spider crabs, alone or in groups. We’d also love to hear from people who come across discarded spider crab shells on the beach, because that indicates an aggregation occurred nearby. The reports will help us determine the habitats and conditions suitable for spider crab aggregations. We welcome sightings from Port Phillip Bay and across the Great Southern Reef, where spider crabs live. The reef spans the southern part of Australia from New South Wales to Western Australia and Tasmania. Logging a sighting is a quick process. Just report the date, time and location of the spider crabs, and answer a few questions. Photos are not essential but always welcome. We’re also using traditional research to solve these mysteries. This includes underwater surveys, spider crab tagging and the use of timelapse cameras to capture images of spider crabs and their predators at sites where aggregations are expected. After the aggregations, the images captured will be uploaded to a web portal. Interested people from around the country (and the world) can then analyse the images to help us count spider crabs and identify their predators. If that interests you, <a href="https://redcap.link/ybjksj1z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign up</a> for Spider Crab Watch updates. This program and the broader research is supported by funding from the Victorian government. <h2>Understanding our oceans</h2> The aims of this research go far beyond spider crabs. Scientists also want to know if spider crab gatherings help predators maintain healthy populations. Huge stingrays, seals, seabirds and some sharks are often spotted near aggregation sites. But we need more information to understand how crab aggregations affect animals at the top of the food chain. Spider crabs have captured the imagination of ocean lovers for decades – yet we know so little about their lives. This project will help us gather information on this amazing natural spectacle and the role it plays in the marine environment. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-giant-crabs-amass-off-australias-coast-scientists-need-your-help-to-understand-it-183342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Museums Victoria

Travel Trouble

“Homophobic” line removed from Spider-Man

A “homophobic” line from the action fantasy 2002 Spider-Man film has been removed following a recent airing on Britain’s ITV2. The first film of the trilogy starring Tobey Maguire aired on TV recently, with one eagle-eyed fan noticing the change. “They removed Peter Parker’s homophobia,” the Twitter user wrote along with a clip of the scene. The scene where the line was cut is at the beginning of the film where Peter Parker is learning about his newfound skills and went to a wrestling match. He is seen hanging on the cage away from pro wrestler Bone Saw and says: "That's a cute outfit. Did your husband give it to you?" However, the scene changed to just say: “That’s a cute outfit”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> THEY REMOVED PETER PARKER'S HOMOPHOBIA <a href="https://t.co/QmbFabVpc7">pic.twitter.com/QmbFabVpc7</a> — PaperPlane (@PaperPlaneTF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaperPlaneTF/status/1517947398936535040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2022</a></blockquote> The Twitter user however pointed out that the original line was in fact “not homophobic. It's been a joke for a little while now that Spider-Man is insensitive to this man's husband.” Many people praised the change, while others questioned why they couldn’t use something else that doesn’t attack sexuality. “Why cut the joke out entirely? Why not try to change it somehow?” someone asked. “So many things happen in this world, countless deaths, robberies, and many other things. And what makes people mad is a JOKE in a SPIDER-MAN MOVIE. Learn to take a joke. seriously. And the intent behind it wasn’t even bad, y’all just want something to be mad about,” another wrote. “The fact that they removed a joke is baffling guess comedy is hate speech,” someone mentioned. “What was wrong with the joke in the first place?” a user asked. “Everyone can’t seem to understand that Spider-Man says this because Bonesaw is very clearly a big, burly macho man (no pun intended) alpha-male, kinda guy with his own team of 4 beautiful women/cheerleaders at the ringside and implying that he’s gay is a good way to rile him up,” another explained. Image: Twitter

Movies

Spider-Man’s Tom Holland fulfils sweet promise to young hero

Marvel superstar Tom Holland doesn’t merely play a superhero on screen – he’s proved time and time again just how principled and generous he is in real life, too. Most recently, he kept his word to a little boy who saved his sister from a dog attack. Bridger Walker was only six years old when he defended his four-year-old sister from a dog attack in 2020. The children were playing outside their home in Wyoming when a German Shepherd mix ran towards Bridger’s sister and he intervened. He ended up <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXgF2TgYZD/" target="_blank">needing 90 stitches and undergoing a two-hour surgery</a> following the July 2020 attack. Upon hearing the news, celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Holland, who plays Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sent messages of support to Bridger both publicly on social media and privately, praising him for his courage. At the time, Holland promised Bridger that he could visit the set of the most recent Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and photos shared by the Walker family on Instagram show that he kept his promise to the young boy. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXmQuR8pNMv/?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/CXmQuR8pNMv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Robert Walker, JD (@robertwalker307)</a> </div> </blockquote> Sharing photos from the set visit, including several of Bridger in his own Spider-Man mask, and one where Holland, as Spider-Man, is carrying Bridger through the air, Bridger’s dad Robert explained just how much the visit meant to their family. He thanked Holland, Holland’s brother Harry, and Spider-Man co-star Zendaya, along with the entire cast and crew, for this “dream-come-true adventure”. He continued to describe their day on set, writing, “When we first arrived on set, I was a little apprehensive that once the “curtain was pulled back” that the magic of the movies would be lost for the kids. The opposite was true! “Tom, Zendaya, Harry, @lifeisaloha, @tonyrevolori, and the entire cast/crew made our kids feel like stars. ✨ They don’t just act the part of friendly neighborhood heroes - that’s what they truly are. “The look on the kids’ faces was priceless when we rounded the blue-screen to see Tom, in full costume, high above the set on a light post. It was emotional to see him waive at the kids like he was the one that was supposed to be excited - not the other way around. A short time later, Tom and Zendaya came over. I will never forget the grace and kindness they showed our children. “We have loved seeing the reviews for @spidermanmovie. While there are so many reasons it will go down as one of the best ever - I personally think it is because the cast and crew are good, kind, and passionate people. Individuals who heard about a little boy’s injury, who wanted to make it right. People who were willing to stop a very busy day of shooting to make my little boy smile, and give him a chance to “web-swing” with his hero. Thank you again to everyone who played some role in Bridger’s special day “hanging” with Spider-Man. 🕷🕸 “ Image: Instagram

Movies

Baldwin film hit by yet another tragedy

Another “devastating event” has occurred on the set of Rust, with a crew member facing the loss of their arm after a spider bite. Jason Miller, a lamp operator and pipe rigger working on the film, was bitten by a brown recluse spider while packing up the set in New Mexico. The brown recluse spider is one of three species in North America that have life-threatening venom. <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/1ynDsUP_5p/?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/1ynDsUP_5p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Smithsonian's NMNH (@smithsoniannmnh)</a> </div> </blockquote> According to a Just Giving crowdfunding page, Mr Miller started experiencing severe symptoms, including necrosis of his arm and sepsis, shortly after the bite. “He has been hospitalised and endured multiple surgeries each day as doctors do their best to stop the infection and try to save his arm from amputation,” the page says, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://news.sky.com/story/alec-baldwin-film-shooting-rust-crew-member-in-hospital-for-multiple-surgeries-after-spider-bite-12462638" target="_blank">Sky News</a>. “It will be a very long road to recovery for Jason if the medical team is able to save his arm. “If under worse circumstances he loses the arm, this is a life changing and devastating event for Jason and his family.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845412/baldwin3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e5755507d3b94b36b588115f7fa243c9" /> The set of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Image: Getty Images A spokesperson for the film <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/rust-crew-member-may-lose-arm-after-deadly-spider-bite/news-story/519321d002a183f926355d7e5bbb18ef" target="_blank">said</a> they had no comment “on individual members of the cast and crew’s private matters”. The set has been shut down for the last two weeks after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/alec-baldwin-allegedly-shot-and-killed-cinematographer" target="_blank">was killed</a> with a gun accidentally fired by Alec Baldwin. The actor and producer said it’s unlikely that the film will ever be completed following the tragedy, which has sparked <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/change-needs-to-happen-baldwin-tragedy-sparks-reform" target="_blank">growing calls</a> from the industry to ban real guns on sets. Image: news.com.au

News

Tarantula spotted on plane MID-FLIGHT

The moment passengers realised they had an eight-legged stowaway on their flight has been caught on video and since <a rel="noopener" href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/stunned-passengers-spot-tarantula-lurking-in-plane-cabin-midflight/da3e6e15-eca8-40a7-9ea8-261c5d2be177" target="_blank">gone viral</a> on TikTok. In the clip, the rogue tarantula can be spotted causing a commotion during the flight as it is discovered crawling through the overhead compartments. US retailer Hype Socks <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@hypesocksusa/video/7002633090929659141?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank">re-posted the video</a> on the platform, claiming it was shot by company CEO Josh Wintermantel. “When your CEO sees a tarantula on the plane,” a voiceover says over footage of the spider. Shortly after, a brave cabin crew member captures the tarantula in a clear plastic bag. “Shoutout to the employee who saved our lives,” the company captioned the video. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844762/spider-plane.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/49da05ca1d5a4b15a272189aec1ef1fa" /> Image: @hypesocksusa / TikTok The clip has since been viewed more than three million times, with viewers sharing a mix of comments. “I know you’re not supposed to make a scene on an airplane but if that thing was above me I would have a VERY hard time not screaming,” one person wrote. “I’m gonna need all my money back and upgrades for the rest of my life,” another said. “Not what I needed to see two days before I am getting on a plane,” a third commented. A fourth person added, “Oh HELL NO! I would have jumped mid flight!” A second clip of the incident was shared by TikTok user <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@directorbrazil/video/7002518575944600838?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1">@directorbrazil</a>, showing just how large the spider was. <img style="width: 284.63329452852156px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844763/capture.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e3198776f7294fd9abcce45d07b73e5e" /> Image: @directorbrazil / TikTok The footage, which has been viewed 3.6 million times, shows the shocked expressions on passengers’ faces as the crew member takes the spider down the cabin’s middle aisle. The spider appears to be the same size as the staff member’s hand, and many have echoed the same sentiments as those who saw the first video. “This is the second video of this spider I’ve seen. I’d be out of the emergency exit the moment someone said spider,” one viewer shared. Image: TikTok

Travel Trouble

"A horror movie": Woman's shock at unwanted guest in purchase

A Woolworths customer has found the funny side to a very disturbing find in her gingerbread house. Shopper Katie explained to Facebook that she found a massive huntsman, complete with egg sac, in a readymade gingerbread house that was purchased from her local supermarket. “Wait Woolworths, this isn’t what I ordered?” laughed Katie. “Only in Australia, only in #2020. “Buy a readymade gingerbread house they said, it’ll be easier than building one they said! “Seriously I don’t say this often but: why me?” <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839257/woollies.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/682540a519f74cd3aa37b560b2114a72" /> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> She then described how she found it in the packaging. “It was like a horror movie,” she said. “I was making myself a cup of tea, I glanced up at the gingerbread house thinking, ‘Hmmmm I wonder if I can sneak a piece off without the kids noticing.’ “Then I saw it, the tip ... of a leg, and then another leg and then another, and then the body, carrying a mother trucking egg sac. “I’m done!” People were disgusted with the find. “Are you SERIOUS? It’s INSIDE THE BOX,” wrote one. “OMG! Complete with egg sac so it’s been in there a long while!” Katie said she moved the spider outside, and a Woolworths representative apologised for the "scary surprise". “Oh no Katie - this critter just wanted a home, but this is definitely not the right one for her!” the representative said. “Thanks for letting us know, and we apologise for the scary surprise. After all, it’s Christmas, not Halloween. “Please feel free to return the gingerbread house to our store service desk for a replacement - one without an added houseguest!” Photo credits: Facebook </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

Woman’s horrifying discovery in Kmart bra

A Victorian woman has taken to Facebook to share a horrifying discovery inside a Kmart bra. Katie Harrison Pring posted a photo of a spider on the cup of a bra to the Kmart Mums Facebook group, which was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. “Not the only one shopping for bras today,” Ms Harrison Pring captioned the image. Hundred’s of people flocked to the comments, sharing their terrified reactions, with one woman saying that she’d “need new underwear if I saw that”. <img style="width: 321.95448460508703px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839049/screen-shot-2020-12-03-at-21317-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c0da97b735704d4cba1bd1437aeec413" /> “Lucky you’re already in the underwear section,” one woman added. “Kudos for getting close enough for a photo. Those damn things can jump like an Olympic triple jumper,” another wrote. “I now understand the burning of the bras!” quipped one user, while others added the whole shop should be “burned to the ground”. When asked which store it was so other people could avoid paying a visit, Ms Harrison Pring said it's “lucky” Ballarat has more than one Kmart. “That’s how you know you’re in Australia!” commented another member of the group.

Body

The horrifying reason for the tiny black dots in your kitchen

A woman was left baffled after noticing black dots appearing in her kitchen. Turning to the internet for answers, the nasty truth came forward which would give most people goosebumps. Sharing a photo to the Facebook group Mrs Hinch’s Cleaning Tips, the woman asked: “Does anyone have any idea what these marks could be?” “They started appearing on the tiles in the kitchen in random little patches. “Then this morning this was on top of the PC we have in the kitchen.” The question attracted plenty of homeowners, as it seemed they were familiar with the common problem. “Spider poo,” one user replied. “It washes off with no effort.” “Look above and you will probably see a web/spider,” another said. “It happens a lot this time of year - spiders pooing everywhere,” said a third. “Look closely on skirting boards or walls of your house to see if there is anything unusual resembling a paint splatter,” added a fourth. “If you find any, you are looking at the spider poop.”

Home Hints & Tips

Woman named "Hero to Animals" for helping spider regrow its legs

A townsville woman has been rewarded for making the decision to save an emaciated huntsman spider with only two legs. Elina Walsh has been recognised by animal rights group PETA Australia for rescuing and rehabilitating an injured spider. Ms Walsh hand-fed the spider and took “Peggy” under her wing for a month until it grew its legs back. "Initially my thought was she wasn't going to make it and I considered putting her out of her misery," Ms Walsh said, admitting she initially believed it to be a gecko or a bird. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837163/emma-walsh-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fe33732f3a2a41c89772176003d14c23" /> "I did a quick Google search and found out that spiders can in fact regrow legs, so I thought I would give it a go. "I am a huge animal lover, normally huntsmen aren't my favourite choice of animal but I kind of felt sorry for her and tried to help her out." The Townsville “hero” spent a little over a month feeding the spider small cockroaches with tweezers. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBenA0kF8CU/?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> <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/CBenA0kF8CU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by @peggy.the.2leggy</a> on Jun 15, 2020 at 6:55pm PDT </div> </blockquote> In that time, the spider regrew its six smaller legs which became fully functional. She plans to keep Peggy in her care until the spider has one more moult. "Now that she has got her legs back she is able to hunt quite well on her own, but the ones that have regrown are quite a bit smaller," Ms Walsh said. "With her next moult she should have full-sized legs again and I will be quite happy to release her outside." PETA said there was no nomination process for their Hero To Animals awards. PETA spokesperson, Emily Rice, said the organisation saw a post about Ms Walsh's efforts on Facebook and wanted to recognise her compassion. "We take our hats off to this compassionate woman who displayed great care and respect for Peggy and went above and beyond to save her life," Ms Rice said. Ms Walsh said the recognition from PETA Australia was unexpected. "I am just happy that other people can learn about her story and maybe grow a bit of appreciation for these animals as well," she said.

Family & Pets

“Nice surprise”: Woman discovers unwelcome visitor in celery

A woman claims that she found a “nice surprise” in a sealed bag of celery that she bought from Woolworths over the weekend. The woman posted images of the red back spider sitting on a stalk to the supermarket chain’s Facebook page on Sunday. “Got a nice surprise in my sealed bag of celery yesterday. Red back under a stem I broke off. Wasn’t expecting that!!” she wrote. The woman said she bought the celery from a store in Canberra and declined a refund because the spider “didn’t eat much anyway and he was the only one”. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835728/17ae9da0-83aa-11ea-bad6-5524a6c951bd.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/17620771e6664646aeae014b1b832594" /> Woolworths responded to her post on Monday, thanking her for bringing it to their attention. “We ensure that all of our products are at the highest standards so we're disappointed to see a spider in your celery,” the post said. “We'd like to raise this to our products team who'll look into this further.” “We'd like you to let you know that we do have a refund or replacement policy, the next time you visit our store please see our service desk with the product or receipt our friendly team member would be more than happy to assist you further. We're looking forward to hearing from you soon.”

Food & Wine

Don’t like spiders? Here are 5 reasons to change your mind

Australia is famous for its supposedly scary spiders. While the sight of a spider may cause some people to shudder, they are a vital part of nature. Hostile reactions are harming conservation efforts – especially when people kill spiders unnecessarily. Populations of many invertebrate species, including <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297742805_Quality_not_quantity_Conserving_species_of_low_mobility_and_dispersal_capacity_in_south-western_Australian_urban_remnants">certain spiders</a>, are highly vulnerable. Some species have become extinct due to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07916-1">habitat loss and degradation</a>. In dramatic efforts to avoid or kill a spider, people have reportedly <a href="https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/4448093/huntsman-spider-sparks-four-car-crash/">crashed their cars,</a> <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/man-tries-to-kill-wolf-spider-with-a-blowtorch-but-sets-apartment-on-fire/news-story/13ba250e2d8a58658b6c2960d69bd815">set a house on fire</a>, and even caused such a commotion that <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-03/wa-police-called-out-for-man-trying-to-kill-spider/10683454">police showed up</a>. A pathological fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia, is of course, a legitimate condition. But in reality, we have little to fear. Read on to find out why you should love, not loathe, our eight-legged arachnid friends. 1. Spiders haven’t killed anyone in Australia for 40 years The last confirmed fatal spider bite in Australia <a href="https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/spiders/spider-facts/">occurred in 1979</a>. Only a few species have venom that can kill humans: some mouse spiders (Missulena species), Sydney Funnel-webs (Atraxspecies) and some of their close relatives. <a href="https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/spiders/spider-facts/">Antivenom</a> for redbacks (Latrodectus hasseltii) was introduced in 1956, and for funnel-webs in 1980. However, redback venom is <a href="https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/pages/doc.aspx?dn=GL2014_005">no longer considered life-threatening</a>. 2. Spiders save us from the world’s deadliest animal Spiders mostly eat insects, which helps control their populations. Their webs – especially big, intricate ones like our orb weavers’ – are particularly adept at catching small flying insects such as mosquitos. Worldwide, mosquito-borne viruses <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-animals-that-kill-most-humans.html">kill more humans</a> than any other animal. 3. They can live to an impressive age The <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18015">world’s oldest recorded spider</a> was a 43- year-old female trapdoor spider (Gaius villosus) that lived near Perth, Western Australia. Tragically a wasp sting, not old age, killed her. 4. Spider silk is amazing Spider silk is the <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-what-are-spider-webs-made-from-and-how-strong-are-they-91824">strongest</a>, most flexible natural biomaterial known to man. It has historically been used to make bandages, and UK researchers have worked out how to load silk bandages with <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.201604245">antibiotics</a>. Webs of the golden orb spider, common throughout Australia, are <a href="https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/spiders/golden-orb-weaving-spiders/">strong enough to catch bats and birds</a>, and a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/jan/23/golden-silk-cape-spiders-in-pictures">cloak was once woven</a> entirely from their silk. 5. Their venom could save our life The University of Queensland is using spider venom <a href="https://imb.uq.edu.au/article/2017/07/taking-bite-out-chronic-pain-new-spider-venom-treatment">to develop</a>non-addictive pain-killers. The venom rapidly immobilises prey by targeting its nervous system – an ability that can act as a painkiller in humans. The venom from a Fraser Island funnel web contains a molecule that <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-02/funnel-web-spider-venom-could-help-protect-brain-stroke-damage/10959032">delays the effects of stroke on the brain</a>. Researchers are investigating whether it could be administered by paramedics to protect a stroke victim on the way to hospital. Funnel-web venom is also being used to create <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/technology/funnel-web-venom-the-bees-knees-of-natural-pesticides-20160516-govvss.html">targeted pesticides</a> which are harmless to birds and mammals. Written by Leanda Denise Mason. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/dont-like-spiders-here-are-10-reasons-to-change-your-mind-126433">The Conversation</a>.

Art

12 ways to rein in varicose vein pain

1. Don’t stand when you can sit.Standing still in the one position for long periods of time lets blood pool in your lower legs, putting pressure on blood vessels. Whenever possible, take breaks every 15 minutes or so and sit down with your legs raised. 2. Eat more berries.Blackberries, raspberries and strawberries all contain flavonoids, which have been shown to help strengthen blood vessel walls. This is great for preventing varicose veins and haemorrhoids. Get into the habit of having berries as an after-dinner treat or on the top of your morning cereal. 3. Put your feet up when sitting. Raising your legs prevents blood from pooling in the veins. When you’re sitting down watching TV or if you’re lying down for any length of time, keep your feet elevated slightly higher than your heart to reduce the risk of blood pooling in your lower legs. 4. Move.Get up and get moving – it’s the only sure way you’ll strengthen your calf muscles and keep the blood circulating in your legs. Start going for a regular walk after dinner or before breakfast. If you spend much of the day behind a desk, point and flex your feet to boost circulation. If you’re on your feet, get the blood moving several times an hour by rising on your toes, shifting your weight from one foot to the other, bending your legs and walking on the spot. 5. Avoid tight clothes.Believe it or not, those jeans that look great and show off your curves are a bad idea. Never wear tight clothing that can restrict blood circulation at the top of your legs. 6. Lose weight.If you’re carrying any extra kilos, get serious about getting back to a more healthy weight. You’ll not only look better, but you’ll reduce the stress placed on your legs and circulatory system and improve blood flow. An extensive study conducted in Scotland found that being overweight or obese raised your chances of developing varicose veins by as much as 58%. By eating less and getting more aerobic exercise, you’ll lose weight and also reduce your risk of developing leg vein problems. 7. Wear flats. While high heels won’t cause varicose veins, wearing them makes your calf muscles less effective at pumping blood back towards your heart when you walk. Our legs much prefer walking in flat shoes. They tone calf muscles, helping to move blood through the veins. 8. Wear stockings.While not the most attractive option, wearing compression stockings (available from your pharmacy) is an effective way of easing the pain that comes with varicose veins. Compression stockings work by applying pressure to the lower part of your legs, forcing any build-up of blood back towards the heart – by as much as 20%. When Japanese researchers measured the legs of 20 people with varicose veins, they found that all grades of compression stockings reduced swelling, but medium- and strong-grade stockings worked best. Scientists in Hong Kong recently discovered a design flaw in the stocking: as study volunteers moved around, their stockings sometimes squeezed tighter at the thickest part of the calves than the ankles, which could actually promote blood pooling rather than prevent it. The conclusion was that compression stockings are still worth wearing if you’re on your feet all day, but you should also attempt to exercise your calf muscles to help keep blood moving. 9. Gotu kola.Research has found that this herb, which is native to Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka, can ease the pain, swelling and sensation of heaviness and tingling in the legs. It works by strengthening the collagen lining in the walls of veins, which enhances circulation. The recommended dose is between 30-39mg a day. 10. Horse chestnut. The seed extract from this tree is one remedy for varicose vein discomfort that seems to work. When Harvard Medical School researchers reviewed 16 studies of thousands of people with weak valves in their leg veins, they found that those who took the extract had four times less pain than those who were given a placebo. Half saw a decrease in swelling, and 70% had less itching. They also reported improvement in feelings of fatigue and heaviness in their legs. In lab studies, escin, the active ingredient in horse chestnut seeds, was found to strengthen the walls of small blood vessels. UK researchers say this safe botanical may be as effective as compression stockings. The usual daily dose is 300mg (containing 50-75mg of escin per dose). 10. Stop straining.Working too hard to have a bowel movement increases pressure on veins in the lower legs. Scottish researchers report that this kind of pushing nearly doubles the risk of vein problems in men. To make bowel movements as easy and as comfortable as possible, drink plenty of water during the day and increase your fibre intake. 11. Enjoy a glass of wine.Spanish researchers who analysed the health records of 1778 people found that those who enjoyed a glass of wine every day had a 50% lower risk of varicose veins than those who drank less – or more. Other research suggests that flavonoids and saponins in wine can help keep blood vessels flexible and healthy. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/tips/varicose-vein-pain">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=WRA87V">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" />

Retirement Life

Mum’s genius 50-cent Kmart spider hack goes viral

Arachnophobes around the country have been celebrating as they’ve found a new way to tackle their fears – and it only costs 50 cents. Kmart’s “egg hunt grabber” has been hailed a hero as it helps banish 8-legged creatures easily from your home. Everyone has attempted the old glass and book trick, where you trap a spider underneath a glass, slide something flat underneath, hope that nothing escapes and then throw the entire thing out of the window. It’s terrifying and anxiety-inducing, but there’s no need to panic anymore. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826465/spider.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fea030d051d64802ba4d7112a8dfcf90" /> Photo: Facebook/Kmart Mums Australia A video was recently posted to a Kmart Facebook group, demonstrating how to use the contraption to remove spiders from your home. All you need to do is use the grabber from a distance to capture the spider inside the cup, then take outside and release. The video has garnered hundreds of likes and comments from those who cannot wait to get their hands on the affordable item. Unfortunately, it seems to be out of stock, so if your grandkids don't already have one, you may need to wait till next Easter. In the meantime, keep using the good ol’ glass and book trick!

Home & Garden

Brace yourselves: 3 new species of Aussie spiders have just been discovered

Three new species of spiders have been discovered – and thankfully, they are "completely harmless" to humans. The three peacock spiders were found and hand-collected by Project Maratus in the Lake Jasper and Mount Romance regions of southwestern Australia. Joseph Schubert, spider taxonomist and research assistant at Monash University, announced the discovery on Twitter this week. "They are officially named: Maratus aquilus, Maratus felinus, and Maratus combustus," wrote Schubert. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> Meet Australia's three newest species! Here are three brand new peacock spiders that I described from Southwestern Australia, discovered by Project Maratus. As of today they are officially named: Maratus aquilus, Maratus felinus, and Maratus combustus. <a href="https://t.co/eDV6JeCMAp">pic.twitter.com/eDV6JeCMAp</a> — Joseph Schubert (@j_schubert__) <a href="https://twitter.com/j_schubert__/status/1102825908526768128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 March 2019</a></blockquote> The critters, which are about the size of a rice grain, have brightly coloured markings on their abdomens. "They're incredibly small but so charismatic and so colourful," Schubert told <a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a190305euv/new-aussie-spiders-are-the-size-of-a-rice-grain-and-harmless-20190306">Ten Daily</a>. "Each species has a specific pattern that is different on their abdomen." The name aquilus was based on the markings that resemble an eagle’s face, while felinus referred to the pattern’s resemblance to a cat. On the other hand, combustus reflected the marking’s similarity to a "fiery explosion". Schubert said these three spider species will not be able to bite or hurt people due to their small size. "Fear of creepy crawlies in Australia is somewhat irrational," said Schubert, explaining that only a handful of spider species in the country pose a significant threat to a human's life. Schubert said 73 Maratus species have been identified and named so far. The discovery brought the tally of described peacock spiders to 74, of which 29 are exclusively found in Southwestern Australia. Schubert referred to the areas in Western Australia as "biodiversity hotspots".

Home & Garden

“I could have been bitten”: Grandmother finds deadly spider in ALDI grapes

A grandmother from Sydney discovered a nasty surprise as she was enjoying some grapes from ALDI. She had purchased the grapes from ALDI in Engadine on Friday, and after taking the grapes home, had discovered a red back spider hiding amongst the grapes. Yolande Gamble told <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/woman-finds-venomous-redback-spider-aldi-grapes-061517751.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News</a>: “As I was placing them in a bowl a live red back spider was sitting happy in the grapes, “I put my hand right in and I was even eating them. “I probably touched it.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7823695/redback-spider.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fad081f35b5c4e1682ee37e689bd019f" /> However, Gamble has said that the store isn’t to blame for the spider ending up in the produce. She wants to use her close call to raise awareness of deadly spiders hiding within fresh produce, saying that: “I just want people to check the fruit as they’re unpacking it, “I could have been bitten... I was just lucky.” It could’ve been far worse for the Gamble family, as Yolande revealed that she usually asks her grandchildren to unpack the fresh produce. “It could have been my grandchildren who I asked to empty the bag.” Have you had a close call with a spider in fresh produce like this? Let us know in the comments.

Money & Banking

Nightmare as hundreds of spiders “rain” from the sky

Arachnophobes look away, because a video posted to Facebook shows every person’s worst nightmare as Brazil experienced a strange phenomenon of spiders raining from the sky. The footage shows spiders coming down in droves at Espirito Santo do Dourado, with locals describing the event as the sky “raining with spiders”. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcecilia.fonseca.712%2Fvideos%2F1962652493856369%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="308" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> While the eight-legged insects appear to be falling from above, they are actually moving with the help of a huge web, and according to experts, spiders create canopies during hot and humid climates so they can share one giant web. João Pedro Martinelli Fonseca, who is the man behind the camera, said that he noticed the sensation at his grandparent’s farm and told local newspapers that he was “stunned and scared”. Spiders can reportedly travel hundreds of kilometres using a ballooning method. Ballooning occurs when spiders detect electric fields under natural atmospheric conditions. It is the electric fields that cause the arachnid’s strange behaviour. Spiders are able to become airborne through the technique, as they release fine silk lines that once caught in the breeze, lift the spider up in the air.

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