Latest news with #Holbrook
ABC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Melbourne woman cryogenically freezes body
A Melbourne woman who died in hospital from chronic illness has had her body cryogenically frozen at a facility in Holbrook, NSW. More than 600 people around the world have undergone cryopreservation, hoping to be revived in the future if science allows it. But scientists say there's no proof they'll ever be revived. Laura Tchilingurian spoke with RMIT cell and tissue cryo-preservation expert Saffron Bryant.
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Melbourne woman's body the second to be cryogenically frozen by Southern Cryonics
In a nondescript facility near Holbrook in New South Wales, a woman's body has been cryogenically frozen in the hope that science will one day revive her. Her body is one of two that now lie inside the Southern Cryonics facility, suspended in liquid nitrogen at around -200 degrees Celsius. On July 4, the Melbourne woman died in hospital from chronic illness. Within minutes, Southern Cryonics staff waiting in Melbourne initiated the "cooling process", packing her body in iced water for transport to a funeral home. There, equipped with 250 kilograms of specialist tools, chemicals and cooling agents, a doctor and two clinical perfusionists from a company called Australian Blood Management began a further cooling process lasting six hours. The woman's body was then encased in its final resting place — a cryogenic chamber filled with liquid nitrogen at Holbrook. So far, more than 600 people around the world have undergone the radical procedure. Cryonics is high on spectacle, but critically short on scientific support. RMIT cell and tissue cryopreservation expert Saffron Bryant said despite the excitement surrounding cryonics, the science was far from catching up. Dr Bryant said the challenge was in the freezing process itself because when water inside cells turned to ice it expanded and caused damage. To mitigate that damage, scientists use cryoprotective agents — special chemicals that reduce ice formation — but it is a different story for whole organs. "Organs are made up of lots of different types of cells," Dr Bryant. "They're different sizes and they have different shapes, behave differently, and need different cryoprotectants, so you can't cryopreserve them all in the same way." She pointed out that if the technology had been perfected, we would already be using it to solve real-world problems like the organ donor shortage. Many cryonics enthusiasts were inspired by Robert Ettinger, an American academic known as the "father of cryonics". His 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality, he proposed that death might one day be reversible. It is the same book that former marketing specialist Peter Tsolakides — now the founder of Southern Cryonics — read as a teenager. Two years ago, 35 founding members invested between $50,000 and $70,000 each to establish the facility. Today, Southern Cryonics has 32 active "subscribers" who pay an annual fee of $350, and have signed up for the suspension procedure costing about $170,000. Members sign an agreement that details the terms and conditions of their cryonic suspension. They are also encouraged to sign a religious objection to autopsy form, which requests that an autopsy is not carried out to "avoid destructive procedures and consequent delays" in the suspension process. Southern Cryonics is equipped to hold up to 40 bodies. "We have members ranging from about 15 years old up to about 95, and we range from doctors to bus drivers," Mr Tsolakides said. "Most of the people want to live very long lives, not necessarily be immortal. "They're also interested in seeing what the future is". There are no specific laws relating to cryonics in Australia. Legally, a cryogenically frozen body is considered the same as the remains of any other dead person, and Southern Cryonics is classified as a cemetery on its Greater Hume Council development application. There are operational risks to be considered by those who wish to be frozen. However, Mr Tsolakides said the facility was relatively protected. He said the cryogenic chambers relied on top-ups of liquid nitrogen that arrived periodically by truck from multiple suppliers. The chambers each hold a two-month supply of liquid nitrogen, and a maintenance person checks the levels a few times a week. The suspension agreement, which clients must sign, specifies that in events such as deregistration, insolvency, or cryonic suspension or revival becoming illegal, Southern Cryonics may cease the suspension, and "dispose of the patient's body by burial, cremation or transfer of the body to a responsible person." Health experts have previously raised ethical concerns about the cryonics sector, describing it as "Star Trek in play". However, Mr Tsolakides said he hoped that, given enough time, science would meet him halfway. "Let's say that it [cryonic revival] is possible but very unlikely — say it's 10 per cent possible," he said. "You got 10 per cent possibility of living an extremely long life versus being buried underground or burned. Which one would you choose?"
Global News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
B.C. residents spending less in the U.S. by an ‘astonishing' amount: report
A new report says British Columbians are changing their habits when it comes to spending money in the U.S. or with U.S.-based companies. The report from Vancity used data from enviro™ Visa spending patterns, which showed a 'significant drop' compared to the same period last year. The credit union found that these findings reflect caution among consumers and an early sign of changing priorities. In-person spending in Washington state declined 47 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, according to the report and online spending at U.S.-based retailers fell 14 per cent with clothing purchases showing the sharpest drop — down 26 per cent. Online bookings for U.S. hotels and cruises also fell by 28 per cent. However, Vancity said the total value of Mexican peso wire transfers from Vancity members nearly quadrupled but there was no rise in the number of wires, which could suggest an increase in high-value purchases, such as vacation properties. Story continues below advertisement 1:56 Blaine border behind the scenes 'These numbers show a behavioural shift in how members are spending their money this year,' Wellington Holbrook, Vancity's president and CEO, said in a statement. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Whether it's cross-border shopping or U.S. travel, we're seeing a notable change as people are being more deliberate with their spending, and in many cases, looking closer to home.' In an interview with Global News, Holbrook said these numbers are 'astonishing.' 'When we hear that Canadians aren't spending in the U.S. they're really meaning it.' The most recent numbers from Statistics Canada show that cross-border travel by British Columbians was down 52 per cent in May, compared to May 2014. Holbrook said the data also showed people are spending the same amount of money but it is being spent at local businesses or local merchants. Story continues below advertisement 'When the trading relationship normalizes, maybe some of the emotion falls out of it, but I would expect to see a rebound, but from this level of significance, it's hard to see it come all the way back anytime soon,' he added. 'Thirty-three per cent, that's one out of every three dollars that was being spent in the U.S. has disappeared. I don't imagine it coming back in a matter of months.' Holbrook added that based on the data it did appear that the peak drop happened in April. Transaction data was collected on all personal Vancity Visa purchases from January 1, 2023 to June 1, 2025. Vancity has 600,000 members, although not all of them have a Visa card. Participating merchants disclose the country in which the transaction occurs, and any merchant with a location in the U.S. was defined as 'U.S.-based'. Merchant category codes were further grouped into categories to observe trends.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mass. accountant gets jail time for embezzling more than $1.2M from her employer
A Weymouth woman has been sentenced to 3 ½ years in jail for embezzling more than $1.2 million from her employer in Holbrook, the district attorney said Tuesday. Ashley Sumner, 39, pleaded guilty last week in Norfolk Superior Court to a six-count indictment, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement. Judge Mark Hallal also sentenced Sumner to three years' probation and restitution to be determined by the court. Sumner worked as an accountant for Allstate Glass in Holbrook from 2020 to 2023, Morrissey said. Holbrook Police determined Sumner made multiple fraudulent credit card charges, direct deposits, and wire transfers from January 2021 through February 2023, when she resigned, Morrissey said. Company officials reported to police that Sumner was suspected of stealing. She was arrested in August 2023 after a five-month investigation. Sumner pleaded guilty to two counts of larceny of more than $1,200 by a single scheme, two counts of improper use of a credit card and one count each of larceny of property valued at more than $1,200 and money laundering, Morrissey said. Hallal sentenced Sumner to a maximum 2 ½-year jail term for one count of improper use of a credit card and a consecutive one-year term for the second credit card count. Sumner 'was a trusted employee with access to company credit cards who was responsible for the payroll and paying the company's bills,' Morrissey said in a statement. 'Her actions siphoning the company's money for her own personal use violated the trust of her employer.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
World Snake Day 2025 at MMNS: Touch live snakes and uncover the secrets of nature's most misunderstood creatures; know more details
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) is calling the public to slither into discovery at its annual World Snake Day celebration, which this year will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event provides participants with an exclusive chance to meet live snakes, learn from experienced naturalists, and uncover the ecological significance of these much-maligned reptiles. While World Snake Day is officially observed on July 16, museum authorities have advanced their celebration to an early date because of climatic issues in observing some snakes during the hottest part of the summer. "It's all about raising awareness about snakes around the world," explained Aaron Holbrook, MMNS Assistant Director. "We want to inform the public of the important role snakes have in ecosystems and assist in overcoming unnecessary fears that are based more on myth than reality." World Snake Day 2025 : Why MMNS celebrates in June and not in July The museum's timing of holding the event during mid-June as opposed to July is strategic. Numerous indigenous species of snakes will seek refuge underground during peak summer heat, becoming less accessible and harder to display for educational exposure. 'Once the heat kicks in, a lot of these species go underground to escape it,' Holbrook explained. 'By holding the event earlier, we're able to introduce the public to a wider variety of species, including some rarely seen in the wild. ' Some of the snakes showcased in the event form part of the permanent collection of the museum, while others are temporarily harvested from the wild for use in education purposes and responsibly released back to their natural habitats afterwards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Highlights of the MMNS World Snake Day experience The MMNS World Snake Day celebration promises a combination of education, conservation messaging, and entertainment that is family-friendly. People will be able to: View live snake species up close, including native and exotic varieties Interact safely with select non-venomous snakes under expert supervision Witness a rare two-headed snake, a unique natural phenomenon Engage with herpetologists and get your snake-related questions answered Create fun and educational snake-themed crafts for all ages Take part in hands-on learning activities that explore snake biology, behavior, and conservation Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi can earn the official MMNS Snake Day patch Boy Scouts can meet several requirements for the Reptile and Amphibian Merit Badge Enjoy food and refreshments available for purchase at Spotter's Snack Shack Snakes aren't scary; they're essential- here's why MMNS has a mission to change people's attitudes about snakes from fear to respect by emphasizing their vital role in ensuring healthy ecosystems. From pest control to balancing biodiversity, snakes offer natural services that are beneficial to agriculture, public health, and native wildlife. "The more we learn about these animals, the better we can conserve them—and ourselves," Holbrook said. Along with live demonstrations, the museum will offer materials that address frequent misconceptions like: Do copperheads actually smell like cucumbers? What are the most frequently encountered snakes in Mississippi ? ? How do you treat a snakebite? These subjects will also be addressed in The Clarion-Ledger's upcoming Snake Week, a special daily series of articles on snake science, conservation concerns, and recent wildlife encounters throughout the state. MMNS World Snake Day 2025 event details Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 Friday, June 13, 2025 Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Place: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS Admission: Covered by general museum admission Adults: $9 Seniors (60+): $8 Children (3–18): $7 Children 3 and under and MMNS Foundation members: Free Tickets: Online or at the door - Food and refreshments will be available for sale from Spotter's Snack Shack, on the grounds. Whether you are an inquisitive child, a wildlife conservationist, or just someone wanting to overcome your fear of snakes, MMNS World Snake Day presents a unique and interactive experience with some of nature's most intriguing reptiles. The event showcases the museum's ongoing passion for wildlife education, conservation, and community outreach. Also Read |
