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The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Slip, slop, slap for brain health': Australia needs a major prevention campaign for dementia, doctor says
A 'slip, slap, slop'-style preventative campaign is needed for dementia, as new research shows cases of the disease could be delayed with no added cost, a leading doctor has told the National Press Club on Wednesday. In the speech titled 'Hope Beckons', Prof Henry Brodaty, a co-director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales, said there was much more Australia could be doing to help prevent dementia in its ageing population by addressing risk factors that can be managed, such as poor diet. Australia has a 'very proud record of prevention' when it comes to health, such as the 'slip slap slop' and 'life be in it' campaigns, as well as smoking reduction and heart health awareness, Brodaty said. 'But we don't have an awareness in our community we can do the same thing for dementia, where half the risk factors for dementia is caused by environmentally modifiable factors that we can all do something about. 'We all have the power to do more exercise, to keep our brains active, keep socially connected. We can monitor and treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol. We can compensate for hearing loss. We can try to avoid obesity. We can reduce the risk of diabetes and head injury. We can live in environments free of air pollution. We can not smoke and avoid excess alcohol.' Brodaty told the press club 'We need the slip, slop, slap of brain health now.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email The National Dementia Action Plan 2023–2034 was released, but $166m in funding is too little for what Australia needs, he said. 'Where are the navigators to guide patients and families after a diagnosis? Think about breast cancer … We can do this too in dementia, and it can be cost neutral,' Brodaty said. A study on which Brodaty was senior author, published on Wednesday in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, found that CHeBA's internet-based dementia prevention program tailored to an individual's risk profile shows cost-effectiveness for improving cognition and reducing dementia risk. Between 2018 and 2021, the trial followed 6,104 Australians aged 55 to 77 without dementia but who carried at least two modifiable dementia risk factors such as being overweight or suffering from anxiety. CHeBA's 'Maintain Your Brain' online had coaching modules for four of these factors: physical activity, nutrition, cognitive training, and depression or anxiety. Half of the participants were assigned to the online program, where they were allocated between two to four of the modules depending on their dementia risk profile, while the other half of participants in the trial (the control group) were given access to curated but freely available information sheets regarding dementia risk reduction. After three years, the researchers analysed the differences in costs for both the direct healthcare that participants received and the program costs, and the effectiveness (cognitive outcomes and dementia risk) between the two groups. They found the participants who received the online coaching showed significant improvements in cognitive performance and greater reductions in dementia risk compared with those who received general health information alone. The difference was highly significant, which would have a 'major effect' at a population level, delaying the onset of dementia, Brodaty said. 'Every year that we can delay the onset of dementia reduces the prevalence of dementia by 10% because it pushes the disease to later in life.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion They also found there was no significant difference in cost per person over the trial period because those who participated in the program used fewer healthcare resources which offsets the cost of delivering it. The researchers noted that the online program would become cheaper per person in future because some research and development costs had already been borne. The researchers also acknowledged limitations within the study: the participants were primarily Caucasian, better educated than average and had a higher socioeconomic status than the general population. They also noted risk-reduction practices may reap greater benefits in higher-risk populations. As the study, they said, considered short-term measures of effectiveness only, 'the true long-term cost savings will only be known if the sample is followed long enough to identify whether cases of incident dementia are prevented'. Prof Scott Ayton, a director in dementia research at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, who was not involved in the research, said 'evidence accumulated over the past decade indicates that lifestyle and risk factor-targeted prevention strategies can meaningfully lessen dementia risk'. 'The large Maintain Your Brain trial stands as a leading exemplar, showing that straightforward, cost-effective, risk-factor targeted interventions can delay onset or reduce overall risk without adding pressure to the health budget,' Ayton said.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Toxic algae bloom lingers off Australia, killing marine life
SYDNEY, July 22 — A vast toxic algae bloom has sparked growing concern in Australia as it lingers off the south coast, killing hundreds of marine species and disrupting fisheries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unlocked federal funds this week to cope with the Karenia mikimotoi algae as it persists four months after first appearing. South Australia's government said it was holding an emergency meeting Tuesday to be briefed by scientists on the phenomenon. The algae, which damages the gills of fish and suffocates them, stretched across 4,400 square kilometres when it was first spotted in mid-March, according to the state government. While South Australian authorities hoped the bloom would disperse, it has instead spread across the region, the latest government update said. A marine heatwave in the area had 'largely abated', it said, but remained in some deeper waters. Beaches on wildlife-rich tourist draws such as Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula and Fleurieu Peninsula have been littered with the marine carcasses of sharks, rays, crabs and octopuses. 'It's hard to overstate the extreme severity of the algal-bloom environmental crisis in South Australia,' said marine ecologist Adriana Verges from University of New South Wales. 'We are talking about extensive mortality of nearly 500 different marine species, including key habitat-forming sponges and other invertebrates, as well as fish. It's completely devastating.' 'Red flashing warning' Karenia mikimotoi has been detected around the world, including in waters off Japan, Norway, the United States and China, since the 1930s and disrupted local tourism and fishery industries, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. Ian Mitchell, who manages a fish market in Adelaide, said some people had not caught anything since April. 'It's the worst I've ever seen it,' he told national broadcaster ABC. 'I'm speaking to fishermen on a daily basis, and I've got fishermen in tears on the phone.' The federal government announced on Monday A$14 million (RM38.6 million) in financial assistance to impacted fisheries, clean-up efforts and research into preparedness. The prime minister said a 'whole range of issues' had led to the event, including nutrient-rich floodwater runoff and above-average ocean temperatures. Historically fishing and aquaculture industries can take years to recover from these algae blooms, said Australian Marine Conservation Society chief executive Paul Gamblin. 'It's an enormous red flashing warning that climate change has arrived off Australia and it is having enormous impacts,' he told AFP. South Australia has not previously experienced a toxic algae bloom of this scale or duration. Local authorities have urged beachgoers to avoid swimming in water that is discoloured or foamy, warning that it can irritate the skin and affect breathing. Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and duration of marine heatwaves across Australia, which significantly affects marine ecosystems. — AFP
CNA
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Albanese's China visit signals trade-led reset: Professor
Weihuan Zhou, Professor at the Faculty of Law and Justice at the University of New South Wales, tells CNA that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recent visit to China highlights a renewed focus on economic cooperation despite previous tensions and strategic concerns.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Cyborg Beetles Could Be Unlikely Heroes in Future Disaster Rescues
Disaster victims trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building or mine may one day be rescued by a tiny and unlikely savior: a beetle with a backpack. Researchers have made major strides in cyborg technology, creating a breed of cyborg beetles that can climb walls, obstacles, and sloped surfaces while being remotely guided by a video game controller. Called "ZoBorgs," the cyborg beetles are a collaborative effort between The University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales, both in Australia, and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. To imbue their darkling beetles (Zophobas morio) with remote control, the researchers equipped them with a microchip backpack that sends electrical signals to the beetles' antennae or forewings (elytra), prompting them to move in different directions. Related: Darkling beetles are also known as 'superworms' for the worm-like form of their larvae. These creatures may help the world in multiple ways. Culinarily, they're a rich source of fatty acids and protein, commonly consumed in countries like Mexico and Thailand. The larvae also love dining on one of the world's most prevalent plastics, polystyrene, which is used to make common conveniences like packing materials and disposable cutlery. This is not good for the beetles, but copying how they digest the substance could help us tackle the plastic waste problem. At up to 32 millimeters (1.26 inches) in body length and about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) in height, darkling beetles are small and nimble, possessing natural gifts that allow them to maneuver where robots cannot: within the tight confines of dense, jumbled rubble. Featured in Advanced Science, the new study harnesses the beetles' natural gifts and "adds programmable controls that allow for precise directional guidance, without affecting the lifespan of the beetle," says engineer Thang Vo-Doan of the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland. These programmable controls are transmitted via a beetle-backpack with electrodes that act like electrical reins. Stimulating the antennae causes the beetle to turn, decelerate, or walk backwards. Stimulating both elytra causes acceleration or forward walking, while stimulating a single elytron causes sideways movement. As a result, the ZoBorgs can cross obstacles equal to their body height with a success rate of 92 percent. They can also move from horizontal to vertical surfaces with a 71.2 percent success rate – a rate unmatched by previous cyborg insects or robots. Lachlan Fitzgerald, an engineer at The University of Queensland, explains that while "robots at this scale have made strides in locomotion, the transition from horizontal surfaces to walls remains a formidable challenge for them." But not so for the ZoBorgs. Plus, using beetles means that researchers do not have to design actuators, sensors, or control systems – the beetles are already naturally equipped by many millions of years of evolutionary adaptations. These climbing adaptations include flexible, adhesive footpads, gripping claws, and rigid but agile body structures. In combination with their antennae, insects use sensors in their legs and mechanoreceptors in their exoskeletons to sense physical stimuli, such as surface textures and vibrations. Future advances may focus on improving the beetles' climbing ability and autonomy by incorporating an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that provides real-time, non-visual data like acceleration and other forces. The addition of a compact, lightweight visual camera can further boost control mechanisms, and will be necessary for identifying trapped individuals in search and rescue situations. Finally, cyborg advances described here could inspire innovations in robotics, such as the incorporation of beetle-like feelers to improve robots' navigational abilities. Notably, scientists maintained ethical practices to ensure the beetles' well-being. Compared to other animals used in research, the beetles lived in relatively ritzy conditions, sleeping on wheat-bran bedding and eating fresh apple slices. Following the experiments, they received care for the remainder of their three-month lifespans. This study demonstrates that cyborg science is making essential strides. It may not yet be the robotic organs promised by science fiction, but a cyborg beetle may be just as likely to save lives. This research is published in Advanced Science. Quantum Breakthrough Could Make Your Devices 1,000 Times Faster New Viral Indie Rock Sensation Reveals They're 100% AI ChatGPT: 5 Surprising Truths About How AI Chatbots Actually Work
DW
09-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Australia's climate visa: A model for sinking islands? – DW – 07/09/2025
As rising seas threaten to swallow the island nation of Tuvalu, Australia's "climate visa" aims to reach out to Tuvaluans, helping them make choices in the face of slow-moving disaster. In the tiny South Pacific nation of just over 10,000 people, one in three citizens has already entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia. Tuvalu is classified as being extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising seas and Funafuti, Tuvalu's capital, is a thin strip of land, with a vast lagoon on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It is home to half the country's citizens. But with rising tides and worsening climate change, flooding has become routine and scientists warn the entire island could be underwater within 35 years. For a country where 70% of people are between the ages of 15 and 64, the threat is existential. In November 2023, responding to Tuvalu's call for help, Australia signed the Falepili Union Treaty. The agreement covers climate cooperation, dignified mobility and shared security. After months of domestic consultations, the treaty is now in force. From 2025, a so-called "special mobility pathway" has opened up that allows up to 280 Tuvaluans each year to live, work or study in Australia. The treaty says it recognizes the deep ancestral ties that Tuvaluans have to the land and sea. It commits to preserving Tuvalu's statehood and sovereignty even if its land becomes uninhabitable. The treaty grants Tuvaluans "freedom for unlimited travel" to and from Australia. In a nod to regional security, Australia has also agreed to assist Tuvalu in case of a major natural disaster, a public health emergency of international concern, or military aggression. Each year, a secret ballot will select 280 people who are over the age of 18, hold a Tuvaluan passport and were either born in Tuvalu or have a parent or grandparent born there. Tuvaluans have historically relied on Australia and New Zealand for support. This program is specifically for those without comparable options. People who already hold New Zealand citizenship, for example, are ineligible — underscoring the intent of the visa to prioritize those most in need. The visa is also open to people with disabilities, chronic health conditions or special needs — categories often excluded from other Australian visas. Already more than 3,000 Tuvaluans have applied for the first round. At 280 spots per year, that means an applicant today could face a wait of over 10 years. However there is a provision in the treaty to adjust those numbers if the need arises. Most visas tie migration to work or study requirements. Until now that was true for Tuvaluans too. Under the Falepili Union Treaty, people who win the ballot can move freely, without being locked into a job or course. As Jane McAdam, a law professor and expert in refugee law at the University of New South Wales, explains, "for some people it might be an opportunity to get their children a great education in Australia. For others, it will be a job opportunity, maybe sending remittances home." McAdam welcomes the scheme, calling it a reliable safety net for Tuvaluans. The permanent residency path comes with benefits such as subsidized education, medical insurance, disability insurance, family tax benefits, childcare subsidies and youth allowances. Traditionally climate disasters have fallen into a legal gap. For example, almost 30 years ago Australia's High Court ruled that those fleeing natural catastrophes could not qualify as refugees. The lack of international recognition continues to have consequences, as a 2022 case in New Zealand showed: A deaf Tuvaluan man argued he could not safely return home because he would not hear evacuation warnings during disasters. Yet the courts denied him protection. In the past year, Tuvalu experienced at least two major weather-related disasters: drought and flooding. Kamal Amakrane, who heads the UN's Global Centre for Climate Mobility, says the Falepili Union Treaty marks a shift in responses to climate change refugees. "This isn't a visa for climate refugees," he explains. "It's a climate mobility pathway." Unlike refugee status, which is granted for things like forced displacement after an armed conflict or political persecution, this approach recognizes climate change as a factor. It preserves agency and dignity, giving people the time to build resilience before deciding if they need to move. Other countries tend to act only after climate disasters strike. Argentina, for instance, launched a humanitarian visa in 2023 for people in Latin America hit by climate shocks — but only once they had already been displaced. Tuvalu is not alone. The Maldives, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati face similar threats and could also benefit from regional climate-mobility frameworks. The US has long operated Compacts of Free Association with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, allowing their citizens to live and work freely in the US. But these arrangements offer little access to public benefits and expose migrants to the risks of poverty. Other regional plans are being drawn up. In 2023 ministers from African member states endorsed the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change, pledging coordinated responses for people who want or need to move due to climate change. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But at the same time, the crisis is also deepening. Between 2008 and 2018, over 80% of new disaster displacements worldwide happened in the Asia-Pacific — with Tuvalu right in the center of this risk zone. Experts argue that most people still hope to stay put if possible. "People do not want to leave the place they call home," Amakrane says. "So how do we help people stay where they belong? Enable their positive adaptation journey.'
