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The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Is your superannuation balance higher than your postcode average?
Four Hunter postcodes have a median superannuation of more than $100,000, and a surprising area has topped the list, according to recent Australian Tax Office data. The 2282 postcode topped the Hunter list with a median of $117,397, which encompasses Eleebana, Lakelands, and Warners Bay. The superannuation data is for the 2022-23 financial year, which the ATO recently released as part of its taxation statistics. The 2291 postcode of Merewether, Merewether Heights and The Junction was the second highest with $109,785, followed by 2305, which includes Kotara East, New Lambton, and New Lambton Heights, at $104,886. Wangi Wangi rounded out the top four at $103,837. Despite ranking at 23rd for median, the 2300 postcode for Newcastle, Newcastle East, Cooks Hill, Bar Beach, and The Hill topped the list for average superannuation at $317,597. University of Newcastle Associate Professor of finance Mia Pham said this was an example of income inequality. "The 2300 covers inner-city Newcastle, and we can see that this area has a diverse mix of professionals, and we also have students, renters, and retirees," she said. "So the fact that it ranks high in average superannuation, but low in median tells us there's a wide gap between the top and the bottom. "It could be that a few individuals have very large super balances. For example, older professionals or those people that have a high income and it can skew the average upward." The 2291 postcode was second-highest for average at $310,451, while Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point's postcode of 2317 was third highest at $248,851. Low-socioeconomic areas like Windale were on the other end of the scale. The 2306 postcode had a median superannuation of $17,467 and an average of $51,658. Associate Professor Pham said factors such as average income, employment and age played a role in an area's superannuation spread. "Many residents may work in casual or part-time roles, which don't always come with consistent super contribution," she said. "Areas with a younger population have less time to accumulate the super." The 2308 postcode, made up entirely of the University of Newcastle campus, had a median super of $1220 and an average of $12,160. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents also face systemic barriers to wealth building, Associate Professor Pham said. "Another thing is the culture and social factor, because some people, let's say, the migrant population, they may have a lower balance because they just recently joined the workforce," she said. The option to access superannuation during the pandemic was also more commonly used by people who were on lower incomes or in financial distress, creating a further divide, Associate Professor Pham said. She said the impact of withdrawing super early may be larger than people expect. "So let's say if a person withdraws about $20,000 at the age of 30, and if that money had stayed and earned a 7 per cent annual return, it could have rolled to over $150,000 by the age of 60, and by the age of 67, it's going to be more than $200,000," she said. "So you can see that's a huge shortfall and it's entirely due to missing out on decades of compounding. "I think early withdrawal was something people had to do, but it's going to be a really high price that they have to pay later in life and especially for those who already face the financial disadvantages." The Association of Super Funds Australia recommends couples need $690,000 to comfortably retire on, while single people need $595,000. That number assumes the person owns their home and receives some support from the age pension. Associate Professor Pham said it also varied depending on different factors. For example, people in regional areas may need less than those in capital cities. The estimate has increased from $500,000 for a single and about $580,000 for a couple 10 years ago. Associate Professor Pham believed there should be more financial literacy to educate people about superannuation and address economic inequality. "Many people do not understand how superannuation works," she said. "They may not understand about the tax benefit of voluntary contributions or the compounding power of the investment. "Sometimes they just consider super as set and forget. Studies show that many people don't know that the super fund they belong to performed very poorly, and they never change the fund." The federal government has recently introduced initiatives to help bridge the gap, such as a tax on high-value accounts and a superannuation guarantee on parental leave. Associate Professor Pham said those initiatives would make a difference, but that she would also like to see more regulation that encouraged employees to make voluntary contributions, particularly those on lower incomes. Four Hunter postcodes have a median superannuation of more than $100,000, and a surprising area has topped the list, according to recent Australian Tax Office data. The 2282 postcode topped the Hunter list with a median of $117,397, which encompasses Eleebana, Lakelands, and Warners Bay. The superannuation data is for the 2022-23 financial year, which the ATO recently released as part of its taxation statistics. The 2291 postcode of Merewether, Merewether Heights and The Junction was the second highest with $109,785, followed by 2305, which includes Kotara East, New Lambton, and New Lambton Heights, at $104,886. Wangi Wangi rounded out the top four at $103,837. Despite ranking at 23rd for median, the 2300 postcode for Newcastle, Newcastle East, Cooks Hill, Bar Beach, and The Hill topped the list for average superannuation at $317,597. University of Newcastle Associate Professor of finance Mia Pham said this was an example of income inequality. "The 2300 covers inner-city Newcastle, and we can see that this area has a diverse mix of professionals, and we also have students, renters, and retirees," she said. "So the fact that it ranks high in average superannuation, but low in median tells us there's a wide gap between the top and the bottom. "It could be that a few individuals have very large super balances. For example, older professionals or those people that have a high income and it can skew the average upward." The 2291 postcode was second-highest for average at $310,451, while Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point's postcode of 2317 was third highest at $248,851. Low-socioeconomic areas like Windale were on the other end of the scale. The 2306 postcode had a median superannuation of $17,467 and an average of $51,658. Associate Professor Pham said factors such as average income, employment and age played a role in an area's superannuation spread. "Many residents may work in casual or part-time roles, which don't always come with consistent super contribution," she said. "Areas with a younger population have less time to accumulate the super." The 2308 postcode, made up entirely of the University of Newcastle campus, had a median super of $1220 and an average of $12,160. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents also face systemic barriers to wealth building, Associate Professor Pham said. "Another thing is the culture and social factor, because some people, let's say, the migrant population, they may have a lower balance because they just recently joined the workforce," she said. The option to access superannuation during the pandemic was also more commonly used by people who were on lower incomes or in financial distress, creating a further divide, Associate Professor Pham said. She said the impact of withdrawing super early may be larger than people expect. "So let's say if a person withdraws about $20,000 at the age of 30, and if that money had stayed and earned a 7 per cent annual return, it could have rolled to over $150,000 by the age of 60, and by the age of 67, it's going to be more than $200,000," she said. "So you can see that's a huge shortfall and it's entirely due to missing out on decades of compounding. "I think early withdrawal was something people had to do, but it's going to be a really high price that they have to pay later in life and especially for those who already face the financial disadvantages." The Association of Super Funds Australia recommends couples need $690,000 to comfortably retire on, while single people need $595,000. That number assumes the person owns their home and receives some support from the age pension. Associate Professor Pham said it also varied depending on different factors. For example, people in regional areas may need less than those in capital cities. The estimate has increased from $500,000 for a single and about $580,000 for a couple 10 years ago. Associate Professor Pham believed there should be more financial literacy to educate people about superannuation and address economic inequality. "Many people do not understand how superannuation works," she said. "They may not understand about the tax benefit of voluntary contributions or the compounding power of the investment. "Sometimes they just consider super as set and forget. Studies show that many people don't know that the super fund they belong to performed very poorly, and they never change the fund." The federal government has recently introduced initiatives to help bridge the gap, such as a tax on high-value accounts and a superannuation guarantee on parental leave. Associate Professor Pham said those initiatives would make a difference, but that she would also like to see more regulation that encouraged employees to make voluntary contributions, particularly those on lower incomes. Four Hunter postcodes have a median superannuation of more than $100,000, and a surprising area has topped the list, according to recent Australian Tax Office data. The 2282 postcode topped the Hunter list with a median of $117,397, which encompasses Eleebana, Lakelands, and Warners Bay. The superannuation data is for the 2022-23 financial year, which the ATO recently released as part of its taxation statistics. The 2291 postcode of Merewether, Merewether Heights and The Junction was the second highest with $109,785, followed by 2305, which includes Kotara East, New Lambton, and New Lambton Heights, at $104,886. Wangi Wangi rounded out the top four at $103,837. Despite ranking at 23rd for median, the 2300 postcode for Newcastle, Newcastle East, Cooks Hill, Bar Beach, and The Hill topped the list for average superannuation at $317,597. University of Newcastle Associate Professor of finance Mia Pham said this was an example of income inequality. "The 2300 covers inner-city Newcastle, and we can see that this area has a diverse mix of professionals, and we also have students, renters, and retirees," she said. "So the fact that it ranks high in average superannuation, but low in median tells us there's a wide gap between the top and the bottom. "It could be that a few individuals have very large super balances. For example, older professionals or those people that have a high income and it can skew the average upward." The 2291 postcode was second-highest for average at $310,451, while Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point's postcode of 2317 was third highest at $248,851. Low-socioeconomic areas like Windale were on the other end of the scale. The 2306 postcode had a median superannuation of $17,467 and an average of $51,658. Associate Professor Pham said factors such as average income, employment and age played a role in an area's superannuation spread. "Many residents may work in casual or part-time roles, which don't always come with consistent super contribution," she said. "Areas with a younger population have less time to accumulate the super." The 2308 postcode, made up entirely of the University of Newcastle campus, had a median super of $1220 and an average of $12,160. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents also face systemic barriers to wealth building, Associate Professor Pham said. "Another thing is the culture and social factor, because some people, let's say, the migrant population, they may have a lower balance because they just recently joined the workforce," she said. The option to access superannuation during the pandemic was also more commonly used by people who were on lower incomes or in financial distress, creating a further divide, Associate Professor Pham said. She said the impact of withdrawing super early may be larger than people expect. "So let's say if a person withdraws about $20,000 at the age of 30, and if that money had stayed and earned a 7 per cent annual return, it could have rolled to over $150,000 by the age of 60, and by the age of 67, it's going to be more than $200,000," she said. "So you can see that's a huge shortfall and it's entirely due to missing out on decades of compounding. "I think early withdrawal was something people had to do, but it's going to be a really high price that they have to pay later in life and especially for those who already face the financial disadvantages." The Association of Super Funds Australia recommends couples need $690,000 to comfortably retire on, while single people need $595,000. That number assumes the person owns their home and receives some support from the age pension. Associate Professor Pham said it also varied depending on different factors. For example, people in regional areas may need less than those in capital cities. The estimate has increased from $500,000 for a single and about $580,000 for a couple 10 years ago. Associate Professor Pham believed there should be more financial literacy to educate people about superannuation and address economic inequality. "Many people do not understand how superannuation works," she said. "They may not understand about the tax benefit of voluntary contributions or the compounding power of the investment. "Sometimes they just consider super as set and forget. Studies show that many people don't know that the super fund they belong to performed very poorly, and they never change the fund." The federal government has recently introduced initiatives to help bridge the gap, such as a tax on high-value accounts and a superannuation guarantee on parental leave. Associate Professor Pham said those initiatives would make a difference, but that she would also like to see more regulation that encouraged employees to make voluntary contributions, particularly those on lower incomes. Four Hunter postcodes have a median superannuation of more than $100,000, and a surprising area has topped the list, according to recent Australian Tax Office data. The 2282 postcode topped the Hunter list with a median of $117,397, which encompasses Eleebana, Lakelands, and Warners Bay. The superannuation data is for the 2022-23 financial year, which the ATO recently released as part of its taxation statistics. The 2291 postcode of Merewether, Merewether Heights and The Junction was the second highest with $109,785, followed by 2305, which includes Kotara East, New Lambton, and New Lambton Heights, at $104,886. Wangi Wangi rounded out the top four at $103,837. Despite ranking at 23rd for median, the 2300 postcode for Newcastle, Newcastle East, Cooks Hill, Bar Beach, and The Hill topped the list for average superannuation at $317,597. University of Newcastle Associate Professor of finance Mia Pham said this was an example of income inequality. "The 2300 covers inner-city Newcastle, and we can see that this area has a diverse mix of professionals, and we also have students, renters, and retirees," she said. "So the fact that it ranks high in average superannuation, but low in median tells us there's a wide gap between the top and the bottom. "It could be that a few individuals have very large super balances. For example, older professionals or those people that have a high income and it can skew the average upward." The 2291 postcode was second-highest for average at $310,451, while Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point's postcode of 2317 was third highest at $248,851. Low-socioeconomic areas like Windale were on the other end of the scale. The 2306 postcode had a median superannuation of $17,467 and an average of $51,658. Associate Professor Pham said factors such as average income, employment and age played a role in an area's superannuation spread. "Many residents may work in casual or part-time roles, which don't always come with consistent super contribution," she said. "Areas with a younger population have less time to accumulate the super." The 2308 postcode, made up entirely of the University of Newcastle campus, had a median super of $1220 and an average of $12,160. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents also face systemic barriers to wealth building, Associate Professor Pham said. "Another thing is the culture and social factor, because some people, let's say, the migrant population, they may have a lower balance because they just recently joined the workforce," she said. The option to access superannuation during the pandemic was also more commonly used by people who were on lower incomes or in financial distress, creating a further divide, Associate Professor Pham said. She said the impact of withdrawing super early may be larger than people expect. "So let's say if a person withdraws about $20,000 at the age of 30, and if that money had stayed and earned a 7 per cent annual return, it could have rolled to over $150,000 by the age of 60, and by the age of 67, it's going to be more than $200,000," she said. "So you can see that's a huge shortfall and it's entirely due to missing out on decades of compounding. "I think early withdrawal was something people had to do, but it's going to be a really high price that they have to pay later in life and especially for those who already face the financial disadvantages." The Association of Super Funds Australia recommends couples need $690,000 to comfortably retire on, while single people need $595,000. That number assumes the person owns their home and receives some support from the age pension. Associate Professor Pham said it also varied depending on different factors. For example, people in regional areas may need less than those in capital cities. The estimate has increased from $500,000 for a single and about $580,000 for a couple 10 years ago. Associate Professor Pham believed there should be more financial literacy to educate people about superannuation and address economic inequality. "Many people do not understand how superannuation works," she said. "They may not understand about the tax benefit of voluntary contributions or the compounding power of the investment. "Sometimes they just consider super as set and forget. Studies show that many people don't know that the super fund they belong to performed very poorly, and they never change the fund." The federal government has recently introduced initiatives to help bridge the gap, such as a tax on high-value accounts and a superannuation guarantee on parental leave. Associate Professor Pham said those initiatives would make a difference, but that she would also like to see more regulation that encouraged employees to make voluntary contributions, particularly those on lower incomes.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mineral v chemical sunscreen: Which one should you be using?
Some people are trading chemical sunscreens in favour of mineral versions because of fears over toxicity, pollution and effectiveness. Is there actually any difference? Mineral sunscreen is having a moment. Amid concerns that so-called "chemical" sunscreens may be bad for our bodies, brains, and even coral reefs, mineral-based formulations have become the fastest-growing share of the global sunscreen market. But debates over "chemical" versus "mineral" sunscreens are riddled with misconceptions. Many commonly repeated claims – such as mineral sunscreens not containing chemicals; that chemical sunscreens have been proven harmful; or that chemical sunscreens absorb UV, while mineral ones only reflect it – are misleading, even false. The confusion begins with terminology. "Everything is a chemical," points out Brian Diffey, emeritus professor of photobiology in dermatological sciences at the UK's University of Newcastle and inventor of sunscreen's UVA star rating. What people call "chemical" filters are more accurately termed organic, since they contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, says Diffey. Inorganic filters (often called mineral), primarily titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, lack those bonds. All are chemicals. Seeking to protect our skin and bodies from the Sun is not a new trend – nor are sunscreens, organic or inorganic. Ancient Mesopotamians used umbrellas; ancient Greeks, wide-brimmed hats. Along with various coverings, people applied concoctions to the body. In Africa, the use of ochre-based pastes, still used as sunscreen by people such as the Himba in Namibia, dates back at least 285,000 years, while the Roman writer Cornelius Celsus advised slathering the skin with olive oil. It wasn't until the 19th Century, however, that scientists discovered ultra-violet radiation (UVR) – and realised that some ingredients, like quinine sulphate (derived from a tree bark), could absorb it. Scientists duly recommended it as a sunscreen. By 1930, researchers had found a number of other ingredients that absorbed UVR, including aesculin (from trees such as horse chestnut) and larch bark tannin. Though they wouldn't meet today's SPF standards, in terms of how they protected the skin, they all were organic ("chemical") sunscreens. Later, dozens of other ingredients were added to this list – including those produced by mixing together different substances in a laboratory to induce a chemical reaction. Often referred to as "synthetic chemicals", these types of ingredients – including avobenzone, oxybenzone, octisalate and octinoxate – have been found to absorb UV rays far more effectively than their predecessors. Another type of sunscreen came to market, too: "mineral" sunscreens. While they might seem more "natural", the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in today's sunscreens are usually lab-produced. The great deflection debate At first, it was thought that organic sunscreens absorbed UVR, while inorganic sunscreens physically reflected and scattered UVR away from the skin – a belief that was perpetuated further in a 1970s United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monograph. This idea is still commonly heard today, including from seemingly authoritative sources. It also is partly why inorganic sunscreens sometimes are also called "physical sunscreens", implying that they block out UV rays like an umbrella deflects raindrops. "People say that mineral or inorganic sunscreens reflect ultraviolet radiation," says Antony Young, professor emeritus of experimental photobiology at King's College London and a lifelong researcher of sunscreen efficacy. "And that's not true." In fact, modern titanium dioxide and zinc oxide only reflect or scatter 4-5% of the UV range, an authoritative, peer-reviewed 2015 study found. They absorb the other 95%. Indeed, scientists have been aware that inorganic sunscreens absorb UV since the 1980s – so much so that the authors of the 2015 study already seemed exasperated with having to provide even further proof. Their study emphasised "yet again", they wrote, "that the true function of these insoluble 'physical' or 'mineral' UV filters is in fact identical to that of the soluble 'chemical' UV filters. "These data indicate clearly that these filters act primarily as UV-absorbing materials, and not as UV-scattering or UV-reflecting materials." They're not even actually "reflecting" that 5%, adds Diffey: "They scatter it." UV rays aren't bounced off the surface of the inorganic particles. Instead, he says, "the light rays go into the medium. They bounce around from the atoms or molecules. Some of them then will come back out again. And that's called scattering." Meanwhile, many sunscreens, even some marketed as "mineral", use both organic and inorganic UV filters. But in general, experts say, whether a UV filter works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UVR doesn't really matter. The amount of heat generated in the skin by absorption is negligible – and a tiny fraction of the heat generated from the Sun's exposure itself. Ultimately, says Mary Sommerlad, a consultant dermatologist based in London and British Skin Foundation spokesperson: "You don't need to decide whether you want your UV energy to be absorbed or reflected, because they're working in pretty much the same way." That is, by reducing how much UVR your skin absorbs to protect it from damage and risk of developing cancer. Particles and solutions If organic and inorganic sunscreens work so similarly, why do they feel different? It comes down to solubility. Most organic filters are soluble, meaning their active ingredients can be dissolved in a medium like water or oil. Inorganic sunscreens are not: their particles remain intact. As a result, inorganic sunscreens can feel thicker and give a white cast, while organic filters can provide smoother, clearer formulations. As chemistry advances have shrunk inorganic particle sizes down, the white-cast effect has decreased. These "nanoparticles" (less than 100nm in size) of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have led to their own set of concerns around skin penetration. But even this minuscule particle size doesn't penetrate more than the stratum corneum – the outermost skin layer – thus preventing systemic absorption. Most organic UV filters operate at the surface of the skin, too. Because sunburns develop at the upper layers of the skin, a UV filter must bind to the stratum corneum in order to work, say experts. Like inorganic sunscreens, therefore, organic sunscreens absorb the vast majority of UV at the skin's surface. But it is true that some organic filters are systemically absorbed. "Some active ingredients will find their way through to the bloodstream," says Diffey. "Whether or not that's doing us any harm or not remains to be seen." So far, there isn't good evidence that it is. The vast majority of research finding risks of chemicals like oxybenzone has been performed on animals, using massive amounts. In one 2001 study that sparked concern about endocrine disruption, for example, baby rats were fed extremely large quantities of UV filters like oxybenzone for four days. Those that consumed oxybenzone had uteruses that were 23% larger than rats that didn't. But when later researchers put these numbers into perspective, they found that – to reach the same systemic concentration of oxybenzone the rats had – a human would need to apply a 6% oxybenzone sunscreen every day… for 277 years. Why are animals exposed to so much of a particular ingredient? Because it helps scientists determine the potential safety limit. "The reason for these studies is to determine how much is safe," says Michelle Wong, chemist and author of the book The Science of Beauty who frequently tackles sunscreen myths online. As a result, "they are always looking for an effect. They will generally use a large enough amount of the ingredient… to elicit some sort of effect. "If they don't, then they don't know where the line is." So far, the threshold at which the ingredients pose a risk seems to be many times higher than the quantity in which people are using them. One scientific review published earlier this year found no evidence that UV filters like avobenzone and homosalate can damage DNA or cause cancer in humans – and that blood levels of these chemicals from topical sunscreen are far below the amount at which they might have an effect. In one 2004 study, for example, 32 people applied creams made up of 10% oxybenzone. Four hours after application, both men and women had slightly lower levels of testosterone. But after just four days of application, the differences between the appliers and the control group disappeared – leading the researchers to conclude that differences in the hormones weren't actually from the sunscreen itself. Even so, because ingredients like avobenzone are absorbed into the bloodstream, out of caution regulators like the FDA have requested more safety data from manufacturers. More like this:• Sunscreen: Are you using it correctly?• Sunscreens: Safe or toxic?• Why sunscreen is not enough to prevent sunburn The effects of organic filters on the environment – particularly coral reefs – are a little more unclear. Studies that have raised concerns have mostly been lab-based experiments; real-world impacts may be different. One study, for example, found that while UV filters were detected in the seawater across 19 tourist hotspots in Hawaii, 12 locations showed less than 10 parts per trillion of oxybenzone – the equivalent of 10 drops in a water-filled football stadium. The area with the highest concentration, Waikiki Beach, had 136 parts per trillion. All were at levels far below the concentration at which the lab-based studies found damage to coral reefs. However, in 2018 Hawaii made the move to ban the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. "If you have places with a high load of tourists going in, it is not unreasonable to stay cautious and say, 'Yes, there may be additive effects'," marine scientist Jorg Wiedenmann said at the time. Still, while much of the focus regarding coral toxicity has been on organic UV filters, inorganic UV filters may have an effect too. Meanwhile, some marine biologists point out that the far larger (and better-proven) threat to corals is climate change – and that the biggest bleaching events have been in places without tourists. While scientists haven't yet proven any concrete, adverse effects to humans of using organic (or inorganic) sunscreens, aside from occasional side effects like allergic reactions, we can't say the same of excessive UV exposure. At worst, it can lead to skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in countries including the US and the UK. If it spreads, the deadliest type, melanoma, has only a 35% five-year survival rate. This is why the best sunscreen, experts say, is one you are happy to use. For some people, that is a sunscreen that is smoother, clearer and absorbs more quickly. For others, that might be a sunscreen that has fewer toxicology concerns, no matter how theoretical. "SPF is SPF," says Young. "It doesn't really matter what the ingredients are." -- For trusted insights into better health and wellbeing rooted in science, sign up to the Health Fix newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights. 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Sky News
18-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Babies born with DNA from three people in the UK - to prevent 'devastating' illness with no cure
Eight babies have been born in the UK with DNA from three people following a procedure to eliminate an incurable inherited disease. It is a major advance for the technique, called mitochondrial donation therapy, designed to prevent a life-limiting, often fatal illness caused by genetic mutations in the structures that generate energy in all our cells. It is also a test of the UK's permissive but highly regulated stance on human embryo research that allowed a technique once criticised for creating "three-parent babies" to proceed. The babies, four girls and four boys - two of them identical twins - were all born in the last five years and are healthy, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "It's a great success for these families," said Sir Doug Turnbull, emeritus professor at the University of Newcastle, who helped pioneer the treatment. "This is a devastating disease with no cure and without this technique, they would not feel that their families were free of mitochondrial disease. This gives them that opportunity." Mitochondrial disease affects around one in 5,000 babies born in the UK. Depending on the number and type of mutations in their mitochondria, the severity and type of disease can vary, but includes neurological, metabolic and developmental disorders. Only women at high risk of passing on severe disease qualify for the procedure, provided though a specialist facility at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The identities of the seven families and their babies are being withheld, but a mother of one of the baby boys speaking anonymously said: "The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude." How does the technique work? The procedure involves removing the genetic information from an affected mother's fertilised embryo before inserting it into one from a healthy female donor, from which the genetic information has been removed. Crucially, the hundreds of thousands of diseased mitochondria are left behind, leaving the new embryo with healthy ones present in the donor embryo. Mitochondria contain a tiny amount of their own unique genetic code, so the resulting babies carry DNA from three different people. But because it represents just 0.02% of our total DNA and has no bearing on genetic traits we inherit from our parents, researchers behind the technique, have never liked the "three-parent" moniker. However, the technique - whatever you choose to call it - isn't perfect. A total of 22 women underwent the procedure but only seven became pregnant, resulting in eight births - a 36% success rate. Five of the eight babies were born with no trace of disease. But tests on the other three revealed a small percentage of mutated mitochondria had been carried over during the procedure. While they are at levels too low to cause mitochondrial disease, the babies will require careful follow-ups to ensure they continue to develop normally. "We have designed a study specifically for that purpose," said Professor Bobby McFarland, who leads the service in Newcastle. "That's what is unique about us offering this in Newcastle because there isn't anywhere else in the world that's doing this in a regulated way." While there's good reason to expect the children will develop normally, the procedure does take medicine into new territory. Because mitochondria contain their own genetic code, girls born via the technique - carrying those from the healthy donor - will pass that on to any children they may have in future. Changing the "germ-line" in such a way has raised ethical concerns. But for seven new families, and more to follow, the procedure promises to cure a disease that has affected their families for generations.
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'I only ever wanted to be a lawyer': Ellie's graduated with her dream degree
WHEN Ellie Jones was in high school, her careers advisor told her she shouldn't go into law because it was known to be a male-dominated field. But she always knew she could do anything if she put her mind to it. "I've only ever wanted to be a lawyer," she said. On Thursday, July 17, the now 23-year-old crossed the stage of Newcastle City Hall to receive her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts degree. "I am beyond excited, it's been a long haul so I'm really stoked," she said. Ms Jones majored in human geography and environment, adding a bit of "colour" to her degree. "You have to do a double degree, so doing arts was just something that was a little bit different to law that's quite black and white," she said. As part of her studies, she and her dad worked as facilitators in the Daughters and Dads program, helping local families encourage fathers to support their daughters' interest in sport and boost female participation at the community level. "Not only did it bring me so much joy, but it gave me a different perspective on advocacy within the community," she said. Ms Jones has always played high-level football and said it was nice to talk to primary school aged girls about the fact they shouldn't feel excluded in sports. "It was really nice to have the opportunity to do something like daughters and dads and the whole motto is colours are for everyone, sports are for everyone, careers are for everyone," she said. She said being a woman in a male-dominated field didn't scare her. Ms Jones was admitted as a solicitor in September and offered a role at Rankin Ellison Lawyers, where she had been working as a legal assistant for the past three years. "When I speak to people about law I try and not make it so hard and complex to understand. I try and make it a little bit more accessible. I'm excited to keep learning and to keep growing in the role," she said. Ms Jones celebrated her education milestone with her family and fiance with lunch at Scratchleys following her ceremony. More than 1200 University of Newcastle students were expected to graduate across nine ceremonies from July 16 to 18. The ceremonies have been held at city hall to mark 60 years of the university becoming autonomous and it reaching 200,000 graduates. Students from the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing are due to graduate at the last day of ceremonies on Friday, July 18. WHEN Ellie Jones was in high school, her careers advisor told her she shouldn't go into law because it was known to be a male-dominated field. But she always knew she could do anything if she put her mind to it. "I've only ever wanted to be a lawyer," she said. On Thursday, July 17, the now 23-year-old crossed the stage of Newcastle City Hall to receive her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts degree. "I am beyond excited, it's been a long haul so I'm really stoked," she said. Ms Jones majored in human geography and environment, adding a bit of "colour" to her degree. "You have to do a double degree, so doing arts was just something that was a little bit different to law that's quite black and white," she said. As part of her studies, she and her dad worked as facilitators in the Daughters and Dads program, helping local families encourage fathers to support their daughters' interest in sport and boost female participation at the community level. "Not only did it bring me so much joy, but it gave me a different perspective on advocacy within the community," she said. Ms Jones has always played high-level football and said it was nice to talk to primary school aged girls about the fact they shouldn't feel excluded in sports. "It was really nice to have the opportunity to do something like daughters and dads and the whole motto is colours are for everyone, sports are for everyone, careers are for everyone," she said. She said being a woman in a male-dominated field didn't scare her. Ms Jones was admitted as a solicitor in September and offered a role at Rankin Ellison Lawyers, where she had been working as a legal assistant for the past three years. "When I speak to people about law I try and not make it so hard and complex to understand. I try and make it a little bit more accessible. I'm excited to keep learning and to keep growing in the role," she said. Ms Jones celebrated her education milestone with her family and fiance with lunch at Scratchleys following her ceremony. More than 1200 University of Newcastle students were expected to graduate across nine ceremonies from July 16 to 18. The ceremonies have been held at city hall to mark 60 years of the university becoming autonomous and it reaching 200,000 graduates. Students from the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing are due to graduate at the last day of ceremonies on Friday, July 18. WHEN Ellie Jones was in high school, her careers advisor told her she shouldn't go into law because it was known to be a male-dominated field. But she always knew she could do anything if she put her mind to it. "I've only ever wanted to be a lawyer," she said. On Thursday, July 17, the now 23-year-old crossed the stage of Newcastle City Hall to receive her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts degree. "I am beyond excited, it's been a long haul so I'm really stoked," she said. Ms Jones majored in human geography and environment, adding a bit of "colour" to her degree. "You have to do a double degree, so doing arts was just something that was a little bit different to law that's quite black and white," she said. As part of her studies, she and her dad worked as facilitators in the Daughters and Dads program, helping local families encourage fathers to support their daughters' interest in sport and boost female participation at the community level. "Not only did it bring me so much joy, but it gave me a different perspective on advocacy within the community," she said. Ms Jones has always played high-level football and said it was nice to talk to primary school aged girls about the fact they shouldn't feel excluded in sports. "It was really nice to have the opportunity to do something like daughters and dads and the whole motto is colours are for everyone, sports are for everyone, careers are for everyone," she said. She said being a woman in a male-dominated field didn't scare her. Ms Jones was admitted as a solicitor in September and offered a role at Rankin Ellison Lawyers, where she had been working as a legal assistant for the past three years. "When I speak to people about law I try and not make it so hard and complex to understand. I try and make it a little bit more accessible. I'm excited to keep learning and to keep growing in the role," she said. Ms Jones celebrated her education milestone with her family and fiance with lunch at Scratchleys following her ceremony. More than 1200 University of Newcastle students were expected to graduate across nine ceremonies from July 16 to 18. The ceremonies have been held at city hall to mark 60 years of the university becoming autonomous and it reaching 200,000 graduates. Students from the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing are due to graduate at the last day of ceremonies on Friday, July 18. WHEN Ellie Jones was in high school, her careers advisor told her she shouldn't go into law because it was known to be a male-dominated field. But she always knew she could do anything if she put her mind to it. "I've only ever wanted to be a lawyer," she said. On Thursday, July 17, the now 23-year-old crossed the stage of Newcastle City Hall to receive her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts degree. "I am beyond excited, it's been a long haul so I'm really stoked," she said. Ms Jones majored in human geography and environment, adding a bit of "colour" to her degree. "You have to do a double degree, so doing arts was just something that was a little bit different to law that's quite black and white," she said. As part of her studies, she and her dad worked as facilitators in the Daughters and Dads program, helping local families encourage fathers to support their daughters' interest in sport and boost female participation at the community level. "Not only did it bring me so much joy, but it gave me a different perspective on advocacy within the community," she said. Ms Jones has always played high-level football and said it was nice to talk to primary school aged girls about the fact they shouldn't feel excluded in sports. "It was really nice to have the opportunity to do something like daughters and dads and the whole motto is colours are for everyone, sports are for everyone, careers are for everyone," she said. She said being a woman in a male-dominated field didn't scare her. Ms Jones was admitted as a solicitor in September and offered a role at Rankin Ellison Lawyers, where she had been working as a legal assistant for the past three years. "When I speak to people about law I try and not make it so hard and complex to understand. I try and make it a little bit more accessible. I'm excited to keep learning and to keep growing in the role," she said. Ms Jones celebrated her education milestone with her family and fiance with lunch at Scratchleys following her ceremony. More than 1200 University of Newcastle students were expected to graduate across nine ceremonies from July 16 to 18. The ceremonies have been held at city hall to mark 60 years of the university becoming autonomous and it reaching 200,000 graduates. Students from the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing are due to graduate at the last day of ceremonies on Friday, July 18.
The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
'This moment belongs to all of us': university honoured with keys to the city
IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter. Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark. City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle. "The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said. "Their influence is woven through our city and communities. "Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city." University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city. "It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said. "The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story. "This moment belongs to our entire university community." From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally. More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia. The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe. Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days. Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all. A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May. It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation. Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education. "Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said. "The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today." Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community. "This is a proud moment for our institution," he said. "For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world. "We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share." The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle. The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city. IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter. Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark. City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle. "The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said. "Their influence is woven through our city and communities. "Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city." University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city. "It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said. "The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story. "This moment belongs to our entire university community." From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally. More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia. The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe. Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days. Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all. A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May. It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation. Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education. "Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said. "The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today." Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community. "This is a proud moment for our institution," he said. "For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world. "We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share." The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle. The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city. IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter. Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark. City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle. "The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said. "Their influence is woven through our city and communities. "Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city." University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city. "It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said. "The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story. "This moment belongs to our entire university community." From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally. More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia. The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe. Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days. Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all. A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May. It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation. Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education. "Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said. "The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today." Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community. "This is a proud moment for our institution," he said. "For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world. "We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share." The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle. The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city. IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter. Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark. City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle. "The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said. "Their influence is woven through our city and communities. "Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city." University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city. "It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said. "The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story. "This moment belongs to our entire university community." From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally. More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia. The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe. Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days. Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all. A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May. It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation. Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education. "Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said. "The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today." Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community. "This is a proud moment for our institution," he said. "For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world. "We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share." The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle. The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city.
