1 hour
La Cour constitutionnelle sud-coréenne a rejeté lundi la motion de destitution contre le Premier ministre Han Duck-soo, qui redevient ainsi président par intérim en attendant de connaître le sort du titulaire Yoon Suk-yeol, visé par la même procédure, a indiqué l’agence Yonhap.
La Cour constitutionnelle sud-coréenne a rejeté lundi la motion de destitution contre le Premier ministre Han Duck-soo, qui redevient ainsi président par intérim en attendant de connaître le sort du titulaire Yoon Suk-yeol, visé par la même procédure, a indiqué l’agence Yonhap.
1 hour

Disasters like Cyclone Alfred aren’t over when the debris is cleared, but there are some things you can do to help cope with the mental health toll. The waters have receded and residents are clearing the debris after Cyclone Alfred, so it’s tempting to think that communities are recovering from the latest in a string […] The post Disaster scars mount, even after the clean-up appeared first on 360.

Disasters like Cyclone Alfred aren’t over when the debris is cleared, but there are some things you can do to help cope with the mental health toll. The waters have receded and residents are clearing the debris after Cyclone Alfred, so it’s tempting to think that communities are recovering from the latest in a string […] The post Disaster scars mount, even after the clean-up appeared first on 360.
1 hour

L’estat francés es uèi la segonda poténcia mondiala dins l’indústria de l’armament, un sector estrategic que recampa d’actors de dimensions mondialas e que poiriá prene una dimension novèla amb lo plan de rearmament que l’Union Europèa es encara a desvolopar. Dins aquela indústria, Occitània jòga un ròtle màger, puèi qu’aculhís las segonda e tresena regions de l’estat francés mai implicadas: Provença-Alps-Còsta d’Azur (PACA) e Nòva Aquitània. Continua llegint

L’estat francés es uèi la segonda poténcia mondiala dins l’indústria de l’armament, un sector estrategic que recampa d’actors de dimensions mondialas e que poiriá prene una dimension novèla amb lo plan de rearmament que l’Union Europèa es encara a desvolopar. Dins aquela indústria, Occitània jòga un ròtle màger, puèi qu’aculhís las segonda e tresena regions de l’estat francés mai implicadas: Provença-Alps-Còsta d’Azur (PACA) e Nòva Aquitània. Continua llegint
1 hour
Dünýäniň dürli regionlarynda we Türkmenistanda şu günki bolan we bolup duran soňky wakalar barada gysgaça habarlar.
1 hour
Dünýäniň dürli regionlarynda we Türkmenistanda şu günki bolan we bolup duran soňky wakalar barada gysgaça habarlar.
2 hours
Irene Miller/Shutterstock Silicosis is an incurable but entirely preventable lung disease. It has only one cause: breathing in too much silica dust. This is a risk in several industries, including tunnelling, stone masonry and construction. Just last week, ABC reported that 13 workers from tunnelling projects in Sydney have been diagnosed with silicosis. It’s yet another reminder that current diagnostic methods are limited. They often detect the disease only after the lungs already have significant damage. Our new study, published in the Journal of Breath Research, provides the latest results on a breath test for detecting silicosis powered by artificial intelligence (AI). It’s non-invasive and measures dozens of molecules to identify silicosis in just minutes. The test we’ve developed achieved over 90% accuracy in differentiating silicosis patients from healthy individuals. This is better than traditional lung function tests. While our test is yet to be trialled in real-world clinics, our results so far suggest breath testing could become a crucial tool in workplace health screening. Early detection would prevent suffering and disease progression, and reduce healthcare costs. Silicosis is a growing problem – but hard to detect Currently, more workers in New South Wales, elsewhere in Australia and internationally are being diagnosed with silicosis at younger ages. The Australian government has responded by banning engineered stone, but that doesn’t address ongoing risks in other industries. Patients with silicosis often describe a feeling like they are slowly being strangled, with every breath becoming more difficult over time. In advanced stages, silicosis can be fatal unless patients can access a lung transplant. The only way to stop the progression of silicosis is removing affected workers from further silica exposure. This is why diagnosing patients in the early stages – before irreversible lung damage occurs – is critical. However, this isn’t easy to achieve. Lung function testing and chest X-rays only identify the problem once irreversible lung damage has occurred. In some cases, patients also need CT scans and invasive biopsy to confirm diagnosis. But CT scans, although much higher resolution, also rely on visible signs of silicosis. And these methods are costly and take time, making it harder to easily screen the thousands of workers who could be at risk. This is where breath testing comes in. Research team members Merryn Baker (left) and Dr Laura Capasso supervise a study participant providing a breath test sample for analysis. Richard Freeman/UNSW How breath tests can detect disease Human breath contains hundreds of volatile organic compounds – small gas molecules that come from metabolic processes in the body, as well as the environment. The composition of these molecules changes in response to physiological conditions like disease. However, volatile organic compounds are often present in extremely low concentrations – we need highly sensitive technology to detect them reliably. Our team has developed tools that can detect volatile organic compounds at concentrations as low as parts per trillion. This is equivalent to detecting a single drop of liquid diluted in multiple Olympic-sized swimming pools. This level of sensitivity allows us to identify very small biochemical changes in breath. AI is key to this approach. Our machine learning model analyses breath samples to tell apart healthy individuals and those with silicosis. This builds on our previous work using AI to analyse blood plasma for early Parkinson’s disease detection with high accuracy and interpretability, which allows us to determine the chemical features that contribute the most to model accuracy. Interpretability refers to the ability to understand and explain how the AI model arrives at its predictions, providing insights into which data inputs are most important. Now, we have applied similar methods to breath analysis. Thanks to the sensitivity of our test, we could potentially detect silicosis at very early stages. Breath samples could be collected at scale at workplaces to monitor the health of at-risk workers. Richard Freeman/UNSW How well does it work? In our new study, the breath test was trialled on 31 silicosis patients and 60 healthy controls. The AI-powered model successfully distinguished silicosis cases with over 90% accuracy. The test takes less than five minutes per sample, making it feasible for large-scale health screening. Additionally, the test doesn’t require subjects to fast or undergo any special preparation beforehand. An important question in breath analysis is whether external factors, such as diet or smoking, influence test results. Our study included smokers and non-smokers in both silicosis and healthy control groups, and the test maintained high accuracy. Our results show great promise, but there are challenges to overcome. The test relies on highly sensitive instrumentation that, while compact (less than a cubic metre), still requires technical expertise to operate. The AI-powered breath test involves specialised tools to perform the analysis. Richard Freeman/UNSW Currently, breath samples are collected in clinics and transported to a lab for analysis. We hope future iterations could allow for testing in workplace settings, creating routine screening programs. Further validation in larger, diverse worker populations is also necessary before full implementation. The next phase of research will involve refining the AI model and expanding real-world testing to thousands of silica-exposed workers who might be at risk. While routine medical evaluations will still be necessary for at-risk workers, the addition of breath analysis could enable more continuous monitoring than what is currently practical. It could help detect silicosis earlier, before the symptoms become irreversible, reducing long-term health risks. Acknowledgements: Aruvi Thiruvarudchelvan and Jeff Gordon also contributed to this research. William Alexander Donald receives funding from the Australian Research Council, iCare Dust Diseases Board, Coal Services NSW Health & Safety Trust, US National Institutes of Health and several industry research contracts. He is an advisor to Preview Health and Mass Affinity. He is president of the Australian & New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry. Deborah Yates is an occupational respiratory physician and a director of Thomas-Yates Pty Ltd, a medical services company, and an expert advisor to the Asbestos & Dust Diseases Research Institute, Concord, NSW. She is an independent director of the board of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, a global advisor to the Royal College of Physicians of London, independent member of the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council and Councillor to the Australian Society of Salaried Medical Officers (ASMOF) of NSW, the doctors' union. She acts also as an advisor to Tuberous Sclerosis Australia and LAM Australasia. She receives no funding for any of these roles. She has recently received funding for investigator-initiated grants from Boehringer Ingelheim and iCare NSW as well as the Coal Services Trust, and has previously participated in several industry initiated research studies into asthma and chronic cough. She is a member of the iCare Medical Advisory Panel. She has in the past acted in an advisory capacity and given paid lectures for Glaxo Smith Klein, Astra Zeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim. She has no shares in mining companies or pharmaceutical companies and is not a member of any political parties. Merryn Baker's PhD research was funded by UNSW through the Scientia Scheme.
Irene Miller/Shutterstock Silicosis is an incurable but entirely preventable lung disease. It has only one cause: breathing in too much silica dust. This is a risk in several industries, including tunnelling, stone masonry and construction. Just last week, ABC reported that 13 workers from tunnelling projects in Sydney have been diagnosed with silicosis. It’s yet another reminder that current diagnostic methods are limited. They often detect the disease only after the lungs already have significant damage. Our new study, published in the Journal of Breath Research, provides the latest results on a breath test for detecting silicosis powered by artificial intelligence (AI). It’s non-invasive and measures dozens of molecules to identify silicosis in just minutes. The test we’ve developed achieved over 90% accuracy in differentiating silicosis patients from healthy individuals. This is better than traditional lung function tests. While our test is yet to be trialled in real-world clinics, our results so far suggest breath testing could become a crucial tool in workplace health screening. Early detection would prevent suffering and disease progression, and reduce healthcare costs. Silicosis is a growing problem – but hard to detect Currently, more workers in New South Wales, elsewhere in Australia and internationally are being diagnosed with silicosis at younger ages. The Australian government has responded by banning engineered stone, but that doesn’t address ongoing risks in other industries. Patients with silicosis often describe a feeling like they are slowly being strangled, with every breath becoming more difficult over time. In advanced stages, silicosis can be fatal unless patients can access a lung transplant. The only way to stop the progression of silicosis is removing affected workers from further silica exposure. This is why diagnosing patients in the early stages – before irreversible lung damage occurs – is critical. However, this isn’t easy to achieve. Lung function testing and chest X-rays only identify the problem once irreversible lung damage has occurred. In some cases, patients also need CT scans and invasive biopsy to confirm diagnosis. But CT scans, although much higher resolution, also rely on visible signs of silicosis. And these methods are costly and take time, making it harder to easily screen the thousands of workers who could be at risk. This is where breath testing comes in. Research team members Merryn Baker (left) and Dr Laura Capasso supervise a study participant providing a breath test sample for analysis. Richard Freeman/UNSW How breath tests can detect disease Human breath contains hundreds of volatile organic compounds – small gas molecules that come from metabolic processes in the body, as well as the environment. The composition of these molecules changes in response to physiological conditions like disease. However, volatile organic compounds are often present in extremely low concentrations – we need highly sensitive technology to detect them reliably. Our team has developed tools that can detect volatile organic compounds at concentrations as low as parts per trillion. This is equivalent to detecting a single drop of liquid diluted in multiple Olympic-sized swimming pools. This level of sensitivity allows us to identify very small biochemical changes in breath. AI is key to this approach. Our machine learning model analyses breath samples to tell apart healthy individuals and those with silicosis. This builds on our previous work using AI to analyse blood plasma for early Parkinson’s disease detection with high accuracy and interpretability, which allows us to determine the chemical features that contribute the most to model accuracy. Interpretability refers to the ability to understand and explain how the AI model arrives at its predictions, providing insights into which data inputs are most important. Now, we have applied similar methods to breath analysis. Thanks to the sensitivity of our test, we could potentially detect silicosis at very early stages. Breath samples could be collected at scale at workplaces to monitor the health of at-risk workers. Richard Freeman/UNSW How well does it work? In our new study, the breath test was trialled on 31 silicosis patients and 60 healthy controls. The AI-powered model successfully distinguished silicosis cases with over 90% accuracy. The test takes less than five minutes per sample, making it feasible for large-scale health screening. Additionally, the test doesn’t require subjects to fast or undergo any special preparation beforehand. An important question in breath analysis is whether external factors, such as diet or smoking, influence test results. Our study included smokers and non-smokers in both silicosis and healthy control groups, and the test maintained high accuracy. Our results show great promise, but there are challenges to overcome. The test relies on highly sensitive instrumentation that, while compact (less than a cubic metre), still requires technical expertise to operate. The AI-powered breath test involves specialised tools to perform the analysis. Richard Freeman/UNSW Currently, breath samples are collected in clinics and transported to a lab for analysis. We hope future iterations could allow for testing in workplace settings, creating routine screening programs. Further validation in larger, diverse worker populations is also necessary before full implementation. The next phase of research will involve refining the AI model and expanding real-world testing to thousands of silica-exposed workers who might be at risk. While routine medical evaluations will still be necessary for at-risk workers, the addition of breath analysis could enable more continuous monitoring than what is currently practical. It could help detect silicosis earlier, before the symptoms become irreversible, reducing long-term health risks. Acknowledgements: Aruvi Thiruvarudchelvan and Jeff Gordon also contributed to this research. William Alexander Donald receives funding from the Australian Research Council, iCare Dust Diseases Board, Coal Services NSW Health & Safety Trust, US National Institutes of Health and several industry research contracts. He is an advisor to Preview Health and Mass Affinity. He is president of the Australian & New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry. Deborah Yates is an occupational respiratory physician and a director of Thomas-Yates Pty Ltd, a medical services company, and an expert advisor to the Asbestos & Dust Diseases Research Institute, Concord, NSW. She is an independent director of the board of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, a global advisor to the Royal College of Physicians of London, independent member of the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council and Councillor to the Australian Society of Salaried Medical Officers (ASMOF) of NSW, the doctors' union. She acts also as an advisor to Tuberous Sclerosis Australia and LAM Australasia. She receives no funding for any of these roles. She has recently received funding for investigator-initiated grants from Boehringer Ingelheim and iCare NSW as well as the Coal Services Trust, and has previously participated in several industry initiated research studies into asthma and chronic cough. She is a member of the iCare Medical Advisory Panel. She has in the past acted in an advisory capacity and given paid lectures for Glaxo Smith Klein, Astra Zeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim. She has no shares in mining companies or pharmaceutical companies and is not a member of any political parties. Merryn Baker's PhD research was funded by UNSW through the Scientia Scheme.
2 hours
Artikel ini untuk memperingati Hari Tuberkulosis Sedunia pada 24 Maret 2025. ● Penelitian mengungkap orang dengan kekurangan gizi berisiko lebih besar terkena TB ● Banyak pasien TB mengalami kekurangan gizi akibat kesulitan finansial ● Penanganan TB lewat pemenuhan pangan dan gizi di Indonesia harus multisektoral Sebagai negara berperingkat kedua dengan kasus tuberkulosis (TB) terbanyak di dunia, Indonesia menyumbang 10% (sekitar satu juta kasus) dari total kasus TB global. Salah satu faktor signifikan yang meningkatkan risiko seseorang mengidap penyakit infeksi akibat bakteri Mycobacterium tuberculosis ini adalah status gizi yang buruk. TB dikaitkan dengan berbagai bentuk malnutrisi, seperti kekurangan gizi (undernutrition), defisiensi mikronutrien (kekurangan vitamin dan mineral), maupun kelebihan berat badan (obesitas). Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa orang dengan kekurangan gizi berisiko tiga kali lebih besar terinfeksi TB. Kekurangan gizi perbesar risiko TB Kondisi kekurangan energi dan zat gizi penting yang dibutuhkan tubuh bisa melemahkan imunitas seluler (respons kekebalan yang libatkan sel T, makrofag, dan NK sel) yang berperan penting melawan bakteri penyebab TB. Akibatnya, orang dengan kekurangan gizi rentan mengalami tuberkulosis. Di sisi lain, TB bisa memicu dan memperburuk kondisi kekurangan gizi. Infeksi ini menyebabkan orang dengan tuberkulosis mengalami penurunan berat badan yang signfikan. Penurunan berat badan dapat meningkatkan risiko efek samping pengobatan, salah satunya hepatotoksisitas (kerusakan sel-sel hati akibat senyawa toksik) yang pada akhirnya bisa mengurangi efektivitas pengobatan. Defisiensi mikronutrien juga umum terjadi pada penderita TB, meskipun hubungan sebab akibatnya belum dapat dipastikan. Sebuah studi di Indonesia menemukan bahwa pasien TB dengan kekurangan gizi cenderung memiliki kadar vitamin A dan zink yang lebih rendah. Ketahanan pangan lemah perburuk risiko TB Selain faktor fisik, TB juga bisa disebabkan oleh berbagai aspek sosial, antara lain ketidaksetaraan akses terhadap layanan kesehatan, sanitasi yang buruk, serta ketidakmampuan untuk menyediakan pangan sehat yang memadai. Sebuah studi kasus di Etiopia menunjukkan bahwa kekurangan pangan di rumah tangga meningkatkan risiko terinfeksi TB paru aktif hingga dua kali lipat. Studi lain juga menemukan bahwa hampir satu dari lima pasien TB mengalami kerawanan pangan serta tidak memiliki cukup makanan untuk dikonsumsi. Kondisi ini bisa menyebabkan kekurangan gizi dan meningkatkan risiko terkena TB. Kesulitan finansial merupakan penyebab utama pasien TB memiliki ketahanan pangan yang lemah. Di negara-negara berpenghasilan rendah dan menengah, sekitar 60% beban finansial orang dengan TB disebabkan oleh kehilangan pekerjaan. Akibatnya, sekitar setengah dari pasien TB dan keluarganya harus mengeluarkan biaya tambahan (termasuk biaya medis dan nonmedis) yang melampaui 20% pendapatan tahunan rumah tangga mereka. Bahkan di negara-negara dengan layanan pengobatan TB gratis yang dilengkapi saluran bantuan pangan, tantangan finansial masih menjadi hambatan dalam pemenuhan nutrisi yang diperlukan orang dengan tuberkulosis. Tekanan finansial mempersulit akses mereka terhadap pangan bergizi secara memadai dan pada akhirnya memperburuk kondisi malnutrisi pasien TB. Butuh pendekatan sistematis Di Indonesia, upaya penanganan tuberkulosis lewat pemenuhan pangan dan gizi perlu dilakukan secara multisektoral—yang mengintegrasikan sektor kesehatan, pertanian, dan kesejahteraan sosial. Program nasional untuk eliminasi TB dapat diintegrasikan dengan kebijakan pangan dan gizi seperti yang dilakukan di berbagai negara dan direkomendasikan oleh Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO), di antaranya: 1. Bantuan tunai dan pangan Meski penyaluran bantuan pangan mungkin tidak selalu menjadi solusi terbaik, program ini masih menjadi pendekatan utama untuk mengatasi masalah gizi pada pasien TB. Pendekatan sosial serupa sebenarnya telah diterapkan di Indonesia, melalui program cash transfer hingga food basket (keranjang pangan) yang bertujuan membantu mengatasi kerawanan pangan dan masalah gizi pasien TB. Namun, sederet program tersebut perlu dilakukan dalam kerangka sistem pangan. Tujuannya agar benar-benar bisa mengatasi kerawanan pangan dan gizi, serta memperoleh dampak positif jangka panjang. Di sinilah kolaborasi antara sektor kesehatan, bidang pertanian, dan lembaga pemerintah terkait menjadi sangat penting. 2. Gencarkan promosi dan edukasi Pemerintah perlu gencar mempromosikan praktik pertanian yang mendorong keragaman dan kualitas pangan, peningkatan akses masyarakat rentan terhadap pangan bergizi, hingga edukasi untuk mengonsumsi pangan lokal kepada masyarakat. Ini dilakukan mulai dari unit layanan masyarakat terkecil, seperti puskesmas. Tenaga kesehatan pun perlu mempertimbangkan isu kerawanan pangan dan gizi saat merawat pasien TB, agar pasien mendapatkan pelayanan kesehatan yang holistik dan komprehensif. Dengan komitmen dan usaha kolektif dari berbagai pemangku kepentingan, kita dapat memastikan setiap orang (termasuk pasien TB dan keluarganya) memiliki akses pangan bergizi, mendukung pola makan sehat, serta mengatasi tantangan sosial ekonomi yang meningkatkan risiko masalah TB. Sepriani Timurtini Limbong terafiliasi dengan foodagogik Research Institute on Food-Climate-Health Dynamics.
Artikel ini untuk memperingati Hari Tuberkulosis Sedunia pada 24 Maret 2025. ● Penelitian mengungkap orang dengan kekurangan gizi berisiko lebih besar terkena TB ● Banyak pasien TB mengalami kekurangan gizi akibat kesulitan finansial ● Penanganan TB lewat pemenuhan pangan dan gizi di Indonesia harus multisektoral Sebagai negara berperingkat kedua dengan kasus tuberkulosis (TB) terbanyak di dunia, Indonesia menyumbang 10% (sekitar satu juta kasus) dari total kasus TB global. Salah satu faktor signifikan yang meningkatkan risiko seseorang mengidap penyakit infeksi akibat bakteri Mycobacterium tuberculosis ini adalah status gizi yang buruk. TB dikaitkan dengan berbagai bentuk malnutrisi, seperti kekurangan gizi (undernutrition), defisiensi mikronutrien (kekurangan vitamin dan mineral), maupun kelebihan berat badan (obesitas). Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa orang dengan kekurangan gizi berisiko tiga kali lebih besar terinfeksi TB. Kekurangan gizi perbesar risiko TB Kondisi kekurangan energi dan zat gizi penting yang dibutuhkan tubuh bisa melemahkan imunitas seluler (respons kekebalan yang libatkan sel T, makrofag, dan NK sel) yang berperan penting melawan bakteri penyebab TB. Akibatnya, orang dengan kekurangan gizi rentan mengalami tuberkulosis. Di sisi lain, TB bisa memicu dan memperburuk kondisi kekurangan gizi. Infeksi ini menyebabkan orang dengan tuberkulosis mengalami penurunan berat badan yang signfikan. Penurunan berat badan dapat meningkatkan risiko efek samping pengobatan, salah satunya hepatotoksisitas (kerusakan sel-sel hati akibat senyawa toksik) yang pada akhirnya bisa mengurangi efektivitas pengobatan. Defisiensi mikronutrien juga umum terjadi pada penderita TB, meskipun hubungan sebab akibatnya belum dapat dipastikan. Sebuah studi di Indonesia menemukan bahwa pasien TB dengan kekurangan gizi cenderung memiliki kadar vitamin A dan zink yang lebih rendah. Ketahanan pangan lemah perburuk risiko TB Selain faktor fisik, TB juga bisa disebabkan oleh berbagai aspek sosial, antara lain ketidaksetaraan akses terhadap layanan kesehatan, sanitasi yang buruk, serta ketidakmampuan untuk menyediakan pangan sehat yang memadai. Sebuah studi kasus di Etiopia menunjukkan bahwa kekurangan pangan di rumah tangga meningkatkan risiko terinfeksi TB paru aktif hingga dua kali lipat. Studi lain juga menemukan bahwa hampir satu dari lima pasien TB mengalami kerawanan pangan serta tidak memiliki cukup makanan untuk dikonsumsi. Kondisi ini bisa menyebabkan kekurangan gizi dan meningkatkan risiko terkena TB. Kesulitan finansial merupakan penyebab utama pasien TB memiliki ketahanan pangan yang lemah. Di negara-negara berpenghasilan rendah dan menengah, sekitar 60% beban finansial orang dengan TB disebabkan oleh kehilangan pekerjaan. Akibatnya, sekitar setengah dari pasien TB dan keluarganya harus mengeluarkan biaya tambahan (termasuk biaya medis dan nonmedis) yang melampaui 20% pendapatan tahunan rumah tangga mereka. Bahkan di negara-negara dengan layanan pengobatan TB gratis yang dilengkapi saluran bantuan pangan, tantangan finansial masih menjadi hambatan dalam pemenuhan nutrisi yang diperlukan orang dengan tuberkulosis. Tekanan finansial mempersulit akses mereka terhadap pangan bergizi secara memadai dan pada akhirnya memperburuk kondisi malnutrisi pasien TB. Butuh pendekatan sistematis Di Indonesia, upaya penanganan tuberkulosis lewat pemenuhan pangan dan gizi perlu dilakukan secara multisektoral—yang mengintegrasikan sektor kesehatan, pertanian, dan kesejahteraan sosial. Program nasional untuk eliminasi TB dapat diintegrasikan dengan kebijakan pangan dan gizi seperti yang dilakukan di berbagai negara dan direkomendasikan oleh Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO), di antaranya: 1. Bantuan tunai dan pangan Meski penyaluran bantuan pangan mungkin tidak selalu menjadi solusi terbaik, program ini masih menjadi pendekatan utama untuk mengatasi masalah gizi pada pasien TB. Pendekatan sosial serupa sebenarnya telah diterapkan di Indonesia, melalui program cash transfer hingga food basket (keranjang pangan) yang bertujuan membantu mengatasi kerawanan pangan dan masalah gizi pasien TB. Namun, sederet program tersebut perlu dilakukan dalam kerangka sistem pangan. Tujuannya agar benar-benar bisa mengatasi kerawanan pangan dan gizi, serta memperoleh dampak positif jangka panjang. Di sinilah kolaborasi antara sektor kesehatan, bidang pertanian, dan lembaga pemerintah terkait menjadi sangat penting. 2. Gencarkan promosi dan edukasi Pemerintah perlu gencar mempromosikan praktik pertanian yang mendorong keragaman dan kualitas pangan, peningkatan akses masyarakat rentan terhadap pangan bergizi, hingga edukasi untuk mengonsumsi pangan lokal kepada masyarakat. Ini dilakukan mulai dari unit layanan masyarakat terkecil, seperti puskesmas. Tenaga kesehatan pun perlu mempertimbangkan isu kerawanan pangan dan gizi saat merawat pasien TB, agar pasien mendapatkan pelayanan kesehatan yang holistik dan komprehensif. Dengan komitmen dan usaha kolektif dari berbagai pemangku kepentingan, kita dapat memastikan setiap orang (termasuk pasien TB dan keluarganya) memiliki akses pangan bergizi, mendukung pola makan sehat, serta mengatasi tantangan sosial ekonomi yang meningkatkan risiko masalah TB. Sepriani Timurtini Limbong terafiliasi dengan foodagogik Research Institute on Food-Climate-Health Dynamics.
2 hours
La pérdida de masa glaciar entre 2022 y 2024 ha sido la mayor jamás registrada, lo que compromete el suministro de agua y acelera el aumento del nivel del mar.
La pérdida de masa glaciar entre 2022 y 2024 ha sido la mayor jamás registrada, lo que compromete el suministro de agua y acelera el aumento del nivel del mar.
2 hours
เสนอเหตุการณ์โลกปัจจุบัน ข่าวต่างประเทศที่สำคัญ บทวิเคราะห์ทางการเมือง รายงานวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยีการแพทย์ เรื่องของสตรี สุขภาพ การศึกษาและสังคม รายงานการบันเทิง กีฬาและวัฒนธรรมอเมริกัน รวมทั้งชีวิตคนไทยในอเมริกา
เสนอเหตุการณ์โลกปัจจุบัน ข่าวต่างประเทศที่สำคัญ บทวิเคราะห์ทางการเมือง รายงานวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยีการแพทย์ เรื่องของสตรี สุขภาพ การศึกษาและสังคม รายงานการบันเทิง กีฬาและวัฒนธรรมอเมริกัน รวมทั้งชีวิตคนไทยในอเมริกา
2 hours
(The Center Square) – One of the largest human smuggling operations in U.S. history has been dismantled by federal and local law enforcement officers. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol and Inglewood Police investigators in California launched an investigation that led to the arrests of four Guatemalan human smuggling ringleaders who were all living illegally in the U.S. They were charged and indicted on multiple counts for orchestrating what law enforcement said was one of the largest human smuggling organizations in America. They were indicted on charges of smuggling roughly 20,000 Guatemalans into the U.S. over a period of five years. Overall, the smuggling operation was active for roughly 12 years nationwide, according to a recently unsealed indictment. Authorities arrested the alleged ringleader, Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, and his alleged right-hand man, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. They were arraigned the same day, ordered jailed without bond; a trial is set for next month. Two others charged include Guatemalans Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, a lieutenant in the criminal organization who remains a fugitive, authorities said, and Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, a driver for the smuggling organization. Paxtor-Oxlaj is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma for causing a November 2023 car accident that killed seven, authorities said, including three minors in Elk City, Oklahoma. The accident occurred during a smuggling operation when he was transporting illegal foreign nationals from New York to Los Angeles, authorities said. He was arrested and charged in the Western District of Oklahoma. He had previously been removed from the U.S. in 2010 and illegally reentered as a gotaway – those who illegally enter between ports of entry and intentionally evade capture. A record more than two million gotaways illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. Each of the four Guatemalan men were charged with “conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States, transporting aliens in the United States, and harboring aliens in the United States for private financial gain and resulting in death,” according to the indictment. Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj were also charged with two counts of hostage-taking. According to the indictment, from April 2024 to July 2024, they held hostage two Guatemalan nationals who were smuggled into the U.S. who hadn’t paid their smuggling fees and allegedly threatened to kill them until third parties paid for their release. In a separate and more recent complaint, Obispo-Hernandez was charged with threatening to cut off the heads of an ICE task force officer and his family members. He allegedly made the threats after search warrants were executed at his residence. The Renoj-Matul transnational criminal organization operated for at least a dozen years, specializing in smuggling Guatemalans into the U.S., primarily transporting illegal foreign nationals from Phoenix to Los Angeles, according to the indictment. Renoj-Matual’s associates based in Guatemala allegedly solicited Guatemalans to come to the U.S., charging between $15,000 and $18,000 for each to be smuggled into the U.S., investigators say. Once they reached Mexico, Mexican cartel smugglers transported them through Mexico and across the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. They were then held hostage in stash houses in Arizona and eventually picked up by Renoj-Matul’s lieutenants, according to the indictment. For an additional fee, the smuggled Guatemalans paid to be transported throughout the U.S., including to Los Angeles. Those who couldn’t pay were allegedly held hostage in a stash house in the Westlake neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles, according to the complaint. Renoj-Matul also orchestrated a process for the human smuggling proceeds to be transported from Los Angeles to Phoenix, given to Mexican smugglers “to pay the expenses incurred by Renoj-Matul’s transnational criminal organization,” according to the complaint. If convicted of all charges, each of the four Guatemalan ringleaders face a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. Authorities also arrested two additional illegal foreign nationals and alleged lieutenants in the Renoj-Matul transnational criminal organization. Rolando Gomez-Gomez, who was previously deported, was arrested in South Los Angeles, charged with “one count of being an illegal alien found in the United States following removal.” Juan Lopez Garcia was arrested in Downtown Los Angeles on a civil removal matter. The smuggling bust occurred after a record nearly one million Guatemalans illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, The Center Square reported.
(The Center Square) – One of the largest human smuggling operations in U.S. history has been dismantled by federal and local law enforcement officers. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol and Inglewood Police investigators in California launched an investigation that led to the arrests of four Guatemalan human smuggling ringleaders who were all living illegally in the U.S. They were charged and indicted on multiple counts for orchestrating what law enforcement said was one of the largest human smuggling organizations in America. They were indicted on charges of smuggling roughly 20,000 Guatemalans into the U.S. over a period of five years. Overall, the smuggling operation was active for roughly 12 years nationwide, according to a recently unsealed indictment. Authorities arrested the alleged ringleader, Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul, and his alleged right-hand man, Cristobal Mejia-Chaj, in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. They were arraigned the same day, ordered jailed without bond; a trial is set for next month. Two others charged include Guatemalans Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, a lieutenant in the criminal organization who remains a fugitive, authorities said, and Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, a driver for the smuggling organization. Paxtor-Oxlaj is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma for causing a November 2023 car accident that killed seven, authorities said, including three minors in Elk City, Oklahoma. The accident occurred during a smuggling operation when he was transporting illegal foreign nationals from New York to Los Angeles, authorities said. He was arrested and charged in the Western District of Oklahoma. He had previously been removed from the U.S. in 2010 and illegally reentered as a gotaway – those who illegally enter between ports of entry and intentionally evade capture. A record more than two million gotaways illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. Each of the four Guatemalan men were charged with “conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States, transporting aliens in the United States, and harboring aliens in the United States for private financial gain and resulting in death,” according to the indictment. Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj were also charged with two counts of hostage-taking. According to the indictment, from April 2024 to July 2024, they held hostage two Guatemalan nationals who were smuggled into the U.S. who hadn’t paid their smuggling fees and allegedly threatened to kill them until third parties paid for their release. In a separate and more recent complaint, Obispo-Hernandez was charged with threatening to cut off the heads of an ICE task force officer and his family members. He allegedly made the threats after search warrants were executed at his residence. The Renoj-Matul transnational criminal organization operated for at least a dozen years, specializing in smuggling Guatemalans into the U.S., primarily transporting illegal foreign nationals from Phoenix to Los Angeles, according to the indictment. Renoj-Matual’s associates based in Guatemala allegedly solicited Guatemalans to come to the U.S., charging between $15,000 and $18,000 for each to be smuggled into the U.S., investigators say. Once they reached Mexico, Mexican cartel smugglers transported them through Mexico and across the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. They were then held hostage in stash houses in Arizona and eventually picked up by Renoj-Matul’s lieutenants, according to the indictment. For an additional fee, the smuggled Guatemalans paid to be transported throughout the U.S., including to Los Angeles. Those who couldn’t pay were allegedly held hostage in a stash house in the Westlake neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles, according to the complaint. Renoj-Matul also orchestrated a process for the human smuggling proceeds to be transported from Los Angeles to Phoenix, given to Mexican smugglers “to pay the expenses incurred by Renoj-Matul’s transnational criminal organization,” according to the complaint. If convicted of all charges, each of the four Guatemalan ringleaders face a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. Authorities also arrested two additional illegal foreign nationals and alleged lieutenants in the Renoj-Matul transnational criminal organization. Rolando Gomez-Gomez, who was previously deported, was arrested in South Los Angeles, charged with “one count of being an illegal alien found in the United States following removal.” Juan Lopez Garcia was arrested in Downtown Los Angeles on a civil removal matter. The smuggling bust occurred after a record nearly one million Guatemalans illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, The Center Square reported.
2 hours
Un equipo de científicos ha encontrado un ecosistema con corales, arañas marinas gigantes y posibles nuevas especies en el lecho marino expuesto tras la fractura de un iceberg del tamaño de Chicago.
Un equipo de científicos ha encontrado un ecosistema con corales, arañas marinas gigantes y posibles nuevas especies en el lecho marino expuesto tras la fractura de un iceberg del tamaño de Chicago.
2 hours
Shutterstock/S Watson When we think about flood management, higher stop banks, stronger levees and concrete barriers usually come to mind. But what if the best solution – for people and nature – isn’t to confine rivers, but to give them more space? This alternative is increasingly being considered as an approach to mitigating flood risk. But allowing rivers room to move also delivers ecological benefits far beyond flood risk reduction. It supports biodiversity, improves water quality and stores carbon. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme floods, rethinking our approach to managing floodplain rivers has never been more urgent. Climate change, floods and river confinement Climate change is amplifying flood risks worldwide, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception. Large floods are expected to become much more frequent and severe, threatening communities, infrastructure and ecosystems. Many of these risks are made worse by past management decisions that have artificially confined rivers within narrow channels, cutting them off from their natural floodplains. Floodplain river systems have historically been dynamic, shifting across landscapes over time. But extensive stop banks, modification of river channels and land development have restricted this natural variability. Strangling rivers in this way transfers and heightens flood risks downstream by forcing water through confined channels at greater speeds. It also degrades ecosystems that rely on the natural ebb and flow of river processes. The Waiau River, a gravel-bed braided river in the South Island, has been constrained by land development, primarily for agriculture. Background satellite image: Google (c) 2025 Airbus, CC BY-SA Giving rivers space to roam The idea of allowing rivers to reclaim space on their floodplains is not new. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River programme was a response to flooding in 1995 that led to large-scale evacuations of people and cattle. In England, predictions that economic risks associated with flooding will increase 20-fold within this century ignited the Making Space for Water strategy. However, these initiatives typically remain focused on flood protection, overlooking opportunities to maximise ecological benefits. Our new research shows that well-designed approaches can deliver ecological gains alongside flood protection. This is crucial because floodplain river systems are among the most valuable ecosystems. They provide about a quarter of all land-based ecosystem services such as water retention and pollutant filtration, as well as educational, recreational and cultural benefits. Managing rivers for variability A fundamental shift in river management involves acknowledging and accommodating natural variability. Floodplain rivers are not static: they change across landscapes and through time, responding to seasonal flows, sediment movement and ecological processes. Braided rivers are an example of floodplain rivers that have natural variability and diverse habitat types. Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA Our research synthesises the ecological processes that are enabled when floodplain rivers have room to move. Rivers that are not unnaturally confined are typically more physically complex. For instance, along with the main river channel, they might have smaller side channels, or areas where the water pools and slows, springs popping up from below ground to re-join the surface waters, or ponds on the floodplain. A diverse range of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Even exposed gravel, made available in rivers that flow freely, provides critical nesting sites for endangered birds. Biodiversity is not one-dimensional. Instead, it exists and operates at multiple scales, from a small floodplain pond to a whole river catchment or wider. In a dynamic, ever-changing riverscape, we might find the genetic composition of a species varying in different parts of the river, or the same species of fish varying in their body size, depending on the habitat conditions. These examples of natural biological variability enable species and ecosystems to be resilient in the face of uncertain future conditions. Rivers that have room to move on their floodplains are highly dynamic. This diagram shows the main types of ecological variability in a free-flowing river: physical variability, habitat heterogeneity and variable ecosystem processes. Adapted from McCabe et al. 2025 Nature Water, CC BY-SA At a larger scale, the type and number of species that live in different floodplain river habitats also varies. This diversity of biological communities produces variation in the functions ecosystems perform across the river, such as the uptake of nutrients or processing of organic matter. This can even help to diversify food webs. These variations mean not all species or groups of species in the river will be vulnerable to the same disturbances – such as droughts or floods – at the same time. This is because plants and animals in rivers have evolved to take advantage of long-term rhythms of floods and droughts in different ways. For instance, the cottonwood poplars of the southwest United States time their seed release with the highly predictable rhythms of snowmelt-driven spring floods in that part of the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, whitebait fish species typically deposit their eggs during high autumn flows, which then get transported to sea as larvae during high winter flows. Some animals need multiple habitats within the river for different stages of life. Other creatures travel from afar to use river floodplains for only a short time. The latter includes the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This bird travels as far as 1,700km to nest on braided-river gravels each spring. Banded dotterels are in decline, and they rely on habitats provided by rivers that have space to roam. The endangered black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) uses gravel bar habitats on river floodplains for nesting. Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA A call for more sustainable river management As climate change accelerates, we must rethink how we manage our waterways. Reinforcing levees and deepening channels may seem like logical responses to increased flood risk, but these approaches often exacerbate long-term vulnerabilities and transfer risk elsewhere. We call for practitioners to broaden the scope of values included in river management policy and programmes to include ecological variability. Nature-based solutions are approaches that seek to benefit both people and nature. By working with nature rather than against it, we can create landscapes that are more resilient, adaptive, and supportive of both people and biodiversity. It’s time to embrace a new paradigm for river management – one that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored. Christina McCabe receives funding through an Aho Hīnātore doctoral research scholarship at the University of Canterbury. Jonathan Tonkin receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and the Centre of Research Excellence Te Pūnaha Matatini. He also receives funding from the Antarctic Science Platform and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Shutterstock/S Watson When we think about flood management, higher stop banks, stronger levees and concrete barriers usually come to mind. But what if the best solution – for people and nature – isn’t to confine rivers, but to give them more space? This alternative is increasingly being considered as an approach to mitigating flood risk. But allowing rivers room to move also delivers ecological benefits far beyond flood risk reduction. It supports biodiversity, improves water quality and stores carbon. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme floods, rethinking our approach to managing floodplain rivers has never been more urgent. Climate change, floods and river confinement Climate change is amplifying flood risks worldwide, and Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception. Large floods are expected to become much more frequent and severe, threatening communities, infrastructure and ecosystems. Many of these risks are made worse by past management decisions that have artificially confined rivers within narrow channels, cutting them off from their natural floodplains. Floodplain river systems have historically been dynamic, shifting across landscapes over time. But extensive stop banks, modification of river channels and land development have restricted this natural variability. Strangling rivers in this way transfers and heightens flood risks downstream by forcing water through confined channels at greater speeds. It also degrades ecosystems that rely on the natural ebb and flow of river processes. The Waiau River, a gravel-bed braided river in the South Island, has been constrained by land development, primarily for agriculture. Background satellite image: Google (c) 2025 Airbus, CC BY-SA Giving rivers space to roam The idea of allowing rivers to reclaim space on their floodplains is not new. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River programme was a response to flooding in 1995 that led to large-scale evacuations of people and cattle. In England, predictions that economic risks associated with flooding will increase 20-fold within this century ignited the Making Space for Water strategy. However, these initiatives typically remain focused on flood protection, overlooking opportunities to maximise ecological benefits. Our new research shows that well-designed approaches can deliver ecological gains alongside flood protection. This is crucial because floodplain river systems are among the most valuable ecosystems. They provide about a quarter of all land-based ecosystem services such as water retention and pollutant filtration, as well as educational, recreational and cultural benefits. Managing rivers for variability A fundamental shift in river management involves acknowledging and accommodating natural variability. Floodplain rivers are not static: they change across landscapes and through time, responding to seasonal flows, sediment movement and ecological processes. Braided rivers are an example of floodplain rivers that have natural variability and diverse habitat types. Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA Our research synthesises the ecological processes that are enabled when floodplain rivers have room to move. Rivers that are not unnaturally confined are typically more physically complex. For instance, along with the main river channel, they might have smaller side channels, or areas where the water pools and slows, springs popping up from below ground to re-join the surface waters, or ponds on the floodplain. A diverse range of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Even exposed gravel, made available in rivers that flow freely, provides critical nesting sites for endangered birds. Biodiversity is not one-dimensional. Instead, it exists and operates at multiple scales, from a small floodplain pond to a whole river catchment or wider. In a dynamic, ever-changing riverscape, we might find the genetic composition of a species varying in different parts of the river, or the same species of fish varying in their body size, depending on the habitat conditions. These examples of natural biological variability enable species and ecosystems to be resilient in the face of uncertain future conditions. Rivers that have room to move on their floodplains are highly dynamic. This diagram shows the main types of ecological variability in a free-flowing river: physical variability, habitat heterogeneity and variable ecosystem processes. Adapted from McCabe et al. 2025 Nature Water, CC BY-SA At a larger scale, the type and number of species that live in different floodplain river habitats also varies. This diversity of biological communities produces variation in the functions ecosystems perform across the river, such as the uptake of nutrients or processing of organic matter. This can even help to diversify food webs. These variations mean not all species or groups of species in the river will be vulnerable to the same disturbances – such as droughts or floods – at the same time. This is because plants and animals in rivers have evolved to take advantage of long-term rhythms of floods and droughts in different ways. For instance, the cottonwood poplars of the southwest United States time their seed release with the highly predictable rhythms of snowmelt-driven spring floods in that part of the world. In Aotearoa New Zealand, whitebait fish species typically deposit their eggs during high autumn flows, which then get transported to sea as larvae during high winter flows. Some animals need multiple habitats within the river for different stages of life. Other creatures travel from afar to use river floodplains for only a short time. The latter includes the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This bird travels as far as 1,700km to nest on braided-river gravels each spring. Banded dotterels are in decline, and they rely on habitats provided by rivers that have space to roam. The endangered black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) uses gravel bar habitats on river floodplains for nesting. Angus McIntosh, CC BY-SA A call for more sustainable river management As climate change accelerates, we must rethink how we manage our waterways. Reinforcing levees and deepening channels may seem like logical responses to increased flood risk, but these approaches often exacerbate long-term vulnerabilities and transfer risk elsewhere. We call for practitioners to broaden the scope of values included in river management policy and programmes to include ecological variability. Nature-based solutions are approaches that seek to benefit both people and nature. By working with nature rather than against it, we can create landscapes that are more resilient, adaptive, and supportive of both people and biodiversity. It’s time to embrace a new paradigm for river management – one that sees rivers not as threats to be controlled, but as lifelines to be protected and restored. Christina McCabe receives funding through an Aho Hīnātore doctoral research scholarship at the University of Canterbury. Jonathan Tonkin receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and the Centre of Research Excellence Te Pūnaha Matatini. He also receives funding from the Antarctic Science Platform and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
2 hours
There is a rise in cases of blackmailing LGBTQ+ people over the past two years. Criminals often act out of political motives rather than just for financial gain
There is a rise in cases of blackmailing LGBTQ+ people over the past two years. Criminals often act out of political motives rather than just for financial gain
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Sabinayro/Shutterstock Earlier this month, Kmart pulled a “hyaluronic acid cleansing balm” from its shelves, after a teen who used the skincare product was hospitalised, reporting eye pain and blurred vision. It’s unclear what ingredient caused this reaction. In a statement, Kmart said it was removing the product while conducting an investigation. The retailer also said: We want to assure our customers that our cosmetics are designed to ensure that they comply with both Australian and European requirements on ingredients. Hyaluronic acid – despite the name – is a gentle ingredient commonly used in skincare products. But what does hyaluronic acid do to your skin as a skincare ingredient? And is it safe for tweens and teens? What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan – a sugar-based molecule found naturally in the skin, eyes, joint fluid and connective tissue. It plays a key role in hydrating the skin and tissues, lubricating our joints and supporting tissue repair. Beyond cosmetics, hyaluronic acid is used in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, wound repair, and to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis (where the arterial walls harden and narrow) and osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease). It is also a key ingredient in many eye drops and contact lens care solutions. How is it used in skincare? While the word “acid” might suggest it is harsh and potentially damaging to the skin, hyaluronic acid is not used in its acidic form in skincare products. It is usually used in its salt form, sodium hyaluronate. In skincare, active acids such as salicylic acid usually lower the skin’s pH and exfoliate it by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells. Hyaluronic acid, in contrast, is used to hydrate the skin. It is a humectant, an ingredient that attracts and retains water molecules. Hyaluronic acid has three qualities that make it suitable for skincare: it’s soluble (can be dissolved in water), biocompatible (meaning it’s not harmful to the body), and biodegradable (naturally breaks down into non-toxic, simpler substances). It is usually safe and well-tolerated, meaning it has very few side effects. In skincare products, hyaluronic is used in different forms. Smaller hyaluronic molecules can penetrate deeper into the skin and hydrate the lower levels. In products this is often advertised as “anti-ageing”, because it stimulates the production of collagen (a structural protein in the skin), and helps to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Larger hyaluronic acid molecules remain on the skin’s surface and have an immediate hydrating effect, preventing water evaporation from the skin. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin attract and retain water molecules for hydration. Art_Photo/Shutterstock Any risks? Hyaluronic acid is generally a safe ingredient, even for sensitive skin. But products advertised as “hyaluronic acid skincare” may contain other ingredients which can cause irritation. In particular, fragrances, preservatives and surfactants (ingredients that produce foam and help wash away oil and dirt) may be safe for skin but burn or otherwise irritate the eyes. This is because the cornea and conjuctiva (the thin membrane covering the eye) are much more sensitive than the skin. How are skincare ingredients regulated? Unlike medicines and products used for therapeutic reasons, which are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), general cosmetic products do not require pre-market safety testing or approval. Instead, companies need to register their business with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and verify that their ingredients are not banned or restricted in Australia. This creates a potential gap where defective products remain on the market, only to be recalled after adverse reactions occur. Are these products appropriate for children? Most scientific research on active ingredients – including hyaluronic acid – has been evaluated in older populations. This leaves a gap in understanding how they affect teen and preteen skin. Many products are designed for ageing and/or specific skin types, and are largely unnecessary for children and younger people. In some cases, they can potentially be harmful to their skin. For example, unless prescribed by a dermatologist, it’s advisable for young people to avoid retinoid products (containing retinol or retinal) as they can cause redness, peeling and drying. Similarly, products with alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation, itching, redness and may worsen acne in young skin. So, what should younger people look for? Preteens and teens should avoid products containing active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids, and peptides, as well as those labelled with terms such as anti-ageing, wrinkle-reducing, brightening, or firming. To keep skin clean and protected, teenagers can use a good cleanser, a simple moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen. It’s best to opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers suitable for all skin types. Consulting with a pharmacist can provide personalised recommendations based on individual skin needs. Laurence Orlando is a council member with the Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Zoe Porter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Sabinayro/Shutterstock Earlier this month, Kmart pulled a “hyaluronic acid cleansing balm” from its shelves, after a teen who used the skincare product was hospitalised, reporting eye pain and blurred vision. It’s unclear what ingredient caused this reaction. In a statement, Kmart said it was removing the product while conducting an investigation. The retailer also said: We want to assure our customers that our cosmetics are designed to ensure that they comply with both Australian and European requirements on ingredients. Hyaluronic acid – despite the name – is a gentle ingredient commonly used in skincare products. But what does hyaluronic acid do to your skin as a skincare ingredient? And is it safe for tweens and teens? What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan – a sugar-based molecule found naturally in the skin, eyes, joint fluid and connective tissue. It plays a key role in hydrating the skin and tissues, lubricating our joints and supporting tissue repair. Beyond cosmetics, hyaluronic acid is used in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, wound repair, and to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis (where the arterial walls harden and narrow) and osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease). It is also a key ingredient in many eye drops and contact lens care solutions. How is it used in skincare? While the word “acid” might suggest it is harsh and potentially damaging to the skin, hyaluronic acid is not used in its acidic form in skincare products. It is usually used in its salt form, sodium hyaluronate. In skincare, active acids such as salicylic acid usually lower the skin’s pH and exfoliate it by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells. Hyaluronic acid, in contrast, is used to hydrate the skin. It is a humectant, an ingredient that attracts and retains water molecules. Hyaluronic acid has three qualities that make it suitable for skincare: it’s soluble (can be dissolved in water), biocompatible (meaning it’s not harmful to the body), and biodegradable (naturally breaks down into non-toxic, simpler substances). It is usually safe and well-tolerated, meaning it has very few side effects. In skincare products, hyaluronic is used in different forms. Smaller hyaluronic molecules can penetrate deeper into the skin and hydrate the lower levels. In products this is often advertised as “anti-ageing”, because it stimulates the production of collagen (a structural protein in the skin), and helps to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Larger hyaluronic acid molecules remain on the skin’s surface and have an immediate hydrating effect, preventing water evaporation from the skin. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin attract and retain water molecules for hydration. Art_Photo/Shutterstock Any risks? Hyaluronic acid is generally a safe ingredient, even for sensitive skin. But products advertised as “hyaluronic acid skincare” may contain other ingredients which can cause irritation. In particular, fragrances, preservatives and surfactants (ingredients that produce foam and help wash away oil and dirt) may be safe for skin but burn or otherwise irritate the eyes. This is because the cornea and conjuctiva (the thin membrane covering the eye) are much more sensitive than the skin. How are skincare ingredients regulated? Unlike medicines and products used for therapeutic reasons, which are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), general cosmetic products do not require pre-market safety testing or approval. Instead, companies need to register their business with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and verify that their ingredients are not banned or restricted in Australia. This creates a potential gap where defective products remain on the market, only to be recalled after adverse reactions occur. Are these products appropriate for children? Most scientific research on active ingredients – including hyaluronic acid – has been evaluated in older populations. This leaves a gap in understanding how they affect teen and preteen skin. Many products are designed for ageing and/or specific skin types, and are largely unnecessary for children and younger people. In some cases, they can potentially be harmful to their skin. For example, unless prescribed by a dermatologist, it’s advisable for young people to avoid retinoid products (containing retinol or retinal) as they can cause redness, peeling and drying. Similarly, products with alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation, itching, redness and may worsen acne in young skin. So, what should younger people look for? Preteens and teens should avoid products containing active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids, and peptides, as well as those labelled with terms such as anti-ageing, wrinkle-reducing, brightening, or firming. To keep skin clean and protected, teenagers can use a good cleanser, a simple moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen. It’s best to opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers suitable for all skin types. Consulting with a pharmacist can provide personalised recommendations based on individual skin needs. Laurence Orlando is a council member with the Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Zoe Porter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
2 hours
ཉིན་ལྟར་ཐོན་བཞིན་པའི་བོད་དང་ཨ་རིའི་གསར་འགྱུར་ཁག་དང་། འཛམ་གླིང་གསར་འགྱུར་ཁག་རྒྱང་སྲིང་ཞུས་པ་ཕུད། དེ་མིན་དམིགས་བསལ་ལེ་ཚན་ཁག་ཅིག་རྒྱང་སྲིང་ཞུ་བཞིན་ཡོད།
2 hours
ཉིན་ལྟར་ཐོན་བཞིན་པའི་བོད་དང་ཨ་རིའི་གསར་འགྱུར་ཁག་དང་། འཛམ་གླིང་གསར་འགྱུར་ཁག་རྒྱང་སྲིང་ཞུས་པ་ཕུད། དེ་མིན་དམིགས་བསལ་ལེ་ཚན་ཁག་ཅིག་རྒྱང་སྲིང་ཞུ་བཞིན་ཡོད།
2 hours
"Азаттык үналгысынын" бул берүүсү Бишкек убакыты боюнча саат 07:00ден 08:00ге чейин обого чыгарылат.
2 hours
"Азаттык үналгысынын" бул берүүсү Бишкек убакыты боюнча саат 07:00ден 08:00ге чейин обого чыгарылат.
2 hours
Rohingya Broadcast
2 hours

Australian voters heading to the polls need to be aware there’s little standing between them and potential manipulation of information by vested interests. The loss of Australia’s go-to political fact-checker and the rise of AI tools has created a crisis for political accountability just as the nation’s voters prepare to go to the polls. Professional […] The post Why voting in a fact-checking void should worry you appeared first on 360.

Australian voters heading to the polls need to be aware there’s little standing between them and potential manipulation of information by vested interests. The loss of Australia’s go-to political fact-checker and the rise of AI tools has created a crisis for political accountability just as the nation’s voters prepare to go to the polls. Professional […] The post Why voting in a fact-checking void should worry you appeared first on 360.
3 hours

Danko has been an off-and-on Liberal Party member in recent years. With Liberal polling numbers increasing, he's returned to the Party.

Danko has been an off-and-on Liberal Party member in recent years. With Liberal polling numbers increasing, he's returned to the Party.
3 hours
မြန်မာစံတော်ချိန် နံနက် ၆ နာရီကနေ ၇ နာရီထိ (၁) နာရီကြာ ထုတ်လွှင့်နေတဲ့ ဒီရေဒီယိုအစီအစဉ်မှာ မြန်မာ၊ ဒေသတွင်းနဲ့ နိုင်ငံတကာသတင်းနဲ့ သတင်းဆောင်းပါးတွေ သီတင်းပတ်စဉ်ကဏ္ဍတွေကို နားဆင်နိုင်ပါတယ်။
3 hours
မြန်မာစံတော်ချိန် နံနက် ၆ နာရီကနေ ၇ နာရီထိ (၁) နာရီကြာ ထုတ်လွှင့်နေတဲ့ ဒီရေဒီယိုအစီအစဉ်မှာ မြန်မာ၊ ဒေသတွင်းနဲ့ နိုင်ငံတကာသတင်းနဲ့ သတင်းဆောင်းပါးတွေ သီတင်းပတ်စဉ်ကဏ္ဍတွေကို နားဆင်နိုင်ပါတယ်။