How much do friends influence teens’ mental health? What a new study can (and can’t) tell us

Samantha Peralta/Unsplash 

Scarlett Smout, University of Sydney; Louise Birrell, University of Sydney, and Tim Slade, University of Sydney

During adolescence, young people become especially sensitive to peer influence – more so than any other time in life.

So, how does this affect their mental health?

A new study from Finland, released today, analysed data from more than 600,000 young people born between 1985 and 2000 (meaning both millennials and early Gen Zs).

It found that people whose peers had been diagnosed with a mental health condition – such as anxiety or depression – were more likely to develop a mental health condition themselves.

The researchers say these findings support the idea of “social transmission” of mental health conditions. But we need to be careful: this doesn’t mean these conditions are “contagious” in the same way as an infectious disease.

Many other factors, including genetic predisposition, also play a role in teen mental health. The data also can’t tell us if the “peers” are actually friends. Let’s take a look.

Mental health conditions on the rise

Around the world, depression and anxiety are increasing among young people. In Australia, recent data shows rates of anxiety in young people have increased from 13% to 28% over the past 15 years, while suicide attempts have doubled.

Despite greater awareness and expanded mental health services, young people are experiencing more severe and complex mental health challenges than ever before.

We know both friends and family play an important role in mental health. Family factors – including genetics – and environmental influences – such as peer relationships – each uniquely shape the development of mental health conditions.

What the study did and what it found

The new Finnish study explored the relationship between young people’s mental health and that of their peers. It aimed to find out whether having a peer with a diagnosed mental health condition, or a peer with a family history of one, increases your own likelihood of a diagnosis.

The researchers did this by analysing nationwide data in Finland, including health records and school enrolments.

The study made some interesting key findings:

1. if you had a peer with a diagnosed mental health condition or a peer with diagnoses in their family – for example, anxiety – you were more likely to be diagnosed with this same condition

2. the effect was stronger among peers who attended the same school, rather than lived in the same area – particularly in later adolescence.

The authors conclude that the findings support the idea of “transmission” of mental health risk in adolescence.

But there are some important caveats

It’s important to note that terms like “transmission” or “contagion” are not used in the same way as for infectious diseases. You cannot “catch” a mental health condition.

Instead, these terms describe how emotions, behaviours and social norms can spread between peers over time and influence mental health. For example, if there is increased awareness of mental health and reduced stigma within a group of peers, people in that group may be more comfortable seeking help (although the study didn’t test this).

Importantly, peer relationships and genetic risk are part of a complex mix of factors that shape adolescent mental health.

Because this study defined peers by school year or location, findings likely reflect shared school and community influences. In other words, these “peers” were likely exposed to similar environmental conditions, ranging from school cultures and educational approaches to neighbourhood features such as green space.

What the study couldn’t measure

The size of this study is a key strength. However, because this is achieved by using “register data” such as health records, there are some constraints:

• the data can’t tell you if people actually knew each other or were friends. So the study defined “peer networks” according to school (for example, those in the same grade and born in the same year) or where they lived (for example, people in the same postcode born in the same year)

• “genetic risk” was inferred from family diagnoses, rather than DNA, and there may be various reasons someone with a mental health condition doesn’t get a diagnosis

• the study couldn’t account for all the factors known to increase or lower someone’s risk of having a mental health condition. For example, it included someone’s sex, age and their parents’ income and education level. But it didn’t consider other factors known to play a role in adolescent mental health, such as their gender identity, ethnicity and what their school is like, as well as lifestyle behaviours, such as whether they smoke, drink alcohol or get regular exercise

• the study also found that if someone’s peer had a family history of a mental health condition, such as a substance use disorder, they had a higher chance of receiving the same diagnosis. But because the data only looks at diagnosis, it can’t capture other factors which might better explain the link – such as shared factors in families’ social environments.

Where to next?

This study shows both peers and their family risk are linked to adolescent mental health, but it cannot explain how these effects occur.

To understand how mental health conditions “spread” within peer networks, we still need research that disentangles the effects of peer selection (choosing similar friends) from peer influence (how friends shape each other).

But the importance of school environments is clear. School-based mental health programs which harness the influential role of peers are key. In Australia, a program called Mind your Mate, has already shown promise in lowering depression risk in teens through education about mental health and how to support peers.

Together, these findings point beyond individuals to the wider environments young people are part of. Ultimately, improving adolescent mental health means investing in the people and places around them, such as the schools and communities where peer relationships take shape.

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Thank you to Professor Cath Chapman for her role in developing this article.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call 13YARN on 13 92 76.

Scarlett Smout, Research Fellow, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney; Louise Birrell, Researcher, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, and Tim Slade, Professor, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→August 05, 2026

5 heartwarming gestures for your best friend

New Delhi, (IANSlife) Friendship is a bond that knows no limits, and as Friendship Day approaches, it's time to commemorate the particular bond we share with our closest buddies. Social media has become a vital part of our lives in this digital age, and it provides a perfect platform for us to express our love and appreciation for our best friends. Whether you're physically separated or only a few feet apart, social media can help you make your closest buddy feel particularly special on this happy occasion.

Moj creator Sushil Brahmbhatt shares a sincere guide with five social media actions that will certainly make your BFF smile. Let's get started and spread the love with these heartfelt and imaginative ideas!

The Nostalgic Flashback: Craft a touching post/video celebrating your cherished moments together, inviting your BFF to embark on a nostalgic journey down memory lane, honoring the beautiful path of your friendship. Share it on social media, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that weaves the tale of your bond. Let these precious images and memories serve as a gentle reminder of the incredible adventures, laughter, and unwavering support you've shared throughout the years. This heartfelt gesture is certain to touch their soul, evoking a lovely sense of reminiscence and appreciation.

Personalised Video Message: Create a video message for your best buddy expressing your thoughts and emotions with a touch of humor. Tell them how much they mean to you and how thankful you are to have them in your life. Share some embarrassing stories, or inside jokes, or even organize a virtual toast to your relationship. Posting this video on your social media profile will not only make your BFF feel treasured, but it will also demonstrate the depth of your friendship to others.

A Friendship Playlist: Create a playlist of songs that represent your friendship or have a common meaning. These might be music that reminds you of each other, tunes you've danced to together, or melodies that have helped you through difficult times. Share the playlist on social media, and don't forget to explain why each song is meaningful to you. Your BFF will appreciate the thought and effort that went into this musical gesture.

Virtual Celebration: If physical distance stops you from meeting your best friend on Friendship Day, organise a virtual get-together. Plan a group video conference with mutual friends and participate in fun activities together. You can play online games, watch a movie, or simply chat and catch up with your friends. Take screenshots of the virtual meeting and post them on social media with a caption on how distance will never dim the brightness of true friendship.

Appreciation Post: Spend some time publicly appreciating your best friend by making a sincere post on your social media site. Express your emotions and explain why your best friend is the most amazing person in your life. Mention what sets them apart, how they've made a difference, and how they offer joy to your life. This public display of affection and adoration will not only make your BFF feel special, but it will also motivate others to cherish their friendships.Friendship Day is all about acknowledging the incredible bond you share with your best friend and showing them just how much they mean to you. With these five awesome social media gestures, you can brighten your BFF's day and make this Friendship Day an unforgettable celebration of your beautiful friendship. Let the world witness the power of true friendship and join in on the joyous festivities. 5 heartwarming gestures for your best friend | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........→July 28, 2026

Five hidden pitfalls of fitness tracking

Sahar Bakr, Nottingham Trent University

Many people in the UK now use apps, smartwatches or wearable devices to track their physical activity. Fitness trackers promise to help users become fitter, happier and healthier versions of themselves. For many people, they can be useful: a nudge to move more, a way to notice patterns, or a reminder that activity does not have to happen in a gym.

But self-tracking devices do more than record behaviour. Through prompts, defaults, streaks, badges and automated feedback, they also shape it. There is good evidence that tracking can help some people become more active. But there are also growing reports of anxiety, shame and disordered eating among people who track closely.

This raises questions about how common these harms are and why they happen, which is what I have spent the past decade researching. Here are five reasons tracking can become harmful.

1. The fixation on steps

The 10,000-step target comes from a marketing slogan for a 1960s Japanese pedometer, and has no firm scientific basis as a universal target. Researchers continue to debate the ideal number, with some pointing to around 7,000 as a more realistic and beneficial target for many adults. Yet 10,000 steps remains widely treated as a badge of good health.

The trouble is that a single target cannot fit everyone. It can also distort what people think activity is worth. A tracker may misread wrist movement, or fail to capture cycling, swimming or strength training properly because these do not look like stepping.

This means trackers often privilege what they can easily count. Steps are visible, while strength work, mobility, Pilates, rehabilitation and recovery can appear less important, even though they may be exactly what someone needs. This can give users a skewed sense of what counts as worthwhile movement.

2. Movement loses its joy

The hardest part of becoming active is making it a habit that lasts. Chasing a target can work against that if it turns movement into a chore rather than something enjoyable. The point becomes closing a ring instead of noticing what your body can do.

Research suggests that repeatedly failing to meet goals can lead people to abandon both the device and the habits they were trying to build. Enjoyment helps habits stick, while external metrics can erode the internal motivation to move.

So the next time you head out, try leaving the numbers alone. Take a friend, put on a podcast, or call your mum. When you feel satisfied, go home. The activity still counts, and over time it may help you reach your goals without making the numbers the only measure of success.

3. The more-is-more approach

Many devices still make “more” feel like the default measure of success. The prompts are persistent, the summaries often feel like gentle reproaches, and the clearest currency is usually steps.

What this often misses is ability, skill and context. Do you know how much exercise you need? What kind of movement might cause injury? Can you interpret your own VO2 max data? These competencies are often taken for granted, but many people have never had the chance to build them.

Our research shows that people are most vulnerable to harm when they are left to manage with assumptions already made for them. They may hand their judgement over to the device and accept whatever it tells them. Yet the device may not know enough about whether you are recovering from illness, short on sleep, injured, newly active or pregnant to interpret today’s data safely.

4. The default user does not exist

Much of the design and marketing of these devices is aimed at a standard, average consumer. But research repeatedly shows that this person does not exist. We differ in our bodies, histories, goals and circumstances, so asking everyone to squeeze into the same mould is poor design.

The problem is the body imagined by the device: often able-bodied, non-pregnant, already confident with exercise and free to prioritise activity every day. Some defaults also follow narrow social norms, often built around male bodies, and amplify questionable ideas about health and beauty.

Think of BMI, which can penalise muscular bodies and treat perfectly healthy women’s bodies as problems to be solved. Similar assumptions can be baked into self-trackers when they nudge users towards weight loss by default or reinforce dated ideals about size and ability. At their worst, they can push some people towards over-exercising or under-eating, with real damage to body and mind.

5. It blames you when things go wrong

Sedentary living is a society-wide problem. Yet trackers often frame inactivity as a matter of individual willpower. That can draw attention away from the conditions that shape how much people move: safe streets, time, money, caring responsibilities, disability, local facilities and access to green space.

Many people report feeling pressure from the device. When life gets in the way of their targets, they may feel shame, failure, or give up altogether.

Research shows that people use these devices for a wide range of reasons and goals. That means support and personalisation are essential to making tracking safer. Devices should account for individual goals, experience and context rather than loading all responsibility onto the user, a familiar and unfair pattern across health and social care.

Some would call these harms unintended side effects. But they are also the predictable result of design choices that reward more, simplify health into scores and treat missed targets as personal failure.

For users, the first shift is to treat tracking as information rather than instruction. A watch can tell you what it has measured. It cannot tell you what your body needs today.

The bigger responsibility sits with developers. Trackers could place less emphasis on fixed step targets, make strength and non-step activity more visible, build in rest and recovery without guilt, and offer safer defaults for people with different bodies, abilities, health histories and goals.

None of this means abandoning the technology – it means refusing to let a made-up number decide whether movement has counted.

Sahar Bakr, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→July 23, 2026

3,200-yo Tomb Discovered in Luxor from the Era of Ramses

The tomb of a man named Paser – credit, released by Carina van den Hoven ©

Another month, another big discovery in Luxor—this time of a tomb with preserved interior frescoes dating back around 3,200 years.

The T-shaped tomb was discovered by a team of Dutch-Egypt archaeologists in the middle of a long-term project to combine proactive conservation strategies with archaeological excavations at the Theban Necropolis.

Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that inscriptions inside the tomb identify its owner as a man named Paser. Decorative frescoes lining the walls of the tomb indicate it may have been made and occupied during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom—the Ramesside period, that included who is arguably Ancient Egypt’s greatest-ever ruler, Ramesses II.

Research into the site is ongoing. Its open forecourt leading to an inverted T-shape layout is typical of New Kingdom tombs in the necropolis, and may contain a number of people beyond this mysterious Paser, located in a series of presumed underground burial chambers.

Interior elements include a well-preserved mudbrick bench meant to support stone funerary stelae, though these are missing, if ever they sat atop it.

Frescoes depict the tomb’s owner performing various religious rites in the New Kingdom style, as well as another panel with him seated beside his wife at an offerings table.

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Frescoes inside the tomb – credit, released by Carina van den Hoven ©

The discovery of the tomb was made by Carina van den Hoven, who has directed excavations in the sector since 2018, and was documented while establishing the first comprehensive archaeological survey of Lower Sheikh Abd El-Qurna area, one of the most important burial areas of the Theban Necropolis.

A study being prepared documenting the tomb’s discovery is expected to shed new light on the Lower Sheikh Abd El-Qurna and the relationships between its neighboring tombs, as well as the development of funerary culture there.The discovery follows up major funerary finds in Luxor, including the tomb of a group of so-described “singing priests,” including 22 priests and priestesses in May, and a trio of official tombs in May of last year. 3,200-yo Tomb Discovered in Luxor from the Era of Ramses

Read More........→July 15, 2026

Love is good for health

By Cena, Although it sounds funny or weird, studies and experiments have demonstrated a closerelationship between health and love. It has been shown that the bonds offriendship, love and affection, enhance health and happiness. Some of the benefits of love on health are: improving attention, motivation and memory. There is a significant reduction in anxiety, stress and depression. Strengthens the immune system, dispels wrinkles and low levels of hypertension. Here are some findings that relate to health and love: 

• (1) Strengthens the immune system. Biochemical reactions experienced by the body of a person when being in love help improve health and help to "strengthen the immune system," according to experts. With love our quality of life is better and tend to get sick less, and that negative feelings are outweighed by the positive and our body works better. 
• (2) Influences on the rapid recovery. We have seen that sick people who have someone to love them and watch for them, have a faster recovery than patients who have no affection from anyone. (3) Improves quality of life. We are more likely to get sick and depressed when we have problems and we are alone. However, the love we prolong life. Being loved makes problems feel lighter with the support of others.  
• (4) Energy and stress. According to experts, the emotional well it feels like to be able to give love and helping others makes people feel more energy and fighting stress. 
• (5) A feeling of great comfort. From the endocrinological point of view, love brings change for the better. As Jesus says Dr. Rocca, Ricardo Palma Clinic, "the first thing you are beta releases endorphins that trigger when you're in love, and are responsible for the feeling of great comfort.  (6) Love rejuvenates. "The hormones, the nervous system and skin, forming a narrow triangle, so the separation of estrogen in women improves hair, nails, skin," says Sandro Tucto dermatologist. 
• (7) Fewer doctor visits. Another study found that couples who have spent more time together, make fewer doctor visits. The psychiatrist Enrique Galli said that "stable relationships get colds less than singles, while elderly couples suffer less pain than the lonely elderly. This is due to segregation of hormones that allow for greater resistance to pain. " 
• (8) Making love, health benefits. Keeping sexually active and safe, influences our physical and emotional state is very important to our overall health. It is scientifically proven that people who frequently make love, get sick less and are happier. The list of health benefits that are attributed to sex as therapeutic activity include: well-being, improves self-esteem, makes you look younger, is a natural pain reliever, improves interpersonal relationships, reduces snoring, strengthens immune system, increases energy, relieves symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders. So now you know, since love helps heal, self-medication is recommended a good dose of love every day to live healthy and happy. Source: Forum Human Health, Image: flickr.com

Read More........→July 15, 2026

Tattoo regret? How to choose a removal service

Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock Katie Lee, The University of Queensland; Claire Coulstock, Victoria University, and Samantha Reeve, Victoria University

About one in four people regret at least one of their tattoos. Almost half of those go on to have their unwanted tattoo removed or camouflaged with a new one.

So it’s no wonder people are searching for laser tattoo removal services.

Here’s what to consider when choosing the best clinic and what to expect when you get there.

Why are tattoos permanent?

You can still see tattoos on the 5,300-year-old ice mummy Ötzi. That’s because tattoo artists use needles to deposit ink in the dermis, the layer of skin under the outer layer (or epidermis).

When this happens, the body recognises ink particles as “foreign”. So immune cells in the dermis, such as macrophages, take them up.

But the particles are too large for these specialised cells to break down and remove via the lymphatic system. Instead, the particles remain “locked” permanently in macrophages in the dermis.

Tattoo inks are inserted into the dermis, and tend to stay there. zonn hong/Shutterstock

How do lasers remove tattoos?

To remove a tattoo, a laser device delivers high-intensity laser pulses to the ink. These incredibly short pulses are delivered in a billionth or trillionth of a second (nanosecond or picosecond pulses), confining the laser energy to the tiny ink particles, minimising damage to the surrounding skin.

Once the ink particles absorb the laser energy, a thermal reaction takes place, increasing the particles’ internal pressure and causing them to expand, then fragment.

The macrophages can now remove these smaller particles via the lymphatic system. That’s when your tattoo starts to fade.

Can all inks be removed?

Most inks can be removed, but several factors affect the result.

Colours

Each colour absorbs a different wavelength of light, so each colour requires a specific laser to be removed effectively. This may require using several different machines over the course of the treatment.

Some colours are much more challenging to remove than others. For instance, black ink is much easier to remove than yellow, which is easier to remove than white. This is because different pigments (such as black) are more likely to absorb the laser’s energy than others (yellow or white).

As a result, tattoos with white ink particles often need extra therapies. These include ablative laser treatments, which vaporise the tissue containing the tattoo ink, and tattooing over the original tattoo with a saline solution, which helps to draw the tattoo out of the skin.

You may need several laser treatments to remove your tattoo. damiangretka/Shutterstock

Combination of colours

Tattoo inks can also be made up of many colours to achieve the desired shade.

For example, a red ink may have touches of yellow ink to create a poppy red. As the red particles are broken down, the yellow appears and must be treated with a different wavelength, sometimes requiring a different machine and extra sessions.

Your skin colour

Any laser that can target and destroy an ink particle can also target natural skin pigment and the cells that produce them. This can result in overheating of the skin, and in severe cases, damage or destruction of the cells that produce pigment. This causes the skin to either darken or lighten in response to the injury, sometimes permanently.

So it’s important to choose a tattoo removalist who not only knows how to operate the laser, but how to choose the right wavelengths and modify the treatment plan as the tattoo changes.

Choosing a tattoo removalist

Laser tattoo removal creates a controlled wound in your skin, so it’s important to choose the right service to get the result you want, without increasing your risk of complications.

But in Australia, there is no national regulation for laser tattoo removal services, so standardising practitioners’ education and the treatments they offer is an ongoing challenge. Instead, each state and territory either licenses its own practitioners, or has no licensing at all.

As there are no licensing requirements in Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and the Northern Territory, anyone can legally own and operate laser devices to remove tattoos there.

Not all tattoo removal services are licensed, so you’ll have to do some research before booking yourself in. Africa Studio/Shutterstock

But in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, tattoo removal providers need a licence to operate and must have studied infection control, laser safety and tattoo removal. They also need to have many hours of supervised practical experience.

In unregulated states and territories, look for a practitioner with similar education and extensive practical experience, such as a bachelor-qualified dermal clinician.

How long will it take and how much will it cost?

Most tattoos require multiple sessions to be effectively removed. The inks and art style, as well as the tattoo size, play a big role in how many sessions it will take – and how much it will cost.

An experienced practitioner will use the Kirby-Desai scale – which includes noting your skin colour, body site, scarring, ink colour and density, and layering of ink – to estimate how many sessions your specific tattoo will need.

Typically, black fine-line tattoos are easier to remove than coloured high-density tattoos, such as a portrait or sleeve.

You’ll also need to allow time between sessions for your tattoo to recover, since the wound needs to heal before the next treatment.

After your laser treatment, your practitioner will advise you on how to manage the health of your skin. In many circumstances you will be asked to keep the area cool, and depending on the tissue response, you may need topical aftercare products (such as emollient creams and a protective hydrogel dressing) to keep the area clean and hydrated.

There are many variables that influence how quickly your tattoo will heal after treatment. This includes where the tattoo is (for instance, a chest tattoo heals faster than an ankle tattoo), the devices used, and your general health. The more compromised your health, the longer it will take to heal.

Watch out for allergies

Depositing tattoo ink in the dermis can cause acute and chronic skin reactions, including allergic or inflammatory reactions, infections, and hypersensitivity responses. So it’s important to tell your practitioner how your skin responded to the initial tattoo. That’s because you might be at risk of the same response again when the laser breaks down the tattoo ink.

An experienced practitioner will conduct a thorough consultation to ensure they identify any treatment risks. If necessary, they will work with your GP or dermatologist to ensure the safe removal of your tattoo.

Katie Lee, PhD Candidate, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland; Claire Coulstock, Lecturer in dermal science, Victoria University, and Samantha Reeve, Course Chair and Lecturer, Bachelor of Dermal Sciences, Victoria University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→July 09, 2026

Royal Bengal Tiger spotted in Arunachal wildlife sanctuary after 20 years

IANS Photo

Itanagar, (IANS): A Royal Bengal Tiger has been recorded at Arunachal Pradesh’s D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in nearly two decades, with officials on Friday confirming the sighting through camera trap evidence collected inside the sanctuary near Pasighat.

An official of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department said that the sighting has been captured through camera trap surveys conducted in the Wildlife Sanctuary with technical support from the Ashoka Trust Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).

He said that the last confirmed tiger evidence inside DEMWS dates back to 2005, with only unverified sightings reported until around 2007-08.

The latest camera trap images convincingly established the tiger’s presence in the landscape, the official said.

A baseline survey published by the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature in 2014 had painted a grim picture, finding no pugmarks or camera trap evidence of tigers and citing rampant hunting by poachers as the likely cause of their disappearance.

The broader landscape had already been showing signs of renewed tiger activity -- as recently as January 2026, foresters of the Jonai forest range in Assam reported spotting pugmarks of an adult Royal Bengal Tiger in Kobu Chapori, a proposed reserve forest situated adjacent to the sanctuary along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary. Divisional Forest Officer Kempi Ete described the moment as deeply moving.

“The return of the tiger after nearly two decades reflects the resilience of the ecosystem and the cumulative impact of sustained conservation efforts on the ground,” she said, crediting frontline forest staff, Eco-Development Committees and local community organisations for their sustained role in protecting the landscape.

The recent survey also documented the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin and the rare Endangered Hispid Hare, further reinforcing the ecological importance of the sanctuary's unique riparian grassland ecosystem, the only one of its kind among protected areas in Arunachal Pradesh.

Over the past year, forest officials had observed indirect signs suggesting possible tiger movement within the landscape. Earlier surveillance rounds failed to yield photographic proof, but officials pressed on with renewed intensity and persistence before finally recording the big cat on camera.

“Its a good news for us. The return of Royal Bengal Tiger in the Wild life sanctuary will attract tourists to visit the wildlife sanctuary. We are very much happy with the news,” said a wildlife expert.

The D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, located around 13 km from Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district, spans a protected area of about 190 square km.

It was established in 1978 and surrounded by the Siang and Sibya rivers, it is a key habitat for tigers, leopards, wild buffaloes and migratory birds.The Forest Department officials stated that they would continue to strengthen habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community-led conservation efforts aimed at ensuring long-term wildlife survival in the landscape. Royal Bengal Tiger spotted in Arunachal wildlife sanctuary after 20 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........→July 09, 2026

Nothing beats a child's smile when it comes to true happiness: Telegraph reports

A leading English Newspaper of Australia 'Daily Telegraph' has reported that according to the latest survey, Australians derive true happiness by simply looking at their children's smile. According to Daily Telegraph, an exclusive survey has found that Australians are a happy bunch overall, thanks largely to their children, loving partners and good friends. The survey, in which around 2,000 persons participated, reveals that 56.8 percent respondents insisted that their children gave them the most joy while 50.3 percent said favoured to their partners. The survey, which was based on a scale from from "extremely happy" to "extremely unhappy" also revealed that three in five or 59.3 per cent, ranked spending time with friends highly. About 14 per cent said their jobs made them "extremely happy" while 7.7 per cent said that getting rid of their boss would improve their mood. '63.1 per cent respondents said more money might make them even happier while some said extra holidays and rest of them asserted to better health', the Daily Telegraph reported. Almost 70 per cent considered themselves happy people but opinions were evenly divided when it came to whether married or unmarried people were happier or which gender was more cheerful. 44 per cent asserted that money could buy happiness, 45 percent said it couldn't and 11.1 per cent were undecided. For 54.4 per cent of people those little bundles of joy are just that, while 45.6 per cent said childless people were happier. Baby boomers were believed to be the happiest age group. Source: Newstrack India

Read More........→July 03, 2026

New Study of 10,000+ People Revealed Regular Physical Activity Is Linked to Larger Healthier Brains

– credit, Getty Images for Unsplash +

In a new study, scientists seeking to better understand how physical activity protects against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s found it’s because exercise makes the brain larger.

2 to 3 days of moderate to vigorous physical activity was correlated to a significant increase in total brain matter and in specific regions like the temporal lobe and hippocampus.

To ensure the record is understood absolutely clearly—there’s no doubt that physical activity protects the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, including mild and severe cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, and other forms of dementia.

The Canadian/American research team sought to better understand the mechanisms behind this effect.

Light physical activity, number of steps taken per day, and number of city blocks traversed per day, are all modalities that have been used to measure connections between physical activity and preventing these diseases, showing that even pedestrian, non-athletic, non-sportive activity can be neuroprotective in some cases.

One of the main culprits, in a positive sense, for this effect is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is released into the brain during periods of exercise where it lowers neuro-inflammation, improves synaptic connection, and performs other functions too numerous to list here.

The study benefitted from the use of a deep-learning neural network that allowed for multiple MRI scans of the same brain to be analyzed rapidly.

10,000 participants (and their brains) with an average age of 54, but ranging from 18 to 97, who were about half men and half women made up the study cohorts.

Exercise was self-reported—an inevitable flaw when conducting large population studies like this one. Participants were asked how many days of the week they engaged in 10 minutes or more of moderate or vigorous intensity exercise.

While previous studies quantified moderate and vigorous intensity through heartbeats per minute, this and other more modern studies simply define moderate as being engaged in physical activity and still being able to talk, but not being able to sing. Vigorous was defined as being in a state where only a few words could be spoken before pausing to breathe.

10,125 brain MRI scans were examined, and it was determined that a higher number of days of moderate to vigorous physical activity “predicted larger normalized brain volumes in multiple regions, including total gray matter volume, total white matter volume, hippocampus, frontal cortex, parietal lobes, and occipital lobe,” the authors wrote.

This was particularly true for the occipital lobe, parietal lobe, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, and temporal lobe, which all had correlative significance (also known as the p-value) of 6 or higher. A result of 6 or higher is typically when scientists begin to take notice of correlations—trained as they are to take them always with a grain of salt.

Brain matter and size are all predictors of better cognitive and neurological health as we age, while neurodegenerative diseases are often found in less-dense brains.

“The study included adults aged 18-97, showing it’s never too early or late to start,” wrote Chris Kresser, founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, who was not involved in the study.

“While 75% of participants reported doing some regular physical activity, many didn’t meet standard exercise guidelines—yet still showed brain benefits. This adds to growing evidence that even modest physical activity can protect brain health.”

“Notably, moderate exercise appeared more beneficial than vigorous activity, suggesting you don’t need to be a super-athlete to reap the brain benefits,” he added. New Study of 10,000+ People Revealed Regular Physical Activity Is Linked to Larger Healthier Brains

Read More........→July 03, 2026

How does parent‑child interaction therapy work? And who can use it?

Shawna Mastro Campbell, Bond University; Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, Griffith University, and Tanya Hawes, Griffith University

Children thrive when parents are warm and responsive to their needs, while also providing clear guidance and setting limits. This is known as authoritative parenting.

But most parents will tell you authoritative parenting is easier said than done, especially when children have frequent intense emotions, big behaviours, meltdowns and outright defiance.

These challenges can lead parents to wish they had a parenting coach helping them know what to do and say.

Parent-child interaction therapy aims to do just that. It has been used in parts of Australia for around 20 years and is now available in some western Sydney schools.

So how does it actually work?

It focuses on the relationship

Parent-child interaction therapy is based on attachment theory, which posits that quality relationships in childhood predict wellbeing.

The parent and child play together in one room while the therapist observes in an adjacent room through a one-way mirror.

Using an ear-piece and microphone (or other communication device), the therapist acts as a coach to guide a parent’s responses to their child during play.

Coaching guides parents as they use positive attention skills to respond to their children’s behaviours and emotions as they occur. Within such a supportive environment, this reduces the child’s problematic behaviour and increases appropriate behaviours.

This guided, real-life practice gives parents the ability to use the techniques on their own, wherever they are, and enriches the parent-child connection.

Here’s what it can look like in practice.

How do kids experience it?

Parent-child interaction therapy was was first used in the 1970s to treat problem behaviours of children aged three to seven years. It’s now used from 15 months of age.

Although the child can’t see the therapist through the mirror window, they are aware their parent can hear the therapist through the earpiece.

From the child’s perspective, the play environment is often enjoyable and they get to spend high quality one-on-one time with their parent, enhancing the relationship.

Parents learn the importance of their attention

Throughout the therapy, the parent directly experiences the importance of their own attention.

When children get their parent’s attention for disruptive or other challenging behaviour, such as yelling, this can escalate children’s disruptive behaviour over time because parental attention makes any behaviour more likely to occur.

Children will even seek this attention if it comes in the form of a parent yelling, correcting, or negotiating, especially if they get little connection or attention when behaving appropriately.

In parent-child interaction therapy, parents use attention to reinforce their child’s positive behaviour. They practise giving positive attention for appropriate behaviour, such as praising and showing enthusiasm for children’s patience, kindness, good listening, or sharing.

The therapy also encourages parents to limit attention to unwanted behaviour when it’s safe to do so. A parent may be coached to avoid acknowledging when a child uses inappropriate language or “toilet talk”, for example.

Practising these attention strategies can increase children’s positive behaviours and interrupt the cycle of worsening behaviour and negativity.

Parents practise authoritative parenting

During parent-child interaction therapy, parents practise real-time strategies for authoritative parenting that:

• demonstrate warmth and responsiveness to their child’s needs
• fairly and clearly state expectations for behaviour
• are consistent in developmentally appropriate consequences, especially for aggressive behaviour.
  

Coaching focuses on responding kindly, while still setting clear boundaries and expectations for behaviour.

For example, by saying:

Thank you for following the rule of being gentle today. I really like when you do that at home with your brother, too.

Who is – and isn’t – it suitable for?

Research from Australia and abroad shows this type of therapy can be effective for behavioural and related emotion regulation problems.

It has also been shown to be effective among culturally diverse families and those who have faced adversity or have complex health and mental health challenges.

Research shows additional benefits for parents. These include reduced stress, improved parenting skills and confidence and improvements in the ability to manage difficult emotions such as anger.

Parent-child interaction therapy is most often used for children with conduct disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, and trauma-related conditions, as well as conditions where behaviour concerns can be a symptom, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder.

However, it can be used for children without any mental health diagnosis

It’s not recommended when there are safety issues or unstable relationships in the family or home environment. In these instances, other interventions should be prioritised over treating children’s behaviour concerns.

The downsides

Parent-child interaction therapy is time consuming and resource intensive. Therapy typically lasts 14 to 16 weeks, with most sessions involving both parents and children. Research shows repeated practice can lead to more sustained improvements in children’s behaviour. So it can involve a big commitment from parents.

Parent-child interaction therapy is delivered by qualified mental health service providers such as registered psychologists and social workers. They require extensive training, ongoing professional development and program training from an approved provider, as well has months of supervised practice. They also require specialised rooms and equipment. This can limit access.

Currently in Australia, the program is offered at a few universities and in some school settings, with costs often offset by public funding. There are few private providers.

Behaviour problems are the most common reason parents seek support for children. Supporting them with evidence-based programs or therapies – whether that’s parent-child interaction therapy or others – can deliver wide-reaching benefits across their lifespan.

Shawna Mastro Campbell, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Bond University; Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, Professor of Psychology, Griffith University, and Tanya Hawes, Program Co-ordinator/ Psychologist, Griffith University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→July 01, 2026

There are different types of fitness. An exercise expert explains

Jonathan Chng/Unsplash Hunter Bennett, Adelaide University

You probably have at least one “super fit” friend. Maybe they’re a marathon runner, a footy player or a keen hiker.

To keep themselves healthy, they may stick to a strict exercise regimen and only eat certain foods.

But in most cases, these people would likely struggle to play a sport or do an activity they’re unaccustomed to.

So, what does “fitness” even mean? And is there more than one kind?

Defining ‘fitness’

When you hear the word “fitness”, you probably picture someone who looks physically strong and athletic. But fitness can take many forms.

This includes cardiovascular endurance, which is how well your heart and lungs use oxygen to create energy.

There’s also muscular strength or your ability to move and lift objects in a single effort, for instance picking up a heavy box.

Body composition, or the amount of muscle you have relative to the amount of fat, is another aspect of fitness.

Aerobic or anaerobic fitness. What’s the difference?

While we can understand fitness in many ways, exercise scientists commonly break it down into two broad categories.

Aerobic

Aerobic fitness refers to your ability to use oxygen to create energy. This allows you to physically exert yourself for longer periods of time, for example, running a marathon.

Researchers assess aerobic fitness using a measurement known as “VO₂max”. This records the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in and use to create energy. Existing evidence shows people with a higher VO₂max score may have better aerobic fitness, a lower disease risk and a longer lifespan.

Anaerobic

Anaerobic fitness has to do with how well you perform short, high-intensity movements. Examples include jumping as high as you can or running a 100-metre sprint. Research shows anaerobic fitness relies on factors such as muscle mass, strength and explosive power, or how much force you can produce in a short period of time.

Some sports mainly require one type of fitness, say aerobic fitness for long-distance running. But most use a combination of the two. For instance, a football player needs explosive anaerobic power to sprint for the ball, but must also have enough aerobic fitness to keep running for a whole game.

Importantly, your body will adapt to the specific type of training you do. So if you run regularly, your heart, lungs and legs will learn to run very efficiently.

However, running involves a movement pattern that is quite specific. That’s why a runner may initially find it hard to pick up other sports, such as swimming or cycling.

But if you are “running fit” you will have an easier time switching to another sport, compared with someone who is not fit at all. That’s because you’ve already developed your aerobic and anaerobic systems and just need to “transfer” them to your new activity, rather than start from scratch.

These factors can affect your fitness

There are several factors that shape your level of fitness.

One is genetics. There is much research to suggest your genes play a key role in how you respond to exercise. Some people may build muscle more quickly and easily, while others seem to improve their aerobic fitness without much effort. This doesn’t mean that your genes stop you from getting very fit. But it does suggest that not everyone will be able to become an elite athlete.

Another factor is training. The type of exercise you do, and how well you do it, directly impacts how fit you get. Research shows high-intensity interval training – which intersperses short bursts of activity with quick recovery periods – is especially effective for improving aerobic fitness. But if you’re keen to get more anaerobically fit, you can prioritise strength training.

Lifestyle choices also affect fitness. You can train as much as you want, but if you’re not eating and sleeping enough, you may not get the results you want. That’s because good nutrition and consistent sleep ensure your body properly recovers from exercise.

How can fitness impact my health?

The evidence is clear that if you want to live a long, healthy life, you need both aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

Higher aerobic fitness is one of the strongest predictors of overall health. Research shows it protects against illness such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and some cancers. It also prevents early death.

Importantly, being more anaerobically fit may lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes and dying prematurely. Research also shows having stronger and more powerful muscles helps older people avoid falls and stay independent for longer.

In short, high aerobic fitness may help you live longer, while high anaerobic fitness will ensure you stay strong during your twilight years.

So, how can I improve my overall fitness?

Based on the World Health Organization’s physical activity guidelines, you should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. This may look like running, cycling or even brisk walking, and doing weight training at least two days each week.

If you are short on time, high-intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, is an effective way to do more exercise in less time.

When it comes to fitness, there are no quick fixes. But regardless what exercise you choose, what matters most is that you do it consistently.

Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, Adelaide University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→June 24, 2026

Tips for perfect photographic makeup

These days, all remedial courses are based on the need of the occasion. Gives the makeup school, students learn the different types of makeup styles. Ask the occasion makeup is the element that has the power to define the appearance of a person. Makeup bad can completely ruin the appearance and the days of a man. The golden rule of the master class makeup should be said to a person after the person or the body of the texture of the model concerned. All school makeup these days give the highest importance to the photographic composition. Any photographer first class believes that photography is not solely responsible for the perfect shot, but the elegance makeup plays an important role and is equivalent to a normal photo is convert it to a good photo. If this is done to make the model of inferior quality, then the recording is of poor quality only. Photographic composition is a key competency areas of remedial courses. Makeup for the photo shoot must take a certain type of charisma and freshness to appearance. While this model, the person who holds the makeup into consideration the importance of providing a kind of elegance model. To ensure a great photo shoot, the rule of High Masterclass is to make the best quality products is to use the perfect makeup. These days the market is flooded with different makeup products, it is important to choose the right product for the right model to suit the color and texture of the face. An important rule of photography make-up is to project the model's body is in the same light, the face. It is a big mistake often encountered in most professional photographers. The model's face is so important to ignore the flaws in the legs and arms often given. If any type of tooth is visible on every part of the image, and then use a good concealer should be made of the makeup artist. Makeup courses in the field of fashion photography forwards instead of doing all kinds of experiments with skin color model, it is preferable to make similar adjustments to the camera settings. The cameras are available in high quality such as imperfections can be handled without too much difficulty. The school makeup bans the idea of ​​charging the unit with all types of makeup. The reason is that the model projected on full makeup, natural beauty of the model due to excess overshadowed makeup and fake a look of the image. In photography makeup, powder reduces shine on your face and help you the best shot. Source: Makeup Spot

Read More........→June 24, 2026

Spending on child protection has almost doubled in a decade, so why isn’t it improving?

Bethany Beck/Unsplash

Claudia Bull, Deakin University and Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University

The central aim of any child protection system is in the name: protect children. But over the years, inquiries and media reports have shown fulfilling this goal has too often proved tragically elusive.

In response, governments across the country have poured more and more money into their child protection systems in the hope of getting better outcomes.

Our newly-published research shows total national spending has almost doubled over the decade, climbing from $5.4 billion in 2014–15 to $10.2 billion in 2023–24 (adjusted for inflation).

But we found this hasn’t been matched by changes in activity across systems, like increases in the rate of investigations for alleged maltreatment, or the number of children entering out-of-home care. Nor has it improved outcomes for children.

So if money alone isn’t the answer, what is? Here’s what the evidence shows would help.

A maze of moving parts

Protecting Australia’s children is not the job of a single system. It involves many overlapping systems – health, childcare, education, justice and policing, disability services, and other parts of the social welfare system – working together to prevent and respond to child abuse, neglect and exploitation.

In Australia, there is no national child protection system to bring these parts together. Each state and territory runs its own. They share the same guiding principles, such as acting in the best interests of the child. But how they operate in practice differs across the country.

The result is several systems made up of many moving parts that do not always work as a coordinated whole. And too often, prevention is left to the side, in favour of reacting to harm once it has already happened.

Recent inquiries in Queensland and Victoria show this fragmentation is not just inefficient, but may be causing more harm than good.

The concerns raised in the recent Queensland and Victorian inquiries about how we protect children are not new. They have been raised many times in recent history.

Queensland alone has had four inquiries in the past 30 years (1999, 2004, 2012–13 and 2025–26), while Victoria has had three (2012, 2024, and 2026).

But as the presiding commissioner for the 2025–26 Queensland inquiry, Paul Anastassiou put it:

[…] the child protection system continues to fail children and the community in serious respects.

So, what are the problems?

1. Child protection systems don’t work as a whole

Statutory child protection services hold decision-making authority over when and how to intervene in a child’s life, and ultimately, whether a child needs to be removed from their parent(s) to keep them safe.

But it doesn’t control the conditions that create harm in the first place. Those sit across other systems.

For example, poverty and housing instability are linked to harm, yet responsibility for addressing these conditions lies within housing and income support systems, not child protection.

Similarly, other causes of harm such as family violence, mental illness, and substance use are addressed through justice, health, and alcohol and other drug systems.

This means responsibility for child safety is distributed across many systems. Accountability, however, is not.

Each system remains accountable for its own functions, rather than for whether children are kept safe, stable and supported. No single system is accountable for whether the child’s best interests are upheld across their life course.

This has real consequences for statutory child protection decision-making. Information about children and families sits across multiple systems, and those systems do not always communicate. So, child safety decisions are often made with incomplete, fragmented or selectively available information.

At the same time, decisions are made under pressure and often rely on adult’s views without meaningful consultation of children and young people about their own safety, or what would help.

Together, this creates child protection systems where high-stakes decisions are made on shaky foundations.

2. Child protection systems act too late and can cause harm

Systems remain overwhelmingly reactive, responding only after harm has happened, rather than preventing it in the first place.

In more than 50% of cases, children and families in contact with systems have already been subject to a child protection investigation.

The Victorian inquiry revealed that once in contact with statutory child protection, children aged 15–17 years old can expect to be re-reported almost seven times.

While this is not a new problem, it is one that must be solved.

Worse still, child protection systems themselves can cause harm. Children might experience multiple placements, uprooting relational and environmental stability, as well as significant delays in receiving health and medical care.

The most recent Queensland inquiry also highlighted children placed in residential care in particular experience higher rates of trauma, unmet mental health needs, self-harm and suicide attempts.

The commission rightly recognised the state’s heavy reliance on residential care as one of its biggest failures.

3. Over-prioritising crisis responses

Both the Queensland and Victorian inquiries found most resources are spent on responding to crises rather than on early intervention.

Our research found while overall spending was increasing, out-of-home care saw most of the funding boost. Between 2014–15 and 2023–24, the proportion of all spending that was on activities associated with out-of-home care increased from 58.4% to 63.6%.

Meanwhile, investment in intensive family support reduced from 8.2% to 6.2% of the overall spend.

What needs to be done?

Together, findings from recent inquiries and our own research show child protection systems across Australia are not consistently delivering on their core aim: acting in the best interests of the child.

While state-level statutory child protection reform is welcome, addressing this will require federal leadership.

Australia needs a national child maltreatment prevention agenda with sustained investment in prevention and early support. It could be overseen by the Department of Social Services, whose role is to improve the economic and social wellbeing of individuals, families and vulnerable members of Australian communities.

Alternatively, because child maltreatment is a significant public health issue, it could also be assigned to the Australian Centre for Disease Control: a national agency established to strengthen Australia’s prevention, preparedness and response to public health threats.

There also needs to be shared accountability across all systems that should be involved in supporting children’s safety.

Finally, genuine partnership with First Nations organisations is needed to help Indigenous children, who are over-represented in child protection systems.

Until these systems are designed to work together, they will continue to fail to deliver what children need most: safety, stability and support.

Claudia Bull, Postdoctoral research fellow, Deakin University and Daryl Higgins, Professor & Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→June 24, 2026

How much clothing is too much? The maths behind having a sustainable wardrobe

 

Ron Lach/Pexels, CC BY 

Alicja Kuźmycz, Torrens University Australia

Most people suspect they own too many clothes, but they aren’t sure exactly what the “right amount” is. Recent wardrobe studies, in which researchers literally peek inside peoples’ closets, show the scale of the problem is far greater than most of us imagine.

Sixty years ago, the average person owned about 40 garments.

Today, that number has more than quadrupled, with a recent study revealing these numbers continue to trend upwards. The typical wardrobe now contains an average of 199 major pieces. Even more striking: 25%–50% of these items are languishing in the back of drawers and rails.

Our hidden clothing footprint

Research tells us this is not just a clutter issue — it’s a carbon one. Every garment carries a sizeable environmental footprint long before it reaches a hanger, including from fibre production, spinning, weaving, dyeing, cutting, sewing, packaging and global transport.

A jacket that ends up as fashion waste is more than a label and price tag. It’s the sum of all the resources and emissions that brought it into being.

At the same time, donating excess garments to charities is rarely a solution.

Before you channel your inner Marie Kondo and bag up half your wardrobe, it’s worth knowing that most charities are overwhelmed, and only a small fraction of donated clothing is resold. The rest often ends up in landfill or exported overseas, shifting the problem, rather than solving it.

The real issue isn’t simply how much we buy, but how little we wear what we already own.

Wear counts change everything

One of the clearest findings emerging from sustainability research is that the environmental impact of a garment often depends on how many times it’s worn. In a sense, every additional wear helps “offset” the garment’s carbon footprint.

The European Union has calculated the minimum number of wears needed for different clothing types:

• shirts and blouses: 40 wears

• T shirts: 45 wears

• pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, leggings: 70 wears

• jumpers, cardigans, hoodies: 85 wears

• jackets and coats: 100 wears.

For many people, these numbers may be far higher than expected – and they shift the sustainability conversation from “buying better” to “wearing more”.

The wardrobe equation

My own recent research has gone further by offering a simple mathematical model to calculate how long it takes to reach these minimum wear counts. The formula is straightforward: wearing frequency × wardrobe volume. The results are eye opening.

Take dresses. The average participant in the study owned 23. So if they wore a dress once a week, it would take nearly 31 years to wear each one 70 times. If they wear dresses five times a week, the timeline drops to six and a half years.

The maths makes the issue clear: there is no universal “right” number of clothes. A sustainable wardrobe depends entirely on how often a person wears what they own, which is influenced by factors such as seasonality, climate, lifestyle, laundry habits and personal style.

The maths also becomes more complicated when you look at the entire wardrobe, rather than a single garment type.

Why a tailored approach is needed

Because of this complexity, it’s difficult to declare a fixed number of garments that constitutes a sustainable wardrobe.

As such, the next phase of my project is the development of an interactive wardrobe calculator – a tool designed to help individuals understand their own clothing use patterns and calculate a personalised sustainable wardrobe size.

The Paris 2030 Agreement to stay below 1.5°C of global warming recommends 85 garments or less would be a responsible target – although imposing strict limits does not take individual wearing patterns into account. People need a practical, tailored approach that reflects their real lives.

What the research makes clear is that sustainability isn’t about owning the perfect number of clothes, or purging half your wardrobe. It’s about understanding the maths behind what you own, how often you wear it, and how those choices shape your environmental impact.

Alicja Kuźmycz, Lecturer, Torrens University Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........→June 18, 2026