How AI is cheapening tertiary education at Sydney University
I've watched people get halfway through proofing a hard copy essay draft before ripping it up in defeat. The most exhausted sleep it off on the couches clustered at the entrance to each of Fisher's levels.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Fears Vitamin B6 levels in energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster could contribute to rise in B6 toxicity cases
Concerns are mounting over an ingredient in energy drinks that has been linked to a growing number of life-altering blood toxicity cases. Vitamin B6 is considered an essential vitamin and is widely available in a balanced diet, with a recommended daily intake of just 1.3mg — 1.7mg per day for adults. But debilitating health problems can occur when a manufactured form of B6 — also known as pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxamine, or pyridoxal — is consumed in excess. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains 5 milligrams of Vitamin B6, a 500ml can of Mother 4.3 milligrams per serve and a 500ml can of BSC Energy 10mg. "There's no good reason why energy drinks need to have six times the recommended daily intake of B6 in them," George Institute food policy researcher, Associate Professor Alexandra Jones told 730. "And while it's unlikely that you would exceed the upper limit by drinking energy drinks alone, there is a subset of the population that are likely to be simultaneously consuming energy drinks and other supplements which could also contain high levels of B6," she said. B6 is added to thousands of vitamin supplements and fortified food products — from magnesium and zinc to breakfast cereals and protein bars. Blood test data obtained by 7.30 from Australian pathology labs Sullivan Nicolaides has revealed more than 2,700 'probable' cases of neuropathy or other health issues attributed to B6 blood toxicity have occurred since January this year. "Typical consumption patterns mean people are getting much higher doses, not just from the individual products but multiple products," Dr Terri-Lynne South, a dietitian and GP said. Dr South is one of several health practitioners advocating for tighter regulations — as more cases of B6 toxicity emerge. "For the energy drinks containing 10mg of B6 — if they were vitamin supplements — they'd have to show a warning on the label," Dr South told 7.30. "There's only one reason to have a supplement for B6 — and that's if there is proven deficiency or risk of deficiency." The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards agency (FSANZ) set the limit for B6 in energy drinks at 10mg per day, around the time Red Bull entered the Australian market. "Formulated caffeinated beverages must carry an advisory statement that no more than a 'one-day quantity' should be consumed if they contain certain substances, including vitamin B6," a spokesperson told 7.30. Last month the country's medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), made several recommendations It called for vitamin supplements with more than 50mg of B6 to be taken off shelves and moved behind pharmacy counters. A TGA delegate last month wrote that FSANZ should consider the "appropriateness of the 10 mg limit for vitamin B6 in formulated caffeinated beverages, considering the risks from the use of multiple products containing Vitamin B6." The same delegate also described the benefits of synthetic B6 as 'negligible', said labelling is 'inconsistent' and 'confusing' and called on the multi-billion-dollar complementary medicines sector to initiate education campaigns. A spokesperson for FSANZ said: "If evidence emerges that consumers are regularly exceeding safe intake levels, FSANZ would consider raising a proposal to review the current permissions." FSANZ did not answer questions regarding how it monitors such evidence. Ms Jones said the agency typically prioritises cases where the adverse effects are immediate, not cumulative. "They're very focused on the immediate health risks of a product, so whether it would make you sick overnight, for example," she said. Geoff Parker, the CEO of the Australian Beverages Council issued a statement on behalf of Australia's energy drinks companies. He didn't answer 7.30's questions and instead compared his sector's products against complementary medicines. "Laws regulating energy drinks in Australia are among the most stringent in the world," he told 7.30. "Some popular multivitamin supplements contain about 25 mg of B6 — at least five times the average B6 in energy drinks sold in Australia. "The ... upper level of safe intake [is] 50 mg a day for adults. The average level of B6 in energy drinks sold in Australia is approximately 2.1mg for a 250ml serve." The regulations however don't prevent unprecedented or unlikely cases. Matthew* began taking Berocca daily last August after a colleague recommended it for an afternoon energy boost. The 56-year-old has a prominent public profile and asked 7.30 not to use his real name. "I work in a high-pressure environment ... by mid-afternoon, the energy levels start to wane ... one of my colleagues was having a Berocca — he said 'it gives you a boost', so I tried it, and it turned into a habit." What started as a daily pick-me-up soon escalated — at times, he was having two Beroccas in one drink. Then came the symptoms. "I felt a tingle — some pins and needles — in my left hand, it moved up my arm, then to my right hand, then into my legs, there were terrible burning sensations." Concerned about stroke or heart problems, he underwent tests for blood cancer and multiple sclerosis. His doctor eventually suggested a neurologist. "I was poisoning myself while [I was] trying to work out how I've poisoned myself." Still, he continued taking Berocca but concedes he was likely taking too much of the product. After months of suffering came the call from his GP. "He said 'you have to stop taking vitamin supplements'… I said, 'what are you talking about? I've never taken vitamins' And he said 'it's Vitamin B6'." Tests revealed Matthew had nearly three times the toxic level of B6 in his bloodstream. He stopped taking Berocca immediately. And while his symptoms improved within weeks, some burning sensations remain. "I haven't had any peripheral neuropathy for a month," he said. The mental toll though has been severe. "I am so careful about the food that I put in my mouth, the restrictions I have on drinking, the fact I exercise religiously. "I've never had serious mental issues — I'm a glass-half-full person — I don't think I've got a propensity towards depression or anything like that. "But I certainly was depressed about this — this has rocked my world, mentally." There are no warnings on Berocca packaging. Instead, it claims to improve physical energy "when consumed daily for 28 days." Berocca's parent company, pharmaceutical giant Bayer, said it is "committed to consumer safety and regulatory compliance". "All our over-the-counter products ... comply fully with TGA labelling requirements, including ingredient disclosure, dosage, and safety warnings. We will continue to abide by TGA rules and requirements." In 2020 Monique's blood became toxic after consuming protein shakes and multivitamins, she never realised the combined B6 levels were extreme. "It took about a year to be diagnosed," the 35-year-old told 7.30. "The worst state that I was in was being bed-bound for about six months, once the vestibular migraine started and I lost my balance completely. Monique believes during her recovery her symptoms were exacerbated when unwittingly consuming small amounts of B6 in a fortified drink. "I was doing really well, I was exercising again, and carefully checking everything I was eating, but after nine months of improvement I became complacent — I didn't think to check the back of the label," she said. Monique could not provide evidence concluding the fortified drink was a causal factor. Dr South believes much of the marketing around B6 is misleading. "Most of these products, promoting B-vitamins, are marketed as 'energy-giving', and that comes from the understanding that a lot of these vitamins are co-factors of generating energy in cells," she told 7.30. "We're starting to see it in multivitamin minerals from the chemist, but we need better regulations in these higher food products, especially energy drinks. "This increases the impetus for regulators like Food Standards Australian New Zealand the Therapeutic Goods Administration to coordinate together, because it's about the cumulative risks of this amount of B6 being in our food supply. Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
AU Financial Review
31-07-2025
- AU Financial Review
How AI is cheapening tertiary education at Sydney University
Sydney University's Fisher Library resembles a Goya portrait series when exams are on. Each student's face is a study in despair. Some stare pleadingly at blank word documents. Others crumple Red Bull can, after Red Bull can, as they hammer away at a software program. I've watched people get halfway through proofing a hard copy essay draft before ripping it up in defeat. The most exhausted sleep it off on the couches clustered at the entrance to each of Fisher's levels.
The Age
17-07-2025
- The Age
Matt is 56 but his ‘fitness age' says he is in his 30s. How is that possible?
'Fitness age, also known as your biological age, is a way of grading your health and fitness in comparison to your chronological age,' says Transformation Coach co-founder Chief Brabon, who has coached Quirk for the past 10 years. The accuracy of your result depends on a couple of factors, the first being the breadth of the analysis. Most rudimentary indicators of fitness age, such as the one on your smartwatch, measure your cardiorespiratory fitness by assessing your VO2 max and how it stacks up against others of your age and gender. Some may also take into account your body fat percentage. Others, such as the FAST test Quirk did, also measure mobility, stability, strength, and body composition, providing a more rounded understanding of your physical wellbeing. 'The benefit of the FAST test is it looks at so many aspects of health and wellbeing,' Brabon says. 'These elements are often overlooked in what we consider good health.' But even with more holistic assessments like this, Sydney University health and longevity researcher Professor Luigi Fontana says technology alone provides an incomplete picture of our overall health. Loading 'In 2025, we don't have reliable biomarkers of biological age,' Prof Fontana says. 'No doubt, some devices can now measure – even if not perfectly like an EEG – things like sleep quality, heart rate variability, and some can measure body temperature and blood oxygen,' he says. 'These tools are useful, especially because we're living in a mostly sedentary society, but exercise alone won't guarantee long-term health. Let's say you're exercising, but you're also smoking, over-drinking alcohol, and eating an unhealthy diet. Do you really believe you're going to be healthier and live longer?' Loading Does fitness age matter? Other than a handy brag among your mates, why care about fitness age? Quite simply, Brabon says, because it will boost your chances of living well, if not necessarily longer. 'Our health and fitness – which fitness age represents – should be a priority in our lives, just like family and career,' he says. 'It's no use nurturing a wonderful family or creating financial security if you're not fit enough to enjoy either of them.' Numerous studies show that strong overall fitness is associated with a lower risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, dementia and premature death. 'Ultimately, the greatest benefit of a younger fitness age is a greater quality of life for an extended period of time,' Brabon says. 'What that basically means is that you will be able to move and perform in your 50s, 60s, and even older, as well as you did in your 20s and 30s.' How to improve fitness age Unlike chronological age, Brabon says we all have power to influence our fitness age – whether that's for better or worse. 'We so often see people get to this point in life in their late 40s or early 50s and they've almost given up,' he says. 'But even if you've never been fit before in your life, it doesn't mean you can't achieve a lower fitness age and the lifestyle benefits that come with it. You just have to start.' Fontana says you don't need super intense workouts to see results – just consistent, sustainable habits. Loading 'In one study we found people aged 50 to 60 who exercised one hour a day, six days a week at 70 per cent of their maximum heart rate lost 40 per cent of their visceral fat over the course of a year,' he says. Adding exercises that build strength, mobility and balance can enhance those benefits and support positive ageing. 'As we age we lose muscle mass and bone mass,' Fontana says. 'Resistance and flexibility training help counteract musculoskeletal disorders and osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women.' Quirk pushes back on the familiar excuse 'I'm too old to get fit'. 'You're too old not to,' he says. 'You see on YouTube 75-year-old guys who look amazing and they've just continued with strength and fitness work. So why would you stop?' Quirk plans to continue his pursuit of lowering his fitness age. Next on the list his a blood analysis and some fine-tuning of his nutrition to support his training. 'I don't want to end up in a nursing home,' he says. 'I want to stay fit until I drop dead.'
