Latest news with #MacquarieUniversity
Scoop
a day ago
- Health
- Scoop
Unmasking The Appeal: TSANZ Releases New Vaping Cessation Guidance For Health Professionals On World No Tobacco Day
To mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is proud to launch its new Guidance for the Management of Electronic Cigarette Use. Published in Respirology, the guidance is designed to equip healthcare professionals (HCPs) with strategies to prevent vaping initiation and support individuals who are trying to quit. 'Vaping-associated nicotine addiction is a problem that has been created by the calculated design of the product, the strategic use of social media platforms and its ready accessibility in recent years' says Professor Mathew Peters, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Macquarie University. The TSANZ Guidance is a practical, evidence-informed resource designed around common clinical scenarios. Freely accessible, the guidance supports HCPs to provide informed, consistent care when addressing vaping and nicotine dependence among adolescents and adults. The TSANZ warns that modern nicotine addiction is no longer driven solely by traditional tobacco products. E-cigarettes or vapes now play an equally powerful role, deliberately designed to appeal to young people through enticing flavours, sleek packaging, and high nicotine content. 'Politicians, the public and people who smoke or vape need to be aware that nicotine addiction is not about 'freedom of choice' despite what the tobacco and vape industries would have us believe' said the TSANZ Tobacco and Other Substances Special Interest Group Convenor and Paediatric Respiratory Physician, Dr Moya Vandeleur. 'Nicotine addiction is simply about the industry getting as many people hooked onto their products as possible, to turn as much profit as possible, regardless of the severe health outcomes associated with use,' reminds Dr Vandeleur. We commend the Government on their implementation of regulations to reduce the availability of vapes and to restrict flavourings, and nicotine content in these products However, the industry does not rest and neither should we. TSANZ calls on the re-elected Albanese Labor Government to extend the actions it has already taken to control smoked tobacco given a majority of those who smoke express a desire to quit. Further lowering permissible nicotine concentrations and banning flavour manipulations will have a rapid, substantial effect on smoking uptake, will help people who smoke in their quit attempts and will support people who have already quit smoking from relapsing. "As a health membership society leader, I see the societal cost of addiction firsthand, and it's truly concerning how prevalent vaping has become, especially among young people. This new guidance is a vital step in protecting public health and productivity," says Vincent So, CEO. 'There has never been a better moment. Australia and New Zealand must pursue an end game for tobacco and other nicotine product use,' says TSANZ President, Professor Natasha Smallwood. "The launch of this new guidance represents a significant milestone in TSANZ's ongoing efforts to combat the growing public health challenge of e-cigarette use."
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Rachael ‘Raygun' Gunn reveals struggle with anxiety after Olympic break-dancing went viral
Australian breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn has spoken out about the deep impact the viral reaction to her Olympic performance had on her mental health. Gunn, 37, revealed she was already dealing with anxiety before the Olympics, but the global backlash after her routine made things much worse. She described feeling 'paralysed' and 'panicky' if her husband wasn't nearby. Opening up to News Corp, Gunn said getting off social media, support from loved ones, and regular psychologist appointments helped her cope. Gunn, who recently performed with Richard Branson on a Virgin Voyages cruise after her Olympic routine went viral, shared that she began taking anti-anxiety medication about six months before Paris due to the pressure of being the first Australian woman to qualify for Olympic break-dancing. 'The Olympics is such a huge event and there's so much pressure on you, regardless of your chances,' she said. 'My journey with anxiety started before the big day when everything changed, but because I'd already had that experience with it and a bit of a support structure in place it meant I was able to get through that whirlwind of an adventure and the wild ride a bit easier.' The months after the Olympics were especially tough. Gunn described feeling 'paralysed' and 'frozen' at times. 'I was just kind of stuck and paralysed until either Sammy (husband Samuel Free) came back or we found some friends or something,' she said. 'For a long time I generally felt out of my body, if that makes sense, like the whole world was different. 'I would have a good cry probably every couple of weeks because I felt so numb the rest of the time, like I couldn't be angry, I couldn't be upset, I was just trying to process everything that was happening. 'Then I would have a good cry and I would feel a bit better for a while. 'It's still hard, to be honest, I still have bad days.' She's now slowly regaining her confidence to break-dance again. 'I used to practise on the street four nights a week, I still haven't got the confidence to do that but I am able to break at home with Sammy and a friend and build from there,' she said. 'Now I'm actually starting to enjoy it again and it's nice to be able to dance with no pressure and work on some moves.' Gunn continues to work at Macquarie University, marking essays and helping with teaching. 'I'm working on some stuff behind the scenes … you certainly haven't seen the last of me,' she said. She also shared her new hobby of knitting, calling her project 'my mental health scarf.' 'This is my mental health scarf,' she said, holding it up. 'It's the most ridiculous thing, it's so long, but it was because I was so restless watching TV or whatever, it helped me do something with my hands and keep them busy because I feel like I get a lot of anxiety. 'It's just for me, so who cares, it will be ready in winter 2027 … it's nice to do something that has no pressure and you can just keep working on it and feel a sense of accomplishment. 'This is the stuff you have to explore when you're struggling with your mental health.' On returning to Australia, Gunn found comfort in 1980s Aerobics Oz Style videos on YouTube to help her exercise. 'When I came back to Sydney, I could barely leave the house, so I wasn't about to go to a gym or join a class so I looked on YouTube a lot for some workout videos,' she said. 'I did pilates and I've been doing yoga for years and I actually got into the old 80s Oz-Style Aerobics which were on YouTube. 'They're fun, they're good, they're easy.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Rachael ‘Raygun' Gunn reveals struggle with anxiety after Olympic break-dancing went viral
Australian breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn has spoken out about the deep impact the viral reaction to her Olympic performance had on her mental health. Gunn, 37, revealed she was already dealing with anxiety before the Olympics, but the global backlash after her routine made things much worse. She described feeling 'paralysed' and 'panicky' if her husband wasn't nearby. Opening up to News Corp , Gunn said getting off social media, support from loved ones, and regular psychologist appointments helped her cope. Gunn, who recently performed with Richard Branson on a Virgin Voyages cruise after her Olympic routine went viral, shared that she began taking anti-anxiety medication about six months before Paris due to the pressure of being the first Australian woman to qualify for Olympic break-dancing. 'The Olympics is such a huge event and there's so much pressure on you, regardless of your chances,' she said. 'My journey with anxiety started before the big day when everything changed, but because I'd already had that experience with it and a bit of a support structure in place it meant I was able to get through that whirlwind of an adventure and the wild ride a bit easier.' The months after the Olympics were especially tough. Gunn described feeling 'paralysed' and 'frozen' at times. 'I was just kind of stuck and paralysed until either Sammy (husband Samuel Free) came back or we found some friends or something,' she said. 'For a long time I generally felt out of my body, if that makes sense, like the whole world was different. 'I would have a good cry probably every couple of weeks because I felt so numb the rest of the time, like I couldn't be angry, I couldn't be upset, I was just trying to process everything that was happening. 'Then I would have a good cry and I would feel a bit better for a while. 'It's still hard, to be honest, I still have bad days.' She's now slowly regaining her confidence to break-dance again. 'I used to practise on the street four nights a week, I still haven't got the confidence to do that but I am able to break at home with Sammy and a friend and build from there,' she said. 'Now I'm actually starting to enjoy it again and it's nice to be able to dance with no pressure and work on some moves.' Gunn continues to work at Macquarie University, marking essays and helping with teaching. 'I'm working on some stuff behind the scenes … you certainly haven't seen the last of me,' she said. She also shared her new hobby of knitting, calling her project 'my mental health scarf.' 'This is my mental health scarf,' she said, holding it up. 'It's the most ridiculous thing, it's so long, but it was because I was so restless watching TV or whatever, it helped me do something with my hands and keep them busy because I feel like I get a lot of anxiety. 'It's just for me, so who cares, it will be ready in winter 2027 … it's nice to do something that has no pressure and you can just keep working on it and feel a sense of accomplishment. 'This is the stuff you have to explore when you're struggling with your mental health.' On returning to Australia, Gunn found comfort in 1980s Aerobics Oz Style videos on YouTube to help her exercise. 'When I came back to Sydney, I could barely leave the house, so I wasn't about to go to a gym or join a class so I looked on YouTube a lot for some workout videos,' she said. 'I did pilates and I've been doing yoga for years and I actually got into the old 80s Oz-Style Aerobics which were on YouTube. 'They're fun, they're good, they're easy.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ryagun left ‘paralyzed' after viral Olympic break-dancing
Australian breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn has spoken out about the deep impact the viral reaction to her Olympic performance had on her mental health. Gunn, 37, revealed she was already dealing with anxiety before the Olympics, but the global backlash after her routine made things much worse. She described feeling 'paralysed' and 'panicky' if her husband wasn't nearby. Opening up to News Corp, Gunn said getting off social media, support from loved ones, and regular psychologist appointments helped her cope. Gunn, who recently performed with Richard Branson on a Virgin Voyages cruise after her Olympic routine went viral, shared that she began taking anti-anxiety medication about six months before Paris due to the pressure of being the first Australian woman to qualify for Olympic break-dancing. 'The Olympics is such a huge event and there's so much pressure on you, regardless of your chances,' she said. 'My journey with anxiety started before the big day when everything changed, but because I'd already had that experience with it and a bit of a support structure in place it meant I was able to get through that whirlwind of an adventure and the wild ride a bit easier.' The months after the Olympics were especially tough. Gunn described feeling 'paralysed' and 'frozen' at times. 'I was just kind of stuck and paralysed until either Sammy (husband Samuel Free) came back or we found some friends or something,' she said. 'For a long time I generally felt out of my body, if that makes sense, like the whole world was different. 'I would have a good cry probably every couple of weeks because I felt so numb the rest of the time, like I couldn't be angry, I couldn't be upset, I was just trying to process everything that was happening. 'Then I would have a good cry and I would feel a bit better for a while. 'It's still hard, to be honest, I still have bad days.' She's now slowly regaining her confidence to break-dance again. 'I used to practise on the street four nights a week, I still haven't got the confidence to do that but I am able to break at home with Sammy and a friend and build from there,' she said. 'Now I'm actually starting to enjoy it again and it's nice to be able to dance with no pressure and work on some moves.' Gunn continues to work at Macquarie University, marking essays and helping with teaching. 'I'm working on some stuff behind the scenes … you certainly haven't seen the last of me,' she said. She also shared her new hobby of knitting, calling her project 'my mental health scarf.' 'This is my mental health scarf,' she said, holding it up. 'It's the most ridiculous thing, it's so long, but it was because I was so restless watching TV or whatever, it helped me do something with my hands and keep them busy because I feel like I get a lot of anxiety. 'It's just for me, so who cares, it will be ready in winter 2027 … it's nice to do something that has no pressure and you can just keep working on it and feel a sense of accomplishment. 'This is the stuff you have to explore when you're struggling with your mental health.' On returning to Australia, Gunn found comfort in 1980s Aerobics Oz Style videos on YouTube to help her exercise. 'When I came back to Sydney, I could barely leave the house, so I wasn't about to go to a gym or join a class so I looked on YouTube a lot for some workout videos,' she said. 'I did pilates and I've been doing yoga for years and I actually got into the old 80s Oz-Style Aerobics which were on YouTube. 'They're fun, they're good, they're easy.'
West Australian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Bill Thompson: Music is the universal language of understanding and connection
From Mozart to Billie Eilish, music has the power to move listeners in deep and profound Ode to Joy is a soaring anthem of hope and elation, while Adele's Someone Like You is a sorrowful ballad that can bring listeners to that emotional connection doesn't always translate across cultures.I was recently involved in a study led by my PhD student Marjorie Li that looked into how Western listeners perceive emotions in two distinct musical styles: Western classical and Chinese do this, music experts curated a series of 10-second sound clips — half Western classical violin music and half Chinese traditional music played on an erhu, a two-stringed bowed sound clip was selected to reflect one of four emotions: happiness, sadness, agitation and with Dr Kirk Olsen, a colleague from Macquarie University, we recruited 100 listeners of white European descent and based in the UK, US, New Zealand and the most interesting finding from this research was that the listeners tended to perceive Chinese music as 'agitated' and Western music as 'happy'. In a world of geopolitical conflicts headlined by the US-China trade war, could music play a role in bridging divides and fostering understanding?An earlier study by the same research team suggests it found that teaching people to play a musical instrument from an unfamiliar culture, even learning to play a single tune, can diminish or even eliminate biases about that that study, 58 white Australians were randomly assigned to learn either the Chinese pipa or a Middle Eastern oud (both instruments are similar to the lute).After a two-hour lecture on the instruments' cultural and musical background, the would-be musicians spent another couple of hours learning to play a folk they were more empathetic toward people of different cultural learners felt more connected to Chinese people, while oud learners felt more connected to Middle Eastern Lennon understood this anthem Give Peace a Chance became a rallying cry of the anti–Vietnam War movement, uniting millions across borders under a shared call for didn't end the war, but it gave voice to a global Donald Trump's trade negotiators to pick up a Chinese pipa to help find an amicable end to the ongoing tariffs dispute is a bridge too there's no doubt music can build unity if we're all singing the same tune. Dr Bill Thompson is a professor of psychology at Bond University
