Latest news with #StephenNutt
Courier-Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Courier-Mail
Just 2 days of eating high-fat food can damage your gut, study shows
Diets high in saturated fats have been linked to heart disease and strokes, but now Australian researchers believe they've found a link between these foods and chronic inflammation. We know some foods aren't great for our guts, but some are definitely worse than others. A new study from Melbourne's WEHI (formerly the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) has found that high-fat foods could damage our guts without us even realising. Experts already encourage us not to follow diets high in saturated fats, with the Heart Foundation noting that 'eating too much saturated fat can raise the level of LDL(bad) cholesterol in your blood', and 'a high level of LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.' WEHI's pre-clinical study has highlighted that just a few meals high in saturated fats could cause chronic inflammation. The research team believes symptoms may not appear for years. Mice were fed high-fat meals as a part of the study, and despite having no signs of weight gain or other obvious symptoms of inflammation, the researchers found 'microscopic changes' to their gut health and function. We've shown that every meal we consume actively shapes our gut health. The paper's senior author, Dr Cyril Seillet said 'we've shown that every meal we consume actively shapes our gut health'. 'The more saturated fats we eat, the more inflammation that builds up – gradually weakening our gut defences and increasing our susceptibility to chronic inflammation.' He added that although we may experience some discomfort after eating foods high in saturated fats, we may not be immediately aware of the level of inflammation they can cause, saying 'this inflammation build-up is initially silent, remaining hidden in our bodies until years later, where it can present as chronic inflammation.' Just eating high-fat foods for a short period can decrease the body's production of the protein. IL-22 is an important protein for fighting inflammation, improving mucous production and promoting wound healing. WEHI Laboratory Head Professor Stephen Nutt found that just eating high-fat foods for a short period can decrease the body's production of the protein. The paper's first author, Le Xiong explained that these findings are concerning, highlighting that diets high in saturated fats could both trigger inflammation and hinder the body from being able to fight it. If you add avocado to everything, good news! You could be protecting your gut from inflammation. Image: Getty 'It took only two days of consuming high-fat foods for the mice to lose their IL-22 stores and have an impaired gut function' he said. 'Despite their gut protection capabilities being stripped away, the mice still looked healthy – highlighting how gut health can be compromised long before any visible symptoms appear.' But if you add avocado to everything, good news! You could be protecting your gut from inflammation. Avocados, nuts, seeds, olives and oily fish are high in unsaturated fats and are already endorsed by the Heart Foundation for their role in boosting our heart health. After introducing unsaturated fats into the mice's diets, the team saw the rodents' IL-22 levels grow, signalling that by consuming these foods, people may be able to boost their production of the important protein naturally to potentially improve their gut health. Image: iStock After introducing unsaturated fats into the mice's diets, the team saw the rodents' IL-22 levels grow, signalling that by consuming these foods, people may be able to boost their production of the important protein naturally to potentially improve their gut health. More research is needed, but Seillet said, 'while occasional high-fat meals won't impair your gut protection barrier, a consistent diet that is high in saturated fats is laying the foundation for chronic gut inflammation to present in future.' Originally published as Just 2 days of eating high-fat food can damage your gut, study shows
The Age
15-05-2025
- The Age
Hooded figures, an underworld getaway car: Police allege link between synagogue, nightclub fires
A blue getaway car alleged to have been passed around the underworld for use in violent crimes is at the centre of an investigation into the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue, as police release dramatic new footage in their hunt for the attackers. Victoria Police on Thursday revealed the car used in the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's south-east on December 6, is believed to have been involved in a string of other crimes, including a drive-by shooting in Bundoora the same night and an arson attack that engulfed a popular nightclub in flames about two weeks earlier. While the other crimes are not believed to have been politically motivated, police stressed that the synagogue fire was still being investigated by counter-terrorism detectives as an attack on the Jewish community, though they had not found evidence of a foreign state actor or terror group's involvement. In never-before-seen CCTV footage of the synagogue attack released Thursday, three hooded figures in masks jump out of a blue Volkswagen Golf and then ferry red jerry cans back and forth between the hatchback and the synagogue. They use an axe to smash open the doors, throwing the accelerant inside. One man behind a white mask films it all on his mobile phone. Then a huge fireball erupts, and the figures dash back to the car, driving away towards Melbourne's west. Detectives from a joint counter-terrorism taskforce – including members from Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO – combed through CCTV footage from more than 1400 locations to track the synagogue arsonists' movements. They believe the jerry cans used were bought from a Bunnings Warehouse and filled with about 100 litres of petrol. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson,' said Stephen Nutt, the AFP's assistant commissioner for counter-terrorism and special investigations command. 'We suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.' On the same night as the synagogue arson, the same blue Golf was used in a drive-by shooting and arson attack in Bundoora, in Melbourne's north-east, police say.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Perth Now
Fresh clue to solving synagogue firebombing attack
A stolen car used by criminals in an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing has been linked to two previous arsons and a shooting. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released a series of images of the crooks believed to be responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire that erupted in the early hours of December 6, deeming the arson a likely a politically-motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks are seen getting out of the vehicle and using an axe to damage the entrance of the building before pouring at least two liquids from a red jerry can inside the entrance and enter the synagogue. Vision shows the alleged criminals returning to the car multiple times to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited. They fled after the synagogue went up in flames in the direction towards the western suburbs. Police allege the blue Golf is a stolen car which was used in an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the same night before the synagogue attack and an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Arson detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million worth of damage. Police seized the car, which was stolen from a driveway in Croydon in November and had cloned number plates in 2024, and are not considering the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically-motivated attacks. Counter-terror officers collected and combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt said. "This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO," he said. He urged the "extremely violent" individuals to come forward. Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information."
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Update in hunt for synagogue arson suspects
Counter-terrorism authorities have released dramatic CCTV footage and images of suspects believed to be responsible for the politically motivated arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne late last year. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) is appealing for public assistance to identify the individuals involved or anyone connected to a blue 2020 VW Golf sedan believed to have been used in the attack. The footage, captured on December 6, 2024, shows the blue Golf driving past the Elsternwick synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Police have released dramatic footage showing masked suspects dousing a Melbourne synagogue in accelerant before setting it alight in a politically motivated attack. Vic Police Credit: Supplied Three masked individuals wearing hoodies are then seen exiting the vehicle, using an axe to break into the synagogue. At least two of the offenders are captured on CCTV pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance and returning to the car to retrieve more. The flammable liquid was then ignited, and the group fled in the Golf, heading towards Melbourne's western suburbs. The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday December 6.' Two worshippers were in the temple at the time. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured the inside of Adass Israel synagogue with community leaders after the firebombing. Supplied Credit: Supplied The vehicle, which was stolen and bore cloned number plates, has since been recovered by police. Investigators say it was also used in other serious crimes across the city, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and a shooting and arson in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue attack. While the other incidents are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically motivated, the synagogue fire remains a terrorism matter. AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said officers had examined CCTV from more than 1400 locations to track the alleged offenders. CCTV released on Thursday shows the blue Golf sedan drive past the Adass Israel Synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance last December. Vic Police Credit: Supplied 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' he said. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now. 'This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. Do not stay silent, come forward. 'Based on the information we have, we suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.' Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said the investigation had been a top priority over the past five months. Vic Police Credit: Supplied Assistant Commissioner Nutt said investigators were pursuing all leads and thanked both the Jewish and wider Victorian communities for their support and assistance. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said the investigation had been a top priority over the past five months. 'This was an attack that impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and rightly concerned,' she said. She said both the JCTT and specialist detectives, including the Arson and Explosives Squad, had been working to uncover not only who carried out the attack but who planned it and why. 'Today has provided us with a breakthrough in the Lux nightclub arson investigation and we are now in a position to publicly confirm that we believe the vehicle used in that incident is the same as the synagogue fire, as well as many other incidents of significant criminality such as shootings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne,' she said. AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said officers had examined CCTV from more than 1400 locations to track the alleged offenders. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Assistant Commissioner Walsh said the blue VW Golf sedan was a crucial link in the investigation and urged the public to help identify who had used it and what they were involved in. 'We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.' She said it was time for people with information to come forward and warned of the potentially deadly consequences of such reckless behaviour. 'We have said many times before; it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is absolutely uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated.' Assistant Commissioner Walsh said it was time for people with information to come forward and warned of the potentially deadly consequences of such reckless behaviour. Vic Police Credit: Supplied She reassured the Jewish community that police remained committed to tracking down those responsible. 'I understand that it can be difficult when these matters take time, but again, make no mistake that this investigation remains a key priority for Victoria Police and the AFP and we are dedicated to bringing it to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.' The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 if they recognise anyone in the CCTV footage or have information about the vehicle or the individuals involved. Reports can also be made confidentially online.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- West Australian
Dramatic CCTV footage shows synagogue arson in Melbourne
Counter-terrorism authorities have released dramatic CCTV footage and images of suspects believed to be responsible for the politically motivated arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne late last year. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) is appealing for public assistance to identify the individuals involved or anyone connected to a blue 2020 VW Golf sedan believed to have been used in the attack. The footage, captured on December 6, 2024, shows the blue Golf driving past the Elsternwick synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three masked individuals wearing hoodies are then seen exiting the vehicle, using an axe to break into the synagogue. At least two of the offenders are captured on CCTV pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance and returning to the car to retrieve more. The flammable liquid was then ignited, and the group fled in the Golf, heading towards Melbourne's western suburbs. The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday December 6.' Two worshippers were in the temple at the time. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged. The vehicle, which was stolen and bore cloned number plates, has since been recovered by police. Investigators say it was also used in other serious crimes across the city, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and a shooting and arson in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue attack. While the other incidents are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically motivated, the synagogue fire remains a terrorism matter. AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said officers had examined CCTV from more than 1400 locations to track the alleged offenders. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' he said. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now. 'This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. Do not stay silent, come forward. 'Based on the information we have, we suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.' Assistant Commissioner Nutt said investigators were pursuing all leads and thanked both the Jewish and wider Victorian communities for their support and assistance. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said the investigation had been a top priority over the past five months. 'This was an attack that impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and rightly concerned,' she said. She said both the JCTT and specialist detectives, including the Arson and Explosives Squad, had been working to uncover not only who carried out the attack but who planned it and why. 'Today has provided us with a breakthrough in the Lux nightclub arson investigation and we are now in a position to publicly confirm that we believe the vehicle used in that incident is the same as the synagogue fire, as well as many other incidents of significant criminality such as shootings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne,' she said. Assistant Commissioner Walsh said the blue VW Golf sedan was a crucial link in the investigation and urged the public to help identify who had used it and what they were involved in. 'We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.' She said it was time for people with information to come forward and warned of the potentially deadly consequences of such reckless behaviour. 'We have said many times before; it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is absolutely uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated.' She reassured the Jewish community that police remained committed to tracking down those responsible. 'I understand that it can be difficult when these matters take time, but again, make no mistake that this investigation remains a key priority for Victoria Police and the AFP and we are dedicated to bringing it to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.' The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 if they recognise anyone in the CCTV footage or have information about the vehicle or the individuals involved. Reports can also be made confidentially online.
