☕️ Young Aussies drinking less

You may have seen headlines around this week about the Nobel Prizes. That’s because A) they are being awarded this week, and B) U.S. President Donald Trump would very much like one.

But I’m bringing it to your attention this morning because overnight, a professor from the University of Melbourne was among three scientists who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Professor Richard Robson, along with Professor Susumu Kitagawa and Professor Omar M. Yaghi, were recognised by the judges for their creation of “molecular constructions with large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow”. Essentially, think of molecular architecture as the creation of a huge sieve with holes that are just the right size to trap some of the bad elements (such as carbon emissions), but can allow other good substances to flow through.

“I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. ”

Freida Parton, sister of country music legend Dolly Parton, in a post to Facebook. A previous post had sparked fears about the singer-songwriter’s health.

$US4,035 ($AU6,146)
The price of an ounce of gold at 4pm on Wednesday, a record high. Investors refer to gold as a safe haven because it tends to hold its value during economic uncertainty.

2012
A Taliban gunman shot Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in the head, in retaliation for her speaking out about girls’ education. She went on to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced that public transport will be free across the state this summer.

Free travel will be available to all passengers on all forms of public transport across both metropolitan and regional areas.

The initiative aligns with the opening of the state’s new Metro Tunnel, which begins operating in early December.

The Government is yet to announce an exact date, meaning it also remains unclear when the free public transport period will come into effect.

The Metro Tunnel delivers five new underground stations connecting Melbourne’s western and eastern suburbs through an end-to-end train line.

When it starts in early December, it will initially only operate for five hours a day on weekdays and nine hours on weekends. From February, it will operate more regularly.

Earlier this year, the Victorian Opposition called the “soft opening” a “smokescreen to hide the fact that they've botched this project from start to finish.”

Reporting by Achol Arok.

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Younger generations of Australians are reducing their alcohol consumption at “unprecedented rates,” according to a new report from Adelaide’s Flinders University.

Researchers found Gen Z are not only more likely to decline a drink, but are consuming “significantly less” alcohol than any other generation.

The report’s authors said the findings highlight a “cultural shift” that could offer “major public health gains” if the pattern continues.

The study used data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, conducted annually since 2001.

Researchers analysed the drinking behaviours of 23,000 Australians aged over 18, dividing them into five groups: The Silent Generation (1928–1945), Baby Boomers (1946–1964), Generation X (1965–1980), Millennials (1981–1996), Generation Z (1997–2012).

Gen Z were nearly 20 times more likely to decline a drink than Baby Boomers, and reported drinking the least alcohol on a weekly basis. Gen Z reported drinking 1-2 drinks weekly, while Baby Boomers reported drinking 5-6.

Millennials and Gen Z were predicted to avoid alcohol at “significantly higher rates” over their lifetime, compared to older generations.

While they drank less overall, Gen Z and Millennials joined Gen X in drinking the most per occasion.

Researchers said a decline in “regular heavy drinking” across all age groups could signal “a broader cultural shift.”

Researchers said the report’s findings could help inform future health policies, particularly for older Australians who “may still be at risk of alcohol-related harm.”

Lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo said the behavioural changes could deliver “long-term public health benefits.”

“If we can understand what’s driving this decline in alcohol use among younger people, whether it’s economic pressures, social norms, or policy changes, we can use that knowledge to support healthier behaviours across all age groups,” Dr Di Censo said.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

Real Protein. Real Simple.

Chobani Yogurt health spokesperson, nutrition scientist, and Dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan tells us that Chobani Greek Yogurt can give you the protein power to start the day.

Because of the authentic triple-straining process, Chobani Natural Greek Yogurt is deliciously thick, creamy and high in natural protein with 13g per serve.

🍊 Sam Kerr is set to make her return to the Matildas. Read more here.
🍊 Djokovic collapses on court but sets another record. Details here.
🍊 The rebel rugby comp governing bodies are uniting against. What is R360?
🗞️ Also in the Sport Newsletter: cricket, a random fact, and more.

Chronic fatigue is a disorder that causes extreme exhaustion for at least six months. Symptoms often worsen with physical and mental activity but don’t fully improve with rest. Studies suggest up to 1% of Australians are living with the disorder, and, until now, there has been no test available for it, meaning patients often go undiagnosed for years.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia in the UK examined the blood of 47 patients with extreme chronic fatigue, and compared it with 61 healthy adults. The team discovered a unique pattern in people with chronic fatigue, enabling them to create a blood test that can detect the disease. The study’s lead author, Professor Dmitry Pshezhetskiy, said “This is a significant step forward: for the first time, we have a simple blood test that can reliably identify chronic fatigue syndrome - potentially transforming how we diagnose and manage this complex disease.”

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Reporting by XX.

Have you ever been jump-scared by a loud ad and thought, “That should be illegal”?

Well, California just made it happen.

The U.S. state has passed a new law requiring video streaming services to ensure their commercials aren’t louder than the content being watched.

The bill, introduced by state senator Tom Umberg, was inspired by one of his staffers — a new dad whose daughter kept getting woken up by noisy ad breaks.

The new rule will come into effect next year.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

Israel and Hamas have entered another round of negotiations on a ceasefire deal proposed by the U.S.

The fresh negotiations are being held soon after the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, and a few weeks after a UN committee found Israel is carrying out a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

In today’s episode, we’ll explain what to know about the latest round of talks, and the U.S’ involvement.