Table of contents for July 2019 in Readers Digest Australia

FIFTY YEARS AGO, three public servants went on an extraordinary work trip – to the moon. When you think of the lunar landing in these terms, the bravery and dedication to duty of Neil Armstrong , Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins seems almost comical in our risk-averse world of today. The achievement of travelling to the moon and back dominated world media then, and months and years later. At the time, people marvelled at how these astronauts had traversed science fiction and ended up in scientific reality. The article ‘Jules Verne’s Trip to the Moon’ (page 34) details the striking similarities between the trip Jules Verne described in his 1865 novel, ‘From the Earth to the Moon, ’ and the great exploit of 1969. The elements of the science Verne…

ONLINE Follow the “Contribute” link at the RD website in your region EMAIL AU: editor@readersdigest.com.au NZ: nzeditor@readersdigest.com.au ASIA: asiaeditor@readersdigest.com.au WE MAY EDIT LETTERS AND USE THEM IN ALL MEDIA. SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. PRINTED BY OVATO LIMITED, 8 PRIDDLE ST, WARWICK FARM, NSW 2170, FOR THE PROPRIETORS, DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD, 431 WARRINGAH ROAD, FRENCHS FOREST, NSW 2086. © 2019 DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD (ABN 81000565471). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. REPRODUCTION IN ANY MANNER IN WHOLE OR PART IN ENGLISH OR OTHER LANGUAGES PROHIBITED…

Testing Tears May Help Diagnose Parkinson’s Researchers found that tear samples from people with Parkinson’s disease had higher levels of a toxic form of a protein called alphasynuclein than those from healthy individuals. This discovery might one day allow doctors to diagnose – and even treat – Parkinson’s before symptoms appear. Air Pollution Can Harm Your Kidneys Polluted air has long been linked to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A new study based on data from nearly 2.5 million people now adds kidney disease to the list. According to the researchers, the adverse effects increase as pollution levels increase, but even relatively low amounts of particulate matter may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. On the Hunt for…

Alight, misty rain was falling on the streets of Cape Town, South Africa, as environmental activists Makoma Lekalakala and Liz McDaid emerged from the Western Cape High Court. They came onto the courthouse steps to the cheers of their waiting supporters. “Victory to the people!” declared a triumphant Liz, 55, as Makoma, 52, stood by her side. “As a result of the court case, the people of South Africa have to be consulted.” It was April 26, 2017. The two women had just led a coalition of grassroots organisations from across South Africa in a lengthy David-and-Goliath legal battle. They had taken the highest powers in the land to court to overturn a secret nuclear power deal costing $76 billion that the government had made with Russia. They had argued…

RELATIVELY SPEAKING I’m lucky that my wife and mother are very close. I realised just how close the time I drove my mother to her doctor, which my wife usually does. When the doctor came into the room, my own dear mother introduced me as her “daughter-in-law’s husband”. ANDREW THOMPSON LAKEWOOD IT’S A DOG-BEAT-DOG WORLD Sorry, I wasn’t listening when you were talking about your dog. I was busy looking in my phone for a picture of my superior dog. @primawesome SHEDDING SOME LIGHT If the power goes out across the country, don’t panic. My wife has enough candles stored away for everyone. @squirrel4wkgn ANY TOM, DICK OR HARRY Although I’d been dating a woman for several months, I guess I didn’t know her as well as I thought. One…

“I am a trans woman. I would like she/her pronouns and my name is Hannah.” This is the sentence my son blurted out to me over the phone three years ago. Despite its bluntness, the statement wasn’t callous or even ill-timed. Truth be told, I had forced the declaration. My child had called with something important to say and wanted to talk to my husband, Colin, and me at the same time, but Colin was out of town. Given that I possess a not-insignificant panic strain in my genetic makeup, I found myself, well, panicking. Was my child injured? Ill? Dying? I conjured the thin thread of authority I had over my then 25-year-old and said, “No, you have to tell me now!” “I would rather wait,” was the measured…

We are not here to say you should avoid non-traditional names when naming a baby, but, let’s be realistic: some are good, some are bad, and some are probably best avoided. Here are some of the more unusual baby names 2019 has to offer so far. Parents looking for colourful names are opting for Grey, Blue, Mauve, Lilac, Ivory, Fawn, Sage and Ash. For those with more minimalist tastes, Rio, Koa and Jem are proving popular – and one baby was even named after the letter ‘A’. Other uncommon choices for girls include Alba-Crystal, Luna-Marvella, Princess, Persephone, Rainbow, Royalty, Rarity and Snow. Names for boys include Awesome, Arrow, Merlin, Lucifer (bad behaviour guaranteed), Harlem-Ace, Winter, Wit and Valentine. WWW.THELIST.COM…

EGO HYGIENE Finally – men needn’t risk harming their masculinity every time they visit the pharmacist. In the US, Unilever offers the Q-tips Men’s Pack, a bundle of cotton swabs that are identical to the regular ones but promise to be so much more. According to the packaging, these Q-tips are the ‘ultimate multi-tool’ and are necessary for ‘detailing, cleaning and building’. What are men supposed to be building inside their ears? We might never know – and that’s totally fine with us. BAD AFTERTASTE Not every TV series needs related products. Case in point: last year, wine curators Lot18 announced a collection of bottles based on The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood’s book-turned-show in which women are enslaved by a totalitarian state. The products’ descriptions left many wondering if they…

Feel like renting a good movie? Don’t waste your time with these hits, say disgruntled reviewers on Amazon. Back to the Future Part II: “This was the most unrealistic load of junk that one could ever see in their life. Time travel is only possible at 180,000 miles per second, not 88 miles per hour.” Free Willy: Escape From Pirate’s Cove: “How many times must Willy be freed before he’s freed?” Pitch Perfect: “What is wrong with filmmakers today? This film has captured my daughter’s flights of fancy, and now she thinks she can sing.” The Wolf of Wall Street: “There were no wolves in this movie.”…

The Impossible Climb Mark Synnott (ALLEN & UNWIN) On June 3, 2017, rock climber Alex Honnold attempted a free solo ascent on El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park in California. Considered one of the world’s most challenging climbs, the then 32 year old scaled the 3000-feet (914-m) rock face without any rope to save him if he fell. The Impossible Climb profiles Honnold, detailing his background as a professional climber and exploring what drives him to attempt such dangerous feats. Even if you never intend to climb a mountain, this is a fascinating insight into the strength of mind and body needed to do such things. A compelling read about an adventurous spirit. The Hidden Mary Chamberlain (ONE WORLD) Barbara Hummel is a young German woman…

TREASURES DIFFICULT Can you locate 12 hidden treasures in the empty cells of this grid? The numbers outside indicate how many treasures there are in each row or column. Each arrow points directly toward one or more of the treasures – and does not share a cell with one. An arrow may be immediately next to a treasure it points to, or it may be farther away. Not every treasure will necessarily have an arrow pointing to it. ENIGMA MODERATELY DIFFICULT What should the next diagram in this sequence look like? A WEIGHTY MATTER EASY The mass of an object in kilograms (kg) stays the same no matter where it is, but its weight in newtons (N) changes along with gravitational conditions. On earth, Mari weighs 686 N and has…

1. Sharing its name with a whiskey, what European royal house still holds power in Spain and Luxembourg? 2 points 2. The B-side to the Righteous Brothers’ 1965 single ‘Hung On You’ turned out to be their biggest hit. What was it? 2 points 3. Which is the only cardinal direction not represented in the name of a United Nations member state? 2 points 4. In 2016, the LIGO project announced what astronomical discovery, confirming a prediction Einstein made? 2 points 5. In 1978, chess player Nona Gaprindashvili became the first woman to attain what title? 1 point 6. The Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year for 2015 was actually an emoji. Which one? 2 points 7. What’s the middle name of architect Frank Wright, British prime minister David George…

Family Traits When it comes to the birth order debate and family dynamics, my whole family had an opinion on the article (‘What Your Birth Order Really Reveals About You’, June). After all, everyone is an oldest (myself) or a middle or a youngest or an only child (in the case of my cousin). Even as adults we sometimes revert to childish rivalries that we’ve never quite outgrown. SUSAN HAMILTON Perils of Procrastination Thank you for the wonderful article ‘Why We Procrastinate and How to Stop’ (April). I procrastinate and on reading the line “While we waste our time hesitating and postponing, life is slipping away”, I realised how irresponsible this is. I have decided not to leave tasks to the last second left on the clock and to work…

A LOT OF PEOPLE NOTICE, as they get older, that they bruise more easily than they used to. If you’re among them, you needn’t necessarily worry. Known medically as ‘contusions’, bruises are usually caused by capillaries (small blood vessels) breaking and bleeding under your skin. With age, your capillaries naturally grow more fragile, and your skin and fat tissues get thinner and less effective at cushioning them against thumps and bumps. At any stage of life, most bruises are harmless and don’t need treatment: your body will reabsorb the spilled blood, usually within a few weeks. Placing an ice pack against a new contusion can reduce its spread, according to Dr Paola Pasquali, a member of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. “Once the bruise has been there for…

No event in history has received such immediate and thorough coverage as the flight of Apollo 11. Tens of millions of words, printed and spoken, described the mission in every language and every medium of communication. From the moment of launch to the arrival of the astronauts aboard the USS Hornet, a team of Reader’s Digest writers and editors filed exclusive reports and gathered accounts from books, magazines, newspapers, from wire services and radio and TV stations around the globe. Here is the story of that historic week when humankind first touched the moon with a silver finger and felt the heartbeat of their own world. ON DUTY BEHIND THE RECEPTION DESK at the Holiday Inn at Cocoa Beach in Florida, Vicky Hess glanced at the clock. It was 4.25am,…

We asked readers to share their craziest sleep-talking stories. Some of these might keep you up at night. I dreamed I was rocking a baby to sleep. In the morning, my husband, who is bald, told me I patted his head for 30 minutes while repeating, “Go to sleep, baby.” LEIGHANN PHILLIPS My husband sat up in bed and announced, “Eileen, I believe I can kill about 20 chickens.” He then went back›to sleep, leaving me wide awake. E.S. As a kid, I was at a sleepover, and I watched my friend stuff the bedsheet into her mouth, pull it out, and say, “That was good, Mum; what’s for dessert?” SHIRLEY YANACHIK› Turning to me with some urgency, my sleeping husband stated, “I have to do the cat’s taxes!” CANDACE…

Teach, volunteer, show up at PTA meetings, show up at the Boys & Girls Club, vote, march, be a citizen. Because in a world of bullets and bots, divisions and distractions, we need more citizens pulling us together instead of trying to pull us apart. Give back to your home as the kind of citizen who builds bridges. Home shapes you. You make sure you shape it back. QUEEN LATIFAH, rapper I KEEP GETTING ASKED, “WHAT’S THE SECRET OF YOUR LONGEVITY?” I SAY, “I HAVEN’T DIED.” BILLY JOEL, singer Learning is the most important thing, no matter how you do it, or where you do it, or who you do it with. SAOIRSE RONAN, actress I’VE ALWAYS BEEN MOTIVATED MORE BY NEGATIVE COMMENTS THAN BY POSITIVE ONES. I KNOW WHAT…

IUNCLIPPED THE kennel latches and waited for Orwell to exit. After nine hours of pageantry – being manhandled by judges and relentlessly baby-talked by spectators – this box was the only thing he trusted. Eventually my wife, Janae, enticed him with a trail of treats and he sauntered out into our apartment, woozy after his cat-show debut. You are wondering what kind of people put their house pet in a cat show. But it is the wrong question. The right one: why him and not our other cat? The boy is a Siamese-cross, and cross-eyed. His coat is like cashmere and he is perilously cuddly. As for his companion, the girl, she’s a plump blue tortoiseshell – plain-Jane. What she lacks in looks she makes up for in smarts, proven…

When Catherine and Alan Svilicic decided to add a dog to their brood, which also consisted of 17-month-old toddler Charlotte, they planned on a small breed like their previous shihtzu-Maltese cross. Then they were introduced to dobermanns by a local boarding kennel owner and breeder of dobermanns, Kerry Kinder – and fell in love with their placid, ‘gentle giant’ nature. Kerr y offered them an adult dobermann named Khan, who had been bred by Kerry and rescued back from the owner that had beaten and starved the dog. Catherine was initially reluctant about introducing a large adult dog with a sad history into a family with an active toddler. But then something happened. As Catherine and Alan chatted to Kerry, the rambunctious young Charlotte took off across the paddock –…

Spider-Man: Far from Home (Superhero, action, comedy) If you’re a Spidey fan or know someone who is, then this tale of a school holiday gone wrong will delight, regardless of when you first discovered this Marvel superhero. Teenager Peter Parker (Tom Holland) was previously bitten by a radioactive spider and maintains heightened arachnid abilities. He may be on holidays with friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), but this web-slinger still does whatever a spider can to help save the world, while also taking in the sights of London and Venice. In this latest instalment, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is on side to help battle against evil – which includes the fabulous new foe Quentin Beck/ Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). Late Night (Comedy, drama) Pushy and peroxide blonde, Emma Thompson…

1. catalyst – A: person who creates a catalogue. B: reversal in fortune. C: low-priority task. D: something that sparks a change. 2. occlude – A: hide from view or consideration. B: block off. C: take charge. D: eliminate. 3. caustic – A: legally recognised as the cause of something. B: with burning pain. C: bitingly sarcastic. D: extremely flammable. 4. volatile – A: unstable and unpredictable. B: in accordance with one’s will. C: plentiful. D: flooring used in aeroplanes. 5. bromidic – A: promoting fraternal feeling. B: salty. C: clichéd. D: profane. 6. distil – A: interrupt someone’s thought. B: spend one’s savings. C: let farmland return to a wild state. D: extract key points. 7. miscible – A: randomly assembled. B: missing the mark. C: mossy. D: able…

Anecdotes and jokes Send in your real-life laugh for Life’s Like That or All in a Day’s Work. Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter Is the Best Medicine! Smart Animals Share antics of unique pets or wildlife in up to 300 words. Reminisce Share the tales of an event from your past that made a huge impact in 100–500 words. My Story Do you have an inspiring or life-changing tale to tell? Submissions must be true, unpublished, original and 800–1000 words – see website for more information. RD SHOP For quality products, book sales and more, visit Readersdigest.com.au/ shop and Readersdigest.co.nz/shop…

Activities Prescribed to Beat Loneliness Doctors are trialling a new form of prescription to treat loneliness that doesn’t involve a trip to the pharmacy. GPs in England can now prescribe a dance class, cooking class or attendance at a community café to help senior citizens combat loneliness. Trials are also underway in Liverpool with postal workers checking on socially isolated people as part of their usual day’s work. ‘Social prescribing’ is aimed at boosting both emotional and physical health, as loneliness has been linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Ice Cream Rewards for Commuters Who Cycle An anti-pollution initiative in the Italian city of Bologna is rewarding people who leave the car at home to walk, cycle or take public transport instead. Participants use the Bella Mossa…

THERE’S A WELL-KNOWN EXPRESSION – ‘to fight like cats and dogs’, which means to constantly argue. However, dogs and cats can be great friends. These tips from veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren will help you to enjoy a harmonious multi-species household. ACQUIRE A PUPPY AND KITTEN AT THE SAME TIME Ideally, you should acquire your dog and cat at the same time when they are both young. This will help them to get used to each other at a time when both can establish regular routines and socialise with each other. If it’s not possible to get your pets at the same time, then research suggests that you are more likely to be successful introducing a dog to a household where a cat is the first occupant, rather than introducing a…

HAVE YOU EVER HAD that sudden rush of anxiety, along with a racing heart, shortness of breath and maybe other symptoms such as dizziness or ringing in your ears? If so, it’s likely you’ve had a panic attack. Panic attacks can be terrifying, with sufferers often believing they’re having a heart attack. But be reassured that they’re usually over within 15 minutes and don’t do you any physical harm. They happen when your body goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode, with your body trying to take in more oxygen, breathing more quickly and releasing hormones, such as adrenaline, which make your heart beat faster and your muscles tense. Of course, it’s always worth checking there’s no physical cause, especially if your attack doesn’t subside, you feel ill afterwards or have…

The blast-off from Florida was almost flawless, and the spacecraft was hurtling towards its rendezvous with the moon. Inside, the intrepid ‘aeronauts’ arose from their ‘couches’ and decided that now was the time for a bit of celebration. One of them produced a bottle of Burgundy and they toasted happily the “union of the earth and her satellite”. This incident occurred not during the flight of Apollo 11, but 104 years prior – 154 years ago – in the fertile imagination of a French author named Jules Verne (1828-1905). Writing in 1865, Verne described a trip (From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon) which bears remarkable similarities to Apollo 11’s mission. Verne’s space capsule contained three men – two Americans and a Frenchman. The dimensions of Verne’s…

The safest place to stand when I hit a golf ball is directly in front of me. @INKEDUPKIDDER Golf is the perfect thing to do on a Sunday because you spend more time praying on the course than if you went to church. BROCKOLI117 ON REDDIT.COM Golf is a game in which you yell ‘Fore’, shoot six, and write down five. HAROLD COFFIN, WRITER As far as I can tell, the requirements to be a professional golfer are the same as to be a drag queen: crazy outfit, crazy name. @GABYDUNN Golf is literally a sport to see who can play the least golf. 21COSNER ON REDDIT.COM…

GOOD START “Dear, if you’ll make the toast and pour the juice,” said the newlywed bride, “breakfast will be ready.” “Good! What are we having for breakfast?” asked the new husband. “Toast and juice.” www.theadvocate.com OVERHEARD IN A RESTAURANT: SHE: This wine is described as full bodied and imposing with a nutty base, a sharp bite and a bitter aftertaste. HE: Are you describing the wine or your mother? www.gistmania.com HOT STUFF What’s it called when eating something exceptionally spicy makes you feel exceptionally ill? The editors of The Week were wondering just that after a man who gobbled down a superhot chili pepper was rushed to the hospital. The magazine’s clever readers coined these pseudomedical terms: Jalepaiño Fire-arrhea Hellitosis Habañeurosis Endoblasty Roastacea Firebromyalgia Scarlet pepper fever Incendiary bowel syndrome.…

RD Talks: Trapped in a Volcano Imagine the unspeakable terror of being trapped inside a boiling volcano crater, choking on its noxious fumes, with no way out. How do three stunned survivors of a chopper crash do it? Listen to this captivating RD Talks to find out. Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People This clever show sees host Chris Gethard spending an hour on the phone with unidentified strangers. There’s more than 150 hours of content including the fascinating, “I Survived a Mass Shooting”. For the voyeur inside all of us. Making Obama Missing former US President Barack Obama or just interested to know more? Find out what makes this fascinating man tick in these six podcasts, which delve into the personal history of the man who became the 44th US…