You might've heard the qualifier that exercise is good for you – but you need to be progressing that exercise over time. Running further, lifting heavier, exercising for longer. How important is it to up the stakes? Norman and Tegan flex their muscles on progressive training and its benefits. References: Thomas L. DeLorme and the Science of Progressive Resistance Exercise Associations of Muscle Mass and Strength with All-Cause Mortality among US Older Adults Skeletal Muscle Strength as a Predict...
May 12, 2026•22 min
A cruise ship at the centre of a virus outbreak — sound familiar? Passengers and crew are beginning to disembark the MV Hondius after several cases of hantavirus sent them into quarantine. The virus is usually caught through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Transmission between humans is rare. Norman and Tegan answer common questions about the hantavirus, and how it compares to the handling of COVID-19.
May 11, 2026•13 min
It’s easy to catch a yawn – you might even yawn while you’re reading this. It’s not just humans that yawn, but all kinds of verterbrates, even fish! But contagious yawning is rarer. Norman and Tegan unpack why we yawn in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: Yawning: no effect of 3-5% CO2, 100% O2, and exercise Brain size and neuron numbers drive differences in yawn duration across mammals and birds Excessive yawning and thermoregulation: two case histories of c...
May 05, 2026•17 min
You might know them as "vestigial" organs, but we no longer overlook organs that aren’t vital for life. While they can be removed, your tonsils, appendix and gallbladder play important roles in the body. Norman and Tegan define what "vestigial" actually means, and how our bodies adapt to losing an organ. References: How Do We Know What Human Organs Do? - JSTOR Daily Tonsils, adenoids and throat infections — do doctors still recommend surgery? - ABC News Association of Long-Term Risk of Respirato...
Apr 28, 2026•20 min
Not a fruit lover, but eat plenty of veggies? Ever wondered if skipping that banana might actually matter? We all know a mix of fruit and vegetables is key to a long, healthy life. Norman and Tegan dig into whether eating little or no fruit could actually be bad for you. References: What exactly is a tomato? The difference between fruit and veg - ABC News Key statistics and data about child and adult consumption of fruit and vegetables - Australian Bureau of Statistics Fresh fruit consumption an...
Apr 21, 2026•20 min
If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably been advertised light therapy face masks. These high-tech hockey masks promise to plump up or heal your skin through light – often red, but sometimes yellow, green, blue or even purple. Norman and Tegan go through the rainbow to assess where there's evidence, and where there's not. References: Sweaty sauna bathing for better health - What's That Rash? Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy: A Review of Recent Progress and Their Target Molecules for Cancer Thera...
Apr 14, 2026•18 min
What determines whether you’re right or left handed? Is there really such a thing as being ambidextrous? It’s a surprisingly complicated story, and culture comes into play – some people are forced to go against their dominant hand. Norman and Tegan parse through the history of handedness in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness The handedness of Kerrs and Carrs The association betwe...
Apr 07, 2026•19 min
Headaches are common, but the causes are wide and varied, and some are more serious than others. Why do we get headaches? What's the difference between a headache and a migraine? Norman and Tegan talk through some basics about headaches, and why a round of squats might help... References: The Science Behind Headaches: What's Really Happening In Your Skull The vascular theory of migraine—a great story wrecked by the facts Twelve-month efficacy of CGRP monoclonal antibodies and predictive value of...
Mar 31, 2026•21 min
We've all probably wished for a way to achieve our fitness goals without the strain and sweat that can come with exercise. So what if you could lose weight, gain muscle and improve circulation just by standing on a vibrating platform? Norman and Tegan buzz through the evidence for and against vibration plates and so called "passive exercise". References: Dr Gustav Zander’s Victorian-Era Exercise Machines Made the Bowflex Look Like Child’s Play The effects of whole body vibration therapy on reduc...
Mar 24, 2026•23 min
Snail slime, or snail mucin, has become a popular product in skin care. Some claim it has anti-ageing properties, but if the early research shakes out, snail mucus could have even more significant uses. Norman and Tegan discuss why snail gunk has become a hero of cosmetics, and what else it might be capable of. References: Why Snail Mucin? Or, How This Ancient Practice Became a Skin Care Sensation Chemical composition, mineral profile, anti-bacterial, and wound healing properties of snail slime ...
Mar 17, 2026•20 min
Walking down the street, most people you pass will be wearing headphones or ear buds. Chances are you are too! But is this trend of noise-cancelling harming your ears or the way your brain processes sound? Norman and Tegan sound out the evidence on headphone use and hearing damage, and what you can do to protect your ears. References: Know Your Noise - National Acoustic Laboratories Pumping loud music is putting more than 1 billion young people at risk of hearing loss - University of Melbourne A...
Mar 10, 2026•22 min
Many people believe that taking vitamin C supplements helps their immune system fight off colds. But there are even bigger claims attached to this supplement – that it not only boosts immunity, but fights cancer. Norman and Tegan introduce us to the Nobel laureate who pushed these theories decades ago, and whether there’s any truth to them. References: The Discovery of Vitamin C Treatment for scurvy not discovered by Lind Linus Pauling’s Vitamin C Crusade Ascorbic Acid in Cancer Treatment: Let t...
Mar 03, 2026•19 min
Unless you're in certain corners of the internet, you won't be aware of the peptide craze promising to grow your muscles and slow ageing. That's because your average GP won't be printing a prescription for these injectable drugs, like BPC-157 or melanotan. Norman and Tegan discuss why there's so much fan fare over unproven peptides with some potentially nasty side effects. References: Effects of Topical Copper Tripeptide Complex on CO2 Laser–Resurfaced Skin Don’t risk using tanning products cont...
Feb 24, 2026•23 min
Your dentist might be nagging you to floss to avoid cavities, but does flossing have more to given than pearly whites? Interdental cleaning has been recommended for a while, but for many people it’s a habit hard to maintain. Norman and Tegan pick through the history of flossing, and whether it can improve your heart and brain health too. Terms and conditions of our World Science Festival Brisbane ticket giveaway! References: Ask the Expert: Do I Really Need to Floss? - NIH Home use of interdenta...
Feb 17, 2026•20 min
With endless entertainment at your fingertips on your phone, how often do you really sit and do absolutely nothing? It turns out that even when you’re staring into the middle distance, your brain is firing away with activity. Norman and Tegan explore why giving your brain a break might be important for learning and creativity. References: The Journey of the Default Mode Network: Development, Function, and Impact on Mental Health Default-mode brain dysfunction in mental disorders: A systematic re...
Feb 10, 2026•22 min
How many times a week are you eating fish? What about oily fish, like salmon and tuna? Our dietary guidelines recommend the regular consumption of fish to potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and even macular degeneration. Norman and Tegan dig into the oily history of fish, and whether supplements can have the same effect. References: The Man with a Fish on His Back: In the late 19th century cod-liver oil was proclaimed the cure for many ailments "Fishing" for the orig...
Feb 03, 2026•21 min
It’s so common to tell kids to wait an hour after eating to swim that many of us never question it. But what are the actual consequences of jumping straight back in the pool after you’ve had your lunch? Norman and Tegan tackle whether this advice is grounded in evidence, and discuss what you should actually avoid. References: Scouting for boys - 1908 The International Lifesaving Federation medical position statement 2014 Effect of food consumption on 200-yard freestyle swim performance The Natio...
Jan 27, 2026•14 min
Last year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains. After an influx of requests, we’ve looked at the evidence not only when it comes to brain health, but heart health, metabolic health and mental wellbeing. Norman and Tegan unpack the complex story of what happens to your brain and body when you retire – depending on the job you had. References: How Retirement Was Invented: The earliest schemes for financial support in old age were peg...
Jan 20, 2026•21 min
A few weeks into the new year you might be reassessing your resolutions and wondering where to put your energy. Is it possible to choose between diet or exercise? Or are the two inherently intertwined? Norman and Tegan try to untangle the untangleable, pitting diet and exercise against one another in different arenas. References: The history of nutritional sciences Casimir Funk: The scientist who gave us the word 'vitamin' How the Seven Countries Study contributed to the definition and developme...
Jan 13, 2026•21 min
It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to). But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction recently is that seed oils – think canola, sunflower, grapeseed – are terrible for you. Norman and Tegan unpack how that assumption has spread, and whether there’s any solid evidence to back it up. References: Biomarkers of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Serum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of dea...
Jan 06, 2026•17 min
We haven’t always suppressed our sweat or our natural body odour, but in many cultures now it’s expected we’ll all try to smell our best. You might be seeing more ads for ‘natural’ deodorants that promise to keep you fresh without any harmful ingredients. Norman and Tegan talk through those ingredients, and whether they carry any risks. This episode first aired on March 19, 2025. References: The specific biochemistry of human axilla odour formation viewed in an evolutionary context Use of Alumin...
Dec 30, 2025•17 min
Do you find yourself complaining that you've got a small bladder, as you run to the toilet for the third time in an hour? There are many reasons a person might pee more than others, including some scary medical conditions. But as Norman and Tegan explain, in most cases your bladder is just deconditioned and you need to get your urinary tract into shape. This episode first aired on April 15, 2025. References: Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies ease problems A randomized double-blind placebo-co...
Dec 23, 2025•16 min
There have been many discussions this year about sunscreen, its effectiveness and its ingredients. While there are some unknowns, what we’re sure of is sunscreen’s ability to protect us from the sun’s ageing and cancer-causing rays. Norman and Tegan slip, slop, slap some questions about sunscreen: SPF scandal, endocrine disruptors and vitamin D concerns. References: How does sunscreen work? - Cancer Council Sunscreen: a brief walk through history We tested the SPF claims of 20 sunscreens. 16 fai...
Dec 16, 2025•21 min
Creatine is getting a lot of hype lately, at least according to our listeners. It’s being pushed for everything from menopause to dementia for its supposed energy-boosting, brain-boosting benefits. Norman and Tegan explore what is really going on with creatine outside of its muscle-building potential. References: Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Metabolic B...
Dec 09, 2025•22 min
Whether or not we remember our dreams, we all have them. But the answer to why we dream is complicated. There's a lot going on in our brains during sleep, especially during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase when most dreams go down. Norman and Tegan talk through the purpose of dreams, how time warps as we snooze and whether there are any downsides to these nightly hallucinations. References: Dreams: Why They Happen & What They Mean – Sleep Foundation Time for actions in lucid dreams: effect...
Dec 02, 2025•22 min
When you’ve got a busy schedule, it’s important to just exercise when you can. But if you have the luxury of choice, is there an optimal one? You might’ve even heard that exercising at certain times of day can lead to harm. Norman and Tegan run through the evidence around heart attacks, workouts and what happens when you’re a morning or a night person. References: Association of the time of day of peak physical activity with cardiovascular mortality: Findings from the UK Biobank Study Setting yo...
Nov 25, 2025•15 min
Humans are slightly alkaline – your blood should be a pH between 7.35 to 7.45. Anything outside that range can be life-threatening. So why are you being told to follow an alkaline diet? Proponents of the diet claim it can tackle everything from osteoporosis to cancer. Norman and Tegan do a litmus test on the alkaline-acid balance and whether it’s a driver of chronic disease. References: Physiology, Acid Base Balance The effect of acid ash and alkaline ash foodstuffs on the acid-base equilibrium ...
Nov 18, 2025•19 min
You’re settling into the couch after a long day, ready to relax with your favourite show … next thing you know, you’re asleep. What is it about the TV that puts people to sleep, and what can you do to avoid dozing off? Norman and Tegan explore comfort watching, binge-watching and blue light exposure. References: Exploring the Bob Ross effect: A psychophysiological investigation Binge Viewing, Sleep, and the Role of Pre-Sleep Arousal | Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine The inner clock—Blue light...
Nov 11, 2025•20 min
If you've seen a physiotherapist, you might’ve undergone needling with the promise it will reduce your pain. Did you receive dry needling or acupuncture? How can you tell the difference between the two? Norman and Tegan poke through the evidence to find out how effective these techniques can be. References: Similarities between Ashi acupoints and myofascial trigger points: Exploring the relationship between body surface treatment points Dry Needling versus Acupuncture: The Ongoing Debate Acupunc...
Nov 04, 2025•21 min
You might’ve seen headlines about high levels of lead being found in common protein supplements. With these products becoming more popular, the news has some eager gym-goers concerned about what they’re consuming. Norman and Tegan discuss how these results compare to our historical exposure – from Ancient Rome to Australia in the 1960s. References: Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports Bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and its effects on human: A review Lead in Foo...
Oct 28, 2025•22 min
