Some people are mosquito magnets. The blood suckers do, in fact, have their favourites. And this could pose a major health risk. After all, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on earth. Norman and Tegan take us through the science of why some people attract more mozzies than others. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ...
Mar 05, 2024•16 min
What's That Rash? is coming to the World Science Festival Brisbane! Bring yourself (and your non-communicable rash) to a live podcast recording with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor. We've got two double passes to give away to the Social Science event on March 22 for those who'll be in Brisbane. Send us your questions for a chance to win. AND it's an adults-only event with mature content and coarse language, so go wild — thatrash@abc.net.au We're not the only ones attending. All in the Mind will ...
Mar 03, 2024•2 min
Have you ever been told to 'listen to your body' when it comes to fitness? It makes sense. You shouldn't push through injury, or past the point of exhaustion. But how far is too far? There are now dozens of apps and hundreds of advice columns on how best to 'listen to your body'. One strategy that's rising in the ranks is adjusting your workout routine to work alongside your menstrual cycle. Norman and Tegan explore whether this kind of tech is advancing faster than the research. References: Eff...
Feb 27, 2024•15 min
The only time most of us think about wisdom teeth is when they’re causing trouble. Do they have a use beyond causing pain (and leaving you with a hefty dental bill)? Norman and Tegan talk through the history of these meddlesome molars, and what happens when you ignore them. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report Refer...
Feb 20, 2024•14 min
Let's say you're a pretty healthy person. You have a balanced diet, exercise regularly and don't have any health issues. A multivitamin can only help, right? Not necessarily. There are lots of multivitamins out there, catering to different circumstances. Norman and Tegan take us through the evidence for (and against) taking these catch-all supplements. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking ...
Feb 13, 2024•16 min
Thousands of Australians see a chiropractor for relief from back pain, headaches or stiffness. There has been a level of controversy surrounding the profession since its inception in the 19th century. But looking beyond the field's storied history, where does the evidence stand now on chiropractic? Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over t...
Feb 06, 2024•16 min
There are so many weird and wonderful skin potions out there, promising to fend off or reverse the signs of ageing. But do they work? And if so, how do they work? Norman and Tegan take us through their skincare routines (and some evidence, of course). Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report References: Genetics and ski...
Jan 30, 2024•16 min
Night terrors are distressing awakenings of intense screaming, thrashing and fear that often happen at the same time each night. They're more common in children than in adults, but they can hang around or emerge later in life. Norman takes us through his own childhood night terror, and Tegan weighs in on some of the reasons they happen in the first place. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looki...
Jan 23, 2024•15 min
Have you ever been chastised for eating a bowl of cereal for lunch? Or having leftovers for breakfast? There are certain foods designed 'breakfast foods' in the collective imagination: eggs, toast, cornflakes, pancakes. But the stories of how they came to earn their morning timeslot are far from science-based. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've ...
Jan 16, 2024•9 min
No pain, no gain — right? Well, if you're looking to build muscle, not necessarily. Chasing discomfort might even slow you down. Norman and Tegan discuss delayed-onset muscle soreness, and why it's not always indicative of a good workout. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report References: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness...
Jan 09, 2024•15 min
Because of the country's high UV levels, Australians hear a lot about the risks of sun exposure. But there are some benefits too. Sunlight enables us to produce vitamin D for strong bones and immune function. But there are other ways rays can help our health. Norman and Tegan take a look at how the right dose of sunlight can be beneficial. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 ...
Jan 02, 2024•14 min
Pet allergies can range from mild to severe — from a nuisance to, occasionally, anaphylaxis. When all you've got is some itchiness and a runny nose, are you doomed to a life without a furry friend? Norman and Tegan discuss the possibility of building up a tolerance to allergens. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report ...
Dec 26, 2023•15 min
It's holiday season, and family feasts are inevitable. But is the post-feast nap also inevitable? Norman and Tegan explain why you get so tired after a big meal. And no ... it has nothing to do with being around your extended family. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report...
Dec 19, 2023•14 min
Binaural beats are a phenomenon that happens in your brain when you listen to two different tones in each ear. There are lots of claims surrounding them — that they can trigger different brain waves and promote different states of mind. Norman and Tegan are here to unpack whether there's any evidence this musical illusion can aid with concentration. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for...
Dec 12, 2023•12 min
Caffeine is a part of many people's routines, whether it be a shot of coffee or a cup of tea. If you've ever noticed a headache creeping in when you've missed your morning cup of joe, Norman and Tegan are here to explain why. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report References: Adenosine, caffeine, and sleep–wake regula...
Dec 05, 2023•13 min
Napping can be risky. Will you wake up feeling better or worse? There's no doubt that sometimes an afternoon snooze is an absolute necessity. Norman and Tegan explore what's going on when you nap, and what you can do to get the most benefit. References: Influence of mid-afternoon nap duration and sleep parameters on memory encoding, mood, processing speed, and vigilance Lifestyle mediators of associations among siestas, obesity, and metabolic health Effects of planned cockpit rest on crew perfor...
Nov 28, 2023•13 min
If you've ever been told to take a probiotic — after a course of antibiotics, or just for your general health — you may be wondering what they actually do. Well, Norman and Tegan are here to dig into the research about these over-the-counter supplements, which claim to support digestion, boost immunity and even improve mood. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't ...
Nov 21, 2023•15 min
Consistent exercise is good for you, but does it make any difference whether you actually enjoy what you're doing? Norman and Tegan explore how fun might help you establish a work-out habit that benefits your body and your mind. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you! Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report...
Nov 14, 2023•14 min
As the saying goes: All good things must come to an end. But don't go away, we've got something big coming! Obviously we're not talking about the pandemic — as it certainly isn't good and it certainly isn't over. We're talking about Coronacast: your little pandemic friend that (hopefully!) helped you through the scary times over the last three years. Today is Coronacast's last episode, and we're going out with a bang! What's going on with case numbers (spoiler: rising again)? Are we finally seei...
Nov 07, 2023•17 min
Hello Coronacasters - it's been a while! We have a little bit of news to share about what's coming up for Coronacast. Also, Tegan's here to share a very special podcast recommendation! It's a new season of Science Friction ! It's called Hello AI Overlords - and it's an entire season diving deep into AI. Where's it come from? Where are we heading? And what happens if it's controlled by only a handful of people. So make sure you check it out right now! Tell all your friends. And why not tell ChatG...
Oct 24, 2023•4 min
Hello Coronacasters - it's been a while! We have a little bit of news to share about what's coming up for Coronacast. Also, Tegan's here to share a very special podcast recommendation! It's a new season of Science Friction ! It's called Hello AI Overlords - and it's an entire season diving deep into AI. Where's it come from? Where are we heading? And what happens if it's controlled by only a handful of people. So make sure you check it out right now! Tell all your friends. And why not tell ChatG...
Oct 24, 2023•4 min
There's still so much to learn about COVID, and this week we have two big things about Long COVID and how long we spread the virus. Firstly, a recent study has drawn a link between hand grip strength and post Long COVID symptoms, especially when it comes to who gets it and how badly. And secondly, a study from Hong Kong has tried to nail down what's going on in a person's immune system and how that effects the duration of shedding the virus. That's on this week's Coronacast. (And please note, we...
Sep 26, 2023•12 min
There's still so much to learn about COVID, and this week we have two big things about Long COVID and how long we spread the virus. Firstly, a recent study has drawn a link between hand grip strength and post Long COVID symptoms, especially when it comes to who gets it and how badly. And secondly, a study from Hong Kong has tried to nail down what's going on in a person's immune system and how that effects the duration of shedding the virus. That's on this week's Coronacast. (And please note, we...
Sep 26, 2023•12 min
It's a question that we've been asking since the very beginning of the pandemic: when will it really end? It's easy to think that because people are vaccinated and less attention is paid to COVID, it's over. In reality more than 5000 people have died of COVID this year, and the disease burden rises every time there's a new variant. On today's Coronacast, a chat with Professor Brendan Crabb, an infectious disease expert who heads up the Burnet Institute on how he thinks the past several years hav...
Sep 19, 2023•15 min
The COVID pandemic brought on a whole bunch of change to nearly everyone in the world. All of a sudden people were under lockdowns, out of work, unable to see their loved ones, even fighting for their lives. But ever so steadily, things have improved. Vaccines came along and we tried to get back to normal. But for some that’s not so easy. According to a survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - we’re feeling less lonely than we were in the early days of the pandemic. But, sadl...
Sep 12, 2023•10 min
The COVID pandemic brought on a whole bunch of change to nearly everyone in the world. All of a sudden people were under lockdowns, out of work, unable to see their loved ones, even fighting for their lives. But ever so steadily, things have improved. Vaccines came along and we tried to get back to normal. But for some that’s not so easy. According to a survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - we’re feeling less lonely than we were in the early days of the pandemic. But, sadl...
Sep 12, 2023•10 min
One of the big scary unknowns that remains with COVID is long-COVID. There are hundreds of thousands of Australians with the condition. But little bit by little bit, researchers are working out more and more about it. And in some good news - it seems that the risk of long-COVID has fallen over the last couple of years. Also, why shoving certain drugs up your nose might help avoid COVID in the first place. That’s on this week’s Coronacast...
Sep 05, 2023•13 min
One of the big scary unknowns that remains with COVID is long-COVID. There are hundreds of thousands of Australians with the condition. But little bit by little bit, researchers are working out more and more about it. And in some good news - it seems that the risk of long-COVID has fallen over the last couple of years. Also, why shoving certain drugs up your nose might help avoid COVID in the first place. That’s on this week’s Coronacast...
Sep 05, 2023•13 min
In the early days of COVID, it seemed like we were getting new variants of concern every few months. Wuhan led to Alpha then to Delta via a side trip to Beta for parts of the world. But ever since Omicron came in like a wrecking ball at the end of 2021... sure there has been a lot of new sub-variants, but no new challenger to take on the Big Boss. So could Omicron be the final variant? Are things starting to settle down? Will saying this mean a new variant is around the corner? All the big quest...
Aug 29, 2023•12 min
It seems like a mere week ago that we were talking about the last new variant - because it was only a week ago. Move over Eris, there's a new variant in town: Pirola. Unlike most of the recent strains going around, this one branched off further back in the Omicron family tree. But what of the usual questions: is it better at evading immunity? Does it cause worse disease? How do I protect myself? Also, how normal is it for a virus to mutate this much? Is it really moving this quickly, or is just ...
Aug 22, 2023•11 min
