What's That Rash?

Sea sickness, car sickness, space sickness – when it comes down to it, it’s all the same. But not everybody suffers the same. Some people are even lucky enough to grow out of motion sickness. Norman and Tegan talk about what’s going on when the world goes topsy-turvy, and what you can do about it. References: Motion Sickness Validating sensory conflict theory and mitigating motion sickness in huma...

Lately there have been lots of scary headlines about cancer rates rising in younger adults. What can you do to drive down your cancer risk? Norman and Tegan offer some practical tips, and discuss what's in your control versus what isn't. References: Overview of cancer in Australia, 2025 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Effects of diets on risks of cancer and the mediating role of metab...

Our calcium needs can increase as we age, especially for women going through menopause. Most Australians aren’t getting enough calcium from their diet, so are supplements a good option Norman and Tegan discuss the conflicting evidence on calcium – in particular, could it be good for your bones, but bad for your heart? References: Calcium supplements have 'very little place' in modern medicine - th...

There's a scene in the Devil Wears Prada 2 where a character is so stressed she starts "tapping" to calm herself down. What is this self-soothing technique, and should you try it out? Norman and Tegan talk through what Emotional Freedom Techniques, or tapping is and whether there's any evidence it lowers anxiety. References: How ‘tapping’ is dividing opinion in therapy circles Clinical EFT (Emotio...

Everyone wants a healthy gut, and your microbiome plays a big role in keeping you well. So how do you know your microbiome is in top shape? Are there stinky signs that things are going right, or wrong? Norman and Tegan breeze through the research in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: The Invisible College of Experimental Flatology Explainer: The chemistry of fa...

Cold season is upon us, so it’s no wonder you’re side-eyeing that person coughing on the bus. But does a cough mean someone is still infectious? How do you know you’re in the clear to go back to work? Norman and Tegan talk through the science, and also how attitudes have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. References: How Long Does a Cough Last? Comparing Patients’ Expectations With Data From a S...

Have you heard the phrases, "aches and pain, coming rains" or about "ill health due to evil winds"?  Many people believe they can feel a change in weather coming on because pain flares in their joints.  Norman and Tegan unpack what could be going on, and whether it's backed by scientific evidence.  References: Associations between weather conditions and osteoarthritis pain: a systematic review and...

It’s good to be on top of your health – but how far would you go to ensure you’re staying healthy? Ads have popped up for full-body MRIs, promising to catch things from cancer to aneurysms. Norman and Tegan scan through the potential benefits and risks of looking inside seemingly healthy bodies.  References: Principles of screening - Cancer Council Incidental Findings and Low-Value Care Prevalence...

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 Ma...

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 compa...

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...

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...

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 ad...

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...

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 ea...

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...

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 M...

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...

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 m...

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 sc...

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 T...

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...

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, Funct...

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...

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...