When it comes to looking after your skin, some stubborn "facts" endure, so a dermatologist sets the record straight.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
People with disability face a number of barriers to justice, not least that crimes against them are often seen as less serious. This needs to stop.
Doing the vacuuming or taking the dog for a walk? Pick up the pace – these bursts of incidental exercise could be key to improving your fitness.
Thousands of Australian men have vasectomies each year. These surgeries are successful in more than 99% of cases.
There can be many benefits in practising mindfulness. But it's not a way to relax or escape from your problems.
You don't have to be an expert to be an effective advocate for vaccination. Here are some tips if you find yourself talking to someone who isn't convinced they should vaccinate their kids.
There is a clear link between women who have experienced domestic violence and mental illness. This link needs to be better addressed in mental health services.
A bit of humility can go a long way.
Nuts do contain fat, but the evidence shows they won't make us gain weight if eaten in moderation. We have a few theories as to why this might be.
It's ineffective to use drug dogs at festivals and in public places because they're much more likely to catch small-time users than suppliers.
One of the concerns parents have if their baby needs surgery is whether the general anaesthetic will affect the child's developing brain. New research finds it won't.
Nine months is a long time to have sore feet but these easy remedies can ease the pain.
Early intervention is a proven way to address the burden of mental ill health. We just need to better understand who is at risk of developing a mental disorder – and how best to treat them.
The bacteria that causes melioidosis usually lives 30cm underground in clay soil but is dredged to the surface during heavy rains and floods, and can enter the body through small breaks in the skin.
Around one in five Australian mums will develop mastitis, a painful inflammatory condition of the breast tissue.
Seeing cancer in 'high-resolution' could improve personalised medicine.
By trying to tackle just the health impact of loneliness, scientists risk ignoring the underlying causes.
As ophthalmologists, we've noticed an uptick in cases of vision problems caused by syphilis. Practising safe sex is important for our eye health too.
Pill testing
People who use party drugs say it gives them energy to dance and socialise, reduces their inhibitions and enhances their feelings of connection to others.
Most people assume drugs are illegal because they are dangerous, but the reasons aren't related to their relative risk or harm.
Illicit drugs can be dangerous. Read this before you use so you know what to look out for.
Around 35% of Australians have tried marijuana at some point in their life, and 11% have tried ecstasy. Most people who try drugs do so for a short period in their lives – mostly in their 20s.
The death of 19-year-old Georgina Bartter at a music festival on the weekend from a suspected ecstasy overdose could possibly have been avoided with a simple harm-minimisation intervention. Pill testing…
Gene editing
CRISPR harnesses the natural defence mechanisms of some bacteria to cut human DNA strands. Then the DNA strand either heals itself or we inject new DNA to mend the gap. This is gene editing.
Genome editing technology has, and will always have, limits. Limits that are related not to the technology itself but to the intrinsic complexity of the human genome.
A new study found the Cas9 gene editing scissors don't stop cutting after we tell them to.
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Research and Expert Database
Lung disease
We're seeing the resurgence of an old lung disease in people who make and install the type of engineered stone product you might find in your kitchen or bathroom.
Exercise
Many of us are programmed to aim for 10,000 steps a day. This target is not right for everyone – but we can all benefit from setting step goals to increase our activity.
Terminations
Women of all walks of life have abortions: married, single, child-free, and mothers. New research shows what's happening in their life when they do.
Measles
We've had the measles vaccine in Australia since 1968, but a two-dose program was only introduced in 1992. And if you haven't had the second dose, you're at risk of contracting measles.
Decluttering
While the KonMari method will help many people declutter their houses and reassess what they really need, for people with clinical hoarding disorder the process is much more complicated.
Pregnancy
Five out of five experts agree running during pregnancy is OK.
HIV
Eradicating a virus from the community requires everyone to have access to prevention, as is the case with tuberculosis. So why not HIV?
Miscarriage
Cliched comments like "it wasn’t meant to be" or "don't worry, you'll get pregnant" are hurtful and dismissive. Instead, acknowledge their loss, listen and let them grieve.
Heatwaves
Should you open or close your house to keep cool in a heatwave? Many people believe it makes sense to throw open doors and windows to the breeze; others try to shut out the heat. Listen to talk radio during…
Body temperature
While most of us agree ice cream and cold beverages are refreshing summer treats, do they actually help cool us down?
Sport
It seems obvious that a game should be suspended if it's too hot to play, but it's not as easy as implementing a maximum temperature.
Travel insurance
Just 82% of young Australians have insurance when they travel overseas. But even if you have insurance, you might not be covered for everything.
Antibiotics
It's hard to predict how long it will take to feel better after you start taking antibiotics. But if you start feeling worse one to two days after starting the therapy, you must see your doctor.
Violence against women
Australians are more aware of domestic violence and sexual assault than before. But a worrying proportion blame victims for abuse, think women are lying, and don't believe consent is always necessary.
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- Health check: will eating nuts make you gain weight?
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- Everyone can be an effective advocate for vaccination: here’s how
- Don’t have time to exercise? Here’s a regimen everyone can squeeze in
- We don’t yet fully understand what mindfulness is, but this is what it’s not
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