What's That Rash?

ABC Australia
  • 4.6 (178)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

  1. 2D AGO

    Deep dive on progressive exercise

    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 ExerciseAssociations of Muscle Mass and Strength with All-Cause Mortality among US Older AdultsSkeletal Muscle Strength as a Predictor of All-Cause Mortality in Healthy Men Progressive overload without progressing load? The effects of load or repetition progression on muscular adaptations Strength and Hypertrophy Adaptations Between Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Physical activity types, variety, and mortality: results from two prospective cohort studies If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bullIs a vibration plate worth the cost?You'll catch your death! Does cold weather cause colds?

    22 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Hantavirus: what we know about the cruise ship outbreak

    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.

    13 min

  3. MAY 5

    Why is yawning contagious?

    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 chronic, debilitating bouts of yawningDifferent yawns, different functions? Testing social hypotheses on spontaneous yawning in Theropithecus geladaWhy yawns are contagious—in all kinds of animals: Evolutionary biologist Andrew Gallup explains why we yawn after others Mirror neuron activity during contagious yawning—an fMRI study The mirror-neuron system If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why are some people right (or left) handed?Can consuming dairy really give you acne?Is daylight saving time bad for us?

    17 min

  4. APR 28

    Tonsils, appendix, gallbladder: is anything actually useless?

    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 NewsAssociation of Long-Term Risk of Respiratory, Allergic, and Infectious Diseases With Removal of Adenoids and Tonsils in Childhood Influence of Tonsillectomy on Various Disease Outcomes: An Outcome-wide Association Analysis and Mendelian Randomization AnalysisCytokine production in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis: analysis of tonsil samples and blood - PMC Association of Long-Term Risk of Respiratory, Allergic, and Infectious Diseases With Removal of Adenoids and Tonsils in Childhood - PMC Microbial Composition of Human Appendices from Patients following Appendectomy Long-term impacts of appendectomy associated with increased incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and colorectal cancerCholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why do we have wisdom teeth? Can peptides keep you young and buff?Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?

    20 min

  5. APR 21

    Should you be eating more fruit?

    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 NewsKey statistics and data about child and adult consumption of fruit and vegetables - Australian Bureau of StatisticsFresh fruit consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: findings from the China Kadoorie Biobank  Fruit consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three prospective longitudinal cohort studies Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mortality: Results from Two Prospective Cohort Studies of US Men and Women and a Meta-Analysis of 26 Cohort Studies The global burden of disease attributable to suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause mortality: evidence from a large Australian cohort study A basket of new fruit varieties is coming your way – The Economist Releasing a sugar brake generates sweeter tomato without yield penaltyIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! What's the best time of day to exercise?Is whitening your teeth bad for you?What are the health benefits of coffee?

    20 min

  6. APR 14

    Red and other light therapy — can it work?

    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 TherapyEffect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound HealingVisible Red Light Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Skin Fibrosis: Key Molecular PathwaysUtilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysisPhotodynamic Therapy Using HMME for Port-Wine Stains: Clinical Effectiveness and Sonographic AppearanceEffect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic ReviewThe efficacy of violet light in the treatment of acneFeatured review: What are the benefits and risks of light therapy for treating atopic eczema?Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorderThis episode first aired on December 18, 2024.

    18 min

  7. APR 7

    Why are some people right (or left) handed?

    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 CarrsThe association between switching hand preference and the declining prevalence of left-handedness with ageStuttering and “Retraining” Left-Handed Children in Mid-Century U.S. Can training to become ambidextrous improve brain function?  Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots The Influence of Handedness on the Clinical Presentation and Neuropsychology of Alzheimer DiseaseIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer?Should you train cardio and strength on the same day?The four steps you need to form a habit

    19 min

  8. MAR 31

    Headaches: causes, cures and exercise?!

    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 factsTwelve-month efficacy of CGRP monoclonal antibodies and predictive value of short-term response: results of an Australian multicentre study Trial of Galcanezumab in Prevention of Episodic Cluster HeadacheErenumab for Chronic Cluster Headache: A Randomized Clinical TrialEffect of Exercise on Chronic Tension-Type Headache and Chronic Migraine: A Systematic ReviewThe effect of different exercise types on migraine frequency in individuals with migraine: A pilot studyIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Am I addicted to caffeine?Is emu oil the new snake oil?There's a lot of fog around brain fog

    21 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
178 Ratings

About

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    569
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    What's That Rash?

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