What's That Rash?

Should you be taking calcium supplements?

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 optionNorman 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 - the Health Report Nutrient Reference Values - Calcium Effect of age on calcium absorption in postmenopausal women Biochemical Variables in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: Reconciling the Calcium and Estrogen Hypotheses Calcium Content of Common Foods - Healthy Bones Australia Choosing a calcium supplement: What you should know about taking calcium to boost your nutrients Calcium Supplements and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials Association Between Calcium Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Association Between Calcium Supplementation and Recurrence of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Population‐Based Cohort Study Calcium Intake From Diet and Supplements and the Risk of Coronary Artery Calcification and its Progression Among Older Adults: 10‐Year Follow‐up of the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Oral Calcium Supplements Associate With Serial Coronary Calcification: Insights From Intravascular Ultrasound If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Multivitamins: Are they a scam? Don’t Die: Is Bryan Johnson going to live forever? Can peptides keep you young and buff? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can tapping calm your nervous system?

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 (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health Neural changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis  Commentary: Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis A Randomized Controlled Comparison of Emotional Freedom Technique and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Adolescent Anxiety: A Pilot Study Food for Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings The impact of emotional freedom techniques on anxiety, depression, and anticipatory grief in people with cancer: A meta-analysis and systematic review  If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you train yourself to sleep less? Why everything hurts when you turn 30 MSG's messy myths and racist tropes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is farting a sign your gut microbiome is happy?

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 farts A widespread hydrogenase supports fermentative growth of gut bacteria in healthy people Intestinal gas production by the gut microbiota: A review Association of the Gut Microbiota With Cognitive Function in Midlife  Gut microbiome predicts cognitive function and depressive symptoms in late life  The Relationship between Gut Microbiome and Cognition in Older Australians  Chart Your Fart - CSIRO If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why is yawning contagious? Why are some people right (or left) handed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still coughing — are you still infectious?

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 Systematic Review of the Literature Acute cough in outpatients: what causes it, how long does it last, and how severe is it for different viruses and bacteria?  Estimating influenza latency and infectious period durations using viral excretion data Duration of viral infectiousness and correlation with symptoms and diagnostic testing in non-hospitalized adults during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection: A longitudinal cohort study How the pandemic shaped presenteeism trends between healthcare and non-healthcare workers using the Korean working conditions surveys (2010–2023)  Sickness Presenteeism in the Aftermath of COVID-19: Is Presenteeism Remote-Work Behavior the New (Ab)normal?  Over‐the‐counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is it OK to exercise when you're sick? Are office jobs ruining our bodies? Should you add snail slime to your skincare routine? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can your joints predict the weather?

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 meta-analysis  Come rain or shine: Is weather a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis of case-crossover studies Cloudy with a chance of pain: How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app  Temperature extremes causing gout flare hospitalisation Can aching joints really predict the weather? Exploring the science behind the stormy debate  What triggers weather-related joint pain? - Harvard Health If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! You'll catch your death! Does cold weather cause colds? Can consuming dairy really give you acne? How risky is sharing a toothbrush? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices