What's That Rash?

You might have seen those robot-looking red light masks being sold for skincare purposes.  You might have thought — looks technological, but does it work? It's not just red light. There are a spectrum of health claims from infrared to ultraviolet. Norman and Tegan go through the rainbow to assess where there's evidence, and where there's not.  References: Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy: A Review of Recent Progress and Their Target Molecules for Cancer Therapy Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing Visible Red Light Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Skin Fibrosis: Key Molecular Pathways Utilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis Photodynamic Therapy Using HMME for Port-Wine Stains: Clinical Effectiveness and Sonographic Appearance Effect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review The efficacy of violet light in the treatment of acne Featured review: What are the benefits and risks of light therapy for treating atopic eczema? Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorder

Life can be exhausting, and while a nap might be in order, it’s rare you’ve got time to take one. Caffeine can come to the rescue, but you might not be a fan of tea of coffee. Energy drinks are an alternative, but are they any good for you? Norman and Tegan explain what modern energy drinks contain, and what the ingredients do. What's That Rash? is on YouTube! Subscribe to ABC Science to watch the podcast.  References: Prevalence and Amounts of Common Ingredients Found in Energy Drinks and Shots International society of sports nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a systematic review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes Energy Drinks and Their Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a decaffeinated energy drink shows no significant acute effect on mental energy Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging This scientist treated her own cancer with viruses she grew in the lab

Many people live sedentary lives, sitting in an office all day then coming home to sit on the couch all night. What are the health harms of too much sitting? And do they compare to smoking as some headlines claim? Norman and Tegan settle in to explain the risks, and what you can do to avoid them. What's That Rash? is on YouTube! Subscribe to ABC Science to watch the podcast.  References: Evaluating the Evidence on Sitting, Smoking, and Health: Is Sitting Really the New Smoking? Trends in Self-Reported Sitting Time by Physical Activity Levels Among US Adults, NHANES 2007/2008–2017/2018 Recent Trends in Sedentary Time: A Systematic Literature Review Sedentary behaviour and health in adults: an overview of systematic reviews Around 10,000 steps a day may counteract health risks of high sedentary time  

We live in a world full of influencers pushing us products promising to keep us looking bouncy and youthful forever.  Collagen is a hugely important protein that does play a role in plumping up our skin — as well as supporting muscles, bones and connective tissues.  Norman and Tegan find out how effective collagen supplements are in skin care, and which kind you should look out for if you want to see results.   What's That Rash? is on YouTube! Subscribe to ABC Science to watch the podcast.  References: Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications The impact of collagen protein ingestion on musculoskeletal connective tissue remodeling: a narrative review   

These days, our mobile phones are rarely far away. Whether it’s in your hand, your pocket, or under your pillow at night. Mobiles do emit radiation in order to connect to phone towers, which enables us to stay in contact with people and the internet. But is that radiation doing us harm? Norman and Tegan talk through the facts – what we do know, don’t know and suspect about our tech companions. What's That Rash? is coming to YouTube! Keep an eye out for the video version of this episode on ABC Science.  References: National Cancer Institute - Cell Phones and Cancer Risk Mobile phone use and incidence of brain tumour histological types, grading or anatomical location: a population-based ecological study Has the incidence of brain cancer risen in Australia since the introduction of mobile phones 29 years ago? 5G: the new generation of the mobile phone network and health