the conversation
‘Incredibly poor’ timing for news ban
Banning news links just days before Australia’s COVID vaccine rollout? Facebook, that’s just dangerous, writes Maryke Steffens By Maryke Steffens, Research Affiliate, University of Sydney; Research Fellow, National Centre for …
Bushfire smoke is bad for eyes, too
As we continue to contend with smoke haze in various parts of the country, many Australians may find themselves with watery, burning, irritated or red eyes Katrina Schmid Associate Professor, …
‘We need to tread cautiously’
Prescription monitoring is here, but we need to tread carefully to avoid unintended harms, says Suzanne Nielsen Suzanne Nielsen, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University Drug-related deaths …
Science or Snake Oil: do hangover cures actually work?
Over recent years, a number of products have emerged that claim to prevent or cure hangovers if consumed while drinking or the morning after… but do they really work? By …
Science or Snake Oil?
Does EASEaCOLD really help to shorten your cold? Kim Murphy from Monash University reviews the evidence Kim Murphy, Immunology researcher, Monash University When we have a cold, which is caused by a number …
Replacing pharmacists with robots isn’t the answer to better productivity
Pharmacists aren’t just dispensing machines, argues Associate Professor Helen Dickinson, UNSW Helen Dickinson Associate Professor, Public Service Research Group, UNSW Reforming pharmacy services and the role of pharmacists is one of the recommendations …
What’s the real risk?
Alcohol increases cancer risk, but don’t trust the booze industry to give you the facts straight Terry Slevin, Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University; Education and Research Director, …
Weekly Dose: Methylprednisolone
This drug is used to treat conditions involving inflammation such as asthma, arthritis and gout – but not rare kidney disease Nial Wheate, BPharm Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney Methylprednisolone …
What’s wrong with the “cuff method”?
The most-used method of measuring blood pressure is often inaccurate, writes James Sharman James Sharman, Professor of Medical Research and Deputy Director, Menzies Institute for Medical Research., University of Tasmania The …
Better regulating CMs
New complementary medicine health claims lack evidence, so why are they even on the table? asks Dr Ken Harvey Dr Ken Harvey  is Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and …
Science or snake oil: Turmeric
Can turmeric really shrink tumours, reduce pain and kill bacteria? Gunveen Kaur, Lecturer In Nutritional Sciences, Deakin University Turmeric is a yellow coloured spice widely used in Indian and South East Asian …
Could we be facing a flu pandemic?
The number of new flu viruses is increasing and could lead to a pandemic, say Australian epidemiologists C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Head of the School of Public Health and …