A possible new tool to help quit smoking - psilocybin, the active component of magic mushrooms. But there are plenty of caveats. Significant differences between women and men after a diagnosis of cancer - both in their risk of death and adverse outcomes. And an update on a story from Health Report producer Shelby Traynor last year - about Paul and a pioneering cancer treatment for his dog Rosie with the help of artificial intelligence. References Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation Sex-based prognosis in industry-sponsored advanced solid tumour trials: an individual participant data meta-analysis of survival and adverse events Thanks to AI, Paul can see the culprit of his dog's cancer Meet the man who designed a cancer vaccine for his dog
Ultra-processed foods and kids’ behaviour
20/03/2026
Could diets high in ultra-processed food for kids be increasing their risk of anxiety, aggression and hyperactivity? Researchers in Canada have been investigating that question. Guest Dr Kozeta Miliku, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto. References Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Behavioral Outcomes in Canadian Children Multilevel predictors of ultra-processed food intake in Canadian preschoolers
Going beyond the bikini line in women's health
20/03/2026
The spotlight in women's health is often on conditions like endometriosis, menopause and perimenopause. But a new study finds that the top issues for women might include some very different areas. Guest Dr Sara Holton, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University References ‘Women deserve better’: a national mixed-methods exploration of the ‘silent’ health conditions and social issues affecting women and girls in Australia
Testing for STIs in under an hour
20/03/2026
STI testing has its challenges - the turnaround between the time a sample is taken and when the result is returned can mean delays in treatment, losing people to follow up and stress and anxiety as someone waits for results. To solve some of these problems, a new point-of-care treatment that can test for sexually transmitted infections in under an hour is currently being developed by the Doherty Institute. Guest/s Dr Shivani Pasricha, Laboratory Head, The Doherty Institute References CRISPR-Cas-based diagnostics for point-of-care detection of sexually transmitted infections: a laboratory development and evaluation study
Mailbag: vaccine reminders
20/03/2026
A look at some of the Health Report correspondence this week: from pronunciation problems to the chemistry of heated citrus. You can email us at [email protected]
Australia