Since the early years of this decade, an organisation known as APOPO has been training a particular species of rat – the Giant African Pouched Rat – to help detect the presence of land mines in Mozambique. More recently, these same rats – or at...
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The kidneys are two small fist-sized, bean-shaped organs situated on the lower back of the abdomen. Small they may be, but they do an enormous job. In fact, one functioning kidney is essential for life – a really good reason then for celebrating what...
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Food allergies are relatively common. Whilst severe and sometimes life threatening reactions to peanuts are well publicised, most food allergies are mild and easily managed and simply cause inconvenience and frustration. However, coeliac (pronounced see-lee-ac) disease, which affects about one in every 100 Australians, is...
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The first week of February this year was celebrated as Worldwide Salt Awareness Week. Most Australians would probably ask: what is there to be aware of? We’re all aware of salt. But maybe we’re not all aware of just how much more salt we consume...
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It is sometimes stated that we are what we eat. That’s not to say a diet rich in root vegetables means there’s a chance we might begin to look like a carrot (redheads have their hair colour genetically predetermined). However, there’s no doubt what...
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The true origins of Valentine’s Day seem to have been lost to antiquity. Numerous early Christian martyrs were called Valentine, but apparently no romantic elements were attached to their lives. There are claims that the first association between Valentine’s Day and romance was referenced...
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