Wrapping up 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, Team VIVA! reflected on a year that brought not only new challenges, but also many reasons for celebration. Like many across Australia and around the world, the VIVA! team contended with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, including lockdowns and disruptions to many facets our daily lives.  “We are…

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Can eating allium vegetables protect against bowel cancer?

New research, released last month, has suggested allium vegetables such as garlic and onions may help to protect us against bowel cancer. A team of scientists from First Hospital of China Medical University investigated whether high amounts of these vegetables could prevent the development of bowel cancer. In results published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of…

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Exercise may hold the answer to more diverse gut microbiome

A new study has uncovered the effect of exercise on our health through adjusting the balance of the gut microbiome. The study, Aerobic Fitness and Gut Microbiota, suggests a person’s physical activity levels might affect the bacterial diversity of their gut, and thus influence their overall health. In the paper, appearing in the journal Experimental…

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Smartphones driving mental health crisis among young Australians

It’s no coincidence the mental health of young Australians has never been worse at the same time their mobile phone use is at an all-time high, according to 2010 Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry Prof McGorry declared the epidemic in a plea ahead of last week’s Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Forum, in Adelaide, on February 7.…

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