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Research

The Effects of Using the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Young Teenagers: Results of Pilot Intervention Studies

A balanced approach toward sun exposure and protection is needed by young people. Excessive sun exposure increases their risk for skin cancers such as melanoma, whereas some exposure is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones. We have developed a new iOS smartphone app-Sun Safe-through a co-design process, which aims to support healthy and balanced decision-making by young teenagers (aged 12-13 years).

Research

Increased levels of solar radiation are associated with reduced type-2 diabetes prevalence: A cross-sectional study of Australian postcodes

Type-2 diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability. Emerging evidence suggests that ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure may limit its development. We used freely available online datasets to evaluate the associations between solar radiation and type-2 diabetes prevalence across Australia.

Research

Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Rats Does Not Induce Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension. Epidemiological studies have associated preeclampsia with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism and schizophrenia. Preeclampsia has also been linked with maternal vitamin D deficiency, another candidate risk factor also associated with autism.

Research

The influence of sunlight exposure and sun protecting behaviours on allergic outcomes in early childhood

The dramatic rise in allergic disease has occurred in tandem with recent environmental changes and increasing indoor lifestyle culture. While multifactorial, one consistent allergy risk factor has been reduced sunlight exposure. However, vitamin D supplementation studies have been disappointing in preventing allergy, raising possible independent effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

Research

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <50 nmol/l) is recognised as a public health problem globally. The present study details the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample (n 3250) of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥18 years. We used data from the 2012-2013 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem MS.

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Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation in the Modulation of Human Diseases

This review focuses primarily on the beneficial effects for human health of exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Research

Clinical, research, and public health implications of poor measurement of Vitamin D status

New initiatives to develop a standard reference method and the assignment of "true" values to samples provide a solution to these problems.

Research

Vitamin D and allergic airway disease shape the murine lung microbiome in a sex-specific manner

Maintaining sufficient vitamin D is necessary for optimal lung health, and vitamin D may modulate the lung microbiome in a sex-specific fashion

Research

Differences in control by UV radiation of inflammatory airways disease in naïve and allergen pre-sensitised mice

Exposure of skin to UV radiation (UVR) prior to allergen exposure can inhibit inflammatory airways disease in mice by reducing effector CD4+ T cells in both...