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A longitudinal examination of perinatal testosterone, estradiol and vitamin D as predictors of handedness outcomes in childhood and adolescenceThe developmental origins of handedness remain elusive, though very early emergence suggests individual differences manifesting in utero could play an important role. Prenatal testosterone and Vitamin D exposure are considered, yet findings and interpretations remain equivocal.
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A Gender Lens on User Quality Ratings From Young Teenagers Assessing the Sun Safe App: Comparing Responses From Co-researchers and Participants of Pilot Intervention StudiesWe developed the iOS smartphone app Sun Safe to support healthy sun practices in young teenagers (aged 12-13 years). The production involved co-design with young co-researchers (ie, aged 12-13 years) with a health message of using sun protection when the UV index is ≥3. Important features include real-time and location-specific weather data on the UV index and gamified educational content.
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Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosteroneAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The 'prenatal sex steroid' hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency.
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The current state of play of rodent models to study the role of vitamin D in UV-induced immunomodulationUltraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunlight is immunomodulatory and the main source of vitamin D for humans.
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Vitamin D 3 deficiency enhances allergen-induced lymphocyte responses in a mouse model of allergic airway diseaseIn this study, using a mouse model, we determined whether vitamin D deficiency in utero and during early life modulated the severity of asthma.
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UV exposure and protection against allergic airways diseaseAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the small and large conducting airway mucosa characterised by Th2 cell immunity.
News & Events
Getting through to young people on sun safety and vapingResearchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia and Cancer Council WA will team up on two projects aimed at identifying the most effective public health messaging for young people around SunSmart behaviours and how to stop vaping.
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Associations between sun exposure, skin pH, and epidermal permeability in pregnancy: A longitudinal observational studyLittle is known about how sun exposure may affect the maternal skin barrier during pregnancy when many hormonal and physiological changes occur. In this longitudinal observational study, 50 pregnant women were recruited at 18-24 weeks' gestation, 25 in summer-autumn, and 25 in winter-spring. At three time points in pregnancy at 18-24, 28-30, and 36-38 weeks' gestation, participants completed a validated sun exposure questionnaire and had skin permeability and surface pH measured on the volar forearm.
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Demographic and clinical predictors of vitamin D status in pregnant women tested for deficiency in Western AustraliaThis study aimed to describe the vitamin D status of pregnant women in Western Australia and identify predictors of deficiency in pregnancy. A cross-sectional study was conducted using linked data from statewide administrative data collections.
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Are low sun exposure and/or Vitamin D risk factors for type 1 diabetesEvidence supports that higher sun exposure and/or vitamin D sufficiency in pregnancy, or supplementation in early life, decreases type 1 diabetes risk