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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.

In “high-risk” infants with sufficient vitamin d status at birth, infant vitamin D supplementation had no effect on allergy outcomes: A randomized controlled trial

Early infancy oral vitamin D supplementation does not appear to reduce the development of early childhood allergic disease

Low-dose UV radiation before running wheel access activates brown adipose tissue

When combined with physical activity, low-dose UVR may more effectively limit adiposity and modulate metabolic and immune pathways in iBAT

Getting through to young people on sun safety and vaping

Researchers 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.

Associations between sun exposure, skin pH, and epidermal permeability in pregnancy: A longitudinal observational study

Little 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.

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.

Analytical bias in the measurement of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in infants

To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the reported 25(OH)D concentration may be influenced by both age and assay type

Effects of UVR exposure on the gut microbiota of mice and humans

Both human and murine studies report that multiple exposures to sub-erythemal UV radiation can increase the diversity of the gut microbiome

Sun exposure: An environmental preventer of metabolic dysfunction?

Emerging preclinical findings suggest that some sun exposure is necessary for optimal metabolic health

Systematic Review of the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Markers of Metabolic Dysfunction

Here we review the metabolic effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, focusing on the effects of phototherapies