Rapid-antigen tests promised so much: a quick, cheap and easy way to tell if you were COVID positive so you could make a decision to help protect yourself, family and community.

But in reality, it's far more complicated. The tests were initially hard to come by, expensive for some and the rollout was patchy.

And now, add to that the fact that the coronavirus has continued to evolve - making it hard to tell if RATs can even detect COVID.

So on this week's Coronacast, should we give a rat about RATs anymore? And why is it important that the tests do as they say?

Does anyone give a rat about RATs anymore?

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Science

Health & Fitness

Sometimes 24 hours doesn’t feel like nearly enough time to get everything done — those to-do lists aren't going to check themselves.

Especially when you're spending around eight hours of that time in bed.

Norman and Tegan assess whether it's possible to train yourself to sleep less without any of the negatives.

References:
Which Is More Important for Health: Sleep Quantity or Sleep Quality?
Sleep in the Military
Familial natural short sleep mutations reduce Alzheimer pathology in mice
What's That Rash? on napping and Norman's nap-time tips

Can you train yourself to sleep less?

It's an age-old adage that youth is wasted on the young – you don't know what you’ve got until it's gone.

The aches and pains that start to linger longer as you approach your 30s can feel like a rite of passage.

Norman and Tegan explore why this happens, and whether it's inevitable.

Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!

References:
Does your body really start falling apart in your 30s? - ABC Health
Age changes in pain perception: A systematic-review and meta-analysis of age effects on pain and tolerance thresholds
Declining muscle mass is part of aging, but that does not mean you are helpless to stop it

Why everything hurts when you turn 30

Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.

There are ways to lower your risk, and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.

Norman and Tegan give us the top tips needed to lower your risk of developing the illness as you get older.

References:
Physical and Mental Activity, Disease Susceptibility, and Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on UK Biobank
Association of Lifespan Cognitive Reserve Indicator With Dementia Risk in the Presence of Brain Pathologies
Drugs Contributing to Anticholinergic Burden and Risk of Fall or Fall-Related Injury among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia and Multiple Chronic Conditions

Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer?

Much has been said about the single glass of red wine. It's good for you, it’s bad for you, it's good for you again.

It can be confusing to follow.

Norman and Tegan take on this age-old health question — does a single glass of red wine have health boosting benefits?

References: 
The French paradox: Lessons for other countries
Moderate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative Review
Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate

A single glass of red wine for your health, yeah or nah?

Do you have your water bottle beside you right now? How close are you to reaching your daily water goal?

It can feel like a slog sometimes to meet the recommended two lites of water a day.

Norman and Tegan pour over the evidence to find out whether it's REALLY necessary to drink that much.

References:
Food and macronutrient intake of elite Ethiopian distance runners
Statement of the 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference

Does anyone give a rat about RATs anymore?

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