Editor's note

Last week, plenty of people were spooked by a study finding that moderate drinkers were at risk of long term brain damage. But we can relax: it isn’t entirely true.

In today’s Research Check – where we ask experts to scrutinise a study’s findings – Nicole Lee and Rob Hester explain this study was observational, showing an association between two factors, not proof that one (alcohol) caused the other (brain impairment). And peer reviewer Travis Wearne provides more reasons not to freak out.

Sasha Petrova

Deputy Editor, Health + Medicine

Top story

Heavy alcohol consumption over ten years or more can cause significant brain function problems. But what about casual drinking? Robert Mathews/Unsplash

Research Check: can even moderate drinking cause brain damage?

Nicole Lee, Curtin University; Rob Hester, University of Melbourne

New research shows an association between moderate drinking and long-term brain impairment. But there are a few reasons to be cautious about these findings.

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  • Three charts on: Australia's booming prison population

    Sophie Russell, UNSW; Eileen Baldry, UNSW

    The largest increases in Australia's prison numbers have been in remand, Indigenous and women prisoners.

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    Fiona McGaughey, University of Western Australia; Dave Webb, University of Western Australia; Peta-Jane Hogg, University of Western Australia

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