11319 research outputs found
Sort by
Characterising picocyanobacterial dynamics, diversity, distribution, and potential drivers in contrasting New Zealand lakes
Full text linkPicocyanobacteria are among the smallest autotrophs on the planet, forming the base of the microbial foodweb in many aquatic ecosystems, from the poles to the tropics. Freshwater picocyanobacteria play a vital role in carbon fixation, nutrient cycling, and oxygen production in freshwater environments. Enhancing knowledge on the potential picocyanobacterial response to forecast changes such as climate shifts and increasing eutrophication is essential. Such predictions require an understanding of the diversity, distribution, drivers, and function of lacustrine picocyanobacteria at the genotype level. This information is largely lacking from the current scientific literature. To address these knowledge gaps, I used a combination of molecular (environmental DNA metabarcoding and genomics) and traditional (epifluorescence microscopy and culturing) approaches to characterise the diversity, distribution, potential drivers, and function of lacustrine picocyanobacteria across a range of lake types in New Zealand.
The horizontal-spatial abundance and community structure of picocyanobacteria was assessed in two contrasting (oligotrophic and hypertrophic) lakes, revealing that abundance and community composition differed significantly both between and within lakes. In both lakes, community structuring appeared to be driven by localised environmental conditions, suggesting that picocyanobacterial genotypes may respond differently to environmental change. To further explore these potential genotype responses, temporal shifts in abundance and diversity were assessed in relation to potential environmental drivers in five contrasting lakes over one year. Here, cell abundances were inconsistently related to different environmental variables across the lakes, while the addition of metabarcoding data revealed temporally dynamic and diverse picocyanobacterial communities strongly associated with specific environmental drivers in each lake.
With this new identification of strain-specific responses and community adaptation, the potential drivers of picocyanobacterial distributions and community assembly were then assessed in a nation-wide study covering 128 lakes across broad environmental gradients. The influence of deterministic and stochastic processes in shaping picocyanobacterial distributions and community assembly were explored along with the occupancy distribution of genotypes across lakes. Interestingly, no genotypes were found to inhabit all studied lakes whereas many genotypes were restricted to single lakes, resulting in a strongly unimodal lake occupancy distribution. Picocyanobacteria were not dispersal-limited across New Zealand, while richness and community structure differed in relation to specific environmental drivers.
Finally, to begin characterising the functional potential of strains, in particular to determine whether alternative nutrient metabolism is utilised in lakes of contrasting trophic state, 25 monoclonal picocyanobacterial strains were isolated from six lakes. Fifteen strains were isolated from oligotrophic lakes and ten strains from eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes. Of these, seven were selected for genome sequencing in which preliminary results suggest differential nutrient metabolism between strains, although not necessarily related solely to trophic state. Further genomic analysis and experimental approaches will continue to reveal the complex life strategies of lacustrine picocyanobacterial strains which will enable a deeper understanding of their function and potential responses to changes in our freshwater environments
A Brand a Minute – An observational study of children’s exposure to marketing in an era of overconsumption.
No full textBackground
Marketing promotes values of consumerism and overconsumption, and negatively affects children's wellbeing and psychological development. The threat marketing poses to planetary health is just being realised. However, little is known about children's exposure to marketing at an aggregate level. Using an objective method of wearable cameras, we aimed to determine the nature and extent of children's exposure to marketing.
Methods
Kids'Cam was a cross-sectional study of children aged 11–13 years in New Zealand, from which we randomly selected a sample of 90 children. Children wore cameras from when they woke up until they went to sleep for four consecutive days (Thursday–Sunday) that captured images at an angle of 136° every 7 s for exposure to marketing. Marketing brands were categorised into three groups: core food and social marketing messages, harmful commodities (eg, non-core food, alcohol, and gambling), or other. Exposure rates by marketing medium, setting, and product category were calculated using negative binomial regression models.
Findings
From June 21, 2014, to June 30, 2015, we recruited 168 children, and randomly selected data from 90 children for the present study. Children in this study were exposed to a mean of 554 brands per 10 h day (95% CI 491–625), nearly a brand a minute, through multiple mediums (predominantly brand labels [36% of exposures] and product packaging [22%]) and mostly in schools (43%) and at home (30%). Food and beverages (20% of exposures) were the dominant product category. The most pervasive marketing brands typically sold a range of products across more than one product category (eg, children were exposed to Nike on average 20 exposures per day). Children were exposed to more than twice as many harmful commodities (mean 76 per 10 h day [95% CI 55–105]) as core food and social marketing messages (32 [26–39]) per day.
Interpretation
We found that children are repeatedly exposed to marketing through multiple mediums and across all settings, and our findings suggests that marketing privileges particular messages, for example, marketing of harmful commodities. Given the key role marketing plays in establishing and supporting consumption norms, and perpetuating the normalisation of overconsumption which contributes to environmental degradation, these findings suggest an urgent need to reduce marketing to promote planetary health
Midwives, Medicalization and Testing for Down Syndrome
Full text linkThis qualitative study is based on interviews with eighteen Aotearoa New Zealand based midwives conducted during 2014 on the topic of how they incorporated providing information about genetic testing for Down syndrome into their professional practice. Following a hiatus from 2015 to 2020 when I was myself busy with childbirth and parenting, I then returned to the project to update literature and conduct the analysis of these interviews. I did this with an awareness of slight changes in genetic testing availability and form over this period of time, but also in the recognition that much remained the same for the midwives I had first spoken to in 2014. My key findings are that midwives struggle to balance their professional practice against a press of several issues which push them towards more medicalized forms of care. The provision of information about genetic screening and testing for Down syndrome is one significant element of this pressure. Compared to studies of other midwives around the world, the New Zealand midwives in this study were generally better informed about genetic testing than their international counterparts and confident of their ability to impart this information to their clients; but for the most part, they were concerned that the amount of time it took to do so, the timing of the discussion and the inevitable sway that a health professional held in discussing such matters might force a more medicalized view of pregnancy onto their clients than what is embedded within the New Zealand midwifery model of care
Investigating the response of the New Zealand krill Nyctiphanes australis (Euphausiacea) to stress caused by environmental change: A dynamic energy budget approach
No full textOcean warming and increases in ultraviolet radiation over the past century have resulted in important changes in marine planktonic coastal communities around the world, that include the reductions of primary and secondary productivity. To examine the potential effects of multiple environmental stressors on secondary production, this PhD research uses the New Zealand krill, Nyctiphanes australis as a model species to understand how life-history traits, physiology and the energetic balance of krill may respond to changes in temperature and elevated ultraviolet radiation levels. There are 85 euphausiid krill species globally distributed, all important components of marine food webs, both ecologically and economically. N. australis is the dominant species in New Zealand waters, especially during summer, a period of warm waters, strong thermoclines, variable primary productivity levels and when ultraviolet levels are at their highest.
Using N. australis as a model zooplankter, the aim of this PhD is to investigate the responses to environmental change in New Zealand waters using a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model approach that quantifies changes in fatty acids and amino acids composition to track the usage of these compounds, and predicts the energetic costs associated with living under different temperatures and ultraviolet radiation doses normally present in the coastal environment around the Otago Harbour where N .australis is commonly found.
Fatty acids are known to play an important role in many metabolic processes, including the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, a process that maintains a physiological optimum despite changes in environmental conditions. Variations in fatty acids abundance and composition are intrinsically connected to amino acids abundance, and both compounds are known to be used as a source of metabolic energy under stressful environmental conditions or during periods of starvation, hence these two bio-molecules can be used to reflect the energetic condition of an individual.
iii
I use a DEB model, a known tool that has helped to mechanistically describe the processes of how an organism assimilates and utilizes energy for maintenance, growth and reproduction purposes as a function of the state of the organism and the environment it is living in. The DEB can be influenced by changes in the environment and exposure to adverse conditions that result in trade-offs between stress responses and growth/reproduction. Therefore, it can then be used to quantify and predict how species may respond to environmental change, and help identify environmental thresholds associated with such changes.
To assess the impact of temperature and ultraviolet radiation, individuals of N. australis were reared in the laboratory using techniques described for the species and exposed to controlled increases in temperature and UVR under laboratory conditions. Respiration rates, fatty acids, amino acid content were measured following known protocols, and a DEB model was developed to examine the environmental influence on the energy budget and life-history traits of the species.
In summary, the first chapter of this thesis encapsulates all available information on the genus Nyctiphanes to date, aiming to identify potential areas of future research and delineate guidelines for environmental change research including the use of DEB models. In the second chapter, I use static modelling, based on surface and underwater measurements of ultraviolet radiation, to understand the potential impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation and other environmental variables on marine planktonic communities in Otago, New Zealand and understand how the depth to which UVR penetrates in coastal areas influence local productivity. Then I explore the effect of temperature and food availability under a DEB context for the first time for a Nyctiphanes species, aiming to mechanistically quantify processes such as growth and reproduction under variable environmental conditions, thereby connecting the interactive effects of environmental variability to functional traits.
iv
Finally, the last two chapters expand on the previously described DEB model application, measuring and using fatty acids and amino acids data to parameterize a DEB model. The model is aimed to study and quantify the effect of temperature and UV light on krill metabolism, and quantify changes in the energy utilization of krill exposed to several temperatures and ultraviolet radiation treatments
Dental and Oral Health Therapists' Perceptions of Continuity of Patient Care
No full textAbstract
Introduction
This is a qualitative study investigating dental and oral health therapists’ perceptions of continuity of patient care. Currently, there is little research exploring the impact of continuity of patient care, and what value New Zealand therapists place on it.
Methods
Data were collected using focus group discussions. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach.
Results
Through the therapists’ descriptions of their experiences of continuity of patient care, four themes emerged: (i) autonomy, (ii) time management, (iii) patient and parent rapport, and (iv) job satisfaction.
All therapists in this study described continuity of patient care as the process of a practitioner following the same patient from the beginning of treatment until completion, and ideally overseeing any future preventative reviews put in place by that practitioner. All therapists who participated in this study saw continuity of patient care as a highly important aspect of their practice and they viewed autonomy in their practice as the most important aspect of continuity of patient care. Patient trust and time management were intertwined with job satisfaction. However, a compelling finding that emerged from this study was that many therapists faced difficult and challenging situations due to a lack of continuity of patient care in their practice. This was more evident with therapists who worked in urban areas of the public sector, compared to therapists employed in the private sector.
Conclusion
Clinical experiences were enhanced for both the therapist and the patient when continuity of patient care was observed, and continuity of patient care increased learning opportunities and improved professional development for therapists. Results highlight the lack of continuity of patient care that therapists experience. Increasing the level of continuity of patient care for therapists, particularly for urban therapists in the public sector, would be beneficial. Strategies to implement more continuity of patient care will likely enhance the level of autonomy and job satisfaction for therapists in New Zealand
University Students’ Attitudes Towards Plant-Based Proteins and Willingness to Replace Meat with Plant-Based Proteins
No full textBackground: Research has shown that plant-based diets are associated with decreased risks of many non-communicable diseases and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting plant-based diets would be expected to improve public health and help to address climate change, two important issues for New Zealand. Overseas studies have shown that younger and more educated people are more likely to adopt plant-based diets. However, there has been little research into the views of young, educated New Zealanders about the topic of plant-based diets and specifically, plant-based proteins.
Objective: To evaluate the attitudes of university students towards plant-based proteins and their willingness to reduce and replace animal-proteins, such as meat and fish, with plant-based proteins.
Design: This quantitative, cross-sectional study used an online survey of University of Otago students aged 18 to 22 years to determine their attitudes towards plant-based proteins and their willingness to include plant-based proteins in their diet. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel for Mac.
Results: A total of 149 students participated in the survey, three were excluded, resulting in a final sample size of 146 students. The average age of the sample was 19.4 years and 73% were female. The majority of participants considered meat to be tastier, cheaper and more convenient than plant-based proteins. However, plant-based proteins were viewed as better for the environment, more ethical and healthier. Most participants (93%) were willing to replace some of the meat they eat with plant-based proteins. Across all attributes measured, such as taste, price and nutritional value, male participants had more negative feelings towards plant-based proteins than females and were less willing to include them in their diets.
Conclusion: This study is a first look into how New Zealand university students feel about plant-based proteins, finding that the majority were willing to reduce their consumption of animal-based proteins. Further research is needed to better understand how plant-based proteins can be promoted effectively to young people in order to change their behaviour
Can mānuka mycorrhizal fungi facilitate southern beech establishment?
Full text linkSouthern beech (Nothofagus, Nothofagaceae) trees are an iconic Southern Hemisphere canopy species and are of particular interest for restoration in New Zealand. One poorly understood aspect of beech ecology that can limit restoration success is the role symbiotic fungi play in seedling growth and survival. It is possible that beech establishment could be facilitated by the dual-mycorrhizal (ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)) pioneer species mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium, Myrtaceae), due to shared ECM fungal symbionts. To investigate this proposed facilitation, I conducted a common garden pot trial using soil inoculation bioassays to determine the capacity for mountain beech (Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides) to utilize symbionts from mānuka mycorrhizal communities. I assessed the effects of soil inoculum source and associated mycorrhizal communities that were identified using DNA barcoding on the survival and growth of mountain beech and mānuka seedlings. Metabarcoding results revealed that beech and mānuka soil inoculum sources provided different ECM fungal communities. However, ECM root colonization on beech was high when grown in both mānuka and beech soil, indicating that beech seedlings are able to form mycorrhizal connections with mānuka inoculum. Root colonization had a significant positive relationship with seedling biomass. Beech biomass was slightly lower when inoculated with mānuka soil compared to other inoculation mixtures. Thus, mānuka fungal communities may be slightly suboptimal for beech seedling growth, but can provide effective ECM associations, which supports using mānuka as a facilitator for beech seedling establishment. Additionally, results from this study indicate that mycorrhizal fungi may play an important role in mānuka seedling survival when subjected to drought stress, however, there was no significant effect on beech seedling survival. These findings should have practical implications for future restoration strategies in New Zealand
Student video production within health professions education: A scoping review
Full text linkABSTRACT
Background
Recent technological developments have influenced a shift in the use of videos in Health Professions Education (HPE). Rather than casting students in the role of observers of videos, educators have been asking students to produce videos as a learning activity. The assumption is that video production is often an active and collaborative exercise, therefore could engage students and enhance learning. However, applications of this emerging pedagogical approach vary, and there has not been a knowledge synthesis to guide future research and practice.
Methods
With a view to mapping existing knowledge, identifying avenues for further research, and informing practice, we conducted a scoping review to establish current understanding of video production in HPE. We undertook a literature search of seven databases and identified thirty-six studies.
Results
The findings showed considerable variation in purposes and implementation approaches, consequences and challenges associated with video production. In particular, the assumption that creating a video automatically promotes student engagement was not well supported, especially when the intended learning was not made apparent to students.
Conclusion
Overall, the review suggests that despite the increasing adoption of video production in HPE, the purposes are often unclear; pedagogical considerations underlying project design are limited, which risks undermining the intended learning. To optimise educational benefits, future video production projects should be explicit in their intention and approach, draw upon pedagogical theories, anticipate and address implementation issues, and be robust in their formative and summative assessment processes. Future research should more explicitly show the relationship between the intended learning and the underlying pedagogy and thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of video production projects.Peer Reviewe
Perceived impact of COVID-19 pandemic response on paediatric hospitalisations in Aotearoa
Full text linkBackground:
Internationally the lockdown measures taken to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with delays in presentation to acute care and potentially contributed to serious adverse health outcomes for children with conditions including diabetes mellitus, sepsis and malignancy. This NZ Paediatric Surveillance Unit research project set out to describe paediatricians’ experience of the impact of the 2020 Alert Level 4 response in Aotearoa.
Methods:
Weekly national survey of paediatricians in Aotearoa with an open-ended questionnaire, modelled on a similar survey in Wales.
Results:
There were 33 reports detailing 55 cases where paediatricians believed care may have been compromised due to the COVID-19 response, during the 6-week study survey period. About half of the cases (56%) were infants in the first six weeks of life. Compromised care was for acute presentations in 75%, acute complications of a chronic illness in 14%, with 11% for chronic conditions. Paediatricians reported the outcome as moderately severe (short-term morbidity, increased length of stay, higher level of care) in 38 cases (69%) and in a further 4 (7%) as severe (potential to be life-threatening or result in permanent disability). There were no reports of moderate or severe harm arising from delayed outpatient appointments. The Welsh study reported a wide range of presentations, including two deaths from diabetes and noted paediatricians’ concerns at a widespread and entrenched view that hospitals and other health facilities pose a threat to the health of children during a pandemic.
Conclusion:
In addition to issues identified overseas, this NZ snapshot highlighted the importance of face-to-face post-natal visits for newborns to avoid serious health outcomes. For older infants and children, hospital avoidance and reduced access to primary and secondary care were associated with significant potential harm for children during a strict lockdown.Peer Reviewe
The impacts of COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand: Mental Health, loneliness, alcohol consumption, and fear of COVID-19
No full textIn the current global pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there is an increasing amount of research on the effects of the pandemic. However, few studies have explored the impact of COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand. We conducted two studies. The aim of our first study was to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. We used data from a separate and already existing student alcohol study to provide longitudinal data and we also collected data from this sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three hundred and fifteen University students participated in Study 1. We measured mental health, loneliness, fear of COVID-19, and alcohol consumption at 4 timepoints (baseline, during Lockdown Level 4, during Lockdown Level 3, and Lockdown Level 1). Supporting the first hypothesis, mental health declined during Lockdown Level 4 and Lockdown Level 3 when compared to baseline. Further supporting our second hypothesis, loneliness, and fear of COVID-19 independently predicted a decrease in mental health during Lockdown Level 4 and Lockdown Level 3. Consistent with the third hypothesis, alcohol consumption decreased during Lockdown Level 3 and Lockdown Level 4. The aim of our second study was to explore fear of COVID-19 and changes in behaviour. Three thousand five hundred and thirty-two people participated in this study and were recruited through multiple news platforms discussing the impact of lockdown. We measured fear of COVID-19, lockdown rule adherence, and behaviour change. Consistent with the fourth and final hypothesis, fear of COVID-19 was found to be positively correlated with adherence to lockdown rules and personal hygiene behaviour changes. We discuss the current findings in relation to the literature across the world and here in Aotearoa New Zealand