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Sclerochronology and oxygen isotope variations in modern Conomurex luhuanus shells: An archive for reconstructing palaeotemperature and shellfish gathering on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Full text linkThe marine gastropod Conomurex luhuanus is a common component of Holocene archaeological shell deposits in the Western Indo-Pacific region. Oxygen isotope ratios recorded in shells of C. luhuanus from the Great Barrier Reef potentially provide high-resolution data on palaeoclimatic conditions and the exploitation of coastal marine resources. However, the application of this species as a palaeoclimate and seasonal foraging archive has yet to be investigated. We employ sclerochronology techniques to analyse oxygen isotope variations in modern, live-collected shells to evaluate the efficacy of this species in recording modern environmental factors, such as sea-surface temperature (SST). We collected live C. luhuanus during the cold season (August and September), in two separate years (2019 and 2023), from reef-flat intertidal zones. Shell growth increments were studied in section and high-resolution carbonate samples were collected from the lip portion and along the body whorl to test whether shell carbonate is deposited in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with seawater and to decipher the shell growth pattern of this species. Measured δ18Oshell ranges between −0.2 and −1.8 ‰ (VPDB) in modern samples. Despite showing variability in growth rates, including a remarkable growth stop/slowdown during the cool season that is punctuated by a red zone with closely spaced growth increments, our findings reveal that C. luhuanus deposits its aragonite shells at (or close to) equilibrium with its surrounding environment. When sampled at high resolution (sub-seasonally), oxygen isotopes can be used to reconstruct the full annual SST range. The estimated SSTs closely match the range of instrumental SSTs measured in the study area, whilst the last deposited (edge) shell-calculated SST can be used to determine the season of animal death. This study shows that well-preserved shells of C. luhuanus can serve as excellent high-resolution palaeotemperature archives for the tropical reef-flat zone. This research underpins the use of this species in future research to determine human-environment interactions and reconstruction of palaeoclimate from archaeological and fossil samples in the Western Pacific Ocean
Learning to thrive through autonomy: a thematic analysis of the role of recalled parental autonomy in the transition to motherhood
Full text linkBecoming a mother requires the continual redefinition of current self-identity. This can be challenging for women who struggle being autonomous due to unfulfilled core emotional needs from early interactions with primary caregivers. Existing literature on the impact of early experiences on motherhood is largely quantitative and focuses on adverse childhood experiences and broad parenting constructs. Informed by the findings of our quantitative study (Leong et al., 2024), this secondary predominately qualitative study explored primiparous mothers’ perceptions of both adverse and positive experiences of parental autonomy, and how they draw upon those experiences in early motherhood. The sample comprised 15 first-time mothers in their first-year post-birth, aged 18–36, recruited in Singapore from a large mixed-method study which examined the impact of early experiences of being parented on postnatal mental health. Referencing specific interactions on the Positive Parenting Schema Inventory (PPSI; Louis et al., 2020a) and the Young Parenting Inventory Revised (YPI-R2; Louis et al., 2018), semi-structured interviews were conducted with the mothers on their perceptions of parental autonomy and how those experiences impacted their parenting style, sense of competence and postnatal mental health. Interview transcripts were analysed drawing upon guidelines and principles of reflexive thematic analysis. Three broad themes were generated; (i) making sense of autonomy; (ii) learning to thrive through autonomy; and (iii) striving for balance through autonomy. The findings highlight the instrumental role of parental autonomy and culture in the transition to motherhood and inform the design and implementation of postnatal mental health services, parenting programmes and future research
Adolescent Sleep Procrastination Programme: A Skills Manual
Full text linkThis Skills Manual addresses the common issue of sleep delays in adolescents. It explains why teens often put off going to bed, including distractions like screen time, social media, and homework. The manual highlights how poor sleep affects mood, focus, and health. Offering practical tips, the manual helps counsellors guide teens in setting better sleep habits, limiting screen use, and sticking to a bedtime routine. It also gives strategies for parents and educators to support teens in overcoming sleep procrastination, ultimately improving sleep quality and well-being. The Skills Manual is available from the author directly
Sparse seagrass meadows are critical dugong habitat: A novel rapid assessment of habitat-wildlife associations using paired drone and in-water surveys
Full text linkUnderstanding the fine-scale behavioural and feeding ecology of marine megafauna is imperative for effective management of their habitat areas; however, obtaining the relevant data can be both costly and challenging. Here we integrate the use of small drones for dugong surveys with underwater benthic habitat assessment techniques at the local spatial scale (∼30 km2), to determine the drivers of dugong (Dugong dugon) distribution across three locations in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Paired assessment data was collected three times over two years. Benthic habitat (percent cover), seagrass nutritional quality and environmental parameters (temperature, water clarity, water current, water depth) were tested as predictor variables using generalised linear models, to examine drivers of both dugong presence/absence and abundance. We found that low cover (typical for this region; 2–10 %) of colonising seagrass is a key driver of the presence and abundance of dugongs. Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis were the main predictors of dugong presence and abundance across the three locations surveyed. Where both seagrass species simultaneously occurred, the likelihood of dugongs being present increased by over 60 times. The presence of H. uninervis alone was predicted to increase the abundance of dugongs by 1.4 times across all locations and by 6.8 times in one location, Exmouth Gulf, compared to when no seagrass was present. This study provided evidence of critical seagrass habitat, which is important knowledge for the protection and conservation of dugongs and their foraging habitat. The methods developed in this study could be employed in environmental impact assessments to predict and confirm potential seagrass forage habitat
Editorial: Marine turtles
Full text linkMarine turtles are vital to marine ecosystems, serving as indicators of ocean health and contributing to the ecological balance of marine habitats (Aguirre and Lutz, 2004). However, the Anthropocene has introduced a multitude of human-induced stressors on natural systems, necessitating innovative solutions to mitigate these impacts (Davenport, 2024; Syvitski et al., 2020). Significant aspects of marine turtle biology remain poorly understood (Hamann et al., 2010; Rees et al., 2016; Wildermann et al., 2018), especially in regions of the Global-South (Robinson et al., 2022; 2023; Shanker et al., 2023).
This Research Topic presents a collection of seven studies that advance our understanding of marine turtles in need of conservation action, with research spanning Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Dominica, Uruguay, Brazil, Martinique, and Ecuador. This editorial summarizes four original research manuscripts, one review, one mini review, and one brief research report; all highlighting the complex threats that marine turtles face and underscoring the need for multidisciplinary approaches to develop effective conservation strategies
Does Topic Matter? Investigating Students’ Interest, Emotions and Learning when Writing Stories About Socioscientific Issues
Full text linkThis case study of a Year 8 science class in South-East Queensland investigated the affective and cognitive experiences of engaging students in a science-writing project. Building on the work of Tomas, Rigano and Ritchie (2016), students wrote a series of short stories across two school terms about the socio-scientific issues (SSIs) of coal seam gas (CSG) mining and skin grafting. Data were collected using an emotion diary (in which students self-reported their interest and emotions at the end of each lesson), written thinking prompts (designed to elicit students’ evolving understanding of each SSI) and semi-structured, end-of-project student interviews. Three main assertions emerged from analysis of these data. First, students’ self-reported interest was statistically higher in relation to skin grafting compared to CSG. Second, interest and positive emotions reported by students in the skin grafting unit were associated mostly with the topic, while in the CSG mining unit, they were related mostly to pedagogical approaches. Thirdly, students could explain the scientific, social, moral and ethical dimensions of each SSI and an evidence-informed position at the end of both units. These assertions support our thesis that topic does matter when engaging students in writing stories about SSIs. At the same time, while the results of this study support the learning affordances of SSIs, they suggest that the teacher’s pedagogical decisions also matter in keeping students cognitively and affectively engaged when learning about a less interesting or relatable topic
Sociodemographic factors and their predictive role in parents' future anxiety
Full text linkBackground: High levels of future anxiety in parents may not only affect their cognitive processes, and attitudes but also impact their parenting behaviour and relations with the children.
Objective. In the present study, we aimed to identify the differences in the intensity of parents’ future anxiety across demographic variables and to assess demographic predictors of FA.
Methods. A group of 103 parents from Eastern Poland (71% mothers and 29% fathers) completed the Future Anxiety Scale. Their children were aged 3—16 years. The 10 aspects of Future Anxiety were compared across the five parent demographic variables of gender, age, level of education, place of living (rural vs. urban), and number of children.
Results. The results show that parents’ education level, gender, and the number of children in the family were predictors of FA. Parents’ age and place of living did not significantly predict FA. Mothers reported significantly higher levels of anxiety than fathers, for both general future anxiety and helplessness. Parents who had only one child reported higher levels of helplessness. However, it was the parents’ level of education that showed the greatest number of significant differences. Parents with only secondary education reported higher average scores on seven (70%) of the 10 aspects of future anxiety. The differences were significant for general future anxiety, health and wellbeing, restricted freedom, the meaning of life, pessimism, helplessness, and isolation.
Conclusion. These findings indicated the possible groups of parents who may need support and identified potential areas of intervention
Organizing Transgender People: Toward aProcess-Based Theory of Representative Bureaucracy
Full text linkDespite advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, transgender people remain as one of the most socially stigmatized and marginalized members of society. Many continue to face state-sanctioned discrimination. Kerala stands out in supporting and advancing transgender people. We interviewed 15 government officials and 28 transgender women to explore how the Kerala government uplifted and improved the lives of its transgender people. Using a grounded theory approach, we analyze Kerala’s (one of the most progressive states in India) efforts to support transgender people. We found that access to common good—linked with citizenship, active participation, and collective action in society—is key to connect policies with outcomes for socially marginalized groups. Our study emphasizes how representative bureaucracy can empower society’s most vulnerable individuals and help them establish nonprofit organizations for their own support. This discovery allowed us to enhance and develop a process-based theory of representative bureaucracy. Our study extends the theory by establishing the mechanisms by which representative bureaucracy delivers the common good to society’s marginalized members
Transcriptomic changes during induction of tetrasporogenesis in the red seaweed Asparagopsis armata
No full textThe red seaweed Asparagopsis armata, recognised for its ability to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation when incorporated as a ruminant feed additive, is a key target for aquaculture development. However, despite advancements in this field, there remains a critical gap in understanding the internal mechanisms governing reproduction in A. armata. In this study, we examined transcriptomic changes throughout the induction of tetrasporogenesis, with a primary focus on metabolism, and specifically on genes and pathways related to plant growth regulators and environmental signal processing. Considerable variability in gene expression was observed leading up to and during the initiation of tetrasporogenesis. Notably, genes associated with polyamine metabolism, particularly the candidate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene previously linked to seaweed reproduction, were highly upregulated leading up to tetrasporogenesis. Enriched pathways related to environmental signalling were identified, including the phosphatidylinositol signalling system and associated phospholipase C enzymes, along with marked upregulation of genes encoding membrane-associated photoreceptors. Pathways associated with carbon metabolism and steroid hormone production also showed significant enrichment throughout the induction of tetrasporogenesis, although a significant portion of the genes involved in these pathways have unknown function. These findings collectively offer a detailed overview of the processes underlying tetrasporogenesis in A. armata, facilitating further targeted investigations into the internal regulation of seaweed reproductive biology
Distinct population-wide differences in contaminants and blood parameters in foraging green sea turtles
Full text linkThe rising diversity and concentration of contaminants have surpassed ecological thresholds, threatening marine ecosystems. The effects of pollutants on marine animals, particularly sea turtles, are receiving increased attention due to their role as indicators of human impacts. This study examined the health implications of contaminant exposure in three green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging sites in the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Assessments were performed on 45 immature turtles from offshore (Heron, Lady Elliot Island) and inshore (Hervey Bay) foraging sites, hypothesising greater anthropogenic exposure inshore. A cytotoxicity assay tested blood toxicity, while trace element concentrations were compared with baseline reference intervals. Interestingly, this analysis revealed elevated cobalt and manganese levels in Hervey Bay turtles, and offshore turtles showed higher cytotoxicity despite appearing healthier, contrasting with low cytotoxicity and low body condition in Hervey Bay. These findings highlight the complexities of ecotoxicology and the need for comprehensive data on contaminant impacts