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Reconstructing Pre-European Marine Habitats Using Archaeological Assemblages: A Case-Study From the Ōtata Midden, New Zealand
No full textThe Ōtata midden, site R10/139, on Ōtata Island in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, is a stratified site with dates spanning most of the pre-European occupation of New Zealand (cal 1350–1800 CE). This provides a rare opportunity to examine potential anthropogenic changes in the pre-European marine environment. Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) otoliths from three midden layers were analysed for barium (Ba) and strontium (Sr) composition with Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and the resulting data for the first 1500 µm from the core, roughly equivalent to the first two years of the fish’s life, were analysed with Behavioural Change Point Analysis (BCPA). This showed that juvenile snapper behaviours did not change but that Ba concentrations in the second year of life did. This is attributed to anthropogenic landscape changes altering the hydrology of the zone where freshwater mixes into the marine waters of the gulf
Unravelling the Mechanism of the SHON Protein in Triple Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cell Line
No full textTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most deadly subtype of breast cancer, and accounts for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer diagnoses. TNBC acquired its name, due to the fact that its cancer cells are negative for two crucial molecular receptors; estrogen and progesterone, and it also does not produce enough of the HER2 protein, and thus, is triple-negative for all three of these molecular markers. This makes this subtype of breast cancer incredibly difficult to treat as the absence of these molecular receptors, prevents the use of more effective treatments, such as endocrine therapy and immunotherapy. The anthracycline-based chemotherapy drug doxorubicin has been adopted as the standard preferred treatment for TNBC. However, while doxorubicin is the preferred treatment, it is unfortunately problematic and is highly associated with the formation of drug resistance in patients and dose-limiting toxicity. Recent research has identified a new potential oncogene associated with the formation of breast cancer (subsequently also TNBC) known as the SHON (secreted hominoid-specific oncogene) gene. Previous literature identified that the forced expression of this gene in breast cancer cell lines enhanced the oncogenicity of the cells, increased cell proliferation, and increased overall cancer cell survival. As well as enhancing the oncogenicity of breast cancer cells, there was also evidence to suggest that the SHON gene could be a potential biomarker for TNBC, and that it can be used as a way to predict patient response to anthracycline chemotherapy. Based on previous literature we hypothesized that by using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, we could knock out the SHON gene from MDA-MB-231 cells, to study and compare the differences between MDA-MB-231 cells with this gene and MDA-MB-231 cells without this gene. Allowing, not only a better understanding of how this gene behaves and functions as an oncogene, but also determining whether or not this gene knock out would cause MDA-MB-231 cells to be more sensitive to the anticancer effects of doxorubicin. The knock out of the SHON gene via CRISPR-Cas9 technology was confirmed using Sanger sequencing. To distinguish the difference in cell proliferation a colony formation assay was performed. To understand the differences in metabolic activity between SHON-KO MDA-MB-231 cells and SHON-WT MDA-MB-231 cells, a PrestoBlue assay was performed. Then an MTT assay was used to compare the differences in sensitivity to doxorubicin, and finally an apoptosis assay was performed to determine the doxorubicin-induced apoptosis rates between the isogenic cell pair. Knock out of SHON gene in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly decreased cell proliferation and colony formation, further confirming its oncogenicity roles. The results also suggest that the MDA-MB-231 cells without the SHON gene were more susceptible to undergoing apoptosis. For the first time, I generated experimental evidence that knock out of SHON gene in MDA-MB-231 cells is associated with decreased sensitivity to doxorubicin. This result is consistent with the clinical evidence that SHON expression is a positive prognostic biomarker for predicting the response to anthracycline-based therapy in TNBC patients
Neurodiversity and Human Resource Development: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textThis Systematic Literature Review (SLR) examines the significance of implementing tailored neurodiverse training programmes to support individuals with neurodiversity. The review explores how Humanistic Learning Theory (HLT) and Digital Transformation (DT) can aid neurodiverse individuals by reducing cognitive load and minimising biases within teams. It further investigates how Human Resource Development (HRD) initiatives can be designed to assess and enhance the well-being of neurodiverse individuals.
Following the PRISMA protocol, a standardised and transparent review process was conducted, encompassing a search across four databases: EBSCO, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and NZ Research. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly developed based on thematic analysis, timeframe, language, article quality, and methodology. Initially, 440 articles were gathered across four databases, out of which 16 relevant peer-reviewed studies and 12 grey literature sources from global organisations were identified.
The findings highlight the importance of incorporating HRD initiatives that promote neurodiverse well-being and how integrating a humanistic approach with DT can create effective, personalised training programmes. These approaches help reduce stigma and provide organisations with search strategies to foster inclusivity.
This review contributes to existing literature by identifying gaps and proposing directions for future research. Additionally, it offers practical recommendations for organisations to implement neurodiversity-focused programmes that improve workplace inclusivity and well-being. This study emphasises the critical role of individualised support and inclusive practices in creating equitable opportunities for neurodiverse individuals
Indigenous Knowledge, Architecture, and Nature in the Context of Oceania
No full textThis perspective article is derived from conversations between leading Indigenous academics and practitioners in the fields of architecture and urban design recorded at a keynote panel at the 2023 NUWAO International Symposium on Nature-based Urban Climate Adaptation for Wellbeing, held at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. The focus of the discussion was Indigenous design for adaptation to climate change in Moananui Oceania with an emphasis on relationships to nature. Given the diversity of Moananui Oceania in terms of languages, cultures, histories, and worldviews, this discussion represented a unique convergence of Indigenous leadership and thought in the field. It highlighted key themes related to Indigenous design for climate change adaptation and offered a novel, distinctive perspective aimed at advancing thinking around nature-based solutions (NbS). It is important to recognise and integrate Indigenous values and approaches to knowledge generation, particularly within academic settings. In the context of Moananui Oceania this can require adapting oral traditions and formats, such as talanoa, and hui or kōrero, into conventional Western-based research formats such as the journal article. This paper is an attempt to capture important Indigenous knowledge and discussion in a western format to enable further dissemination and sharing. This means the format and methodologies described in the paper do not align exactly with traditional scientific journal article formats, however the discussions and findings help to meet the motivation of the authors, which is to transform traditional Indigenous ways of sharing information into a perspective article format and share insights with a wider audience. This methodology aligns well with the special issue call that this paper resides in (Just, Socio-ecological Urban Transformation: Nature-based Solutions and Traditional Ecological Knowledge), underpinning the relevance and potential contribution to the field. Two key themes were explored within the context of the importance of working with nature; relationships between ecologies and tikanga (customary practices), and looking backwards to generate innovation and resilience
Teaching Practices, Self-Efficacy and the Physical Activity Environment in Aotearoa, New Zealand Early Childhood Education Centres
No full textEarly Childhood Education (ECE) has potential to influence physical activity levels and participation among children. Factors include early childhood educator’s teaching practices, self-efficacy and quality of the movement environment. A cross-sectional study of early childhood teachers’ self-reported, self-efficacy using online Early Childhood Educator Confidence in Outdoor Movement, Physical Activity, Sedentary and Screen Behaviours (ECE-COMPASS) Questionnaire and ECE movement environment from Movement Environment Rating Scale (MOVERS) was assessed. Descriptive statistics were conducted to analyse data. Early childhood teachers (n = 42) rated (means [SD]) for task (7.2 ± 2.3) and barrier (7.0 ± 2.5) self-efficacy (out of 10). ECE (n = 6) movement environment quality (out of 7); 1 (4.0 ± 1.1), 2 (4.0 ± 0.4), 3 (3.8 ± 0.6), 4 (4.0 ± 0.6) and overall total score (4.0 ± 0.3). Early childhood teachers rate themselves as self-efficacious in delivering physical activity; however, quality of the movement environment was adequate
Chronotropic Incompetence Does Not Impede Attainment of High-Intensity Exercise During Non-contact Boxing in Parkinson’s Disease
No full textRecent evidence points to the effect of chronotropic incompetence (CI), which refers to a blunted heart rate (HR) response to exercise, influencing physiological outcomes in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study explores the effect of CI on physiological responses and examines whether a high-intensity training zone is attained during non-contact boxing training in people with PD. In total, 11 PD participants with CI (PDCI), 13 without CI (PD non-CI), and 14 age-matched controls performed two non-contact boxing sessions on different days. The primary outcomes were the maximum HR (HRmax), average HR (HRavg), percentage of the highest HR from cardiopulmonary exercise test (%HR-CPET) and predicted maximum HR (%MA-PHR), time exercising above 85%HRmax (HI-85%), and second ventilatory threshold (HI-VT2). PDCI participants displayed significantly lower HRavg and HRmax values during all rounds than PD non-CI participants and controls for both sessions (p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were observed between PD non-CI participants and controls (p ≥ 0.05). Although all participants exercised at approximately 100% of %HR-CPET, PDCI participants showed a significantly lower %MA-PHR than PD non-CI participants and controls (p ≤ 0.001). HI-85% and HI-VT2 were not significantly different between PDCI and PD non-CI participants. Despite exhibiting a lower absolute HRmax and HRavg during boxing compared to PD non-CI participants and aged-match controls, PDCI participants exercise at a similar intensity within the high-intensity training zone when expressed as a percentage of the individualized HRmax
Koe Mata Ae Liaki Ako. The Face of Truancy.
No full textTruancy is a growing phenomenon in New Zealand. Māori and Pasifika whānau are overrepresented in the truancy data. This research listens to the voices of non-attending students to hear and understand their school journeys. Exploring the backgrounds and experiences of Māori and Pasifika students through talanoa may help us better understand the barriers that prevent them from attending school and reaching educational success. Increased understanding of school attendance, or lack of it, will assist in improving the paths to success for Māori and Pasifika students in the future.
Addressing our alarming truancy rates requires addressing the unique challenges and needs of our most disadvantaged Māori and Pasifika young people. The voices of these six truants might be understood to represent the impact of systemic failures and social neglect. Hearing first-hand accounts of their educational journey has provided a more holistic and empathetic understanding of these young people's challenges; hearing their voices has allowed a more profound understanding and justified interpretivism as a research methodology.
Many Māori and Pasifika young people fail to successfully navigate the New Zealand education system. The barriers to educational attendance and success are diverse. Through talanoa with the students, this research established the themes of absent parents; violence in the home; relationships with teachers; mental health issues; and drugs. The six absentee Māori and/or Pasifika young people revealed parents who were absent in their lives; they felt that their parents had abandoned them, they felt responsible for their siblings, and they were opting to distance themselves from their parents to protect themselves from constant disappointment regarding their parents.
The talanoa revealed violence in their homes and lives from a very young age. The talanoa highlighted that the young people's attitudes at school mirrored the attitudes at home, and the violence from home started to bleed into violence at school. Of interest, the talanoa exposed a dislike for mothers, but fathers were exonerated and held in high regard, even though they were the aggressors. The young people spoke in depth about their dislike and disrespect of their teachers, reciprocating the attitudes they felt they were receiving from their teachers. Mental health issues were prominent across four of the journeys recounted by the participants
Indigenising Heritage: Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland’s Architectural Heritage – Challenging a Monocultural Construct
No full textThe purpose of this work is to explore how indigenous heritage has been both under-represented and misrepresented in colonial and post-colonial architecture in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, the largest city in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This work combines case-studies with a review of conceptual material relating to multi-cultural perceptions of heritage, and their manifestations in a modern cityscape. Included in this approach is a consideration of indigenous perspectives on the built environment. What emerges from surveying this confluence of culture and heritage is that the popular portrayal of the city’s built past is confined to the colonial era and onwards, and that this has had the effect of associating Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland’s architectural heritage with its European history – so much so that even depictions of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland’s Māori built heritage occur primarily in the context of European architecture
Thinking Outside the Screen
No full textBackground: Developing critical thinking in health professional education is essential to ensure safe, effective and timely client management (Carbogim et al., 2018). High-fidelity immersive reality has been used to supplement critical thinking development. However, it can be expensive, dependent on developers to create scenarios, and limited when offered to large cohorts (Abadia et al., 2024). Mobile immersive reality (mXR) offers affordances of being accessible, cost-effective, easy to use, engaging and providing scalable, authentic learning (Stretton et al., 2024). This study aimed to investigate how mXR facilitates critical thinking in a safe, authentic learning experience.
Method: A learning activity was co-developed by the subject coordinator and researchers for a cohort of second-year Doctor of Physiotherapy students (n=123, between 22- 26 years old). Strength and Conditioning for Life subject students self-assigned to a target exercise population and were provided with a set of 360-degree clinic-based images captured and uploaded to a web-based platform (www.seekbeak.com). Over six weeks, small groups co-designed a client audio biography and “clinical clue” hotspots within the virtual environment that would require critical consideration of viewers (student peers) to determine an optimal exercise for the client. Students also developed a templated exercise video for the optimal exercise and were encouraged to include “alternative exercises” that viewers would need to eliminate based on clues in the virtual environment. Development of critical thinking during the six weeks was measured pre- and post-learning activity using the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT-N). Demographic, usability (System Usability Scale) and peer feedback data were also collected.
Findings demonstrated an improvement in critical thinking with a small effect size for all HSRT-N domains, with statistical significance in improving the ability to analyse, interpret, and make inferences and deductions with unfamiliar information. Students reported that mXR was quick to learn and easy to use, that they were confident in the use of the virtual environment and would like to use it more frequently. They enjoyed being able to navigate new spaces virtually first, having a creative license to develop their scenario, and co-designing with peers. However, a few students identified some inconsistencies that made the mXR environment cumbersome to use and observed some symptoms of cybersickness. Peer feedback findings indicated that students found the virtual environments easy to navigate and provided more authentic learning compared to conventional modes of learning experiences.
This study has demonstrated that critical thinking can be facilitated using mXR- enhanced with pedagogical considerations that draw on collaborative, situated and self-determined learning.
The associated presentation will elaborate on some of the study findings, as well as provide a theoretical framework and design principles utilised to develop critical thinking, including the facilitation by mobile immersive reality. It will draw on the considerations of situated, scaffolded, and sense-ational learning while recognising the needs of generational learners in health professional education
Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand 2025
No full textThis is the sixth report about trust in news in Aotearoa New Zealand produced by the AUT research centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy (JMAD). The trust survey that informs the report was completed in collaboration with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. With permission from the Institute’s researchers, we used the same survey questions to investigate trust in news and a comparable sampling method to the one used in their annual Reuters Digital News Reports to measure news trust. This allows us international comparisons with Aotearoa New Zealand about levels of trust in the news. In 2024, the Reuters survey covered 47 countries. Similarly to the Reuters survey, in 2025 we asked New Zealanders about their news consumption, news sources, news avoidance, misinformation and paying for news. We added new questions to the survey to gain better understanding of New Zealanders news interests, news brand consumption and importance of certain aspects that make them trust/distrust specific news organisations. We also asked participants about their political leaning to enhance our understanding of links between news trust, political leaning and news consumption. We added a new question about New Zealanders’ views on news produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). Our questions mirrored those in the Reuters study, allowing us international comparisons about these related issues. As in 2020-2024, survey data for our 2025 report was collected by New Zealand online market research company Horizon Research Ltd. In addition to survey findings, the report includes some key findings from two focus groups with New Zealanders, aged 18-34 and 55-64, held in May 2024.Centre for Journalism Media and Democrac