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The first record of the southbound movements of satellite-tagged pygmy blue whales (B. m. brevicauda) from Savu Sea (Indonesia) to the subantarctic waters
No full text[Extract] Pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) are known to conduct annual migrations between the southern and western waters of Australia to the Banda Sea via the Savu Sea in Indonesia (Double et al., 2014; Möller et al., 2020). However, the journey back to Australian waters is rarely documented, often due to limited battery life of satellite tags deployed in Australian waters or inadequate funding to conduct satellite tracking studies originating in the Indonesian waters
Contesting clusters: a study of norm weaving in Pacific climate mobilities policies
No full textThis article identifies a sub-category of norm contestation I've termed ‘norm weaving’, where actors contest the constitution of norm clusters, instead of the validity of individual norms. This occurs through processes of stretching or reproducing individual strands of existing norm clusters before weaving them together to create behaviour guides in undergoverned issue areas that are greater than the sum of their individual parts. I identify two examples of weaving in the world-leading actions of Fiji and Vanuatu around domestic climate mobilities. Using these two cases, we can see that existing models of norm dynamics need to be developed to better explain and understand weaving-like processes of norm contestation. There are two areas where norm weaving extends our understanding – in how clusters of norms emerge and change, and in how contestation applies to groupings of norms. Clarifying what norm weaving looks like in these cases could open the door to further examples being identified in other contexts and a more complete understanding of how norms operate in global politics
A novel Layer 2 framework for breaking the blockchain trilemma problem using MPC-in-the-Head
No full textThe blockchain trilemma, which poses inherent trade-offs among security, scalability, and decentralization, remains a critical challenge in blockchain technology. While numerous Layer 1 (L1) blockchains and Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions have attempted to address these dimensions, no single approach has successfully optimized all three simultaneously. This study proposes an innovative L2 framework that leverages both classic and advanced cryptographic techniques to break the blockchain trilemma comprehensively. By incorporating the lightweight Knapsack-based encryption scheme, the framework achieves efficient computation and throughput, even for a large volume of transactions. Additionally, the integration of the MPC-in-the-Head (MPCitH) protocol ensures robust confidentiality while maintaining computational efficiency. The proposed framework introduces a novel reference model for evaluating blockchain solutions and demonstrates superiority across all trilemma dimensions. Experimental analysis and rigorous proofs confirm that this framework achieves enhanced scalability, decentralization, and security compared to existing approaches, offering a new benchmark for blockchain innovation
Environmental drivers of tropospheric bromine and mercury variability in coastal East Antarctica
No full textBromine radicals released from sea ice, snow, and marine sources play a critical role in the atmospheric chemistry of polar regions. The Chemical and Mesoscale Mechanisms of Polar Cell Aerosol Nucleation (CAMMPCAN) ship campaign conducted in coastal East Antarctica over two 6-month periods in 2017–18 and 2018–19 provides a unique dataset to identify the environmental drivers of bromine variability in Antarctic spring and summer. In this study, we used CAMMPCAN chemical and meteorological observations combined with reanalysis data from the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) and satellite-based sea ice data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center to select variables that showed statistically significant correlation with bromine monoxide (BrO) partial columns measured during CAMMPCAN. We then used those variables in principal component analysis and subsequent principal component regression to identify dominant modes of Antarctic environmental variability and their impacts on lower tropospheric BrO. Comparing our three dominant Antarctic principal components to those from a similar analysis conducted previously for the Arctic (Swanson et al., 2020), we found only one mode with clear overlap, representing a vertical mixing mode in which low-pressure systems mix BrO and its precursors into the lower troposphere. We also identified an Antarctic mode describing conditions favourable for blowing snow, similar to the combined effect of two modes from the Arctic analysis but more clearly disambiguated here due to the inclusion of sea ice data in our analysis. The third Antarctic mode, attributed to an ocean source (biological activity and/or sea salt aerosol), was particularly important in summer. The principal component regression model developed from these modes showed moderate skill in predicting BrO partial columns in the lowest 2 km of the troposphere (R = 0.51), a significant improvement over the Arctic-based regression model (R = 0.08). Neither model could reproduce the observed variability in BrO in the lowest 200 m. Finally, we applied the same analysis to coincident CAMMPCAN observations of gaseous elemental mercury and found regression of our three dominant modes could explain nearly 50% of observed mercury variability (R = 0.69). Our results reinforce the importance of sea ice and ocean processes in bromine cycling in coastal East Antarctica and highlight the need to consider Antarctic-specific processes in mechanistic models of atmospheric bromine chemistry
"I’m more confident now than I ever used to be": a preliminary qualitative study of British older adults' perception and experience of aging positively
No full textBackground and Objectives: With the changing demographic of older adults population observed around the world, it is important that aging is not simply conceptualized as decline in functioning and physical health, but encompasses positive experiences that impact upon overall well-being. Looking at the aging experience in a particular sociocultural context allows for a more in-depth understanding that could then lead to promotion of positive aging and improvements in aging outcomes in that context.
Research Design and Methods: The current qualitative study explores through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis how UK adults have experienced aging. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the aim to look closely into their subjective experiences and perceptions of positive aging in the UK. Analysis was undertaken through the lens of self-determination theory.
Results: Participants maintained a sense of wellness and positivity despite the challenges they faced in their aged bodies and declining health. They demonstrated autonomy though self-acceptance and indulging personal interests, competence through generativity and preparedness, and relatedness through capacity for connection with others, and appreciating living harmoniously with those they cared.
Discussion and Implications: This study presents a conceptualization of positive aging that can be applied to understand the aging process and experiences of older adults more broadly, which could aid policy and interventions targeting older adults
Gummy shark is tolerated by children with IgE-mediated fish allergy
No full textBackground: Fish is a leading trigger of food anaphylaxis. Co-sensitisation to various bony fish species is common due to similar beta-parvalbumin allergens, leading many fish-allergic individuals avoiding all types of fish. Cartilaginous fish, like sharks and rays, predominantly contain alpha-parvalbumin as the major allergen. This unique allergen profile suggests that cartilaginous fish could be a safe alternative for bony fish allergic individuals.
Objective: To determine the rate of oral tolerance to gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus) among children with IgE-mediated bony fish allergy and evaluate the predictive value of raw gummy shark skin prick testing (SPT).
Methods: Children aged 1-18 years with an IgE-mediated bony fish allergic reaction within the past 3 years underwent medical evaluation and SPTs to cartilaginous and bony fish species. All participants underwent an open challenge with 100g cooked gummy shark. Follow-up at 2 weeks and 6 months assessed ongoing tolerance and dietary incorporation.
Results: All 21 children with bony fish allergy tolerated gummy shark during the challenge, despite seven (33%) children having a positive SPT (3mm) to gummy shark (median 5mm). Six months post-challenge, 7 out of the 21 children (33%) did not incorporate gummy shark in their diet, citing taste aversion and difficulties finding a reliable source. There was one reported allergic reaction in the community to gummy shark following the OFC.
Conclusion: Bony-fish allergic children demonstrated tolerance to gummy shark. SPT to gummy shark showed limited predictive value in this cohort. Gummy shark may be a safe alternative in children with bony fish allergy
Short term fixes, long-term gaps: rural health workforce policy in Queensland and Australia
No full textBackground: The federal government’s 2018 Stronger Rural Health Strategy (SRHS) aimed to strengthen the rural and remote health workforce (HWF) under the broad themes of ‘teach’, ‘train’, ‘recruit’ and ‘retain’. Despite this national commitment, long-standing challenges in HWF availability, recruitment and retention remain across Australia’s rural and remote regions.
Aims: This study examined the status and characteristics of rural and remote HWF policy at both federal and state (Queensland) level, comparing relative emphasis on the strategic domains of HWF supply, distribution and performance.
Methodology: Rural HWF policy documents were identified and extracted from websites of the federal Department of Health and Aged Care, Queensland Health and other relevant bodies. Documents were coded for demographic data, policy type, health profession and service focus, and overarching strategic focus.
Results: At total of 108 documents (71 federal; 37 state) were identified. Federal policy is dominated by short-term (3-5 year) mixed instruments—grants, programs, and sub-programs—including initiatives under the SRHS. A large proportion focuses on supply of medical doctors and nursing professionals. Queensland policy places greater emphasis on HWF retention, via incentives contained in employment policies such as financial allowances, leave, development opportunities and workload management. Neither federal or state policy substantively address well-documented drivers of retention linked to broader social, cultural and work environment factors. HWF policy in both state and federal jurisdictions tended to frame performance narrowly, privileging individual or professional, over system-level outcomes.
Conclusion: Despite the presence of SHRS, findings highlight the complexity and underlying fragmentation of Australia’s rural HWF policy. The co-existence of multiple federally driven programs and grants alongside state-level employment policy makes it difficult to track the full scope and impact of HWF policy in rural and remote regions. Greater cross-jurisdictional coordination with clearer alignment of individual policies to system-wide (versus health professional) performance goals is needed
Getting people to experience it: a grounded theory of the process of integrating a First Nations wellbeing program within university curricula
No full textBackground: The wellbeing of university students is crucial for their success. Yet educators struggle with the lack of frameworks to integrate wellbeing into core curricula, and universities often relegate wellbeing initiatives to extracurricular activities. These initiatives frequently fail to engage students and the potential impact to wellbeing is reduced. In Australia, universities are also encouraged to integrate First Nations Knowledge within mainstream curricula, but some academics may be skeptical about the relevance of these knowledge systems in specific disciplinary settings. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the integration of the First Nations-developed Family Wellbeing (FWB) program—a wellbeing-focused soft skills approach—into core university curricula.
Methods: Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, the authors developed the theoretical model “Getting people to experience it,” drawing on in-depth interviews with eight educators who integrated the FWB program within core university curricula in Australia and internationally.
Findings: The study examined the challenges, opportunities, strategies, and outcomes of this integration, revealing significant improvements in wellbeing and soft skills for both students and educators. Viewed through the lens of cultural interface, the findings offer valuable insights into bridging First Nations and Western knowledge systems in higher education.
Conclusion: The theoretical model provides a practical framework for educators to integrate wellbeing and soft skills as core elements of curricula, rather than treating them as optional add-ons. This work has profound implications for addressing student mental health, enhancing soft skills, and creating a more inclusive and effective educational experience
Subtidal Habitat of North-West Marra Sea Country
No full textMarra Sea Country extends from the Roper River to Warrawarda (Rosie Creek) in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory (NT). It includes Aboriginal Land Trust intertidal zones, the Limmen Marine Park (Commonwealth Government), and the Limmen Bight Marine Park (NT Government).
The region supports diverse marine habitats and fish communities. Co-management aspirations outlined in the Marranbala Healthy Country Plan and the two marine park management plans emphasise the need for improved habitat data. Since 2021, a collaboration between Marra Traditional Owners, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, li-Anthawirriyarra rangers, researchers from TropWATER (James Cook University) and the Northern Institute (Charles Darwin University), Parks Australia, and the NT Government has worked to address this gap through large-scale marine habitat surveys. This survey builds on those efforts, focusing on subtidal habitats in northwest Marra Sea Country, including the northern section of the Limmen Bight Marine Park (LBMP).
Subtidal surveys were conducted from 19–21 October 2023 aboard the NT Parks and Wildlife vessel Barranyi, with support from the live-aboard MV Eclipse and the li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger boat A-Walamakamaka. A total of 63 sites were surveyed using drop cameras and grab sampling. The area was highly turbid, with bare substrate and minimal cover of seagrass, algae, and macroinvertebrates. Two seagrass species were recorded: Halodule uninervis within the Limmen Bight Marine Park near Williyurru and Halophila decipiens outside the Limmen Bight Marine Park near Kurrulinya (Maria Island). Erect macrophyte algae were present at 5% of sites, while solitary soft corals, including sea pens and whips, were recorded at 8%.
This project delivers essential baseline data and maps to support Marra people and the NT Government in the planning and management of Marra Sea Country. Spatial data such as this enables communities to identify key areas for monitoring and management, particularly those with cultural significance, ecological importance, or resource management priorities
The Lived Experiences of Youth-Workers: Understanding Service-Delivery Practices Within Queensland Non-Government Residential Youth Care Organisations
No full textYoung people under the care of child protection agencies are at increased risk of entering the criminal justice system. Residential youth organisations support young people who are unable to reside with their families or in foster care. Youth workers in these environments ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people in their care, consequently supporting the wellbeing of the overall community. This research explored the views and experiences of Queensland residential youth workers via a focus group interview. The data captured a thick description of service delivery practices. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used to conceptualise a theoretical framework based on the various empirical realities of participants. The findings highlight occasions where complex power dynamics had damaging consequences for youth workers and young people. Participants explored systemic constraints and structural inequalities, thus detailing the implications of top-down organisational structures on their service delivery, safety, and outcomes for young people. Participants were concerned about the implications of interrupted attachment and young people’s progression into crime. Practice recommendations centre around improving the disconnection between front-line realities and systemic hierarchies. Residential out-of-home care service delivery should focus on building community connection and belonging; mental, emotional and physical safety; collaborative care; and support