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National prevalence and trends in food labeling awareness, comprehension, usage, and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors in South Korea, 2014–2022
No full textAlthough food labeling on food packages is crucial for promoting a healthy diet, limited research has been conducted on how the COVID-19 pandemic (hereinafter “the pandemic”) has affected food labeling awareness. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the changes in trends in food labeling awareness, comprehension, and usage in South Korea during the pandemic. We utilized a nationwide, large-scale, and long-term dataset provided by the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) from 2014 to 2022 (total = 1,756,847 participants). This allowed the researchers to assess the long-term trends in the prevalence of food labeling awareness, comprehension, and usage. Furthermore, we investigated the factors associated with awareness specifcally related to the pandemic. In total, 1,756,847 adults (54.19% women) participated in this study. The upward slope in overall food labeling awareness became less pronounced and even exhibited a downward slope during the pandemic (βdif − 1.759; 95% CI − 1.874 to − 1.644). The upward slope in food labeling comprehension and usage became more pronounced during the pandemic (comprehension: βdif 0.535; 95% CI 0.436–0.634; usage: βdif 0.693; 95% CI 0.601–0.785). The vulnerability factors associated with lower food labeling awareness during the pandemic included older age, male, obesity, residing in rural areas, lower household income, lower educational level, smoking, and increased alcohol consumption. This study analyzed the 9-year trend in the prevalence of food labeling awareness, comprehension, and usage based on nationally representative data of adults in South Korea from 2014 to 2022. Our fndings suggest that personalized nutrition strategies are needed to recognize vulnerable groups with risk factors and improve food labeling awareness among Korean adults during the pandemic.</p
PLEDGES model file VPM
No full textOn your device, set a destination folder to download the PLEDGES model. Paired with the model, you will also have to download in the same folder the excel file called “histEU” which is the dataset for setting the initial data for the simulation (See Deliverable 2.2 for a full description). Once downloaded, open the file with Vensim Reader, all should appear as in Figure 1. An example of how to conduct a similution is provided in the next paragraphs</p
<b>Deliverable 3.2</b> 'PLEDGES tool made publicly available under “Creative Commons” licensing'
No full textThis Deliverable aims to work as a USER GUIDE in using the PLEDGES model. It includes a limited description of the model background, which has been discussed in Deliverable 3.1, and focuses on the step by step guide on how to simulate a carbon compensation strategy across the Member States and also assess the compensation strategy potential cost.</p
A call for funding bodies to influence the reduction of environmental impacts in remote scientific fieldwork
No full textThere is a growing consensus in the scientific community that there is a need to reduce the environmental impacts of scientific research, including the observations conducted in the field (Bezanson et al., 2013). Scientists conduct fieldwork in a broad range of disciplines (natural, human, and social sciences). Without fieldwork, there is no primary data to build knowledge for these disciplines, and even though fieldwork is fundamental for research, more and more scientists are gaining awareness of the problems associated with the environmental footprint of their work. Still, they need more effective resources or adequate incentives to assess or reduce it. Researchers' initiatives to quantify, understand and reduce their environmental footprint are growing rapidly in research labs [see, for example, the French Labos 1point5 initiative born in 2019 (Collectif Labos 1.5., 2023)], but these initiatives are carried by the research staff themselves without a framework by the funders. There is a need for the rapid construction of appropriate incentives by funders to implement mitigation measures. The nature of scientific fieldwork often requires working in sensitive environments, far away from the scientists' research laboratories, to understand the changes in the natural environment. Science needs to start prioritizing the reduction of the scientific impact of such fieldwork. This article is a direct call for international, national and local funding bodies to expand their considerations in funding decisions and support researchers in reducing the impact of science on sensitive environments. We propose that this can be achieved in three steps: (a) by requiring environmental impact assessments in the initial grant proposal and considering the relative scientific and environmental impact as well as the adequacy of mitigation measures as additional criteria in funding decisions, (b) by giving researchers the means to finance these measures, and (c) by following up on the status of the project after the fieldwork and evaluating the impact assessment. Regular surveys of the impact of the specific expeditions will further enhance our knowledge and improve the implementation of best practices in the field...</p
Physical activity and prevention of mental health complications: an umbrella review
No full textThe potential of physical activity in preventing mental health issues has garnered interest among health professionals. We conducted a systematic umbrella review of evidence supporting the relationship between physical activity and the prevention of mental health complications. Our findings revealed a significant association between higher physical activity levels and reduced risk of depression (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.72 – 0.82). This association was consistent across various age groups, sex, and geographical regions. Interestingly, low and moderate-intensity physical activity showed the most significant protective effects against depression (low-intensity: OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.75–0.56; moderate-intensity: OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72–0.87). Our analysis also showed significant associations between higher physical activity levels and prevention of anxiety disorders (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61–0.82). However, the evidence regarding the association between physical activity and psychosis/schizophrenia risk was less clear. These findings underscore the physical activity’s potential as a preventative measure against mental health complications, highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity in mental health interventions.</p
The most appealing steps towards decarbonisation of SMEs in the UK
No full textThis paper aims to examine current efforts of small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK towards decarbonisation using the circular economy principles. Business operations are at the heart of decarbonisation, and the reduction and removal of carbon dioxide output from operations is currently a key concern. This study subsequently analyses which energy choices and circular economy (CE) practices have been the most attractive option, along with the overall long-term sustainability of these choices. A facilitated workshop methodology was undertaken with SMEs already using CE principles to improve their sustainability credentials and lowering their carbon footprint. The results led to the identification that solar energy has been chosen as the key focus towards greener energy, with the reduction of materials used in operations as the primary CE practice. These being easier actions which do not disrupt current operations, however for longer-term sustainability stronger actions like closing material loops will be needed.</p
Leave No One Behind
No full textReturning to a field of battle, but one that took place over 200 years before they were born, a team of veterans and archaeologists uncover the second skeleton to be found from the Battle of Waterloo. Painstakingly revealing a possible former soldier, they endeavour to piece together his representation, both in solidarity and remembrance.</p
Improving the quality of quantitative polymerase chain reaction experiments: 15 years of MIQE
No full textThe quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is fundamental to molecular biology. It is not just a laboratory technique, qPCR is a bridge between research and clinical practice. Its theoretical foundations guide the design of experiments, while its practical implications extend to diagnostics, treatment, and research advancements in the life sciences, human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and forensics. However, the accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of qPCR data face challenges arising from various factors associated with experimental design, execution, data analysis and inadequate reporting details. Addressing these concerns, the Minimum Information for the Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines have emerged as a cohesive framework offering a standardised set of recommendations that describe the essential information required for assessing qPCR experiments. By emphasising the importance of methodological rigour, the MIQE guidelines have made a major contribution to improving the trustworthiness, consistency, and transparency of many published qPCR results. However, major challenges related to awareness, resources, and publication pressures continue to affect their consistent application. </p
Acute and post-acute respiratory complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection: population-based cohort study in South Korea and Japan
No full textConsidering the significant burden of post-acute COVID-19 conditions among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, we aimed to identify the risk of acute respiratory complications or post-acute respiratory sequelae. A binational population-based cohort study was conducted to analyze the risk of acute respiratory complications or post-acute respiratory sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used a Korean nationwide claim-based cohort (K-COV-N; n = 2,312,748; main cohort) and a Japanese claim-based cohort (JMDC; n = 3,115,606; replication cohort) after multi-to-one propensity score matching. Among 2,312,748 Korean participants (mean age, 47.2 years [SD, 15.6]; 1,109,708 [48.0%] female), 17.1% (394,598/2,312,748) were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The risk of acute respiratory complications or post-acute respiratory sequelae is significantly increased in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population (acute respiratory complications: HR, 8.06 [95% CI, 6.92-9.38]; post-acute respiratory sequelae: 1.68 [1.62-1.75]), and the risk increased with increasing COVID-19 severity. We identified COVID-19 vaccination as an attenuating factor, showing a protective association against acute or post-acute respiratory conditions. Furthermore, while the excess post-acute risk diminished with time following SARS-CoV-2 infection, it persisted beyond 6 months post-infection. The replication cohort showed a similar pattern in the association. Our study comprehensively evaluates respiratory complications in post-COVID-19 conditions, considering attenuating factors such as vaccination status, post-infection duration, COVID-19 severity, and specific respiratory conditions.</p
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