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Interventions for reducing exposure to air pollution from landscape fires in a changing environment:A systematic review
No full textEmissions from more frequent and prolonged landscape fires (wildfires, risk reduction fires, agricultural burning) can expose populations to high levels of air pollution and exacerbate a range of health conditions. This systematic review aims to map, evaluate, and synthesise the scientific literature reporting interventions that can reduce exposure to landscape fire smoke (LFS). Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science and reviewed relevant literature published until March 2024. Thirty-three studies from four countries met the eligibility criteria. Of the interventions evaluated, air filtration was the most frequently reported, and included use of portable air cleaners (PACs) with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, ventilation systems with standard and upgraded filters, and low-cost fan filter units (FFU). The effectiveness of PACs for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) reduction ranged between 54 %-92 %. In naturally ventilated residences, concentrations of PM 2.5 were 0-44 % lower indoors, and depended on the duration of LFS, building operation, and permeability. Mechanical ventilation with minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) 5/8 filters in buildings reduced LFS PM 2.5 levels by 18-58 %; however, use of higher rated filters (e.g., MERV 12/13) achieved reductions of up to 87 %. Communication interventions, including smartphone apps and alerts/messages from various media sources (e.g., radio, television, internet) had mixed results; nevertheless, inclusion of spirometry and asthma control surveys during app use could improve health outcomes for vulnerable groups. The efficacy of facemasks (N95/P2) was up to 94 % for single pass PM 2.5 removal, although they were relatively underutilised. Clean air shelters in public buildings can potentially provide a place for exposure reduction and social support, but have not been sufficiently tested during LFS events. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of interventions during prolonged smoke events, and in low- and middle-income countries. </p
The Schoolyard I’d Like:an ideas competition for Australian school children ages 12 to 17
No full textRestorative outdoor environments are places that allow a person to rest and rebuild their capacity to function. Schoolyard design provides an ideal opportunity to create spaces that provide respite for students during the school day. However, the outdoor environmental preferences of adolescents have not been fully explored. This Australian-based study uses qualitative methods to analyse the schoolyard designs of thirty-eight students ages 12 to 17 through the lens of restorative environment theories. The aim is to identify and define indicators of schoolyard design quality and impact as defined by students themselves. Findings reveal that students desire schoolyards which are an antidote to daily academic and social stresses. Of particular focus are spaces designed for peer engagement and self-renewal. Student measures of schoolyard quality are framed through attributes of beauty, agency and social connection. Schoolyard design is often driven by industry standards of minimising risk, cost and without input from students. Our analysis suggests that these outdoor spaces should be more responsive to end-user aesthetic preferences, social values, and environmental concerns that promote student restoration. Such information would benefit designers, managers and users of schoolyard spaces to ensure co-designed spaces meet student restorative needs.</p
The Epidemiological Profile of Tuberculosis Patients and Risk Factors for Poor Treatment Outcomes in Sarpang District, Bhutan:A 17 Years Retrospective Study
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is one of the major public health issues in Bhutan. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiology of TB and predictors of poor treatment outcomes in Sarpang District, Bhutan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using TB case-based surveillance data of Sarpang District from 2005 to 2021. The outcome of interest was poor treatment outcome. The potential predictors were analyzed using logistic regression. A total of 1704 TB cases were analyzed in this study. The poor outcome in this study was 6.6% with 2.6% deaths due to TB. The patients older than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.45, 7.90]) and sputum non-conversion in the second month with acid-fast bacilli results of scanty (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI = [1.29, 7.34]), 1+ (AOR = 7.12, 95% CI = [3.06, 16.53]), and 2+ (AOR = 21.05, 95% CI = [5.56, 79.63]) were the significant predictors of poor treatment outcome. Therefore, older age and sputum non-conversion in the second month should be given priority.</p
Mapping community economies as a living heritage practice
No full textCommunity economy scholars are interested in performing and activating more-than-capitalist visions of economy. One of the ways they do this is through mapping. This chapter begins with an exploration of the use and value of maps and mapping in community economies research with links to heritage practice. It then examines two specific examples of community economies mapping across the Australia-Asia region. The first example reveals how inventory-based mapping across Australia and Asia can act as a performative strategy for opening up ‘the economy’ to diverse trajectories for economic development. The second example demonstrates how mapping can serve as a grassroots participatory process of community economies activation, and for this we draw on research undertaken in Mindanao, the Philippines. As community economies scholars contributing to this edited collection which connects economies and heritage, we are curious about how mapping community economies act as a kind of ‘living heritage practice’ whereby community economies in and across time are sites for performing and activating diversified understandings of economy. We are also interested in how human beings within those economies collectively negotiate their survival and wellbeing as they grapple with contemporary planetary challenges. This chapter goes some way to exploring these questions. <br/
The effects of L-theanine consumption on sleep outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
No full textSummary This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of L-theanine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid found in tea, on sleep outcomes. Literature searches were conducted in five electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science), and one register (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from inception until September 2024. Randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of L-theanine supplementation on sleep quality in humans of all ages and health status were included. Nineteen articles (N = 897 participants) were selected and 18 included in the meta-analysis. L-theanine was shown to significantly improve subjective sleep onset latency (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI [0.01, 0.29], p = 0.04; n = 10 studies), subjective daytime dysfunction (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI [0.16, 0.49], p < 0.001; n = 9 studies), and overall subjective sleep quality score (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI [0.04, 0.83], p = 0.03; n = 12 studies). The findings indicate the potential use of L-theanine in the management of sleep disturbances; however, the lack of studies on “pure” L-theanine warrants further investigation. Future studies are needed to determine the adequate dose and duration of L-theanine supplementation for improving and maintaining sleep quality in healthy and clinical populations
Noninvasive brain stimulation beyond the motor cortex:a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring effects on quantitative sensory testing in clinical pain
No full textBackground: Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been investigated increasingly as a means of treating pain. The effectiveness of NIBS in the treatment of pain has traditionally focused on protocols targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). However, over time, the effectiveness of M1 NIBS has been attributed to effects on interconnected cortical and subcortical sites rather than on M1 itself. Although previous reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of non-M1 NIBS in improving subjective reports of pain intensity, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely understood. As chronic pain is associated with pain hypersensitivity and impaired endogenous descending pain modulation, it is plausible that non-M1 NIBS promotes analgesic effects by influencing these processes. Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore to evaluate the effect of NIBS over non-M1 sites on quantitative sensory testing measures in clinical pain populations. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted from inception to January 2024. Included articles (13 trials, n = 565 participants) were appraised with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and a random-effects model was used to meta-analyze outcomes where possible. Results: A small number of studies found that NIBS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex might improve pain modulation in patients with fibromyalgia and that stimulation of the posterior superior insula and prefrontal cortex could improve pain sensitivity in chronic neuropathic and osteoarthritic pain, respectively. However, findings varied among studies, and there remains a paucity of primary research. Conclusion: This review indicates that current literature does not provide clear evidence that NIBS over non-M1 sites influences pain processing.</p
‘Just a Vile Behaviour’:Appraising Networked Responses to the Physical Assault of 7News Reporter in Melbourne, Australia
Get PDFThis study evaluates responses from Facebook and X users in Australia concerning the attack of Mr Paul Dowsley, a 7News reporter, during the 2021 anti-lockdown and vaccine protests in Melbourne, Australia. Data for this study were taken from a mix of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of Facebook and X posts, comments and replies (N = 22,389) by Facebook and X users in Australia who responded to the attack of the 7News reporter. The qualitative content analysis categorised the responses into the following types: Validators, Invalidators, Intimidators and Accusers. Results from this study show that unlike Validators, Intimidators and Accusers, the Invalidators defended and supported the journalist as they criticised both the attackers and their supporters online. The Invalidators are those whose responses were contrite, supported the journalists in Australia and criticised the actions of the attackers who assaulted the 7News reporter as ‘vile behaviour’. The study shows that many Facebook and X users in Australia who responded to the violent attack invalidated the attack and discouraged threats and violence against journalists in Australia. Finally, implications of the results are discussed.</p
Variation exists in the expression of romantic love:A cluster analytic study of young adults experiencing romantic love
No full textVariation exists in the expression of romantic love, but to date, no studies have specifically investigated this phenomenon. This study employed a TwoStep cluster analysis to group 809 partnered young adults experiencing romantic love from the Romantic Love Survey 2022 according to intensity of romantic love, obsessive thinking, commitment, and frequency of sex per week. The results revealed four clusters: (i) mild romantic lovers (20.02 %) characterized by the lowest intensity, lowest obsessive thinking, lowest commitment, and lowest frequency of sex; (ii) moderate romantic lovers (40.91 %), characterized by relatively low intensity, relatively low obsessive thinking, relatively high commitment, and relatively moderate frequency of sex; (iii) libidinous romantic lovers (9.64 %), characterized by relatively high intensity, relatively high obsessive thinking, relatively high commitment, and exceptionally high frequency of sex; and (iv) intense romantic lovers (29.42 %), characterized by the highest intensity, highest obsessive thinking, highest commitment, and relatively high frequency of sex. Each cluster differs on a range of personal and relationship characteristics. The findings can generate theory and hypotheses about romantic love and provide impetus for future research.</p
Regional Australians are the biggest budget losers
No full textFrom the Canberra Press Gallery: Regional Australia is the engine room of private sector activity in Australia. With the Budget set to see a reversal of the public sector’s growth that has hidden the real cost of living pressures experienced by most Australians, it is difficult to see how the Budget’s public sector and Net Zero focus will help the regions. To put it another way, regional Australians are the biggest losers in this Budget, with no relief in sight