19683 research outputs found
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Political Outsiders? A Study of “Teal” Independent Campaign Demographics in the 2022 Australian Federal Election
No full textNo description supplied</p
Syndecans and glycosaminoglycans influence B-cell development and activation
No full textSyndecans (SDCs) are glycosaminoglycan-containing cell surface proteins with diverse functions in the immune system with SDC1 (CD138) and SDC4 expressed in B-lineage cells. Here, we show that stem cells lacking either molecule generate fewer B-cell progenitors but give rise to mature B cells in vivo. Deletion of the plasma cell “marker” CD138 has no effect on homeostatic or antigen-induced plasma cell formation. Naive B cells express high SDC4 and encounter with cognate antigen results in transient CD138 upregulation and SDC4 loss, both further modulated by IL-4, IL-21, and CD40 ligation. SDC4 is downregulated on germinal center B cells and absent on most memory B cells. Glycosaminoglycans such as those attached to SDCs, and heparin, a commonly used therapeutic, regulate survival and activation of naive B cells by limiting responsiveness to cognate antigen. Conversely, ablation of SDC4 results in increased baseline and antigen-induced B-cell activation. Collectively, our data reveal B-cell activation- and subset-dependent SDC expression and show that SDC4 and GAGs can limit antigen-induced activation to promote B-cell survival and expansion.</p
QSOX Queer Women's Substance Use Over Time: Briefing Paper 3 - LBQ Women and Vaping
No full textLesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women consistently report higher rates of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine use than heterosexual women, yet there has been limited qualitative research exploring why these patterns exist, how they evolve, and what they mean in women’s lives. Most existing studies focus on risk, often framing LBQ women’s substance use through a lens of harm or deficit. These narratives frequently draw on the concept of minority stress, the chronic stress experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people due to discrimination and stigma, as the primary explanation for increased substance use. While minority stress is one important aspect of LBQ women’s substance use, this explanation alone does not tell the whole story for everyone.The QSOX (Queer Women’s Substance Use Over Time) study was designed to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of LBQ women and non-binary people’s experiences of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine use in Australia. Funded by the Australian Research Council (LP210100122) and conducted alongside the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, and in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, ACON, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, Quit Victoria, and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, this is the first longitudinal qualitative study to explore changes in LBQ women and non-binary people’s substance use over time. Specifically, the project aimed to address the following research questions:1. What is the role of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine use in the social and cultural lives of Australian LBQ women and non-binary people?2. How do LBQ women and non-binary people understand, construct, and manage the potential risks and harms of alcohol and tobacco use over time?3. What are LBQ women and nonbinary people’s experiences and perceptions of smoking cessation and alcohol-related support services?© La Trobe University 2025</p
Rural and regional community stakeholder perspectives on dementia, socio-spatial rights and community participation
No full textDementia-friendly communities (DFC) aim to address the socio-spatial exclusion of people living with dementia and carers. While the rights of people living with dementia and carers are often discussed in relation to DFCs, few are considered genuine rights based environments, and none specifically address socio-spatial rights. This has implications for planning policy and practice in terms of ensuring socio-spatial inclusion, social health and health equity. Drawing on Lefebvre's (1996) ‘right to the city’ concept, this study aims to identify local government, healthcare organisation and community group perspectives on the rights of people living with dementia and carers to participation in decision-making, inclusion and access to public space and social activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen representatives of community stakeholder organisations and groups from a large non-metropolitan region in Victoria, Australia. Findings identify that socio-spatial rights are addressed through a personhood approach. The facilitation of socio-spatial rights is impeded by the absence of people living with dementia from participatory processes, as well as stigma, local government priorities, and the lack of dementia awareness, dementia-inclusive legislation and policy, and recognition of dementia as a disability. Dementia education and dementia-inclusive legislation and policies are critical to establishing genuine rights-based DFCs.</p
Equity, fairness and justice: Key concepts for water policy
No full textThe principal aim of this short paper is to provide some clarity by reviewing some key concepts of fairness, justice and equity. The paper also considers the implications that flow from the fact of disagreement over these values, shifting the focus onto the place of fairness and equality in discussions of democratic legitimacy. The paper then concludes by discussing how these concepts feature in the politics of water in the Murray-Darling Basin and the ways stakeholders understand these terms and issues.</p
Clinician-initiated opt-out HIV testing and the law
No full textBACKGROUND: 'Opt-out' HIV testing is a new approach to HIV health care whereby patients are routinely tested for HIV unless they explicitly decline. This new approach to testing for HIV appears in testing policy in Australia, guidelines in the US, and elsewhere. METHODS: This article examines the legal implications of opt-out testing in Australia. It uses legal doctrinal analysis to clarify the legal framework governing this practice in Australia, with a focus on 'informed consent' and requirements to inform the patient about the procedure and any associated risks. RESULTS: Our analysis finds that, where it has been introduced, opt-out testing removes the 'specific additional consent' requirements of previous health policy or law, effectively bringing HIV testing into alignment with other STI testing procedures. However, the introduction of opt-out HIV testing does not remove or modify consent requirements under general law. A gap therefore exists between the concept of 'opt-out' consent and these enduring legal duties, creating potential ambiguity and legal risk for practitioners in their day-to-day practice. CONCLUSIONS: To resolve this, we recommend that guidance for practitioners provide positive clarification of these requirements. Furthermore, we propose renaming the practice 'provider-initiated testing' to more accurately reflect the principles of consent that govern all medical procedures.</p
Physiotherapy Compared With Shockwave Therapy for the Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textBackground: Proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT) presents as localized lower buttock pain with tasks such as running and sitting. Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of individualized physiotherapy compared with shockwave therapy on pain and function in PHT. Methods: This prospective parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was set in 10 primary care physiotherapy practices in Victoria, Australia. A total of 100 participants with PHT were randomly assigned to receive 6 sessions of either individualized physiotherapy or shockwave therapy, with both groups receiving standardized advice and education. Primary outcomes were global rating of change on a 7-point Likert scale and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks postrandomization. Analyses were by intention-to-treat using linear mixed models. Results: All except 1 patient received the allocated intervention, and the participant follow-up rate was 88% at 12 months. There were no significant differences between groups in primary outcomes at any time point. For secondary outcome measures, participants in the shockwave group had statistically significantly greater satisfaction with treatment at 26 weeks, satisfaction with results of treatment at 4 and 26 weeks, and general health at 52 weeks. Responder analyses of participants achieving clinically significant improvements showed no significant differences between groups at any time point. Conclusion: This RCT found no difference in effectiveness of individualized physiotherapy compared with shockwave therapy on global effect or function in PHT. Future trials on PHT appear feasible but could explore a different sample population or other intervention and/or comparison groups. </p
Governance Technical Report. A technical report for the National Climate Risk Assessment
No full textSummary:This report investigates Australia's governance risk in relation to climate change impacts and explores the risk of maladaptation by considering the interplay between adaptation, risk and governance.This report investigates governance risk in relation to climate change impacts, responding to its identification as a priority risk in Australia’s National Assessment. It explores the risk of maladaptation and inaction due to inadequate governance structures by considering the multifaceted interplay between adaptation, risk and governance. The report introduces new conceptual frameworks and empirical analyses, highlighting the need for strong governance to manage climate risks and enable adaptation effectively. Key findings include the importance of resourcing, clear roles and responsibilities, appropriate risk assessment, enhanced community engagement, and coordination across all levels of governance to address the complex and dynamic nature of climate change risks.</p
At the Intersection of LGBTQA+ Identity and Ethnicity: Insights on Mental Health and Suicidality in Australia
No full textSuicide is a global public health concern. Within Australia, suicide is also the leading cause of death among young adults (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2023), with extant research showing that rates of suicidality are disproportionately higher within communities that experience systemic marginalisation (AIHW, 2023). Those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer, asexual, and/or those with another diverse sexuality or gender (LGBTQA+) are particularly at risk for high suicidality. Compared with population-level estimates from general community members in Australia (e.g., 3.3% reporting recent suicidal ideation, and 0.3% reporting a recent suicide attempt; Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2022-2022), 41.9% of LGBTQA+ adults have reported recent suicidal ideation, and 5.2% have reported a recent suicide attempt (Hill et al., 2020). These disproportionately higher rates of suicidality among LGBTQA+ community members in Australia call for an urgent need to intervene against the factors that contribute to this risk.A key element of consideration when implementing and advocating for suicide prevention interventions is the understanding that LGBTQA+ communities comprise of individuals that vary in their lived experiences. That is, while both gender and sexuality can vary and intersect across all members of LGBTQA+ communities, so too can other demographic factors (e.g., ethnicity, cultural background, age, socioeconomic status, geographical contexts and regions), yet these important intersecting factors have seldom been emphasised in both research and policy settings. As such, the current data report aims to address this gap by providing insights on mental health and suicidality across LGBTQA+ communities in Australia, with a particular focus on exploring ethnicity and cultural backgrounds within this population.</p
At the Intersection of LGBTQA+ Identity and Older Age: Insights on Mental Health and Suicidality in Australia
No full textSuicide is a global public health concern. Within Australia, suicide is also the leading cause of death among young adults (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2023), with extant research showing that rates of suicidality are disproportionately higher within communities that experience systemic marginalisation (AIHW, 2023). Those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer, asexual, and/or those with another diverse sexuality or gender (LGBTQA+) are particularly at risk for high suicidality. Compared with population-level estimates from general community members in Australia (e.g., 3.3% reporting recent suicidal ideation, and 0.3% reporting a recent suicide attempt; Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2022-2022), 41.9% of LGBTQA+ adults have reported recent suicidal ideation, and 5.2% have reported a recent suicide attempt (Hill et al., 2020). These disproportionately higher rates of suicidality among LGBTQA+ community members in Australia call for an urgent need to intervene against the factors that contribute to this risk.A key element of consideration when implementing and advocating for suicide prevention interventions is the understanding that LGBTQA+ communities comprise of individuals that vary in their lived experiences. That is, while both gender and sexuality can vary and intersect across all members of LGBTQA+ communities, so too can other demographic factors (e.g., ethnicity, cultural background, age, socioeconomic status, geographical contexts and regions), yet these important intersecting factors have seldom been emphasised in both research and policy settings. As such, the current data report aims to address this gap by providing insights on mental health and suicidality across LGBTQA+ communities in Australia, with a particular focus on exploring the intersection of older age within this population.</p