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1
Elfes, Angeleke, and Philip Birch. "Sex trafficking and the role of state police within Australia." Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice 1, no. 2 (June 8, 2015): 65–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jcrpp-10-2014-0004.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine operational policing practice with reference to reducing sex trafficking. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study in which in-depth structured interviews were conducted with state police officers in one state of Australia. Findings – The paper reveals that state police officers have a good understanding of sex trafficking and are involved in reactive policing methods in order to reduce this crime type. The data set yields a limitation in proactive policing methods for reducing sex trafficking, primarily due to human and financial resources and the composition of state and federal laws and policing practices in Australia. Those interviewed also noted how sex trafficking can disguise itself as legitimate sex work. Research limitations/implications – The effectiveness in operational practice at the local, national and international level in reducing sex trafficking can be enhanced through a more co-ordinated response to the problem. Recognition of better communication strategies and partnership working can support a reduction in sex trafficking as well as allowing those who are trafficked the status of “victim”. Practical implications – To ensure those who are trafficked for sexual servitude are viewed and treated as victims within the law. To review how state police forces in Australia are resourced in order to proactively address sex trafficking. To ensure state police forces can engage in more proactive policing initiatives in order to prevent sex trafficking. Reflect on examples of good practice between federal and state police forces in Australia to implement a co-ordinated approach for combatting sex trafficking. Originality/value – This is one of just a few studies examining organised crime from the perspective of law enforcement personnel within Australia.
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Gilly, Mary C. "Sex Roles in Advertising: A Comparison of Television Advertisements in Australia, Mexico, and the United States." Journal of Marketing 52, no. 2 (April 1988): 75–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002224298805200206.
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In the past, research has found that the portrayal of sex roles in advertising has not reflected equality or reality. Further, studies typically have examined only U.S. advertising, leaving open the question of cultural influence on advertising's sex role portrayals. The author offers a new analysis of sex roles in advertising and compares content analysis findings for U.S., Australian, and Mexican television advertisements. Results reveal differences in the portrayal of the sexes in U.S. advertisements. Australian advertisements show somewhat fewer sex role differences and Mexican advertisements show slightly more sex role differences than U.S. advertisements. Stereotypes are found in the advertising of all three countries, but are manifested in different ways.
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Aroney, Eurydice, and Penny Crofts. "How Sex Worker Activism Influenced the Decriminalisation of Sex Work in NSW, Australia." International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy 8, no. 2 (April 30, 2019): 50–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v8i2.955.
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In 2015, Amnesty International joined over 200 sex worker organisations in the call for nations to decriminalise sex work. Despite this, only two jurisdictions in the world, New Zealand and New South Wales (NSW; Australia), have adopted this approach. This article examines the role that sex worker activists played in sex work law reform in NSW through their representative organisation, the Australian Prostitutes Collective (APC). The APC produced and submitted groundbreaking research to the Select Committee of the NSW Legislative Assembly on Prostitution (1983–1986) whose recommendations laid the foundation for the decriminalisation of sex work in NSW. This article contributes to a developing history of the contribution of sex worker activism to law reform. It explores why it is so important that sex worker voices are included in the process of reform, and how meaningful consultation with sex workers helped shape and invoke a radical policy and legal transformation.
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Sullivan, Corrinne T. "Pussy Power: A Contemporaneous View of Indigenous Women and Their Role in Sex Work." Genealogy 5, no. 3 (July 14, 2021): 65. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genealogy5030065.
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Sex work is the trade of sexual services in exchange for money or other goods of value. In the context of Indigenous Australia, sex work often produces narratives of victimisation and oppression reinforcing the patriarchal power and colonial dominance that is rife in Australia over Indigenous women’s bodies and behaviours. Drawing from interviews with Indigenous women who are engaged with sex work, this paper challenges these narratives by examining the motivation and meanings that shape Indigenous women’s decisions to undertake sex work, offering a compelling counter-narrative that discusses how Indigenous women seek and enact agency, sexuality, and sovereignty through the pussy power of sex work.
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Johnson, Carol, and Manon Tremblay. "Comparing Same-Sex Marriage in Australia and Canada: Institutions and Political Will." Government and Opposition 53, no. 1 (November 23, 2016): 131–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/gov.2016.36.
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This article explores why there have been such different trajectories in regard to same-sex marriage in Australia and Canada. Canada was one of the first countries to introduce same-sex marriage (in 2005) and, at time of writing, Australia still had not done so.1 The comparison is particularly interesting given that Australia and Canada have relatively similar political institutions except that Australia has no Charter of Rights. Miriam Smith has suggested that institutional factors explain the different trajectories of policies on same-sex marriage in Canada and the US. However, the shift in comparative lens to Canada and Australia provides new insights into the key role of factors influencing ‘political will’ in regard to same-sex marriage in both countries. Those multiple influences do include institutions but also the role played by party electoral strategies. Consequently, the article provides insights into the factors that can influence minority group rights in different national democratic settings.
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Prestage, Garrett, Jeffrey Grierson, Jack Bradley, Michael Hurley, and Jeff Hudson. "The role of drugs during group sex among gay men in Australia." Sexual Health 6, no. 4 (2009): 310. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh09014.
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Background: Drug use has been associated with risk behaviour among gay men. We examined the use of drugs and sexual risk behaviour among homosexually-active men who engaged in group sex in Australia. Methods: We used an anonymous, self-complete survey about participants’ most recent occasion of group sex with other men and in-depth interviews with a small number of these survey participants. The 746 men who reported having engaged in group sex within the previous 6 months were included in these analyses. Results: Among 746 men who engaged in group sex within the previous 6 months, 63.0% reported using illicit drugs at the group sex encounter. Men commonly reported using drugs specifically to enhance their sexual experience and to intensify the pleasure of that experience. After controlling for each drug type and other risk factors, only use of methamphetamine (odds ratio = 1.74, confidence interval = 1.06–2.88, P = 0.030) and having more than five drinks (odds ratio = 2.41, confidence interval = 1.34–4.33, P = 0.003) were independently associated with unprotected anal intercourse with non-HIV seroconcordant partners in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Methamphetamine and heavy alcohol use are associated with increased sexual risk behaviour among men who engage in group sex. Within more ‘adventurous’ gay community subcultures, drug use is often for the explicit purpose of enhancing the sexual experience and this complex relationship may be key to understanding HIV risk among these men.
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McDonald, Peter. "International migration and employment growth in Australia, 2011–2016." Australian Population Studies 1, no. 1 (November 19, 2017): 3–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.37970/aps.v1i1.8.
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Background: Immigration to Australia pre 1995 was largely low skilled. Recessions led to competition between low-skilled domestic workers and new immigrants and subsequent cuts in migration intakes. Historical changes in birth rates, increased participation in tertiary education, increasing numbers retiring and the relatively rapid restructuring of the skill level of labour demand combined to produce a skilled labour supply crisis in Australia from the mid-1990s. The permanent and temporary skilled migration policies established by the Australian Government from 1995 played an important role in meeting that labour demand, especially in the boom years of the first decade of the 21st century.
Aims: This paper examines the impact of immigration on employment in Australia subsequent to the global financial crisis (GFC) for the five-year period from July 2011 to July 2016.
Data and methods: Data for the paper are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The paper uses survival methods to decompose the growth in employment in Australia in the five-year period from 2011 to 2016: (1) change in age and sex distribution in the absence of migration; (2) changes in employment participation rates by age and sex; (3) net migration by age and sex.
Results: Immigration in response to strong labour demand has continued post GFC. From July 2011 to July 2016, employment in Australia increased by 738,800. Immigrants accounted for 613,400 of the total increase, population growth 98,900 and changes in employment participation only 26,500. Migration has had a very large effect on the age structure of employment with most new immigrant workers (595,300) being under 55 years.
Conclusions: Research indicates that immigration provides major benefits to the Australian economy. However, as strong labour demand is likely to sustain migration at relatively high levels in coming years, it is incumbent upon governments to plan for the effects of rapid population growth on infrastructure and resources.
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Kirchengast, Tyrone. "Victim legal representation and the adversarial criminal trial: A critical analysis of proposals for third-party counsel for complainants of serious sexual violence." International Journal of Evidence & Proof 25, no. 1 (January 2021): 53–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1365712720983931.
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The past several decades have witnessed a shift toward victim interests being considered and incorporated within adversarial systems of justice. More recently, some jurisdictions have somewhat contentiously considered granting sex offences complainants’ legal representation at trial. In Australia, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse (2017), the Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016) and the Victorian Law Reform Commission (2016) considered the potential role of legal counsel for complainants in the criminal trial process. While contrasting quite significantly with the traditional adversarial framework—which sees crime as contested between state and accused—legal representation for complainants is not unprecedented, and victims may already retain counsel for limited matters. Despite broader use of victim legal representation in the United States, Ireland and Scotland, and as recently considered by the Sir John Gillen Review in Northern Ireland, legal representation for sex offences complainants is only just developing in Australia. Notwithstanding recent reference to legal representation for complainants where sexual history or reputational evidence may be adduced, there exists no sufficient guidance as to how such representation may be integrated in the Australian criminal trial context. This article explores the implications of introducing such counsel in Australia, including the possible role of non-legal victim advocates.
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Nathania, Christina, and Megahnanda Alidyan K. "An Analysis of Australia’s Foreign Policy through its Domestic Factors to Combat Child Sex Tourism in Project Childhood." ARISTO 11, no. 1 (July 11, 2022): 1–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.24269/ars.v11i1.5318.
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2010 was the year Australia initiated and signed Project Childhood, a grant and partnership to protect children from sexual exploitation due to travel and tourism. Four countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, are in a sub-region where child sex tourism occurs a lot. The phenomenon of transnational borders will involve sending country as the country of traveling child sex offenders, and receiving country for victims coordinates to make serious law enforcement regarding this issue. In formulating foreign policy, domestic factors are one way of looking at why Australia provides funding, assistance, and initiate international cooperation to combat child sex tourism in GMS. Through this research, the authors will explain the domestic factors that influence Australia in initiating Project Childhood as its foreign policy, using domestic determinants as the level of analysis. Then, it will be divided into 3 sub-determinants, they are; highly stable, demonstrating an Australian responsibility for TCSO originating in the country. This is related to one of the demographic components that cause migration problems. Moderately stable, in relation to the domestic reforms that are actively being carried out in the context of enforcing the extraterritoriality. The last, unstable, the factor of public opinion which also has played an important role so that the government gives attention to this phenomenon
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Heman Contreras, Arturo, Leonor Lega, Monica O´Kelly, Mark J. Friedman, Joshua Feinberg, and Erika Kedding. "Preliminary factor analysis of the O’Kelly Women Beliefs Scale in a US sample." Universitas Psychologica 11, no. 2 (November 2, 2011): 611–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.upsy11-2.pfao.
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Using a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy framework, the O’Kelly Women Beliefs Scale (O’Kelly, in press) was originally constructed in Australia to measure sex-role beliefs women may develop through sex-role stereotyping. Factor analysis of the 92 original items showed that 64 items loaded into a single component that accounted for 18.2% of the variance in a sample of 974 Australian women. The present exploratory study examined the psychometric properties of the OWBS in a sample of 202 women born and living in the US. A varimax rotation with cutoff eigenvalues of 3, showed that 37 items loaded into 3 components which accounted for 58.48% of the variance. The items were subsequently grouped into two factors: Irrationality, with a total of 27 items was created by merging component 1 and 3 (Pearson’s r = 0.8 between them), and Rationality, with the 10 items from component 2. Analyses indicated a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 for Factor 1, and a Cronbach’s alpha 0.74 for Factor 2. Results indicate that this version of the instrument may be used to evaluate both the rational and irrational content of sex-role beliefs of women born in the US.
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Ma, Yuhanyin. "Social Media and Marriage Equality in Australia: The Media Roles in the Public Sphere and the Agenda-Setting." Insight - News Media 3, no. 1 (September 21, 2020): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.18282/inm.v3i1.335.
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<p align="justify">Marriage equality or the equal status of same-sex marriage has undergone a rather tough road in Australia, involving diverging opinions in parties at the state and federal levels and constitutional amendments. It appears that people in power set the agenda on the legalization of same-sex marriage. However, it cannot be denied that social media played an almost decisive role in this process because it enabled the gathering of massive public opinion to pressure the government to make changes. To be specific, social media or social networking sites offered platforms for people concerned to share reports about the progress of foreign countries in legalizing same-sex marriage, to express their opinions and to launch campaigns in support of their beliefs. This essay explores the role that social media played in the legalization of marriage equality movement in Australia from the perspectives of the public sphere theory and the agenda-setting theory.</p>
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Hohnke, Mark, and Patrick O'Brien. "Discrimination Against Same Sex Attracted Youth: The Role of the School Counsellor." Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling 18, no. 1 (July 1, 2008): 67–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.18.1.67.
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AbstractBeginning with a discussion of current legislation in Australia around inclusion, this paper highlights recent research into the school experience of Same Sex Attracted Youth (SSAY), including the issues faced by students, and the negative outcomes of such experiences. The school experiences of SSAY youth is positioned within a social justice framework. The critical role that school counsellors can play in determining school culture is examined. The role of a school counsellor as part of a pastoral care team within school management is also highlighted. Factors that may influence a more supportive and inclusive school culture are discussed.
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Ham, Julie, and Fairleigh Gilmour. "‘We all have one’: exit plans as a professional strategy in sex work." Work, Employment and Society 31, no. 5 (September 1, 2016): 748–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0950017016666198.
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The idea of ‘exiting’ the sex industry plays a powerful symbolic role in the feminist debates around the morality, legitimacy and regulation of sex work. Drawing on interviews with 39 women sex workers in Australia and Canada, we explore three key contrasts between dominant narratives and interventions that frame ‘exiting’ as escape from trauma or exploitation, and sex workers’ assessments of ‘exiting’ as a personal or professional strategy. First, we explore sex workers’ perceptions of sex work as temporary work. Second, we analyse the symbiosis between exit plans and current work practices. Third, we examine workers’ assessment of the value of ‘exiting’ sex work in the context of changing market forces within the sex industry, the ‘square’ labour market (or non-sex work sectors) and exiting interventions (i.e. programmes to assist workers in leaving sex work).
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Ham, Julie. "Rates, Roses and Donations: Naming Your Price in Sex Work." Sociology 54, no. 5 (March 12, 2020): 953–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0038038520906773.
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Questions about payment and what it signifies, lie at the heart of feminist debates concerning the morality and legitimacy of sex work. Yet the materialities of payment still remain interestingly under-explored in sex work research. This article addresses this gap by examining immigrant, migrant and racialized sex workers’ pricing practices in Vancouver, Canada and Melbourne, Australia. Determining one’s prices or rates in the sex industry was not a neutral, market-driven calculation for many workers, but was infused with strong ideas about safety, risk, experiential knowledge and the specificities of sex work. Analysing prices and pricing practices through a practice theory lens offers an opportunity to re-think the role of choice in feminist debates about sex work, by highlighting the decisions workers make on a day-to-day basis and capturing the myriad knowledges gained more commonly through experience rather than instruction.
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Hayes, Sharon, and Bethney Baker. "Female Sex Offenders and Pariah Femininities: Rewriting the Sexual Scripts." Journal of Criminology 2014 (December 25, 2014): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/414525.
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This paper aims to analyze the way in which the media reports of sex offences tend to reinforce traditional sexual scripts and gender identities. Compared to investigations into male sex offenders, female sex offending is relatively underresearched, undertheorized, and misunderstood (Hayes and Carpenter, 2013). We argue that the media’s reinforcement of traditional scripts has hindered the development of awareness of sex offending by women, depicting them as aberrations, that is, as “female pariahs.” As Harris (2010) notes, female sex crimes cannot be explained by male theories of crime. To address this issue, we examined 487 media reports from Australia and the United Kingdom and found that, as key stakeholders in public debate, the media does indeed play a crucial role in shaping the public perceptions of female sex offenders as aberrations and pariahs. This distorted view influences approaches to understanding and acknowledging sex offending by women as well as hindering the safe and timely reporting of offences by victims.
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Melnick, Merrill J., and Daniel L. Wann. "An examination of sport fandom in Australia: Socialization, team identification, and fan behavior." International Review for the Sociology of Sport 46, no. 4 (September 23, 2010): 456–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1012690210380582.
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To examine sport fandom in Australia, a convenience sample of 163 university students (62% males, 38% females, M = 21.3) attending a large, multi-sector institution located in a western suburb of Melbourne voluntarily completed a 25-item questionnaire survey which included the Sport Fandom Questionnaire ( Wann, 2002 ) and the Sport Spectator Identification Scale ( Wann and Branscombe, 1993 ). Descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that males chose ‘friends’ as their most influential sport fan socialization agent while females ranked friends, parents and school about the same. Male socialization agents were very important for both sexes with ‘father’ chosen most influential. Males scored higher on every measure of sport fandom behavior including attending sports events, watching sports on television, listening to sports on the radio, engaging in a sports conversation with others, and accessing sport information via the Internet. Australian Football League teams were chosen ‘favorite team’ by 81 percent of the total sample; selection was unrelated to the respondent’s sex. Compared with similar data obtained from US, Norwegian and Greek university student samples, these Australian students were judged greater sport consumers and more heavily identified with the sport fan role and a favorite team.
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Phillips, Tiffany, Christopher K. Fairley, Sandra Walker, and Eric P. F. Chow. "Associations between oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use in men who have sex with men: implications for gonorrhoea prevention." Sexual Health 16, no. 5 (2019): 473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh18131.
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Background Rates of gonorrhoea continue to rise among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and worldwide. Recently, it has been proposed that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea may play a role in its onward transmission and that mouthwash use may be an effective intervention for gonorrhoea prevention and control. The objective of this study was to determine the association between specific oral sex practices and frequency of mouthwash use. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted among MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia from March to September 2015. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between frequent mouthwash use (i.e. daily or weekly mouthwash use) and four oral sex practices (tongue kissing, receptive fellatio with or without ejaculation, and insertive rimming) among MSM. Results: Of the 918 MSM included in the final analysis, 490 men (53.4%) were frequent mouthwash users. Participants aged 24–34 years were 2.13-fold (95% CI 1.52–2.98) and those ≥35 years were 2.64-fold (95% CI 1.83–3.83) more likely to use mouthwash frequently than those aged ≤24 years. The most common oral sex practice was tongue kissing (n=874; 95.2%), followed by receptive fellatio without ejaculation (n=839; 91.4%), receptive fellatio with ejaculation (n=610; 66.5%), then insertive rimming (n=356; 38.8%). No significant association was found between frequent mouthwash use and tongue kissing, receptive fellatio with or without ejaculation, or insertive rimming with regular or casual male partners in the previous 3 months. Conclusions: Younger MSM are less likely to use mouthwash. There is no association between engaging in oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use among MSM.
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Macioti, P. G., Eurydice Aroney, Calum Bennachie, Anne E. Fehrenbacher, Calogero Giametta, Heidi Hoefinger, Nicola Mai, and Jennifer Musto. "Framing the Mother Tac: The Racialised, Sexualised and Gendered Politics of Modern Slavery in Australia." Social Sciences 9, no. 11 (October 28, 2020): 192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110192.
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Centred on the slavery trial “Crown vs. Rungnapha Kanbut” heard in Sydney, New South Wales, between 10 April and 15 May 2019, this article seeks to frame the figure of the “Mother Tac” or the “mother of contract”, also called “mama tac” or “mae tac”—a term used amongst Thai migrants to describe a woman who hosts, collects debts from, and organises work for Thai migrant sex workers in their destination country. It proposes that this largely unexplored figure has come to assume a disproportionate role in the “modern slavery” approach to human trafficking, with its emphasis on absolute victims and individual offenders. The harms suffered by Kanbut’s victims are put into context by referring to existing literature on women accused of trafficking; interviews with Thai migrant sex workers, including Kanbut’s primary victim, and with members from the Australian Federal Police Human Trafficking Unit; and ethnographic field notes. The article unveils how constructions of both victim and offender, as well as definitions of slavery, are racialised, gendered, and sexualised and rely on the victims’ subjective accounts of bounded exploitation. By documenting these and other limitations involved in a criminal justice approach, the authors reveal its shortfalls. For instance, while harsh sentences are meant as a deterrence to others, the complex and structural roots of migrant labour exploitation remain unaffected. This research finds that improved legal migration pathways, the decriminalisation of the sex industry, and improved access to information and support for migrant sex workers are key to reducing heavier forms of labour exploitation, including human trafficking, in the Australian sex industry.
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Doherty, John D. H. "Perinatal Mortality in Twins, Australia, 1973-1980: II. Maternal Age, Lethal Congenital Malformations and Sex." Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research 37, no. 3-4 (October 1988): 321–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0001566000003913.
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AbstractThe influence of maternal age and congenital malformations on perinatal mortality in twins in Australia from 1973 to 1980, is described. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths in twins fell with advancing maternal age. For teenage mothers, the twin perinatal mortality rate was 127.15/1,000. The sex ratio in twins is closer to unity than in singletons. Perinatal mortality due to malformation fell as maternal age increased up to 35 years. The role of zygosity and the distribution of birth weight with maternal age are discussed.
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Mills, Eithne. "Re Alex: Adolescent Gender Identity Disorder and the Family Court of Australia." Deakin Law Review 9, no. 2 (November 1, 2004): 366–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.21153/dlr2004vol9no2art249.
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‘People with gender identity disorder live with a conviction that their physical anatomy is incompatible with their true gender role. They have an overwhelming desire to live and function in the opposite biological sex’.1 The manifestation of the disorder in children and adolescents is dominated by secrecy, confusion and shame. The purpose of this article is to promote discussion amongst the legal fraternity of the difficult issues confronting the Family Court of Australia when asked to make decisions with life-altering ramifications for the young and vulnerable.
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Boldy, Duncan P., Caroline Yates, and Teresa A. Ong. "The role of health professionals in health promotion: a case study of medical imaging technologists and alcohol." Australian Health Review 34, no. 1 (2010): 36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah09658.
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This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of medical imaging technologists (MITs) in Western Australia regarding alcohol. The WA population of 220 MIT members of the Australian Institute of Radiography was surveyed by mail in 2004. Specific questions were devised and piloted covering knowledge of alcohol, alcoholic content and drink size, and related personal behaviour. Responses were obtained from 91 MITs. Overall, they had a good knowledge of key facts related to alcohol. However, this did not always translate into appropriate attitudes and behaviour related to dealing with alcohol abuse. While statistically significant differences were not found according to sex, age group or location (metropolitan or rural), some trends were apparent. This study has found that MITs are not currently as equipped as they should be to be part of the health promotion model of education. What is known about the topic?Health professionals regularly see the results of accidents, injuries and disease from the abuse of alcohol, yet their role in relation to health promotion is under-researched. Little is known about the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of medical imaging technologists in relation to alcohol and its abuse, and hence their preparedness to play a health promotion role. What does this paper add?While the respondents had good knowledge about alcohol this did not translate into appropriate behaviours. What are the implications for practitioners?Information is provided to guide a more vigorous approach towards educating health professionals about alcohol abuse for a more active role in health promotion.
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Schindeler, Emily. "Assessing allegations of child sex abuse in custody disputes." Children Australia 44, no. 01 (February 19, 2019): 5–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cha.2018.50.
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AbstractRisk assessments by expert witnesses appointed by the Family Court of Australia (FCA), and as informed by findings of any investigations by police and child protection agencies, play a critical role in the adjudication of custody disputes involving allegations of child sex abuse. This study focuses on the contribution made by these independent advisors as documented in the FCA trial transcripts of a sample of 62 such cases in the period 2012–2016. Analysis reveals that those responsible for assessing risk shared a concern for an emerging pattern of applicant responsibility for systems abuse, in conjunction with emotional abuse, as a significant child protection issue. It also raises issues for the Court when there are multiple risk assessments coming from experts who bring different disciplinary and organisational perspectives. As an exploratory study, the implications of these findings need to be viewed through the lens of protecting the best interests of the child.
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Hahn, Markus H., Duncan McVicar, and Mark Wooden. "Is casual employment in Australia bad for workers’ health?" Occupational and Environmental Medicine 78, no. 1 (October 8, 2020): 15–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2020-106568.
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ObjectivesThis paper assessed the impact of working in casual employment, compared with permanent employment, on eight health attributes that make up the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey, separately by sex. The mental health impacts of casual jobs with irregular hours over which the worker reports limited control were also investigated.MethodsLongitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, over the period 2001–2018, were used to investigate the relationship between the eight SF-36 subscales and workers’ employment contract type. Individual, household and job characteristic confounders were included in dynamic panel data regression models with correlated random effects.ResultsFor both men and women, health outcomes for casual workers were no worse than for permanent workers for any of the eight SF-36 health attributes. For some health attributes, scores for casual workers were higher (ie, better) than for permanent workers (role physical: men: β=1.15, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.20, women: β=1.79, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.80; bodily pain: women: β=0.90, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.54; vitality: women: β=0.65, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.18; social functioning: men: β=1.00, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.73); role emotional: men: β=1.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.89, women: β=1.24, 95% CI 0.24 to 2.24). Among women (but not men), mental health and role emotional scores were lower for irregular casual workers than for regular permanent workers but not statistically significantly so.ConclusionsThis study found no evidence that casual employment in Australia is detrimental to self-assessed worker health.
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Hegney, Desley, Robert Eley, Elizabeth Buikstra, Sharon Rees, and Elizabeth Patterson. "Consumers' Level of Comfort with an Advanced Practice Role for Registered Nurses in General Practice: A Queensland, Australia, Study." Australian Journal of Primary Health 12, no. 3 (2006): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py06044.
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A study was carried out in Queensland, Australia, which aimed to ascertain how comfortable consumers were with both the current and an expanded practice role for nurses employed in general practice. Consumers from metropolitan, rural and remote areas were represented. The self-report questionnaire was completed by 87 females and 19 males. Consumers rated their level of comfort from very comfortable to very uncomfortable on a five-point scale in nurses performing 24 different routine and advanced procedures. They were most comfortable with nurses giving vaccinations and managing treatment of wounds and less comfortable with nurses diagnosing and treating minor illnesses. Overall, consumers were very comfortable with nurses performing what may be considered traditional roles of the practice nurse. They were less comfortable with the more extended roles that are seen more as the traditional role of the general practitioner. However, for no procedure were consumers uncomfortable with nurses performing that task. There were no differences in responses due to consumers' age, sex or previous contact with practice nurses. These results may be used to expand the role of practice nurses to complement the services provided by general practitioners.
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Bagatini, Simone Radavelli, Marc Sim, Lauren Blekkenhorst, Nicola Bondonno, Catherine Bondonno, Richard Woodman, Joanne Dickson, et al. "Associations of Specific Types of Fruit and Vegetables with Perceived Stress in Adults: The AusDiab Study." Current Developments in Nutrition 6, Supplement_1 (June 2022): 943. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac067.063.
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Abstract Objectives Prolonged exposure to stress is a risk factor for mental and physical health problems (i.e., depression, cardiovascular disease). Although higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) has been associated with lower perceived stress (PS), the relationship between specific FV types and PS remains uncertain. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between consumption of specific FV types with PS in a cohort of men and women aged 25–92 years who took part in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. Methods A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake (n = 8,640). A validated questionnaire was used to assess PS (high PS cut-offs were obtained from the highest quartile of PS for each sex). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate the associations. Results The mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD 15) years. Those in the highest quartiles of apples and pears, orange and other citrus, and banana intakes had a significantly lower odds (24–31%) of having high PS, compared to lowest. Similarly, those with higher intakes of cruciferous, yellow/orange/red, and legume vegetables had significantly lower odds (25–27%) of having high PS. Conclusions In Australian adults, a higher consumption of different types of FV may alleviate stress and potentially improve mental and physical wellbeing. Funding Sources This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. The salary of MS and CPB is supported by a Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation Career Advancement Fellowship. The salary of LCB is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant and a National Heart Foundation of Australia Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship. The salary of JRL is supported by a National Heart Foundation of Australia Future Leader Fellowship. The salary of JMH is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Senior Research Fellowship. The salary of JES is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant. None of the funding agencies had any role in any aspects of the manuscript.
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Roberts, Cathryn, Martin Westbrooke, Singarayer Florentine, and Simon Cook. "Winter diet of introduced red deer (Cervus elaphus) in woodland vegetation in Grampians National Park, western Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 37, no. 1 (2015): 107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am14013.
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Although red deer (Cervus elaphus) have the potential to play a major role in influencing the structure and composition of vegetation, little is known about the dietary preferences of red deer in Australia. In the Grampians National Park, Victoria, where there is a large, established red deer population, there has been concern over the condition of woodlands, with lack of perennial seedling recruitment observed. We estimated the diets of 12 red deer using macroscopic sorting techniques. We examined rumen contents of seven male and five female red deer from four woodland Ecological Vegetation Classes, which indicate that they act as intermediate feeders. A wide variety of plants were ingested, with evergreen tree species, small trees and woody shrubs making up a large proportion of the diet, along with grasses. This study found that red deer show significantly different dietary intake due to sex, with females consuming a diet much higher in grasses, while males consume more trees and shrubs. These findings have implications for the management of red deer populations within the park and broader implications for their effects on Australian ecosystems.
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Beekman, Marian, Bastiaan T. Heijmans, Nicholas G. Martin, Nancy L. Pedersen, John B. Whitfield, Ulf DeFaire, G. Caroline M. van Baal, et al. "Heritabilities of Apolipoprotein and Lipid Levels in Three Countries." Twin Research 5, no. 2 (April 1, 2002): 87–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/twin.5.2.87.
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AbstractThis study investigated the influence of genes and environment on the variation of apolipoprotein and lipid levels, which are important intermediate phenotypes in the pathways toward cardiovascular disease. Heritability estimates are presented, including those for apolipoprotein E and AII levels which have rarely been reported before. We studied twin samples from the Netherlands (two cohorts;n= 160 pairs, aged 13–22 andn= 204 pairs, aged 34–62), Australia (n= 1362 pairs, aged 28–92) and Sweden (n= 302 pairs, aged 42–88). The variation of apolipoprotein and lipid levels depended largely on the influences of additive genetic factors in each twin sample. There was no significant evidence for the influence of common environment. No sex differences in heritability estimates for any phenotype in any of the samples were observed. Heritabilities ranged from 0.48–0.87, with most heritabilities exceeding 0.60. The heritability estimates in the Dutch samples were significantly higher than in the Australian sample. The heritabilities for the Swedish were intermediate to the Dutch and the Australian samples and not significantly different from the heritabilities in these other two samples. Although sample specific effects are present, we have shown that genes play a major role in determining the variance of apolipoprotein and lipid levels in four independent twin samples from three different countries.
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Walsan, Ramya, Darren J. Mayne, Xiaoqi Feng, Nagesh Pai, and Andrew Bonney. "Examining the Association between Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Type 2 Diabetes Comorbidity in Serious Mental Illness." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 20 (October 15, 2019): 3905. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203905.
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This study examined the association between neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage and serious mental illness (SMI)–type 2 diabetes (T2D) comorbidity in an Australian population using routinely collected clinical data. We hypothesised that neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage is positively associated with T2D comorbidity in SMI. The analysis considered 3816 individuals with an SMI living in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions of NSW, Australia, between 2010 and 2017. Multilevel logistic regression models accounting for suburb (neighbourhood) level clustering were used to assess the association between neighbourhood disadvantage and SMI -T2D comorbidity. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and country of birth. Compared with the most advantaged neighbourhoods, residents in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods had 3.2 times greater odds of having SMI–T2D comorbidity even after controlling for confounding factors (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.42–7.20). The analysis also revealed significant geographic variation in the distribution of SMI -T2D comorbidity in our sample (Median Odds Ratio = 1.35) Neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage accounted for approximately 17.3% of this geographic variation. These findings indicate a potentially important role for geographically targeted initiatives designed to enhance prevention and management of SMI–T2D comorbidity in disadvantaged communities.
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Pribesh, Shana L., Jane Smith Carson, Mikaela J. Dufur, Yuanyuan Yue, and Kathy Morgan. "Family Structure Stability and Transitions, Parental Involvement, and Educational Outcomes." Social Sciences 9, no. 12 (December 11, 2020): 229. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/socsci9120229.
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The family environments children live in have profound effects on the skills, resources, and attitudes those children bring to school. Researchers studying family structure have found that children who live with two married, opposite-sex, biological parents, on average, have better educational outcomes than children living in alternate family structures, perhaps due to higher resources, lower stressors, or different selectivity patterns. Socioeconomic stratification plays a major role in family structure, with low-income families seeing more instability. We argue that the impact of family structure is attenuated by transitions in and out of family structures that may decrease a specific resource important to child academic outcomes: parental involvement. This may contribute to increased academic differences already noted across class gaps. Using waves 1 to 6 of the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) data, we examine the relationship of family stability and transitions from birth to age 10/11 years on parental involvement and educational outcomes, adjusted for resource, stressor, and selectivity covariates. We find that changes in parental involvement are only apparent for families that experience both a transition and single parenting, and that these differences in parental involvement impact academic outcomes.
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Muller, Tracy L., Traza J. Ensabella, Rosie Booth, Stephen D. Johnston, and Clive J. C. Phillips. "The behaviour and environmental enrichment of captive mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis)." Australian Mammalogy 32, no. 2 (2010): 109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am09035.
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The mahogany glider is an endangered native marsupial of northern Queensland, Australia. A captive population of seven females and three males was established under a recovery plan for this species to provide progeny for release into the wild. This study aimed to investigate the behaviour of mixed-sex and all-female pairs in this population and determine whether behaviour useful for survival in the wild could be stimulated by environmental-enrichment programs. Gliders spent 56% of their time in their nest box and were essentially nocturnal, except for emerging at 1300 hours when food was offered. They were unresponsive to enrichment programs designed to encourage climbing and play, but increased foraging in response to enrichments designed to stimulate feeding behaviour and increase safety from predators. Females kept in same-sex pairs spent more time climbing than those in mixed-sex pairs. In the latter, males spent more time than females stationary and staring, suggesting vigilance, with less active time outside the nest box. Paternal nurturing behaviour was observed for the first time in this species, and this suggests a dominant caring role for males in this species. Copulation was also observed for the first time, but there was no evidence of courtship. It is concluded that the enrichments designed to stimulate foraging activity were successful, and that males played a major role in the rearing of young in this species, which needs to be recognised in managing captive populations.
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Hufschmid, J., K. A. Handasyde, and I. Beveridge. "The role of host and environmental factors in the epidemiology of rumpwear in brushtail possums." Australian Journal of Zoology 58, no. 4 (2010): 250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo10030.
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Rumpwear is a common, but poorly defined and understood disease of brushtail possums (Trichosurus spp.) in Australia and New Zealand, resulting in varying degrees of fur loss. Populations of Trichosurus cunninghami (mountain brushtail possum) and T. vulpecula (common brushtail possum) were studied over two years at Boho South (Victoria), to describe the disease, investigate its prevalence and explore its epidemiology. The main type of lesion observed was coat damage in the lumbo-sacral region, and increased severity of rumpwear was related to decreased coat length and increased hair breakage. Significant skin lesions were rare and hair breakage patterns suggested mechanical damage. Rumpwear was very prevalent in both T. cunninghami and T. vulpecula, but very severe rumpwear was rare. There was no true seasonal pattern to the prevalence of rumpwear in T. cunninghami and sex and habitat did not affect prevalence or severity. Prevalence and severity of rumpwear did, however, increase with age. There were no significant relationships between the number of previous captures or body condition index with rumpwear.
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Waterboer, Tim, Rachel Neale, Kristina M. Michael, Peter Sehr, Maurits N. C. de Koning, Sönke J. Weißenborn, Francesca Sampogna, et al. "Antibody responses to 26 skin human papillomavirus types in the Netherlands, Italy and Australia." Journal of General Virology 90, no. 8 (August 1, 2009): 1986–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.010637-0.
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Solar UV radiation is the main risk factor for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but infections with skin human papillomavirus (HPV) types have also been linked to the development of SCC. Little is known about the natural history of these infections and whether the seroprevalence of skin HPV types is affected by ambient or individual levels of sun exposure. This study investigated this by analysing sera for antibodies to 26 skin HPV types from five phylogenetic genera obtained from 807 healthy individuals from the Netherlands, Italy and Australia, countries with strong differences in sunlight intensity. Overall HPV seroprevalence was similar across the three countries (50–57 % for β-HPV types, 40–48 % for γ-HPV types), and the most frequent β-HPV and γ-HPV types were the same in all countries. The highest seroprevalences for 24 of the 26 skin HPV types were observed in Italy (14 types) and Australia (ten types). Seroprevalence among men was generally higher than among women, and the male sex was significantly associated with both β-HPV [odds ratio (OR) 2.81, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.64–4.82] and γ-HPV (OR 2.42, 95 % CI 1.40–4.18) antibodies in Australia. The only measure of sun sensitivity or UV exposure significantly associated with skin HPV seroprevalence was found for weekend sun exposure in Australia and β-HPV antibodies. It was concluded that type spectra and HPV seroprevalence are similar in countries with different sunlight intensity, and that levels of UV exposure do not play a strong role in the development of skin HPV antibodies in this study population.
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Bivol, Svetlana, George D. Mellick, Jacob Gratten, Richard Parker, Aoibhe Mulcahy, Philip E. Mosley, Peter C. Poortvliet, et al. "Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS): pilot (n=1532)." BMJ Open 12, no. 2 (February 2022): e052032. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052032.
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PurposeParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with progressive disability. While the precise aetiology is unknown, there is evidence of significant genetic and environmental influences on individual risk. The Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study seeks to study genetic and patient-reported data from a large cohort of individuals with PD in Australia to understand the sociodemographic, genetic and environmental basis of PD susceptibility, symptoms and progression.ParticipantsIn the pilot phase reported here, 1819 participants were recruited through assisted mailouts facilitated by Services Australia based on having three or more prescriptions for anti-PD medications in their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme records. The average age at the time of the questionnaire was 64±6 years. We collected patient-reported information and sociodemographic variables via an online (93% of the cohort) or paper-based (7%) questionnaire. One thousand five hundred and thirty-two participants (84.2%) met all inclusion criteria, and 1499 provided a DNA sample via traditional post.Findings to date65% of participants were men, and 92% identified as being of European descent. A previous traumatic brain injury was reported by 16% of participants and was correlated with a younger age of symptom onset. At the time of the questionnaire, constipation (36% of participants), depression (34%), anxiety (17%), melanoma (16%) and diabetes (10%) were the most reported comorbid conditions.Future plansWe plan to recruit sex-matched and age-matched unaffected controls, genotype all participants and collect non-motor symptoms and cognitive function data. Future work will explore the role of genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of PD susceptibility, onset, symptoms, and progression, including as part of international PD research consortia.
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Li, Haili, and Xu Chen. "From “Oh, you’re Chinese . . . ” to “No bats, thx!”: Racialized Experiences of Australian-Based Chinese Queer Women in the Mobile Dating Context." Social Media + Society 7, no. 3 (July 2021): 205630512110353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20563051211035352.
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This article explores racial exclusion, bias, and prejudice in the context of same-sex mobile dating, focusing on the experiences of a group of Australian-based Chinese queer women. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and participant observation were used to examine participants’ racialized experiences. The findings indicate that Western dating apps, such as Tinder, Bumble, and HER, served as crucial channels of these women’s interracial and intercultural encounters while living in Australia. However, they largely perceived these apps, and HER in particular, as White-dominated and ill-suited to their dating practices, thus reinforcing their sense of exclusion and ostracism. Although the participants frequently encountered subtle prejudice on dating apps, they experienced more blatant and aggressive forms of racism triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple factors, including their language capability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and their racial, ethnic, and diasporic identities, played an intersectional role in these women’s racialized experiences. Correspondingly, the participants developed diverse interpretations of and responses to their racialized experiences. This study reveals how the anti-Asian racism in the global West permeates the realm of queer women in the context of mobile dating. It contributes to understanding the digital dating practices and racialized experiences of queer women and the broader Chinese diaspora.
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Lucas, RM, A.-L. Ponsonby, AJ McMichael, I. van der Mei, C. Chapman, A. Coulthard, K. Dear, et al. "Observational analytic studies in multiple sclerosis: controlling bias through study design and conduct. The Australian Multicentre Study of Environment and Immune Function." Multiple Sclerosis Journal 13, no. 7 (August 2007): 827–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458507077174.
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Rising multiple sclerosis incidence over the last 50 years and geographic patterns of occurrence suggest an environmental role in the causation of this multifactorial disease. Design options for epidemiological studies of environmental causes of multiple sclerosis are limited by the low incidence of the disease, possible diagnostic delay and budgetary constraints. We describe scientific and methodological issues considered in the development of the Australian Multicentre Study of Environment and Immune Function (the Ausimmune Study), which seeks, in particular, to better understand the causes of the well-known MS positive latitudinal gradient. A multicentre, case-control design down the eastern seaboard of Australia allows the recruitment of sufficient cases for adequate study power and provides data on environmental exposures that vary by latitude. Cases are persons with an incident first demyelinating event (rather than prevalent multiple sclerosis), sourced from a population base using a two tier notification system. Controls, matched on sex, age (within two years) and region of residence, are recruited from the general population. Biases common in case-control studies, eg, prevalence-incidence bias, admission-rate bias, non-respondent bias, observer bias and recall bias, as well as confounding have been carefully considered in the study design and conduct of the Ausimmune Study. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13 : 827—839. http://msj.sagepub.com
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Krutzsch, PH, RA Young, and EG Crichton. "Observations on the Reproductive-Biology and Anatomy of Rhinolophus-Megaphyllus (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae) in Eastern Australia." Australian Journal of Zoology 40, no. 5 (1992): 533. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9920533.
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The anatomy and chronology of reproductive events in male and female Rhinolophus megaphyllus from eastern Australia (27-32-degrees-S.) is discussed. Rhinolophus megaphyllus was monoestrous and monotocous. A delay of several months occurs between the delivery of spermatozoa to the caudae epididymides (late summer/early autumn) and copulation/ovulation/conception (winter), which occur towards the termination of the spermatogenic cycle. There is no storage of sperm in female tracts prior to ovulation but epididymal sperm storage persists beyond the time of birth (late spring). Male, but not female, readiness to initiate reproduction prior to the onset of winter, places this species in an 'intermediate' position with features of both temperate and tropical chiropteran reproductive cycle patterns. The presence of an extroverted corpus luteum in the female and of a complement of accessory sex organs in the male are normal glandular features for members of this chiropteran family. The role of the urethral gland is unknown; however, since there is no vaginal plug, its products apparently do not coagulate in the vagina in this species following insemination.
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Taylor, Bruce V., Robyn M. Lucas, Keith Dear, Trevor J. Kilpatrick, Michael P. Pender, Ingrid AF van der Mei, Caron Chapman, et al. "Latitudinal variation in incidence and type of first central nervous system demyelinating events." Multiple Sclerosis Journal 16, no. 4 (February 18, 2010): 398–405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458509359724.
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Increasing prevalence and variable geographic patterns of occurrence of multiple sclerosis suggest an environmental role in causation. There are few descriptive, population-level, data on whether such variability applies to first demyelinating events (FDEs). We recruited 216 adults (18—59 years), with a FDE between 1 November 2003 and 31 December 2006 in a multi-center incident case-control study in four locations on the south-eastern and eastern seaboard of Australia, spanning latitudes 27° south to 43° south. Population denominators were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics censuses of 2001 and 2006. Age and sex adjusted FDE incidence rates increased by 9.55% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.37—11.78, p < 0.001) per higher degree of latitude. The incidence rate gradient per higher degree of latitude varied by gender (male: 14.69% (95% CI 9.68—19.94, p < 0.001); female 8.13% (95% CI 5.69—10.62, p < 0.001)); and also by the presenting FDE type: optic neuritis 11.39% (95% CI 7.15—15.80, p < 0.001); brainstem/cerebellar syndrome 9.47% (95% CI 5.18—13.93, p < 0.001); and spinal cord syndrome 5.36% (95% CI 1.78—9.06, p = 0.003). Differences in incidence rate gradients were statistically significant between males and females ( p = 0.02) and between optic neuritis and spinal cord syndrome ( p = 0.04). The male to female ratio varied from 1 : 6.7 at 27° south to 1 : 2.5 at 43° south. The study establishes a positive latitudinal gradient of FDE incidence in Australia. The latitude-related factor(s) influences FDE incidence variably according to subtype and gender, with the strongest influence on optic neuritis presentations and for males. These descriptive case analyses show intriguing patterns that could be important for understanding the etiology of multiple sclerosis.
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Baldwin, Heather J., Becky Freeman, and Bridget Kelly. "Like and share: associations between social media engagement and dietary choices in children." Public Health Nutrition 21, no. 17 (August 8, 2018): 3210–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980018001866.
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AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether social media and online behaviours are associated with unhealthy food and beverage consumption in children.DesignA cross-sectional online survey was used to assess Internet and social media use, including engagement with food and beverage brand content, and frequency of consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages. Linear regression models were used to examine associations between online behaviours, including engagement with food and beverage brand content, and consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, adjusting for age, sex and socio-economic status.SettingNew South Wales, Australia, in 2014.SubjectsChildren aged 10–16 years (n417).ResultsWatching food brand video content on YouTube, purchasing food online and seeing favourite food brands advertised online were significantly associated with higher frequency of consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks after adjustment for age, sex and socio-economic status.ConclusionsChildren who have higher online engagement with food brands and content, particularly through online video, are more likely to consume unhealthy foods and drinks. Our findings highlight the need to include social media in regulations and policies designed to limit children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Social media companies have a greater role to play in protecting children from advertising.
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Ikonomopoulou, Maria P., Adrian J. Bradley, Kammarudin Ibrahim, Colin J. Limpus, Manuel A. Fernandez-Rojo, Dimitrios Vagenas, and Joan M. Whittier. "Hormone and Metabolite Profiles in Nesting Green and Flatback Turtles: Turtle Species with Different Life Histories." Advances in Zoology 2014 (August 27, 2014): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/503209.
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Herbivorous turtle, Chelonia mydas, inhabiting the south China Sea and breeding in Peninsular Malaysia, and Natator depressus, a carnivorous turtle inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef and breeding at Curtis Island in Queensland, Australia, differ both in diet and life history. Analysis of plasma metabolites levels and six sex steroid hormones during the peak of their nesting season in both species showed hormonal and metabolite variations. When compared with results from other studies progesterone levels were the highest whereas dihydrotestosterone was the plasma steroid hormone present at the lowest concentration in both C. mydas and N. depressus plasma. Interestingly, oestrone was observed at relatively high concentrations in comparison to oestradiol levels recorded in previous studies suggesting that it plays a significant role in nesting turtles. Also, hormonal correlations between the studied species indicate unique physiological interactions during nesting. Pearson correlation analysis showed that in N. depressus the time of oviposition was associated with elevations in both plasma corticosterone and oestrone levels. Therefore, we conclude that corticosterone and oestrone may influence nesting behaviour and physiology in N. depressus. To summarise, these two nesting turtle species can be distinguished based on the hormonal profile of oestrone, progesterone, and testosterone using discriminant analysis.
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Miller, Michael J., Peter A. Andersen, Dana L. Rogers, and Kate S. Kurtin. "Exploring the Influence of Geographic Region and Cultural Indulgence on Tactile Behaviors." International Journal of Psychological Studies 14, no. 1 (January 24, 2022): 37. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v14n1p37.
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In this study, touch behavior was monitored via live-feed webcams in 18 bars, spread across 5 continents (North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia) for 213 hours. Our findings offer support for a link between equatorial proximity (measured by latitude) and cultural indulgence with more tactile communication. In cultures where indulgence versus restraint was more normative, those perceived as females initiated more touch in both opposite- and same- sex dyads. Moreover, in cultures closer to the equator, there was an increase in touch frequency and the number of body locations touched. Housed within these findings is the idea that geographical location may play a predictable role in motivating the development of cultural communication norms and behaviors. We consider the influence of sunlight, topography, history, and other culture-specific forces on the development of touch norms.
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Chaturvedi, Anil K., William F. Anderson, Joannie Lortet-Tieulent, Maria Paula Curado, Jacques Ferlay, Silvia Franceschi, Philip S. Rosenberg, Freddie Bray, and Maura L. Gillison. "Worldwide Trends in Incidence Rates for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers." Journal of Clinical Oncology 31, no. 36 (December 20, 2013): 4550–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2013.50.3870.
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Purpose Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the cause of the increasing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) incidence in some countries. To investigate whether this represents a global phenomenon, we evaluated incidence trends for OPCs and oral cavity cancers (OCCs) in 23 countries across four continents. Methods We used data from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents database Volumes VI to IX (years 1983 to 2002). Using age-period-cohort modeling, incidence trends for OPCs were compared with those of OCCs and lung cancers to delineate the potential role of HPV vis-à-vis smoking on incidence trends. Analyses were country specific and sex specific. Results OPC incidence significantly increased during 1983 to 2002 predominantly in economically developed countries. Among men, OPC incidence significantly increased in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Slovakia, despite nonsignificant or significantly decreasing incidence of OCCs. In contrast, among women, in all countries with increasing OPC incidence (Denmark, Estonia, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, and United Kingdom), there was a concomitant increase in incidence of OCCs. Although increasing OPC incidence among men was accompanied by decreasing lung cancer incidence, increasing incidence among women was generally accompanied by increasing lung cancer incidence. The magnitude of increase in OPC incidence among men was significantly higher at younger ages (< 60 years) than older ages in the United States, Australia, Canada, Slovakia, Denmark, and United Kingdom. Conclusion OPC incidence significantly increased during 1983 to 2002 predominantly in developed countries and at younger ages. These results underscore a potential role for HPV infection on increasing OPC incidence, particularly among men.
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White, Alice A., Ashleigh Lin, Xander Bickendorf, Blake S. Cavve, Julia K. Moore, Aris Siafarikas, Deborah H. Strickland, and Jonatan Leffler. "Potential immunological effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender people – an unexplored area of research." Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism 13 (January 2022): 204201882211396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20420188221139612.
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There are well-described sex-based differences in how the immune system operates. In particular, cisgender (cis) females have a more easily activated immune system; associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases and adverse events following vaccinations. Conversely, cis males have a higher threshold for immune activation, and are more prone to certain infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Oestrogen and testosterone have immune-modulatory properties, and it is likely that these contribute to the sexual dimorphism of the immune system. There are also important immune-related genes located on the X chromosome, such as toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8; and the mosaic bi-allelic expression of such genes may contribute to the state of immune hyperactivation in cis females. The scientific literature strongly suggests that sex-based differences in the functioning of the immune system are related to both X-linked genes and immune modulation by sex hormones. However, it is currently not clear how this impacts transgender (trans) people receiving gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Moreover, it is estimated that in Australia, at least 2.3% of adolescents identify as trans and/or gender diverse, and referrals to specialist gender-affirming care are increasing each year. Despite the improving social awareness of trans people, they remain chronically underrepresented in the scientific literature. In addition, a small number of case studies describe new onset autoimmune disorders in adult trans females following oestrogen use. However, there is currently minimal long-term research with an immunological focus on trans people. Therefore, to ensure the positive health outcomes of trans people, it is crucial that the role of sex hormones in immune modulation is investigated further.
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Bilardi, Jade E., Alana Hulme-Chambers, Marcus Y. Chen, Christopher K. Fairley, Sarah E. Huffam, and Jane E. Tomnay. "The role of stigma in the acceptance and disclosure of HIV among recently diagnosed men who have sex with men in Australia: A qualitative study." PLOS ONE 14, no. 11 (November 8, 2019): e0224616. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224616.
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MARSDEN, SIMON. "PROTECTING HERITAGE ON AUSTRALIA'S COASTS: A ROLE FOR STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT?" Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management 15, no. 03 (September 2013): 1350014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1464333213500142.
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This article examines two experiences with strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in Australia, one complete the other in progress. The first applied SEA to a plan for a liquefied natural gas hub precinct on the National Heritage listed Kimberley coast of Western Australia, and the second applies SEA to a coastal management, planning and development framework for the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef on the coast of Queensland. Both cases illustrate the approach of the Australian governments to SEA, highlighting the benefits of the approach yet certain flaws in application and process. The research consists of an extensive evaluation of the relevant legislation, its application and reform, together with a thorough literature review. Results highlight concerns in relation to the objective of SEA in Australia, its initiation and timing, consideration of alternatives, and governance. Conclusions are that SEA in Australia will be enhanced if the purpose is more explicitly focused on environmental protection, if SEA is applied early to a reasonable range of alternative sites, and if the Australian Government continues to play an active role in relation to matters of national environmental significance.
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Mahmood, M. Afzal, Anna E. Bauze, Justin T. Lokhorst, Peng Bi, and Arthur Saniotis. "Influence of living arrangements on health services utilisation in Australia." Australian Health Review 36, no. 1 (2012): 34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah10920.
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Background. The number of people living alone is increasing markedly. Others live as couples only, couples with child(ren) and single adult with child(ren). Health service utilisation could differ for people in different living arrangements as a result of varying levels of risk factors, health status, access to informal care and decision-making for accessing care. Objective. To identify the association between living arrangements and health service use. Methods. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey 2001 data for people 18–65 years old were analysed for household composition and service use. Results. People in various household types differ in terms of their overall use of health services and their use of services by general practitioners. Sex, rurality, socioeconomic status and status of heart condition significantly influenced the use of health services. Conclusion. There are implications for health services provision and planning within the context of rapid changes in living arrangements. Additional research is required to explore the reasons to such differences, level of access to informal care, healthcare decision-making processes and consequences of under- or over-utilisation of services. What is known about the topic? Health service use is influenced by the disease burden and pattern, demography, economic factors, access to social support, quality of care and satisfaction with standards of care. These factors may influence access to and use of care. What does this paper add? This research points to the potential role of living arrangements on health services use. Many people now live alone and may not have access to informal care, and access to health information and education. People in different living arrangements appear to have different health service use. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners, in both primary care and acute care sectors, need to consider that patients, including younger people, may not have access to informal care, may present with delays and may not have the needed adequate support during convalescence. Health education needs to consider that people in different living arrangements may be exposed to different levels of risk factors in terms of their healthcare use.
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Berger, Matthew N., Melody Taba, Jennifer L. Marino, Megan S. C. Lim, Spring Chenoa Cooper, Larissa Lewis, Kath Albury, Kon Shing Kenneth Chung, Deborah Bateson, and S. Rachel Skinner. "Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study." Sexual Health 18, no. 5 (2021): 421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh21110.
Full textAbstract:
Background Adolescents use social media more frequently than other age groups. Social media has been described as a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. As part of mixed-methods research investigating the association between social networks and sexual agency, we present qualitative findings on how LGBTQ adolescents connect online to form support networks. Methods We recruited 30 adolescents aged 14–17years who identified as LGBTQ in terms of their gender or attraction in the longitudinal Social Networks and Agency Project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or face-to-face across Australia. Thematic analysis was used to explore perceptions and experiences of participants in relation to social media use and relationships. Results Two overarching themes were identified: LGBTQ adolescents use social media for identity, relationships and wellbeing support. Social media is not always free of discrimination for LGBTQ adolescents. Many LGBTQ participants joined Facebook groups to connect with LGBTQ peers. Facebook was considered a vital support for those with mental health concerns including suicidal ideation. Participants gave and received support from group members, which was considered useful for those feeling isolated or victimised. LGBTQ adolescents formed friendships, romantic relationships and gained information on sex, relationships, and sexual health from these groups. Participants described negative experiences including discrimination within Facebook groups, mismanaged groups and exposure to anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Conclusion Social media is an environment where LGBTQ adolescents can connect, educate and support each other, which may have beneficial effects for this marginalised group. There remain issues with social media including discrimination against and within LGBTQ communities.
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Powter, David Mark, William Gladstone, and Margaret Platell. "The influence of sex and maturity on the diet, mouth morphology and dentition of the Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni." Marine and Freshwater Research 61, no. 1 (2010): 74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf09021.
Full textAbstract:
Dietary studies are essential for an understanding of elasmobranch ecology and their role in marine ecosystems. The diet, head morphology and dentition of Heterodontus portusjacksoni, an abundant, epibenthic shark in the coastal waters of temperate eastern Australia, were examined in 2004–2005. The stomach contents of the juvenile, subadult and adult stages of 136 males and 100 females were examined. Diets were broad (32 prey taxa), but dominated by molluscs, teleosts and cephalopods. Analyses of stomach contents data demonstrated that diet differed significantly by ontogenetic stage, but not by sex. Juveniles and subadults consumed mainly benthic infauna and epifauna, with subadults ingesting greater amounts of diogenid crustaceans, and adult diets dominated by demersal/pelagic prey. Trophic level differed ontogenetically, from secondary consumers as juveniles and subadults to tertiary consumers as adults. The mainly tricuspidate juvenile dentition changed with maturity to a greater proportion of large molariform distal teeth, whereas the snout and jaw lengthened and broadened. Adult males retained a greater proportion of anterior S-family teeth than females, which was most likely related to copulation. The ontogenetic variation in dietary composition, facilitated by differences in dentition and mouth morphology, demonstrated that dietary resources were partitioned ontogenetically.
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Berger, Matthew N., Melody Taba, Jennifer L. Marino, Megan S. C. Lim, Spring Chenoa Cooper, Larissa Lewis, Kath Albury, Kon Shing Kenneth Chung, Deborah Bateson, and S. Rachel Skinner. "Corrigendum to: Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study." Sexual Health 18, no. 5 (2021): 444. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh21110_co.
Full textAbstract:
Background:Adolescents use social media more frequently than other age groups. Social media has been described as a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. As part of mixed-methods research investigating the association between social networks and sexual agency, we present qualitative findings on how LGBTQ adolescents connect online to form support networks.Methods:We recruited 30 adolescents aged 14–17years who identified as LGBTQ in terms of their gender or attraction in the longitudinal Social Networks and Agency Project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or face-to-face across Australia. Thematic analysis was used to explore perceptions and experiences of participants in relation to social media use and relationships.Results:Two overarching themes were identified: LGBTQ adolescents use social media for identity, relationships and wellbeing support. Social media is not always free of discrimination for LGBTQ adolescents. Many LGBTQ participants joined Facebook groups to connect with LGBTQ peers. Facebook was considered a vital support for those with mental health concerns including suicidal ideation. Participants gave and received support from group members, which was considered useful for those feeling isolated or victimised. LGBTQ adolescents formed friendships, romantic relationships and gained information on sex, relationships, and sexual health from these groups. Participants described negative experiences including discrimination within Facebook groups, mismanaged groups and exposure to anti-LGBTQ sentiments.Conclusion:Social media is an environment where LGBTQ adolescents can connect, educate and support each other, which may have beneficial effects for this marginalised group. There remain issues with social media including discrimination against and within LGBTQ communities.
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Hopley, Tara, and Andrew G. Young. "Knowledge of the reproductive ecology of the invasive Salix cinerea, in its invaded range, assists in more targeted management strategies." Australian Journal of Botany 63, no. 6 (2015): 477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt15018.
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Management for invasive species is expensive, costing millions of dollars every year and is sometimes unsuccessful. Current control efforts for the highly invasive willow species, Salix cinerea, are extensive, costly, and not always effective because of rapid post-removal reinfestation. An improved knowledge of the reproductive ecology of this species will help design control strategies that minimise future expansion and make current control efforts more effective. To explicitly examine the reproductive ecology of this species in its invaded range in south-eastern Australia, field observations of population structure and sex ratios, pollination experiments and germination trials were undertaken across the Ovens catchment in Victoria. Pollination-exclusion experiments strongly suggest that Salix cinerea in Australia employs two pollen-dispersal mechanisms, with insects being the dominant vector and wind playing a small but significant role (ambophilous). Seed had high initial germination rates, above 95%, but seed is very short-lived with rapid linear decline in germinability until 8 weeks, after which there was no germination at all. An improved understanding of the limited seed bank of this species and the potential it has for long distance pollination has highlighted that preventing reinfestation after control efforts should be focussed on limiting seed production and dispersal. A greater understanding of a species reproductive ecology, particularly of weed species, in their new environment can assist land managers to more effectively target their efforts for long-term eradication strategies.
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Blum, Andreas, Christian Ingvar, Michelle Avramidis, Andreas von Kannen, Scott W. Menzies, Håkan Olsson, Gisele G. Rezze, Ann-Marie Wennberg, and Karin Westerhoff. "Time to Diagnosis of Melanoma: Same Trend in Different Continents." Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 11, no. 4 (July 2007): 137–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.2310/7750.2007.00023.
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Background: Patients and physicians both play an important role in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess important factors of delay in diagnosis at different centers and on three continents. Methods: Between October 2001 and October 2002, patients with histologically confirmed invasive melanoma were included in the study and given an established questionnaire. Recorded patients and tumor characteristics included age, sex, anatomic location, Breslow thickness, patients' awareness of the lesion and time with suspicion, and physicians' time (delay) before the operation. Results: The study included 985 patients (486 males, 499 females): 253 from Germany, 464 from Sweden, 58 from Brazil, and 210 from Australia. More females detected their lesions by themselves. The change to a darker color (21 %) and enlargement of the area of the lesion (19%) were the major signs. The highest knowledge among patients that early detection may improve the outcome was found in Sweden and Australia. At each center, the media (newspaper, magazine, radio, and television) provided the best sources of information about melanoma. Twenty to 33% of all physicians initially consulted missed the melanoma diagnosis, independent of their specialty. Conclusions: There are still factors for the delay in melanoma diagnosis in different countries and continents, but the differences are rather small. The results should be included in planning prevention campaigns in this specific field and in the education of medical students, physicians of all specialties, and other health professionals.