Search

BackgroundInternet search engines are increasingly being utilized as the first port of call for medical information by the public. The prevalence of allergies in developed countries has risen steadily over time. There exists significant variability in the quality of health-related information available on the web. Inaccurately diagnosed and mismanaged allergic disease has major downstream effects on patients, general practitioners, and regional allergy services. ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify whether Ireland has a relatively high rate of web-based allergy-related searches, to establish the proportion of medically accurate web pages encountered by the public, and to compare current search results localized to Dublin, Ireland with urban centers elsewhere. MethodsGoogle Trends was used to evaluate regional interest of allergy-related search terms over a 10-year period using terms “allergy,” “allergy test,” “food allergy,” and “food intolerance.” These terms were then inputted into Google search, localizing them to cities in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Output for each search was reviewed by two independent clinicians and deemed rational or nonevidence based, as per current best practice guidelines. Searches localized to Dublin were initially completed in 2015 and repeated in 2019 to assess for changes in the quality of search results over time. ResultsIreland has a persistently high demand for web-based information relating to allergy and ranks first worldwide for “allergy test,” second for “food allergy” and “food intolerance,” and seventh for “allergy” over the specified 10-year timeframe. Results for each of the four subsearches in Dublin (2015) showed that over 60% of websites promoted nonevidence-based diagnostics. A marginal improvement in scientifically robust information was seen in 2019, but results for “allergy test” and “food intolerance” continued to promote alternative testing 57% (8/14) of the time. This strongly contrasted with results localized to Southampton and Rochester, where academic and hospital-affiliated web pages predominantly featured. Government-funded Department of Health websites did not feature in the top five results for Dublin searches “allergy testing,” “food allergy,” or “food intolerance” in either 2015 or 2019. ConclusionsThe Irish public demonstrates a keen interest in seeking allergy-related information on the web. The proportion of evidence-based websites encountered by the Irish public is considerably lower than that encountered by patients in other urban centers. Factors contributing to this are the lack of a specialist register for allergy in Ireland, inadequate funding for allergy centers currently in operation, and insufficient promotion by the health service of their web-based health database, which contains useful patient-oriented information on allergy. Increased funding of clinical allergology services will more meaningfully impact the health of patients if there is a parallel investment by the health service in information and communication technology consultancy to amplify their presence on the web.

Accidental fuel spills associated with the storage, transfer, and use of diesel fuel for power generation have occurred on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island since the establishment of the island's research station in 1948. An extensive in situ remediation program was implemented by the Australian government from 2009 to 2016 that used nutrient addition and air sparging to enhance the microbial degradation of petroleum products. During this period, a range of ecotoxicological assessments were conducted to better understand the impacts of fuel in soils on native biota and their sensitivity. This study compiles this ecotoxicological data into a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) to establish environmental quality guideline values (EQGVs) for fuels in soils on Macquarie Island. The SSD model includes 13 critical effect concentrations (CECs) selected using an expert judgment approach. These include data from functional and community‐based tests as well as traditional single‐species toxicity tests using microbes, plants, and invertebrates and representing the range of carbon content (~3%–48%) and fuel composition at various stages of degradation (from fresh to 18 months aged) in soils as occurs at contaminated sites on the island. A protective concentration (PC80) of 97 mg/kg TPH C9–C40 (95% CI 24–283) was derived for special Antarctic blend diesel from the SSD and is recommended as an appropriate site‐specific EQGV and potential remediation target for the immediate station area in the vicinity of infrastructure. More conservative PC values are also provided for areas with higher conservation values outside the station footprint. These EQGVs are the first to be produced for fuels in the sub‐Antarctic and Antarctic regions. They will be used to inform ongoing environmental management on Macquarie Island and are likely suitable and recommended for use more broadly across the sub‐Antarctic. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2334–2346. © 2024 Commonwealth of Australia. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: This study has produced the first environmental quality guideline value (EQGV) for fuel for the sub‐Antarctic and Antarctic region; a site‐specific PC80 of 97 (24–283) mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons for diesel fuels in soils.We use adapted criteria and an expert judgment approach to select 13 toxicity estimates from functional, community, and traditional single‐species toxicity tests using microbes, plants, and invertebrates from Macquarie Island for inclusion in a species sensitivity distribution model.Toxicity data included represent the response of biota to a range of carbon content (3%–48%) and to the composition of fuel at various stages of degradation (from fresh to 18 months aged) in soils as occurs at contaminated sites on Macquarie Island.The methodology for guideline derivation and the EQGVs provided will be integral to the implementation of future cleanup activities across Australia's contaminated sites in the sub‐Antarctic and Antarctic and are recommended for use more broadly across this polar region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian hornbills have limited ex situ breeding success, yet these species are some of the most threatened of birds, in need of managed breeding programs. To optimize breeding and increase the sustainability of such populations, it is necessary to assess and improve their husbandry and welfare. Evidence to improve reproduction can be gathered through global husbandry surveys. A survey was sent out to all European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and Association of Zoos and Aquarium holders of the wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) and Papuan hornbill (R. plicatus) to determine predictors for ex situ breeding success. This research found that pairs that have spent more years together (p =.016) and that adding additional proteins to the diet (p =.006) are two significant predictors of breeding success for wreathed‐ and Papuan hornbill pairs. This paper found a general trend that successful hornbill pairs prefer nest boxes that are situated outside (p =.054). The behaviors of calling to each other and sitting in close proximity showed a general trend and were observed more frequently in successful pairs and, therefore, could be good indicators of bonded pairs. We recommend that ex situ institutions allow their hornbill pairs time to form strong bonds, and that pair compatibility is monitored regularly to ensure that such interactions are positive and not consistently negative. An increase in the percentage of dietary proteins, prior and during the breeding season appears to stimulate pairs to breed. If the management and husbandry alterations presented in this study are implemented, the sustainability of Rhyticeros hornbill populations may be enhanced. Research highlights: Hornbills are difficult to breed in captivity.A husbandry survey revealed that dietary proteins and strong pair bonds influence breeding success.Future studies should focus on behavioral outputs and nest box characteristics and parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of mental health training programs designed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, or helping behaviour of secondary school teachers for adolescent depression, anxiety, and related mental health problems. A systematic search strategy was conducted using electronic databases and hand search procedures. Eight studies met inclusion criteria, representing six unique training programs. All eight studies reported an improvement in mental health knowledge (d = 0.57-3.1) and attitudes (d = 0.36-1.18) at post-intervention. There was little evidence that the included training programs improved teachers' helping behaviour or students' mental health. There was no evidence to suggest that these training programs alleviated mental health problems among teachers themselves. Only two studies were conducted as randomised controlled trials. The findings suggest there may be value in providing mental health training to teachers; however, there is an urgent need for more rigorous research to determine which, if any, programs can alter teacher behaviour or improve student outcomes for mental health.

School counsellors play an important role in supporting student mental health but face several challenges that may increase their vulnerability to burnout. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with burnout among school counsellors in secondary schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. A crosssectional, online survey was conducted to measure demographics, school counsellor background, school context, school counselling practice, openness towards evidence-based practices, and use of online resources. The fnal sample consisted of the 125 participants who responded they had (n = 65) or had not (n = 60) experienced burnout. Most participants were female (86%), with an average of 9 years' experience (SD = 7.0). Burnout was associated with lower workload manageability, lower satisfaction with school mental healthcare, greater impact of work stress upon wellbeing, and greater frequency of providing care outside of school hours. No other signifcant associations were found. This study reinforces that school counsellors are vulnerable to burnout and that measuring job overload may help to identify those at increased risk. School counsellors may also beneft from additional support for students who require care beyond school hours. Greater awareness about the risks of burnout, coupled with efforts to improve resource allocation within the school setting, may improve school counsellors' sustainability and optimise the mental healthcare available to students.