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Background: teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an Australian school-based universal program for grade 10 to 12 students. tMHFA teaches teens how to recognize and respond to a peer in crisis or experiencing mental health concerns. Methods: Schools implementing tMHFA in 2019 and 2020 were propensity score matched, yielding a sample of instructors (n = 130) and students (n = 1915) in 44 high schools in 24 American states. Effectiveness and acceptability were assessed with student surveys at baseline and after implementation. Results: There were significant findings for primary outcomes, including improved helpful first aid intentions (Cohen ds = 0.57 to 0.58), confidence supporting a peer (ds = 0.19 to 0.31); the number of adults rated as helpful (ds = 0.37 to 0.44); and reductions in stigmatizing beliefs (ds = 0.21 to 0.40) and "harmful first aid intentions" (ds = 0.11 to 0.42). Instructors and students rated the program favorably with students sharing improvements on their recognition and responses to mental health problems and crises. Conclusion: tMHFA is an effective, feasible, and scalable training program for increasing mental health literacy and decreasing mental health stigma in adolescents in the short term, consistent with trials of tMHFA in Australian adolescents.

Purpose: This paper establishes the attitude of Australian livestock farmers toward the use of mobile applications (apps) in farmer extension, training and on-farm decision making. It also determines levels of technology adoption of smartphones and agriculture app use, as well as identifies factors that may influence app adoption. Methodology: A quantitative approach was utilised in the analysis of data from four online surveys conducted in 2017 that were completed by a total 542 respondents. Findings: Respondents had high levels of smartphone ownership and general app use but significantly lower agricultural app use. Surveys revealed a strong positive attitude and keenness to use apps. Making more informed decisions, increasing efficiency, and accessing and recording important information were the most important reasons for agricultural app use. Practical Implications: Findings suggest a lack of relevant, useful, and easy to use apps for agriculture, or an issue with their value proposition. Theoretical Implications: The perceived technology adoption gap amongst Australian livestock farmers could not be substantiated. Established fundamental factors influencing technology adoption are relevant for agricultural app adoption, but other factors appear to be less relevant and there are new motivators to consider. Originality/Value: There is little peer-reviewed information on the adoption and use of agricultural apps by Australian farmers and a perception that farmers have lower levels of smartphone and app use. This paper assesses technology adoption levels and considers the farmer perspective in identifying factors influencing adoption.

The widely and internationally replicated socioeconomic status (SES) gradient of executive function (EF) implies that intervention approaches may do well to extrapolate conditions and practices from contexts that generate better child outcomes (in this case, higher SES circumstances) and translate these to contexts with comparatively poorer outcomes (often low-SES populations). Yet, can the reverse also be true? Using data from equivalent assessments of 1,092 pre-schoolers' EFs in South Africa and Australia, we evaluated: the SES gradient of EF within each sample; and whether this SES gradient extended cross-culturally. The oft-found EF-SES gradients were replicated in both samples. However, contrary to the inferences of EF-SES associations found nationally, the most highly disadvantaged South African subsample outperformed middle- and high-SES Australian pre-schoolers on two of three EFs. This suggests the possibility of EF-protective and -promotive practices within low- and middle-income countries that may aid understandings of the nature and promotion of EFs.

To determine which potential contributing factors are associated with upper limb associated reaction (AR) expression in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Forty-two participants underwent three-dimensional motion analysis at self-selected walking speed to generate the AR outcome measure, quantifying their upper limb kinematic deviation compared to healthy controls. Clinical assessment included: upper and lower limb hypertonicity, spasticity and strength, balance, dynamic walking stability, arm and leg function, anxiety, arm pain/discomfort, and fear of falling. Significant, moderate-to-strong correlations (r = 0.42–0.74, p < 0.05) existed between upper limb ARs and both hypertonicity and spasticity of the upper limb muscles and the knee extensors. Significant, moderate correlations to ARs (r = 0.42–0.59, p < 0.05) existed for balance, dynamic stability, upper limb strength, and arm function. The severity of AR was significantly different between those with and without hypertonicity of the four tested upper limb muscles, elbow and long finger flexor spasticity, knee extensor spasticity, and reduced dynamic stability (p < 0.05; effect sizes ≥0.80). However, these contributing factors were not present in all participants. Associated reactions are complex and multi-factorial. There were several significant correlations indicating that factors may influence AR severity. While positive upper motor neuron syndrome features should be prioritised for clinical assessment, these factors are not prerequisites for ARs. Upper limb associated reactions are a complex and multi-factorial phenomenon. Upper limb muscle hypertonicity and spasticity should be prioritised for assessment; however, they are not prerequisites for associated reactions. Hypertonicity and spasticity should be differentiated as they may have differing relationships to associated reactions. Knee extensor hypertonicity and spasticity, postural stability, upper limb strength, and arm function may also be contributing factors to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To estimate trends in the crude probability of death for cancer patients by sex, age and spread of disease over the past 30 years in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Population‐based cohort of 716,501 people aged 15–89 years diagnosed with a first primary cancer during 1985–2014 were followed up to 31 December 2015. Flexible parametric relative survival models were used to estimate the age‐specific crude probability of dying from cancer and other causes by calendar year, sex and spread of disease for all solid tumours combined and cancers of the colorectum, lung, female breast, prostate and melanoma. Results: Estimated 10‐year sex, age and spread‐specific crude probabilities of cancer death generally decreased over time for most cancer types, although the magnitude of the decrease varied. For example, out of 100 fifty‐year old men with localized prostate cancer, 12 would have died from their cancer if diagnosed in 1985 and 3 in 2014. Greater degree of spread was consistently associated with higher probability of dying from cancer, although outcomes for lung cancer were consistently poor. For both males and females, the probability of non‐cancer deaths was higher among older patients, those diagnosed with localized cancers and where cancer survival was higher. Conclusion: Crude probabilities presented here may be useful in helping clinicians and their patients better understand prognoses and make informed decisions about treatment. They also provide novel insights into the relative contributions that early detection and improved treatments have on the observed temporal patterns in cancer survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii , a designated potential agent of bioterrorism because of its route of transmission, resistance to disinfectants, and low infectious dose. The only vaccine licensed for human use is Q-VAX® (Seqirus, licensed in Australia), a formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine, which produces severe local and systemic reactogenic responses in previously sensitized individuals. Accordingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies around the world, have been reluctant to approve Q-VAX for widespread use. To obviate these adverse reactions, we prepared recombinant protein subunit vaccine candidates containing purified CBU1910, CBU0307, CBU0545, CBU0612, CBU0891, and CBU1398 proteins and TLR triagonist adjuvants. TLR triagonist adjuvants combine different TLR agonists to enhance immune responses to vaccine antigens. We tested both the protective efficacy and reactogenicity of our vaccine candidates in Hartley guinea pigs using intratracheal infection with live C. burnetii. While all of our candidates showed varying degrees of protection during challenge, local reactogenic responses were significantly reduced for one of our vaccine candidates when compared with a formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine. Our findings show that subunit vaccines combined with novel TLR triagonist adjuvants can generate protective immunity to C. burnetii infection while reducing reactogenic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This consensus document outlines the recommendations from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Transplantation and Primary Immunodeficiency group for the diagnosis and management of patients with severe combined immunodeficiency. It also provides a proposed framework for the early investigation, management and supportive care prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares high rates of psychosocial disorders found among American Indians, Eskimos, and Australian Aborigines. Relates high rates of disorders such as alcohol abuse, depression, suicide, family instability, delinquency, and accidental death to experiences of traditional cultures with western domination. Reviews major psychosocial explanations of aboriginal alcohol excess. (LFL)

Objective: To assess the use of diet and the use of exercise for prostate cancer (and/or its treatments’ side effects) by long-term survivors and whether such use is associated with selected socio-demographic, clinical, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and psychological factors. Design, setting and participants: Population-based cohort study in New South Wales, Australia of prostate cancer survivors aged <70 years at diagnosis and who returned a 10-year follow-up questionnaire. Methods: Validated instruments assessed patient’s HRQOL and psychological well-being. Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted relative proportions (RRs) of prostate cancer survivor groups who were currently eating differently (‘using diet’) or exercise differently (‘using exercise’) to help with their prostate cancer. Results: 996 (61.0% of 1634) participants completed the 10-year questionnaire of whom 118 (11.8%; 95%CI[9.8–13.9]) were using diet and 78 (7.8%; 95%CI[6.2–9.5]) were using exercise to help with their prostate cancer. Men were more likely to use diet or use exercise for prostate cancer if they were younger (p-trend = 0.020 for diet, p-trend = 0.045 for exercise), more educated (p-trend<0.001, p-trend = 0.011), support group participants (p-nominal<0.001, p-nominal = 0.005), had higher Gleason score at diagnosis (p-trend<0.001, p-trend = 0.002) and had knowledge of cancer spread (p-nominal = 0.002, p-nominal = 0.001). Use of diet was also associated with receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (RR = 1.59; 95%CI[1.04–2.45]), a greater fear of cancer recurrence (p-trend = 0.010), cognitive avoidance (p-trend = 0.025) and greater perceived control of cancer course (p-trend = 0.014). Use of exercise was also associated with receipt of prostatectomy (RR = 2.02; 95%CI[1.12–3.63]), receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (RR = 2.20; 95%CI[1.34–3.61]) and less satisfaction with medical treatments (p-trend = 0.044). Conclusions: Few long-term prostate cancer survivors use diet or exercise to help with their prostate cancer. Survivors may benefit from counselling on the scientific evidence supporting healthy eating and regular exercise for improving quality-of-life and cancer-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal parasites cost the Australian sheep industry AU$436 million annually. Early warning of impending worm risk may reduce this cost by providing producers with sufficient time to implement control strategies. A biophysical model was developed to simulate the on-pasture lifecycle stages of the four predominant nematode species in Australia (Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichostrongylus vitrinus). The influence of climatic variables (temperature and water availability) on the survival, development and migration of each lifecycle stage was incorporated and parameterised to available point estimates (H. contortus: R² = 0.88, n = 1409; T. circumcincta: R² = 0.56, n = 243; T. colubriformis: R² = 0.61, n = 355; T. vitrinus: R² = 0.66, n = 147). Constant fecundities (eggs/worm.day) provided the daily quantity of eggs deposited per sheep (H. contortus = 3275; T. circumcincta = 140; T. colubriformis = 300; T. vitrinus = 300). Farm management practices were considered via the specification of stocking rates (sheep/ha), and the administration of anthelmintic treatments (reducing egg deposition by a defined efficacy and duration for each nematode species). Pasture infectivity per nematode species was calculated as the quotient of larvae on herbage and herbage availability (t/ha). Risk was calculated as the product of pasture infectivity and the potential productive impact of each nematode species (H. contortus = 3.9%; T. circumcincta = 9.22%; T. colubriformis = 9.31%; T. vitrinus = 9.31%), and then summed across nematode species. This predictive model has been incorporated into the Sheep CRC's 'ASKBILL' application (www.askbill.com.au, verified 13 April 2018), which uses 90-day weather forecast data (5-km grid resolution) provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on fostering foreign investment in Australian and U.S. real estate. Topics discussed include current foreign investment real estate laws in the countries; EB-5 immigrant investor visa program of the U.S.; and enactment of Australia's Foreign Acquisitions and Takeover Act of 1975 for the same.

Intellectual property rights protect the fruits of investment in intangible assets, such as inventions and innovations, creative content, designs, brand recognition and reputation, through five broad arms: patents, trade marks, design rights, plant breeder's rights and copyright. All of these rights, with the exception of copyright, are administered by IP Australia. To facilitate analysis of these rights, IP Australia released Intellectual Property Government Open Data (IPGOD) on <>. IPGOD is a weekly updated, publically accessible database that provides access to 100-plus years of non-sensitive administrative data on intellectual property rights held in IP Australia's databases that are linked to Australian Business Numbers and Australian Company Numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined geographic patterns in breast cancer survival over time using population-based data for breast cancer diagnosed between 1987 and 2007 in New South Wales, Australia. We found that five-year relative survival increased during the entire study period. Multivariable analysis indicated that there was little geographic variation in 1992–1996, but in 1997–2001 and 2002–2007 geographic variation was statistically significant (P < 0.01), with women living in rural areas having higher risk of death from breast cancer. The underlying reasons for this widening survival disparity must be identified so that appropriately targeted interventions can be implemented and the disparity reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Breast cancer places a heavy burden on the Australian healthcare system, but information about the actual number of women living with breast cancer and their current or future health service needs is limited. We used existing population-based data and innovative statistical methods to address this critical research question in a well-defined geographic region. Methods Breast cancer data from the New South Wales (NSW) Central Cancer Registry and PIAMOD (Prevalence and Incidence Analysis MODel) software were used to project future breast cancer prevalence in NSW. Parametric models were fitted to incidence and survival data, and the modelled incidence and survival estimates were then used to estimate current and future prevalence. To estimate future healthcare requirements the projected prevalence was then divided into phases of care according to the different stages of the survivorship trajectory. Results The number of women in NSW living with a breast cancer diagnosis had increased from 19,305 in 1990 to 48,754 in 2007. This number is projected to increase further to 68,620 by 2017. The majority of these breast cancer survivors will require continued monitoring (31,974) or will be long-term survivors (29,785). About 9% will require active treatment (either initial therapy, or treatment for subsequent metastases or second cancer) and 1% will need end of life care due to breast cancer. Conclusions Extrapolating these projections to the national Australian population would equate to 209,200 women living with breast cancer in Australia in 2017, many of whom will require active treatment or post-treatment monitoring. Thus, careful planning and development of a healthcare system able to respond to this increased demand is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Armidale in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Australia to determine the effects of simulated rainfall amount (0, 12 and 24mm), rainfall timing (days −1, 0 and 3 relative to plot contamination) and herbage height (4 and 12cm), on translation of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis from egg to established stages in grazing sheep under conditions of high soil moisture (22–23%). The experiment was conducted in summer when temperature was not anticipated to be a limiting factor for development success. Development success was assessed using tracer sheep and expressed as percentage recovery of parasitic stages relative to egg output on pasture (translation%). For both species, translation (0.11% H. contortus; 0.55% T. colubriformis) was observed in the absence of simulated rainfall and was unaffected by treatment effects of rainfall amount and timing, and herbage height. We suggest that soil moisture (>20%) alone was sufficient to support development and translation (from eggs to parasitic stages in the gut of tracer animals) of these species which contrasts with expectations for development success on dry soils. These findings identify the importance of taking soil moisture into account when predicting the likely effects of rainfall and herbage height on development to L3 and ultimately in predictive epidemiological models of ovine gastrointestinal nematodiasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Clear, accurate, and complete reporting of postsurgical pathology is crucial for the correct evaluation and management of thyroid cancer patients. This study aimed to describe the completeness, as defined by international guidelines, of pathology reporting in a cohort of newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patients in New South Wales (NSW) and to identify factors associated with the completeness of reports. Methods: Postsurgical pathology reports, held by the NSW Central Cancer Registry, for 448 thyroid cancer patients were reviewed. Presence or absence of recommended key features (tumor histology type, maximum dimension, focality, completeness of excision, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node involvement) was recorded. Associations between the number of key items reported and several patient characteristics were investigated. Results: For 285 (63.6%) patients one or more key pathological features were missing, with 177 (39.5%) missing one only, 88 (19.6%) missing two, and 20 (4.5%) missing three or more. Extrathyroidal extension was the most poorly reported key feature, being present in only 228 (50.9%) reports [95% confidence interval 46.2, 55.6]. Pathology reports were less complete for patients with small tumor size ( p<0.001) or localized spread ( p<0.001). Synoptic reports were significantly more complete than narrative-style reports (98.3% vs. 27.1%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Postsurgical pathology reporting of differentiated thyroid cancer in NSW was found to be far from complete, with 64% of reports missing information on at least one feature that is considered internationally to be a critical factor in the prognosis and treatment of thyroid cancer patients. Synoptic reporting reduces the number of key features missing from pathology reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The increasing cost of production loss caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) highlights the importance of good control programs. However, the endemic nature of anthelmintic resistance also reminds of the need for nonchemical options. Both chemical and nonchemical control options need to be integrated into regional parasite management programs (IPM) with the emphasis on component options determined by factors such as major GIN species, regional climate, property size and enterprise structure. The Integrated Parasite Management of Sheep project was established to develop and demonstrate regional parasite control programs, that integrated chemical and nonchemical options, for the main sheep-producing regions of Australia. The project included research about the ecology of the main endo and ecto-parasites of sheep and a national survey of parasite control practices by sheep producers. IPM approaches developed for two contrasting regions of Australia are discussed. Barriers for the adoption of IPM programs include perceived complexity associated with a multi-component approach, time requirements and difficulty. Facilitating the industry adoption of IPM programs is discussed with relevance to the use of small group extension and involvement of the commercial sector. Perceptions of complexity of IPM may be managed by facilitating adoption of components in a step-wise process such that learning outcomes accumulate over time. Extension efforts must address the needs of industry sectors other than sheep producers and explore user pay approaches. The success of these approaches will depend on the relation of the extra profit to producers, through adoption of IPM programs, with remuneration sufficient to attract a commercial service. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plume heights from wildfires are used in climate modeling to predict and understand trends in aerosol transport. This paper examines whether smoke from grassland fires in the desert regions of western and central Australia ever rises above the atmospheric boundary layer. Three methods for deriving plume heights from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument were utilized: 1) the MISR standard stereo-height algorithm; 2) the MISR enhanced stereo product; and 3) the MISR INteractive eXplorer (MINX) v.1 tool. To provide context and to search for correlative factors, stereo heights were combined with fire radiant energy flux from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument, atmospheric structure information from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis project model, surface cover from the Australia National Vegetation Information System, and forward and backward trajectories from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model. Although most smoke plumes concentrate in the near-surface boundary layer as expected, some appear to rise higher. Smoke that gets above the boundary layer will travel farther, remain the atmosphere longer, and therefore have a larger environmental impact. It was previously thought unlikely for grassland fires inject smoke above the boundary layer. Our findings suggest that climate modelers should reevaluate common assumptions about the heights of smoke plumes when producing aerosol transport models involving grassland fires. A closer examination of grassland fire energetics may also be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing the cause of past extinctions is critical if we are to understand better what might trigger future occurrences and how to prevent them. The mechanisms of continental late Pleistocene megafaunal extinction, however, are still fiercely contested. Potential factors contributing to their demise include climatic change, human impact, or some combination. On the Australian mainland, 90% of the megafauna became extinct by ≈46 thousand years (ka) ago, soon after the first archaeological evidence for human colonization of the continent. Yet, on the neighboring island of Tasmania (which was connected to the mainland when sea levels were lower), megafaunal extinction appears to have taken place before the initial human arrival between 43 and 40 ka, which would seem to exonerate people as a contributing factor in the extirpation of the island megafauna. Age estimates for the last megafauna, however, are poorly constrained. Here, we show, by direct dating of fossil remains and their associated sediments, that some Tasmanian megafauna survived until at least 41 ka (i.e., after their extinction on the Australian mainland) and thus overlapped with humans. Furthermore, a vegetation record for Tasmania spanning the last 130 ka shows that no significant regional climatic or environmental change occurred between 43 and 37 ka, when a land bridge existed between Tasmania and the mainland. Our results are consistent with a model of human-induced extinction for the Tasmanian megafauna, most probably driven by hunting, and they reaffirm the value of islands adjacent to continental landmasses as tests of competing hypotheses for late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New early- and late-maturing navel orange varieties have expanded the navel orange season for California's domestic and export fresh-fruit market. For 5 years, we evaluated the fruit-quality characteristics of purported late-season varieties imported from Australia to determine whether they have any advantages over Lane Late, the first late-season navel orange imported from Australia and grown in California. Of the six varieties evaluated, Autumn Gold, Barnfield, Chislet, Powell and Lane Late had late-maturing characteristics, but none of these varieties stood out as having the lates maturing fruit for all traits associated with maturity at all nine locations studied. For certain locations, sample dates and years, there were significant differences among the varieties for quality traits associated with maturity, such as solids-to-acid ratio, percentage acidity and puncture resistance, but these differences varied depending upon location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the trapping efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans against Haemonchus contortus at the temperature ranges experienced around lambing in the major sheep producing regions of Australia. Faeces were collected from Merino wethers, maintained in an animal house and which had received either D. flagrans chlamydospores for a 6-day period (DF) or not (NIL). Faeces were incubated at one of four daily temperature regimens which were composed of hourly steps to provide 6–19°C, 9–25°C, 14–34°C and 14–39°C to mimic normal diurnal air temperature variation. Enumeration of the number of preinfective and infective larvae that had migrated from or remained in faecal pellets was used to calculate percentage recovery and trapping efficacy of D. flagrans. Recovery of H. contortus larvae of both stages was significantly lower in DF faeces but the magnitude of the effect was considerably greater for infective larvae. Mean recovery of infective larvae from NIL and DF faeces was 10.6 and 0.4%, respectively, indicating a mean trapping efficacy of 96.4%. The lowest trapping efficacy (80.7%) was observed at 6–19°C but total recovery of infective larvae, from DF faeces, was greatest at the two highest temperature regimens, although still less than 0.9%. The results of this study indicate that typical Australian lambing temperatures should not be a barrier to the use of D. flagrans as an effective biocontrol of H. contortus in Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This talk was delivered in Sydney, Australia, at the 25th International Montessori Congress, July, 2005. Its pronounced emphasis on community as teaching tool became a consistent theme in the Third Adolescent Colloquium, implying that the Little Community is a primary medium for adolescent development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the difficulties encountered by the Samoan and Tongan youth who migrated to Brisbane, Australia. Factors in adjustment problems; Maladjustment scales measure; Comparison of the social and family background of problem youths and no-problem youth.

The article offers information regarding the tribute given by the North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) for the approval of Australia's Montessori National Curriculum. It mentions that NAMTA congratulates Australia for the completion of the said curriculum which aims for the achievement of the Educational Goals for Young Australians. It cites that NAMTA has contributed to the said curriculum by providing further enhancements in the adolescent section.

Focuses on genome research in Australia. Plans to construct a central facility that will carry out genome analysis on a contract basis; Amount of money approved to set up the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) in two centers; Services which will be offered at AGRF.

Background: Australia has one of the highest rates of cancer incidence worldwide and, despite improving survival, cancer continues to be a major public health problem. Our aim was to provide simple summary measures of changes in cancer mortality and incidence in Australia so that progress and areas for improvement in cancer control can be identified. Methods: We used national data on cancer deaths and newly registered cancer cases and compared expected and observed numbers of deaths and cases diagnosed in 2007. The expected numbers were obtained by applying 1987 age-sex specific rates (average of 1986-1988) directly to the 2007 population. The observed numbers of deaths and incident cases were calculated for 2007 (average of 2006-2008). We limited the analyses to people aged less than 75 years. Results: There was a 28% fall in cancer mortality (7827 fewer deaths in 2007 vs. 1987) and a 21% increase in new cancer diagnoses (13,012 more diagnosed cases in 2007). The greatest reductions in deaths were for cancers of the lung in males ( -2259), bowel ( -1797), breast ( -773) and stomach ( -577). Other notable falls were for cancers of the prostate ( -295), cervix ( -242) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma ( -240). Only small or no changes occurred in mortality for cancers of the lung (female only), pancreas, brain and related, oesophagus and thyroid, with an increase in liver cancer (267). Cancer types that showed the greatest increase in incident cases were cancers of the prostate (10,245), breast (2736), other cancers (1353), melanoma (1138) and thyroid (1107), while falls were seen for cancers of the lung ( -1705), bladder ( -1110) and unknown primary ( -904). Conclusions: The reduction in mortality indicates that prevention strategies, improvements in cancer treatment, and screening programmes have made significant contributions to cancer control in Australia since 1987. The rise in incidence is partly due to diagnoses being brought forward by technological improvements and increased coverage of screening and early diagnostic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A replicated field experiment using nine 2ha paddocks was designed to compare the efficacy of 3 management strategies to prepare spring lambing paddocks of low gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) infectivity. The management treatments were designed to provide the same overall stocking rate over the lambing paddock preparation period (Phase 1, 16 January–9 June, 2006). The first treatment involved two 21-day periods of intensive grazing with drenched wethers in Jan–Feb, and in late March (Smartgraze summer rainfall, SGSR). The second treatment was industry standard practice of continuous grazing of adult sheep over the entire preparation period (continuous sheep, CS) and the third treatment was industry best practice of continuous grazing of adult cattle (continuous cattle, CC). Phase 2 of the experiment (14 August–12 December, 2006) tested the efficacy of the paddock preparation treatments. Single-bearing ewes (n =10 per paddock) were introduced on 14 August following an effective short acting anthelmintic treatment. Lambing commenced 2 weeks later on the 25th of August with lamb marking at 7 weeks and weaning at 15 weeks when the experiment was terminated. Tracer sheep (n =2) were run in each of the paddocks for 2 weeks at the start of Phase 1, and at the start and conclusion of Phase 2 to assess pasture GIN contamination. Total worm counts in tracers were reduced by 97.7% (SGSR), 96.9% (CC) and 88.5% (CS) between the start of the experiment and the introduction of lambing ewes. Between the start of the experiment and weaning, total reductions were 87.9% (SGSR), 85.6% (CC) and 26% (CS). Worm egg counts of ewes and lambs grazing SGSR or CC paddocks were significantly lower than those grazing CS paddocks. As a consequence ewes grazing CS paddocks required anthelmintic treatment at both marking and weaning and their lambs at weaning, whereas no anthelmintic treatments were required for ewes or lambs on SGSR paddocks. Ewes and lambs grazing paddocks prepared with SGSR and CC were significantly heavier at weaning than those grazing paddocks prepared with CS, despite requiring fewer anthelmintic treatments. This experiment demonstrates that an understanding of regional GIN epidemiology can be employed to prepare pastures of very low infectivity in sheep only systems (SGSR) providing parasitological and production benefits equivalent to those obtained by grazing non-host species, in this case mature cattle (CC). Implications of these strategies for the development of anthelmintic resistance are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Australian humpback dolphin, Sousa sahulensis, has recently been described to occur in northern Australian coastal waters. However, its distribution in adjacent waters of the Pacific Islands and New Guinea remains largely unknown. Although there have been few studies conducted on inshore dolphins in these regions, the available information records humpback dolphins primarily from the Kikori Delta in Papua New Guinea, and Bird's Head Seascape in West Papua. Research in southern Papua New Guinea indicates that humpback dolphins are indeed S. sahulensis, based on cranial and external morphometrics, external colouration and the preliminary genetic analysis presented here. A similar situation exists for the Australian snubfin dolphin, Orcaella heinsohni, where it is assumed that the species also occurs along the Sahul Shelf coastal waters of northern Australia and New Guinea. There are anecdotal reports of direct catch of Australian humpback dolphins for use as shark bait, coastal development is increasing, and anthropogenic impacts will continue to escalate as human populations expand into previously uninhabited regions. Future research and management priorities for the Governments of the Pacific Islands and Indonesia will need to focus on inshore dolphins in known regional hotspots, as current bycatch levels appear unsustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fallow deer are a definitive host and reservoir for liver fluke in the livestock grazing environment. • Gross pathology of the liver shows inherent resistance to infestation and deer can resolve infections. • Fibrotic lesions in the liver limit fluke migration and parenchyma damage. A survey conducted on fallow deer (n = 79) in northern New South Wales Australia, aimed to ascertain the prevalence and gross pathology of liver fluke. In total, three deer populations were assessed (1 farmed and 2 wild) across 2 sites (site A and B) by conducting total fluke counts in the liver and fluke egg counts in faecal samples. At site A, 16 of 19 farmed deer (84.2 %) and 9 of 20 wild deer (45 %) had active or resolved infections. At site B, 16 of 40 wild deer (40 %) had active or resolved infections. Deer with active infections had low fluke burdens (1–11 fluke) which were in the adult development stage, shedding eggs with faeces (0–121.7 eggs per gram). Liver pathology score did not exceed 3.5 out of 5 with gross pathomorphological lesions predominately confined to the peripheral regions of the left lobe. Farmed deer, confined within a fluky habitat, attained the highest group mean pathology score, with dense fibrosis and concomitant atrophy of the left lobe (site A: farmed – 1.8, wild- 0.6; site B: wild – 0.3). Well-defined fibrotic capsules captured and restricted fluke migration beyond the peripheral region of the left lobe of the liver. The presence of live and dead fluke within the fibrotic capsules confirms the inherent ability of fallow deer to resolve infections. This survey has highlighted the susceptibility of fallow deer to liver fluke within an endemic region. Recurrent exposure, as seen in the farmed deer confined within a fluky habitat, appears to strengthen tissue response in terms of gross pathology and may impede the release of fluke eggs from the liver. Low fluke burdens and limited lesions suggest fallow deer have a strong level of resistance to liver fluke. Nevertheless, within this endemic region, fallow deer are widespread and clearly facilitating the liver fluke life cycle. Further research is warranted to ascertain the impact of fallow deer on disease transmission in livestock production when cohabiting the grazing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Diarrhoea is common in most sheep producing regions globally. • Gastrointestinal nematodes are a long- recognized cause of diarrhoea in sheep. • Worm-related diarrhoea without large adult worm burdens is an emerging issue. • Hypersensitivity responses to worm larvae can be associated with diarrhoea. • Protozoal infections (Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, Giardia) can also cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is a common, widespread and frustrating reality for sheep enterprises in most sheep producing regions globally and of particular concern in Australia as the major risk factor for breech flystrike. Parasitic disease has long been recognised as an important factor in diarrhoea in sheep, particularly the gastrointestinal nematodes (Trichostrongylus and Teladorsagia species). This review focuses on the role of parasitic infections in causing diarrhoea in sheep, with emphasis on the epidemiology of diarrhoea outbreaks related to worms and opportunities to manage the risk of diarrhoea outbreaks in sheep related to parasitic infections. Parasitic nematodes damage the gastrointestinal tract via a complex relationship between direct impacts from worms, such as physical changes to the gut mucosa, and indirect effects largely associated with the host response. Diarrhoea associated with large worm burdens is most efficiently managed through integrated parasite management programs. Despite some limitations, measuring faecal worm egg counts remains a mainstay for assessing the contribution of worms to outbreaks of diarrhoea in sheep. Larval hypersensitivity scouring is emerging as a significant cause of worm-related diarrhoea in sheep without large adult worm burdens in some geographic locations. The syndrome describes a heightened inflammatory response to the ingestion of trichostrongylid infective larvae seen in the gut of sheep with diarrhoea, and is most effectively addressed through selecting sheep for low breech soiling ('dag scores'), as worm resistant sheep may show an increased propensity for diarrhoea, even with low rates of larval challenge. Importantly, dag should be considered as a separate trait to WEC in breeding indexes. Outbreaks of diarrhoea in young sheep are often multifactorial, and co-infections with nematodes and other infectious agents associated with diarrhoea are common. This presents challenges for the field investigation of diarrhoea in grazing sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]