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The recent catastrophic failures of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) have generated an enormous interest amongst the stakeholders for safe management of tailings. Two state parameters, namely moisture content and density of the deposited tailings, are the key to assess their degree of densification in the TSF. To that end, electromagnetic (EM) methods are strong candidates for health monitoring of TSFs as they provide a means to determine moisture content and density of porous media in a minimally invasive manner. In this paper, we have shown the applicability of two EM methods, i.e. time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and high-frequency electromagnetic (HF-EM) measurements for estimation of the degree of wetness and density of an iron oxide copper gold deposits (IOCG) tailings sample sourced from an operational mine in Australia. Through TDR measurements, we have demonstrated estimation of gravimetric moisture content, volumetric moisture content, degree of saturation, dry density and electrical conductivity of several reconstituted samples prepared at known moisture content and density. Furthermore, we have also discussed on utilisation of HF-EM method for continuous time-lapse monitoring of gravimetric moisture content of an initially saturated sample undergoing progressive dewatering. It is expected that these two methods will be applicable for measuring moisture content and density of the stored IOCG tailings material in the TSF. These will also be useful in continuously tracking moisture content of the samples providing an indication of extent of progress of dewatering of tailings. It should be noted that the study provides a proof of concept of the methodology, and a broad range of tailings need to be tested to generalise the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Indigenous Australians have a high prevalence of chronic lung diseases. However, no previous studies have reported on cystic lung disease in an Indigenous patient cohort. Methods: This report describes 20 adult Indigenous patients noted to have incidental lung cysts on chest computed tomography (CT) while being referred to undergo lung function tests in the Northern Territory of Australia. Results: Of the total 20 Indigenous patients demonstrating presence of pulmonary cysts on chest CT scan, 13/20 (65%) were males with a mean age of 49.9 years (range 24–74 years), with no significant difference in age between males and females. The majority reported a smoking history and spirometry demonstrated moderate reduction in lung function parameters. While there was no pattern in the size or location of cysts, most demonstrated multiple cysts (55% had ≥5 cysts) with bilateral involvement (65%), alongside a range of concurrent pulmonary radiological abnormalities. The aetiology for lung cysts was largely unknown. Conclusion: This is the first report to illustrate cystic lung disease within an Indigenous population. Further radiology studies are required to investigate the causes and prognostications of cystic lung disease in Indigenous patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No randomized controlled trial has evaluated the effect of long-term alcohol interventions on mortality. Results reported in existing observational studies may be subject to selection bias and time-varying confounding. Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1946–1951 birth cohort, collected regularly from 1996–2016, we estimated all-cause and cancer mortality had women been assigned various alcohol interventions (in categories ranging from 0 to >30 g/day ethanol, or reduced to ≤20 g/day if higher) at baseline, and had they maintained these levels of consumption. The cumulative risks for all-cause and cancer mortality were 5.6% (10,118 women followed for 20 years) and 2.9% (18 years), respectively. For all-cause and cancer mortality, baseline ethanol up to 30 g/day showed lower risk and >30 g/day showed higher risk relative to abstention. Had women sustainedly followed the interventions, a similar relationship was observed for all-cause mortality. However, the negative association observed for intakes ≤30 g/day and positive association for intakes >30 g/day was not evident for cancer mortality. Our findings suggest that all-cause mortality could have been lower than observed if this cohort of women had consumed some alcohol (no more than 30 g/day) rather than no consumption, but cancer mortality might not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child behavior problems is well established. However, questions remain about whether the timing during the child's early life course matters. We used a structured life course approach to investigate associations between the timing of IPV and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Participants were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), a national, randomly sampled community-based study that has surveyed women every 3 years since 1996. For this study, mothers born 1973 to 1978 (N = 2,163) provided data on their three youngest children under 13 years (N = 3,697, 48.5% female) as part of the Mothers and their Children's Health (MatCH) study in 2016/2017. Mothers indicated IPV in ALSWH using the Community Composite Abuse Scale in early (M = 0.99 years, SD = 0.88 years) and middle childhood (M = 3.98 years, SD = 0.92 years), and before birth (preconception). Mothers rated child internalizing and externalizing behavior in MatCH (child age: M = 8.15 years, SD = 2.37 years) using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We tested critical period, sensitive period, and accumulation hypotheses by comparing the fit of nested linear regression models (separately for girls and boys). Mothers were predominantly Caucasian (>90%) and university educated (65.5%), and 41.7% reported financial stress. Most children were not exposed to IPV (68.1%). Of those who were, 55.2% were exposed at one time, 28.7% at two times, and 16.1% at all three. Accumulation was the best model for externalizing in boys and girls and for internalizing in girls. A critical period in middle childhood was identified for internalizing in boys. Overall, the duration of exposure was more important than the timing. This suggests early detection is essential in mitigating the impact of IPV on children, with particular attention needed for boys exposed to IPV in middle childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An instrument was developed to assess needs of students with disabilities in regular classes and was used as the basis for providing funding support for 12,375 students. The three domains of the instrument, physical needs, learning needs, and social needs, had good construct and face validities and high score reliabilities. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/CR)

Background: Symptoms can be strong drivers for initiating interaction with the health system, especially when they are frequent, severe or impact on daily activities. Research on symptoms often use counts of symptoms as a proxy for symptom burden, however simple counts don't provide information on whether groups of symptoms are likely to occur together or whether such groups are associated with different types and levels of healthcare use. Women have a higher symptom burden than men; however studies of symptom patterns in young women are lacking. We aimed to characterise subgroups of women in early adulthood who experienced different symptom patterns and to compare women's use of different types of health care across the different symptom subgroups. Methods: Survey and linked administrative data from 7 797 women aged 22–27 years in 2017 from the 1989–95 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were analysed. A latent class analysis was conducted to identify subgroups of women based on the frequency of 16 symptom variables. To estimate the associations between the latent classes and health service use, we used the "Bolck, Croon and Hagenaars" (BCH) approach that takes account of classification error in the assignment of women to latent classes. Results: Four latent classes were identified, characterised by 1) low prevalence of most symptoms (36.6%), 2) high prevalence of menstrual symptoms but low prevalence of mood symptoms (21.9%), 3) high prevalence of mood symptoms but low prevalence of menstrual symptoms, (26.2%), and high prevalence of many symptoms (15.3%). Compared to the other three classes, women in the high prevalence of many symptoms class were more likely to visit general practitioners and specialists, use more medications, and more likely to have had a hospital admission. Conclusions: Women in young adulthood experience substantially different symptom burdens. A sizeable proportion of women experience many co-occurring symptoms across both physical and psychological domains and this high symptom burden is associated with a high level of health service use. Further follow-up of the women in our study as they enter their late 20 s and early 30 s will allow us to examine the stability of the classes of symptoms and their associations with general health and health service use. Similar studies in other populations are needed to assess the generalisability of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Growing evidence suggests that specific food groups may play an important role in improving mental health. However, very few studies explored the association between individual dietary factors and depression symptoms by following a large cohort of individuals over a long period. We examined the differential effects of fruit and vegetables in relation to depression symptoms over a 15-year follow-up period in the 1973–78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Methods: Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using short questions. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression-10 scale with a cut off ≥ 10 indicated depressive symptoms. Multiple imputations with generalised estimating equations models were performed to estimate odds ratio of depression symptoms according to fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: A total of 4241 participants with a mean age of 27.6 (SD 1.45) years at baseline were followed up at five surveys (2003–2018). Fruit and vegetable intake (≥ 2 servings) was cross-sectionally associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms. In longitudinal analysis, a higher intake of fruit (≥ 4 servings) and vegetable (≥ 5 servings) was consistently associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms, with a 25% lower odds (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.57, 0.97; p = 0.031) and a 19% lower odds (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.70, 0.94; p = 0.007) than consuming one serve or less fruit and vegetable, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that a higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of depression symptoms over 15 years from a population-based prospective study of Australian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Short and long intervals between successive births are associated with adverse birth outcomes, especially in low‐income and middle‐income countries, yet the birth intervals in high‐income countries remain relatively understudied. The aim was to examine maternal factors associated with birth intervals in Australia. Methods: The sample comprised 6130 participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health who were born in 1973‐1978, had two or more births, and responded to regular surveys between 1996 and 2018. Interbirth interval (IBI) was defined as the time between successive live births. Maternal factors were examined using accelerated failure time models. Results: For women with only two births (n = 3802), the median time to the second birth was 34.0 months (IQR 23.1, 46.2) with shorter IBI associated with higher socioeconomic status (eg, university education (31.9 months), less income stress (31.1)), and longer IBI associated with age over 35 (39.7), fair/poor health (43.0), untreated fertility problems (45.5), miscarriage (39.4), or abortion (41.0). For women with three or more births (n = 2328), the median times to the second and third births were 31.2 months (19.9, 42.1) and 36.5 months (25.3, 50.1), respectively; some factors were consistent between the first IBI and second IBI (eg, university education and being married were associated with shorter IBI), whereas income stress was associated with longer first IBI but not with second IBI. Conclusions: Understanding maternal factors associated with birth intervals in a high‐income country like Australia may enable more nuanced tailoring of guidelines for prepregnancy care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, regulators and investors have shown an increasing interest in the promotion of diversity in the corporate boards of directors. In this paper, we employ data from the Australian bank boards to provide new insights on the diversity-risk nexus, based on a dataset of the Australian banks for the period of 2004 to 2019. We examine board gender diversity from two perspectives across the board and among board leaders. Our results support the context-dependent impact of gender diversity on the board of directors and highlight the beneficial impact on the risk of banks when considering gender diversity and the presence of a dominant gender group in the boardroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore whether children of mothers with pre‐pregnancy binge eating (BE) symptoms have more behavioral difficulties compared with those without and whether associations are moderated by ED symptoms and other maternal health and social factors measured during childhood. Method: Pre‐pregnancy BE symptoms were collected by the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health at Survey 1 (in 1996) and/or at Survey 2 (in 2000) using questions mapped to DSM BE criterion 1. In 2016/7, 2180 women from the 1973–78 cohort provided data on externalizing and internalizing behavior, measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, on 4054 of their children (2–12 years) in the Mothers and their Children's Health study. Covariates were markers of other ED symptoms, sociodemographic, social support, and mental health factors collected proximally to the child outcomes. Hierarchical multivariable regression models, using generalized estimating equations accounting for clustering of children within mothers, were used. Results: Pre‐pregnancy BE symptoms were associated with child behavior, with associations only moderated after adjustment for proximal markers of ED (girls internalizing behavior, b (95%CI).30 (−.02,.61); boys externalizing behavior.34 (−.04,.73)) or social support (girls externalizing behavior 0.26 (−.08,.61)). Pre‐pregnancy BE symptoms were not associated with boys internalizing behavior (−.27 (−.02, 0.57)). Discussion: Studies with repeated ED measures should test hypotheses that these associations vary by timing of ED measurement. Identification of young women at risk of BE symptoms pre‐pregnancy, as well as when children are older, may enable health services, treatment programs, and supports to minimize longer term effects on children. Public significance statement: A history of binge eating symptoms up to 10 years pre‐pregnancy in mothers is associated with behavior problems in their girls and boys at average age of 7. However, the association is moderated by behaviors of eating disorders and social support in the mothers during childhood. Identification of ED symptoms prior to pregnancy, and then after childbirth, might enable health services to intervene to maximize child and mother outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantify the mediating role of childhood diets in the relationship between maternal diets prior to pregnancy and childhood behavioural disorders. Design: The Healthy Eating Index score was constructed using a semi-quantitative and validated 101-item FFQ. We assessed childhood behavioural disorders using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Three dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis to explore childhood dietary patterns (high fats and sugar; prudent diets; and diary). A causal inference framework for mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating role of childhood diets in the association between pre-pregnancy diets and the risk of offspring behavioural problems. Setting: This is a national representative population-based survey which covers all Australian citizens and permanent residents in Australia. Participants: We included 1448 mother–child pairs from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health and its sub-study mothers and their children's health. Results: We found a 20 % of the total effect of the poor adherence to pre-pregnancy diet quality on the risk of offspring behavioural problems was mediated through childhood high consumptions of fats and sugar. No clear mediating effect through prudent and diary childhood diets was observed. Conclusion: This study suggests that childhood high fats and sugar consumption may contribute to the total effects of the pre-pregnancy diets on the risk of childhood behavioural problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine dietary patterns changes from preconception to during pregnancy and their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.Design: This study used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), a population-based prospective cohort study. Women's dietary patterns were assessed using Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score and the four patterns were obtained from the factor analysis (Western diets, vegetable and grains, traditional vegetable and fruit patterns). Multi-variable linear regression and repeated measures mixed-effect models were used.Setting: A national representative survey which covers all Australian citizens and permanent residents in Australia.Participants: 621 women were included from the ALSWH.Results: Women's scores increased on the 'HEI-2015', 'traditional vegetable' and 'fruit' patterns while the 'vegetable and grains' decreased from preconception to during pregnancy. Women with higher education were more likely to increase their HEI-2015 score and fruit consumption from preconception to during pregnancy, respectively (β = 2·31, (95 % CI 0·02, 4·60)) and (β = 23·78, (95 % CI 4·58, 42·97)), than those with lower educational status. Single women were more likely to increase the consumption of vegetables and grains compared to married women (β = 76·08, (95 % CI 20·83, 131·32)). Women with higher income had a greater increase in the HEI-2015 score than those with lower income (β = 3·02, (95 % CI 0·21, 5·83)).Conclusion: The findings indicate that there have been marked dietary changes from preconception to during pregnancy. Changes in healthy dietary patterns were influenced by education, marital status and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What is the association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and cause-specific mortality?Summary Answer: Self-reported MHT use following early natural menopause, surgical menopause or premenopausal hysterectomy is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality and is not consistently associated with the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease or other causes.What Is Known Already: Evidence from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trials showed that the use of estrogen alone is not associated with the risk of cardiovascular mortality and is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality, but evidence from the Million Women Study showed that use of estrogen alone is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality.Study Design, Size, Duration: Cohort study (the UK Biobank), 178 379 women, recruited in 2006-2010.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Postmenopausal women who had reported age at menopause (natural or surgical) or hysterectomy, and information on MHT and cause-specific mortality. Age at natural menopause, age at surgical menopause, age at hysterectomy and MHT were exposures of interest. Natural menopause was defined as spontaneous cessation of menstruation for 12 months with no previous hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Surgical menopause was defined as the removal of both ovaries prior to natural menopause. Hysterectomy was defined as removal of the uterus before natural menopause without bilateral oophorectomy. The study outcome was cause-specific mortality.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Among the 178 379 women included, 136 790 had natural menopause, 17 569 had surgical menopause and 24 020 had hysterectomy alone. Compared with women with natural menopause at the age of 50-52 years, women with natural menopause before 40 years (hazard ratio (HR): 2.38, 95% CI: 1.64, 3.45) or hysterectomy before 40 years (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.07) had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality but not cancer mortality. MHT use was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality following surgical menopause before 45 years (HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.36), at 45-49 years (HR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.35) or at ≥50 years (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.63), and the association between MHT use and the risk of breast cancer mortality did not differ by MHT use duration (<6 or 6-20 years). MHT use was also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality following natural menopause before 45 years (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.95) or hysterectomy before 45 years (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.74).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Self-reported data on age at natural menopause, age at surgical menopause, age at hysterectomy and MHT.Wider Implications Of the Findings: The current international guidelines recommend women with early menopause to use MHT until the average age at menopause. Our findings support this recommendation.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This project is funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (grant numbers APP1027196 and APP1153420). G.D.M. is supported by NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship (APP1121844), and M.H. is supported by an NHMRC Investigator Grant (APP1193838). There are no competing interests.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperation in areas of science & technology is a crucial element in the India-Australia strategic partnership. Both countries have promoted research & innovation in the areas of biotechnology through research grants, exchange of scholars, visits of Indian scholars to Australian institutions, etc. Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund for Collaborative Research Projects was established under the Indo-Australia innovations partnership. Research relating to Biotechnology in the fields of agriculture, food security, biomedical devices and implants, and marine sciences has been of prime focus in the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). Research promotion in biological systems is one of the crucial areas in recent initiatives taken by both countries in advancing critical and emerging technologies. Today Indian agriculture & allied sectors face numerous challenges from climate change, drought, declining water levels, and substantial losses to crop pests, including insects, rodents, nematodes, fungal pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc. Abiotic stresses like drought, extreme temperatures, salinity, and mineral toxicity negatively impact the growth of crops. New challenges, therefore, require energizing science diplomacy for greater collaboration with nations, which have developed scientific cultures and advanced systems of facilitating and nurturing innovations in the field of biotechnology and agriculture sciences. In the broader policy framework of science diplomacy, science & technology cooperation, including new technology for the agriculture sector, has been a crucial element of Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy. In addition to bilateral initiatives, the scope for India-Australia science & technology cooperation through multilateral formats such as G20 and Quad should be explored. In this context, the article analyses the India-Australia cooperation in biotechnology and how it can be further expanded in addressing new areas. The paper also analyses India-Australia cooperation and offers an overview of Indo-Australian Career Boosting Gold Fellowships from the Department of Biotechnology and first-hand research experience of La Trobe University, Melbourne, under the programme. IACBGF has been instrumental in widening the exposure and capacity building of independent young researchers working in the domain of biotechnology in Indian academic institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed health care access is a potential collateral effect of pandemic conditions, health rationing strategies and social distancing responses. We investigated experiences of delayed health care access in Australian women during COVID‐19. A mixed methods study used quantitative and free‐text data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health COVID‐19 survey 4 (health care access or delay). Logistic regression models were used to estimate factors associated with delaying access to general practitioners (GPs), specialists and allied health services. Free‐text comments were analysed thematically, employing a process of constant comparison. COVID‐19 survey 4 was completed by 8,200 women and 2,727 provided free‐text comments. Of the women who needed the health service, 25% (1,268/5,071) delayed seeing their GP, 23.6% (570/1,695) delayed seeing a specialist and 45% (791/1,757) delayed use of an allied health service. Younger age was most significantly associated with delaying attendance. Women born 1989–95 were significantly more likely to delay compared to women born 1946–51 (OR (95% CI): GP = 0.28 (0.22, 0.35)); Specialist = 0.65 (0.45, 0.92; Allied Health = 0.59 (0.42, 0.82)). Women born 1973–78 were also likely to delay GP visits (0.69, (0.58, 0.83)). Four qualitative themes emerged including: (1) Challenges negotiating care during a pandemic; (2) Ongoing uncertainty towards accessing health care when a specialist delays an appointment; (3) Accessing health care (or not) using Telehealth and (4) Managing complex care needs. COVID‐19 has had a significant effect on access to health care. Women delayed seeking help for cancer screening, mental health, and other health conditions involving chronic and complex needs for health and social care. While there is a need to rationalise and optimise health access during a pandemic, our outcomes suggest a need for public health campaigns that clarify how to access care, engage with telehealth and respond to missed appointments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women with lower body mass index (BMI) have a higher risk of surgically confirmed endometriosis but this finding runs counterintuitive to the oestrogen-dependent theory for the disease. Increasingly, endometriosis is diagnosed via non-surgical methods. We examined BMI at age 18–23 years, and changes in BMI, and the risk of endometriosis according to the diagnostic method. We analysed data from 11 794 young women, born in 1989–95, who completed six surveys as part of an Australian, longitudinal cohort study between 2013 and 2018. Women's survey responses were linked to administrative health records to identify endometriosis. Cox proportional hazards models modelled associations between BMI at age 18–23 years, and changes in BMI, and endometriosis. Analyses were stratified by the diagnostic method of endometriosis: clinically confirmed endometriosis (based on hospital discharge diagnosis) versus clinically suspected endometriosis (women's reports of physician-diagnosed endometriosis). There were 223 cases of clinically confirmed endometriosis and 396 cases of clinically suspected endometriosis. Women who gained weight after age 18–23 had lower risk of clinically confirmed endometriosis than women without endometriosis whose weight remained stable (HR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.47–0.88). Women who were overweight (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.01–1.66) at age 18–23 had higher risk of clinically suspected endometriosis than women of normal weight without endometriosis. The risk of clinically confirmed endometriosis was lower among women who gained weight compared to women with stable weight. The risk of clinically suspected endometriosis was higher among women who were overweight compared to normal weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In contrast to many countries, the prevalence of COVID‐19 in Australia and New Zealand has been low. We hypothesised, however, that a potential secondary effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic would be delayed presentation of paediatric appendicitis, with resultant higher rates of complicated appendicitis. This study was an initiative of the Australian and New Zealand Surgery in Children Registrars' Association for Trials collaborative, a trainee‐led research group based in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A binational multicentre, retrospective review was undertaken of paediatric patients with appendicitis early in the COVID‐19 pandemic (20 March–30 April 2020), compared with previous years (2018, 2019). Primary outcomes were the duration of symptoms prior to presentation and the severity of disease. Results: A total of 400 patients from six centres were included. Duration of symptoms prior to presentation, sepsis at presentation, complicated disease and presence of complications did not differ significantly between time periods. Duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment and overall antibiotic treatment were both significantly shorter during 2020 (2.4 days versus 3.5 in 2018 and 3.0 in 2019 [P = 0.0038] and 3.7 days versus 5.2 in 2018 and 4.6 in 2019 [P = 0.04], respectively). Management approach did not differ, with the majority of patients managed operatively. Conclusions: We did not demonstrate any difference in duration of symptoms prior to presentation or other markers of disease severity early in the pandemic. Duration of antibiotic treatment was shorter during this period compared with previous years. Management of children with appendicitis, both simple and complicated, did not appear to change as a result of COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequently notified sexually transmitted infection in Australia. Untreated infections in women can cause health problems. Professional guidelines encourage opportunistic testing of young people. To increase understanding of who is being tested, we investigated factors associated with testing in a population of young women.Methods: In total, 14002 sexually active women, aged 18-23 years at baseline (2013), from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, were included. We used random intercepts, mixed-effects binary logistic regression with robust standard errors to assess associations between socioeconomic, health and behavioural factors and chlamydia testing.Results: Associations between chlamydia testing and partner status varied by a woman's body mass index (BMI). Compared to women with a stable partner/BMI <25kg/m2 , women with a stable partner/BMI ≥25kg/m2 were less likely to be tested (adjusted odds ratios [AOR]=0.79, 95% CI: 0.71-0.88). In contrast, although women without a partner were more likely to be tested irrespective of BMI, the odds were higher for those with a BMI <25kg/m2 (AOR=2.68, 95% CI: 2.44-2.94) than a BMI ≥25kg/m2 (AOR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.48-1.84). Women who reported a prior chlamydia infection were also more likely to be tested (AOR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.83-2.20), as were women engaging in any combination of cannabis use and/or heavy episodic drinking compared to doing neither of these activities.Conclusions: Women without a partner, women with a prior chlamydia infection and those engaging in risk-taking behaviours are more likely to have chlamydia testing. Additional research is needed to understand whether there are deficits in testing among overweight/obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies of lifestyle characteristics and risk of miscarriage have mostly been retrospective and failed to account for induced abortions. We examine whether pre-pregnancy body-mass index, alcohol intake and smoking influence the risk of miscarriage after accounting for induced abortions.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 9213 women with 26,594 pregnancies participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. We examined whether body-mass index, smoking and alcohol intake prior to pregnancy was associated with miscarriage. We estimated adjusted relative risks (RR) using generalized estimating equations with an exchangeable correlation matrix. We explored the impact of accounting for induced abortion by first excluding all induced abortions, and secondly including 50% of induced abortions in the comparison group.Results: Of the 26,592 pregnancies which occurred during the follow-up period, 19% ended in a miscarriage. We observed an increased risk of miscarriage according to pre-pregnancy obesity compared to normal weight (adjusted RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05, 1.21), smoking between 10 and 19 cigarettes per day compared to not smoking (adjusted RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02, 1.25), but not smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day (adjusted RR 1.07; 95% CI 0.94, 1.21) and risky drinking (≥2 units per day; adjusted RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03, 1.28) compared to low risk drinking (< 2 units per day). The results for smoking (adjusted RR 1.09 for 10-19 cigarettes per day; 95% CI 0.98, 1.21) was attenuated after including 50% of induced abortions in the comparison group.Conclusions: We observed a modest increased risk of miscarriage according to obesity and risky alcohol intake prior to pregnancy. There was no evidence of a dose-response relationship with smoking, and the association between smoking and risk of miscarriage was attenuated after accounting for induced abortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether there has been an increase in postpartum depression (PPD) over the generation remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the prevalence in two cohorts of young Australian women born 17 years apart and identified the factors associated with any generational differences. Participants were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who gave birth between ages 18 and 27 (born in 1973–78 and 1989–95). PPD prevalence was calculated as the percentage of births associated with PPD. Both the prevalence of PPD diagnoses (among 1,610 births) and PPD symptoms (among 953 births) were compared. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to report generational differences in the prevalence for PPD diagnoses; Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs used for PPD symptoms. Factors that differed between cohorts and were associated with PPD diagnoses or PPD symptoms were adjusted. The prevalence of both PPD diagnoses (21.4% vs 10.3%; crude RR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.59–2.60) and symptoms (20.1% vs 13.3%; crude HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.15–2.34) were higher in the 1989–1995 cohort than the 1973–1978 cohort. Generational differences in PPD diagnoses persisted after controlling for potential contributors (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.15–2.04), while generational differences in PPD symptoms were attenuated (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.64–1.49). Of all contributing factors, a history of depression explained most of the generational differences, especially in PPD symptoms (49%), to the extent that when the study sample was stratified by history of depression, no generational differences were detected (without prior depression, HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.20–2.08; with prior depression, HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.71–1.96). The higher prevalence of PPD in the recent generation was mainly due to the high prevalence of depression. Strategies that well manage pre-existing depression may benefit the prevention of PPD for the current young generation. Further research is warranted to inform detailed prevention approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between plant-based diets (PBD) and overweight/obesity compared to regular meat eaters in older women.Design: Cross-sectional analysis.Setting: 1946-1951 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). PBD were categorised as vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian and regular meat eaters. Outcomes included body weight (BW), BMI and waist circumference (WC).Participants: Women who completed Survey 7 (n 9102) with complete FFQ data.Results: Compared to regular meat eaters, BW, BMI and WC were significantly lower in pesco-vegetarians (-10·2 kg (95 % CI -5·1, -15·2); -3·8 kg/m2 (95 % CI -2·0, -5·6); -8·4 cm (95 % CI -3·9, -12·9)) and BW and BMI lower in lacto-ovo vegetarians (-7·4 kg (95 % CI -1·2, -13·6); -2·9 kg/m2 (95 % CI -0·6, -5·1)). In regular meat eaters, individuals consuming meat daily or multiple times/d had significantly higher BW, BMI and WC compared to those consuming meat >2 times/week but 1 but ≤2 times/week (6·8 kg (95 % CI 1·8, 11·8); 2·1 kg/m2 (95 % CI 0·3, 4·0) and 6·0 cm (95 % CI 1·7, 10·4)). This association was dose-dependent such that for every increase in category of weekly meat intake (i.e. >1 time/week but ≤2 times/week; >2 times/week but less than daily, and daily or multiple times/d), an associated 2·6 kg (95 % CI 1·8, 3·4) increase in BW, 0·9 kg/m2 (95 % CI 0·6, 1·2) increase in BMI and 2·3 cm (95 % CI 1·6, 3·0) increase in WC was reported.Conclusions: BW, BMI and WC are lower in women following PBD and positively associated with increasing meat consumption. Results were robust to adjustment for confounders including physical activity levels, smoking status, habitual alcohol intake, use of supplements, and hormone replacement therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Do the outcomes and use of ART differ between women with and without endometriosis?Summary Answer: ART use and outcome do not appear to differ for women with and without endometriosis, as long as endometriosis is diagnosed prior to commencing ART.What Is Known Already: Approximately 40% of women with endometriosis have infertility and ART is the recommended treatment option for these women. However, diagnosis of endometriosis can be complex and lengthy, and a delay in diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of achieving a live birth.Study Design, Size, Duration: This retrospective national cohort study used longitudinal self-report data (collected 1996-2018) from women born in 1973-1978 who are participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). The study also used linked administrative data on Endometriosis (1970-2018), ART (1996-2020) and births (1996-2018).Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: The outcome measures were: age at first ART cycle; use of ART treatments (IVF only; IUI only/and IVF); number of ART cycles (1-3; 4-10; 11-36); and births after first ART (no; yes) (note that births could not be tied to ART).Main Results and the Role Of Chance: One in three (34.7%, n = 459/1322) women using ART had endometriosis, with 65.6% of these diagnosed before first ART and 34.4% after. Adjusted regression analyses showed women with endometriosis diagnosed before first ART were not significantly different to women without endometriosis on any outcome. However, women with endometriosis diagnosed after first ART were more likely to use IUI (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.14, 95% CI 1.48, 3.09) and do more cycles (11-36 cycles: aOR 4.09, 95% CI 2.41, 6.95), and less likely to report a birth (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45, 0.99), compared to women without endometriosis, despite no significant difference in starting age (coefficient = -0.62, 95% CI -1.36, 0.13).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: We did not have information on the severity of endometriosis, or the reasons for using ART, which can influence treatment and outcomes. We were not able to reliably link births with ART treatment. Finally, it is possible that some of the women in our 'no endometriosis' group did have endometriosis and were unaware of it, although prevalence rates match population estimates.Wider Implications Of the Findings: These findings support previous studies that have found no difference in outcome of ART for women with endometriosis, but add the new insight that this is only true if endometriosis is diagnosed prior to commencing ART. A delayed diagnosis can create disadvantage during ART treatment. Early recourse to IVF may be advantageous for pregnancy prospects for women with endometriosis.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The ALSWH is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. G.D.M. is supported by an NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship (APP11218449). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate skincare practices in the first 2 weeks of life in extremely premature infants across tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: A web‐based secure survey invite was emailed to the medical directors of tertiary NICUs. The survey included questions on various aspects of skincare practices in the first 2 weeks of life in extremely premature infants (born before 28 weeks gestation). The person most familiar with local skincare practices was asked to complete the survey and only one response per unit was requested. We performed a descriptive analysis. Results: We received responses from 30 out of 32 NICUs (response rate 93%). Twenty‐five NICUs (89%) reported offering resuscitation and intensive care to infants born at ≥23 weeks gestation. All NICUs reported occurrences of skin breakdown, including medical adhesive‐related skin injury (30%), abrasion/friction‐associated skin injury (46%), perineal skin breakdown (55%), pressure site injury (47%) and diaper dermatitis (60%). A high level of consensus (≥75%) was observed for certain practices, such as the use of polyethylene occlusive plastic wraps at birth and aqueous chlorhexidine solution for sterile procedures, but a low level of consensus (<25%) was observed for many other practices, including the skin risk assessment tool used. Conclusions: Skin injuries in extremely premature infants are common and skincare practices vary considerably amongst NICUs. Clinical practice improvement projects and further clinical research will help improve consistency amongst NICUs. Further research is needed to assist the development of evidence‐based guidelines and benchmarking for skincare practices in these vulnerable infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study evaluated mediators of fracture risk in postmenopausal women with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), over a 15-year follow-up period. This study provides evidence that the increased fracture risk in women with T1D or T2D is partially explained by falls. Furthermore, a shorter reproductive lifespan in women with T1D contributes modestly to fracture risk in this cohort. Purpose: Skeletal fragility is associated with diabetes mellitus, while limited estrogen exposure during the reproductive years also predisposes to lower bone mass and higher fracture risk. We aimed to determine osteoporosis diagnosis, fall and fracture rates in women with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus, and explore mediators of the diabetes-fracture relationship. Methods: Prospective observational data drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study in Women's Health (ALSWH) from 1996 to 2010. Women were randomly selected from the national health insurance database. Standardized data collection occurred at six survey time points, with main outcome measures being self-reported osteoporosis, incident fracture, falls, and reproductive lifespan. Mediation analyses were performed to elucidate relevant intermediaries in the diabetes-fracture relationship. Results: Exactly 11,313 women were included at baseline (T1D, n = 107; T2D, n = 333; controls, n = 10,873). A total of 885 new cases of osteoporosis and 1099 incident fractures were reported over 15 years. Women with T1D or T2D reported more falls and fall-related injuries; additionally, women with T1D had a shorter reproductive lifespan. While fracture risk was increased in women with diabetes (T1D: OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.53–3.40; T2D: OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.90–3.03), compared with controls, adjustment for falls attenuated the risk of fracture by 10% and 6% in T1D and T2D, respectively. In women with T1D, reproductive lifespan modestly attenuated fracture risk by 4%. Conclusion: Women with T1D and T2D have an increased risk of fracture, which may be partially explained by increased falls, and to a lesser extent by shorter reproductive lifespan, in T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses sea surface salinity (SSS) as an additional precursor for improving the prediction of summer [December–February (DJF)] rainfall over northeastern Australia. From a singular value decomposition between SSS of prior seasons and DJF rainfall, we note that SSS of the Indo-Pacific warm pool region [SSSP (150°E–165°W and 10°S–10°N) and SSSI (50°–95°E and 10°S–10°N)] covaries with Australian rainfall, particularly in the northeast region. Composite analysis that is based on high or low SSS events in the SSSP and SSSI regions is performed to understand the physical links between the SSS and the atmospheric moisture originating from the regions of anomalously high or low, respectively, SSS and precipitation over Australia. The composites show the signature of co-occurring La Niña and negative Indian Ocean dipole with anomalously wet conditions over Australia and conversely show the signature of co-occurring El Niño and positive Indian Ocean dipole with anomalously dry conditions there. During the high SSS events of the SSSP and SSSI regions, the convergence of incoming moisture flux results in anomalously wet conditions over Australia with a positive soil moisture anomaly. Conversely, during the low SSS events of the SSSP and SSSI regions, the divergence of incoming moisture flux results in anomalously dry conditions over Australia with a negative soil moisture anomaly. We show from the random-forest regression analysis that the local soil moisture, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and SSSP are the most important precursors for the northeast Australian rainfall whereas for the Brisbane region ENSO, SSSP, and the Indian Ocean dipole are the most important. The prediction of Australian rainfall using random-forest regression shows an improvement by including SSS from the prior season. This evidence suggests that sustained observations of SSS can improve the monitoring of the Australian regional hydrological cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is debate regarding whether the association between maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) and child outcomes is due to the timing or chronicity of symptoms.Objectives: To investigate whether critical periods, sensitive periods, or accumulation models provided the best explanation for the association between MDS and children's behaviour and development.Methods: Data on mothers (N = 892) were collected from 1996 to 2015 as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a prospective longitudinal epidemiological study. Data on children (N = 978, 2-12 years) were collected in 2016/17 as part of the Mothers and their Children's Health study. Mothers were categorised according to whether they reported MDS (scored ≥ 10 on the CESD-10) before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or in early childhood. Child outcomes were maternal-rated behaviour problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ) and teacher-rated development (Australian Early Development Census; AEDC). We used a structured life course approach to rigorously test critical period, sensitive period, and accumulation (ie chronicity) theories by comparing the fit of a series of models.Results: Most mothers did not report MDS at any time (69.2%), 16.9% reported MDS before pregnancy, 13.2% during pregnancy, and 16.5% in early childhood. High/very high total behaviour problems were reported for 7.0% of children, and developmental vulnerability/risk was reported for 15.9% for social competence and 15.7% for emotional maturity. An accumulation model was the best fit, with each period of MDS associated with an increase of 1.71 points (95% CI 1.26, 2.17) on the SDQ and decreases of 0.31 (95% CI -0.50, -0.12) and 0.29 points (95% CI -0.49, -0.08) on AEDC social competence and emotional maturity, respectively.Conclusions: Chronic MDS were associated with poorer child outcomes than MDS at any single time. Sensitive and critical period models were not supported. This suggests chronicity of symptoms may be more important than timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the prospective association between menstrual symptoms before pregnancy and preterm birth. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from 14 247 young Australian women born between 1973 and 1978 who participated in a longitudinal, population‐based cohort study between 1996 and 2015. Women were first surveyed at 18‐23 years, and seven waves of data were collected at roughly three‐yearly intervals. At each survey, women were asked about "severe period pain," "heavy periods," and "irregular periods" within the last 12 months. From 2009 onward, information on their children was collected, including birth dates and preterm birth (<37 weeks). Logistic regression using generalized estimating equations was used to examine prospective associations between self‐reported menstrual symptoms before pregnancy and risk of preterm birth. Results: Data from 6615 mothers who had 12 337 live singleton births were available for analysis. Among all births, women reporting severe period pain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.34 [95% CI 1.10‐1.62]) or heavy periods (1.25 [1.02‐1.53]) before pregnancy had higher odds of preterm birth. However, in analyses stratified by birth order, only severe period pain (2.05 [1.41‐2.99]), heavy periods (1.77 [1.23‐2.55]), or irregular periods (1.58 [1.10‐2.28]) before a second or subsequent birth were associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Conclusions: Severe period pain, heavy periods, and irregular periods before a second or subsequent birth may be associated with preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Findings from previous studies on associations between prepregnancy dietary patterns and preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) are limited and inconsistent. Objectives To examine the association between prepregnancy dietary patterns and the risk of preterm birth and LBW. Methods This study included 3422 and 3508 singleton live births from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) for the analyses of preterm birth and LBW, respectively. We included women who were nulliparous and nonpregnant at baseline surveys. We used factor analyses and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score to derive maternal dietary patterns. Four dietary patterns were identified with factor analyses: meats and high-fats; prudent diets; sugar, refined grains, and processed foods; and traditional vegetables. Preterm birth and LBW were assessed using maternal reports from ALSWH data between 2003 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Results Greater adherence to the traditional vegetables pattern before pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth after adjustments for lifestyle factors and pregnancy complications, highest compared with lowest tertile (adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.99) and (RR ratio = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39, 1.00), respectively. However, these associations were attenuated by the prepregnancy BMI. No significant associations were observed between prepregnancy dietary patterns and LBW. Conclusion This study suggests that better adherence to the traditional vegetables pattern before pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of preterm birth, particularly spontaneous preterm birth among nulliparous women. This finding warrants further examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Do diet, physical activity and contraceptive use change after receiving a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?Summary Answer: Using longitudinal data 12 months apart, young women newly diagnosed with PCOS were more likely to stop using contraception but did not change their physical activity or vegetable intake.What Is Known Already: Diagnostic criteria for PCOS have widened to capture more women, despite limited evidence of the benefits and harms. Possible benefits of a PCOS diagnosis are that it may help women with family planning and motivate them to implement healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the reproductive, metabolic and cardiovascular risks associated with PCOS. However, there are no empirical studies investigating how women respond to a diagnosis of PCOS with respect to their health behaviour, and longitudinal population-based studies are lacking.Study Design, Size, Duration: This is a longitudinal analysis of two waves of data collected 12 months apart from the cohort born 1989-1995 in the Australian Longitudinal Survey on Women's Health, a population-based cohort study. Women in this cohort were first surveyed in 2012-2013, aged 18-23 years.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Women who responded to the 2014 survey (aged 19-24, n = 11 344) and 2015 survey (aged 20-25, n = 8961) were included. Using logistic regression, multinomial logistic regression and linear regression, change in vegetable intake, physical activity and contraceptive use were compared for women newly diagnosed with PCOS to women not reporting a diagnosis of PCOS. Changes in psychological distress and BMI were also examined.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Young women reporting a new diagnosis of PCOS were no more likely to increase their vegetable intake or physical activity than women not reporting a PCOS diagnosis. Women newly diagnosed with PCOS were 3.4 times more likely to stop using contraception during the 12-month study period than women without PCOS (14% versus 4%, 95% CI = 2.3 to 5.1, P < 0.001). This difference remained significant after controlling for demographics, chronic conditions associated with PCOS, endometriosis, BMI and psychological distress (P < 0.001).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: All data was self-reported including PCOS diagnosis, assessment of diet quality was limited to vegetable intake only. The exact timing of diagnosis within the 12-month period and whether the women intended to conceive are unknown. The number of women reporting a new diagnosis of PCOS was also relatively small.Wider Implications Of the Findings: These findings suggest that a diagnosis of PCOS may not produce short-term benefits by way of improving health behaviour. The observed reduction in contraception use suggests some women may be at increased risk of unplanned pregnancies, highlighting the importance of counselling about contraceptive needs. Both potential benefits and harms must be considered when determining the appropriateness of a PCOS diagnosis.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. BWM reports consultancy for ObsEva, Merck, Merck KGaA and Guerbet. No further competing interests exist.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Is age at natural menopause (ANM) associated with the development of multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity) in postmenopausal life?Summary Answer: Women with premature menopause experience increased odds of developing individual chronic conditions and multimorbidity.What Is Known Already: ANM is considered as a marker of age-related morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal life. Multimorbidity affects more than 60% of older women and has been recognized as the most common 'chronic condition'. Few studies have examined the association between ANM and the development of multimorbidity.Study Design, Size, Duration: A prospective national cohort study of 11 258 Australian women, aged 45-50 years in 1996. Women were followed from 1996 to 2016.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Information about ANM and 11 chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, anxiety and breast cancer) were estimated approximately every 3 years. Multimorbidity is defined as 2 or more of these 11 conditions. Generalized estimating equations were used to link the categorical ANM with individual chronic conditions and multimorbidity.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Among 5107 women reporting ANM, 2.3% experienced premature menopause (≤40 years) and 55.1% developed multimorbidity. Compared with women who experienced menopause at age 50-51 years, women with premature menopause had twice the odds of experiencing multimorbidity by age 60 (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.98) and three times the odds of developing multimorbidity in their 60s (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.62 to 5.64). Women with premature menopause also experienced higher incidence of most individual chronic conditions.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: The main limitation of this study was the use of self-reported data, but with repeated assessments from prospective study design and the validity of most of the chronic conditions from hospital data, the potential for non-differential misclassification is minimized.Wide Implications Of the Findings: To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association of premature menopause and development of multimorbidity in a larger national cohort of mid-aged women. Health professionals should consider comprehensive screening and assessment of risk factors for multimorbidity when treating women who experienced premature menopause.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health. X.X. is funded by an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the Australian government and a UQ Centennial Scholarship from The University of Queensland. G.D.M. is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellowship (APP1121844). None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate how SF-6D utility scores change with age between generations of women and to quantify the relationship of SF-6D with lifestyle factors across life stages.Methods: Up to seven waves of self-reported, longitudinal data were drawn for the 1973-1978 (young, N = 13772), 1946-1951 (mid-age, N = 12792), 1921-1926 (older, N = 9972) cohorts from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Mixed effects models were employed for analysis.Results: Young and mid-age women had similar average SF-6D scores at baseline (0.63-0.64), which remained consistent over the 16-year period. However, older women had lower scores at baseline at 0.57 which steadily declined over 15 years. Across cohorts, low education attainment, greater difficulty in managing income, obesity, physical inactivity, heavy smoking, no alcohol consumption, and increasing stress levels were associated with lower SF-6D scores. The magnitude of effect varied between cohorts. SF-6D scores were lower amongst young women with high-risk drinking behaviours than low-risk drinkers. Mid-age women, who were underweight, never married, or underwent surgical menopause also reported lower SF-6D scores. Older women who lived in remote areas, who were ex-smokers, or were underweight, reported lower SF-6D scores.Conclusion: The SF-6D utility score is sensitive to differences in lifestyle factors across adult life stages. Gradual loss of physical functioning may explain the steady decline in health for older women. Key factors associated with SF-6D include physical activity, body mass index, menopause status, smoking, alcohol use, and stress. Factors associated with poorer SF-6D scores vary in type and magnitude at different life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relation between fermented dairy consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in an Australian population remains to be established.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fermented dairy consumption and T2DM and CVD risk.Methods: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health included Australian women (aged 45-50 y) at baseline in 2001, who were followed up through 5 surveys until 2016. Dietary intake was assessed through the use of a validated 101-item FFQ at baseline. Main study outcomes were self-reported physician-diagnosed T2DM and CVD. Logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were used to estimate the association between dairy intake and T2DM and CVD risk.Results: Of 7633 women free of diabetes at baseline, 701 (9.2%) developed T2DM during a maximum 15-y follow-up period. Women in the highest tertile of yogurt intake had lower adjusted odds of T2DM than those in the lowest tertile (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99; P = 0.041). This relation became nonsignificant after adjustment for dietary variables and total energy intake (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.08; P = 0.21). Of 7679 women free of CVD at baseline, 835 (10.9%) cases of CVD were reported during follow-up. High intake of yogurt and total fermented dairy was associated with lower CVD risk (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.00; P = 0.05, 0.80; 0.67, 0.96; 0.017, respectively) than observed in the lowest tertile of dairy product intake. Additional adjustment attenuated the relation (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.72, 1.04; P = 0.13, 0.83; 0.69, 1.00; 0.048, for yogurt and total fermented dairy, respectively). No associations were found with other dairy groups.Conclusion: The findings from this population-based study of Australian women suggest an inverse association between total fermented dairy intake and CVD risk, which may partly be accounted for by other dietary components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the logical principles of life-history theory, it may be hypothesized that—compared to pre-menopausal women—post-menopausal women will spend more time caring for grandchildren and other kin. This hypothesis was tested in two studies, on results obtained from two large datasets documenting altruistic behaviors of pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women in the United States (n = 7161) and Australia (N = 25,066). Results from both studies revealed that (even when controlling statistically for age, health, financial resources, and other pertinent variables), post-menopausal women devoted more time to grandparental caregiving. This effect was specific to kin care: Menopause status was not as strongly related to a measure of non-kin-directed altruistic behavior (time spent volunteering). These results provide the first empirical support for a previously-untested behavioral implication of menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health symptoms are highly prevalent and dynamic among young people. Little is known about the trajectories of these symptoms and subsequent development of chronic conditions. This study examines whether (1) mental health trajectories can predict the onset of chronic conditions in young women and (2) trajectories are stronger predictors of the incidence of these conditions than mental health status measured at single time point.Methods: 6013 young Australian women were followed every 3-year for 20 years. The mental health trajectories in their 20s and mental health status 3-year before the onset of chronic conditions were used to predict the incidence of six chronic conditions in their 30s. Mental health trajectories were identified using latent mixture modelling of five-item Mental Health Index.Results: Five mental health trajectories were identified: maintaining a high score (high-stable); starting low then steadily increasing (improving); moderately high score, declining, then increasing (declining-improving); starting high then steadily decreasing (declining), and maintaining a low score (low-stable). In their 30s, 1015 (16.9%) women developed one or more conditions. The low-stable and declining groups were associated with increased odds of developing one or more conditions by 45% (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.94) and 48% (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.10-1.98), respectively, compared with the high-stable group. These are not so clearly distinguished by only considering mental health status at single time.Limitation: Self-reported chronic conditions.Conclusion: Mental health symptom trajectories in women's 20s are associated with the onset of chronic physical conditions in their 30s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Toomba flow is the youngest flow of the Nulla volcanic province, located in north Queensland. This 120 km-long flow has yielded a published 40Ar/39Ar age of 21,000 ± 3000 years. In contrast, seven published conventional radiocarbon (14C) analyses of carbon-bearing material beneath the flow yielded radiocarbon ages of 16,000 to <2500 BP. These radiocarbon ages are younger than the 40Ar/39Ar age, potentially due to contamination of the charcoal by younger carbon that was not removed by the acid-base pre-treatment. We have re-examined the radiocarbon age of Toomba flow using newly sampled charcoal buried beneath the Toomba flow in combination with hydrogen pyrolysis pre-treatment and accelerated mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements. We determined a calibrated radiocarbon age of 20,815-19,726 cal BP (2r) for the material beneath the Toomba flow. Our radiocarbon age, therefore: (1) is older than previous radiocarbon ages for the Toomba flow, (2) provides the most precise age yet available for the Toomba flow, (3) is in agreement with the 40Ar/39Ar age, and (4) validates that hydrogen pyrolysis is a robust and effective pre-treatment method, for subtropical conditions where samples are susceptible to contamination by younger carbon. The Toomba flow erupted during the Last Glacial Maximum, but the preserved surface suggests that the rate of weathering and soil formation has been almost negligible in this region, despite being situated in a subtropical climate that experiences highly variable often intense rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association of socioeconomic position (SEP) with reproductive outcomes among Australian women. Methods: Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health’s (population-based cohort study) 1973-1978 cohort were used (N = 6899, aged 37-42 years in 2015). The association of SEP (childhood and own, multiple indicators) with age at first birth, birth-to-pregnancy (BTP) intervals and total number of children was analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: 14% of women had their first birth aged < 24 years. 29% of multiparous women had a BTP interval within the WHO recommendation (18-27 months). Women with a low SEP had increased odds of a first birth < 24 years: low (OR 7.0: 95% C.I. 5.3, 9.3) or intermediate education (OR 3.8: 2.8, 5.1); living in rural (OR 1.8: 1.5, 2.2) or remote (OR 2.1: 1.7, 2.7) areas; who found it sometimes (OR 1.8: 1.5, 2.2) or always difficult (OR 2.0: 1.6, 2.7) to manage on their income; and did not know their parent’s education (OR 4.5: 3.2, 6.4). Low SEP was associated with having a much longer than recommended BTP interval. Conclusion: As the first Australian study describing social differences in reproductive characteristics, these findings provide a base for reducing social inequalities in reproduction. Assisting adequate BTP spacing is important, particularly for women with existing elevated risks due to social disadvantage; including having a first birth < 24 years of age and a longer than recommended BTP interval. This includes reviewing services/access to postnatal support, free family planning/contraception clinics, and improved family policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]