Publications by authors named "D W Higgins"

This study appraises recent research to critically evaluate knowledge on the factors that influence decisions around the release of rehabilitated koalas to fire-affected home sites. Availability of koala release sites could be compromised at times in the future by the increasing incidence of large and intense bushfires due to climate change. In addition, factors such as the fragmentation of koala habitat and increasing urbanisation impose other threats to the long-term survival of the released koala.

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Organisms have evolved protective strategies that are geared toward limiting cellular damage and enhancing organismal survival in the face of environmental stresses, but how these protective mechanisms are coordinated remains unclear. Here, we define a requirement for neural activity in mobilizing the antioxidant defenses of the nematode both during prolonged oxidative stress and prior to its onset. We show that acetylcholine-deficient mutants are particularly vulnerable to prolonged oxidative stress.

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Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy experiments were conducted to better understand the complex mass transport dynamics of organic molecules in liquid-filled nanoporous media. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes incorporating 10 and 20 nm diameter cylindrical pores were employed as model materials. Nile red (NR) dye was used as a fluorescent tracer.

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Chlamydiosis is a common infectious disease impacting koalas and is a major cause of population decline due to resulting mortality and infertility. Polymorphisms of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes influence chlamydial disease outcomes in several species but koala studies have produced variable results. We aimed to identify the MHC II DAB and DBB repertoire of koalas from Liverpool Plains, NSW, a population heavily impacted by chlamydiosis.

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Background: Essential tremor (ET) is among the most common movement disorders, yet there are few treatment options. Medications have limited efficacy and adverse effects; thus, patients often discontinue pharmacotherapy or take several medications in combination. We evaluated the economic correlates (healthcare resource utilization [HCRU] and costs) and comorbidities among adults with and without ET and among subgroups of patients with ET prescribed 0 to ≥3 ET medications.

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