Persistence and connectivity of in-channel waterholes in the Darling (Baaka) River - An analysis using satellite imagery and graph theory.

In-channel persistent surface water provides critical refuge habitat for aquatic organisms in intermittently flowing rivers. Quantifying the flows that maintain connectivity among persistent waterholes is important for managing river flows to maintain refuges, improve their quality and facilitate connectivity and nutrient and energy transport. This study aimed to quantify spatial and temporal waterhole persistence and connectivity in a 664 km reach of the Darling River in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin.

Lipid-mediated resolution of inflammation and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Neuroinflammation impacts on the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Specialized pro-resolving mediators trigger the resolution of inflammation. We investigate the specialized pro-resolving mediator blood profile and their receptors' expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in relation to survival in ALS.

Taking pleasure seriously: Should alcohol research say more about fun?

Background: This paper invites discussion on whether pleasure should receive more attention in public health-oriented research on alcohol. While there is a history of sociological and anthropological literature exploring alcohol and pleasure, this is much less common in public health-oriented alcohol research, and associated advocacy.

Argument: We propose three broad reasons why more extensive engagement with issues of pleasure may be important for public health-oriented research.

Cumulative Social Disadvantage and Medicinal Cannabis Use Among Younger Adults in Rural Communities: A Mixed Methods Approach.

This mixed-methods study investigated the role of medicinal cannabis use among younger adults who live in rural communities and experience high levels of cumulative social disadvantage (CSD). Results are based on cross-sectional surveys and online interviews with 153 younger adults (18-35-years old) in rural California. We assessed participants' levels of CSD (high, medium, and low) and examined associations with perceived general physical and mental health and with medicinal use of cannabis (MUC).

Statistical examination of shared loci in neuropsychiatric diseases using genome-wide association study summary statistics.

Continued methodological advances have enabled numerous statistical approaches for the analysis of summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. Genetic correlation analysis within specific regions enables a new strategy for identifying pleiotropy. Genomic regions with significant 'local' genetic correlations can be investigated further using state-of-the-art methodologies for statistical fine-mapping and variant colocalisation.