Ultraviolet patterns of flowers revealed in polymer replica - caused by surface architecture.

Angiosperms and their pollinators are adapted in a close co-evolution. For both the plants and pollinators, the functioning of the visual signaling system is highly relevant for survival. As the frequency range of visual perception in many insects extends into the ultraviolet (UV) region, UV-patterns of plants play an important role in the flower-pollinator interaction.

Shorter telomere length in people with schizophrenia: A preliminary study from Australia.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness affecting the normal functioning of the brain, interfering with the ability to think, feel and act. It can be conceptualised as a syndrome of accelerated ageing, with early onset of cardiovascular disease and high rates of premature mortality. Telomere attrition increases with oxidative stress and is considered a biomarker of ageing.

The role of arterial elasticity and cardiovascular peripheral resistance as clinically relevant indices of health status in people with psychosis.

Objective: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) are higher in people with psychosis compared to the general population, but there is little research into measures of the elasticity of the arterial wall (pulse pressure; PP) and peripheral resistance (mean arterial pressure; MAP). PP and MAP can provide an additional perspective on the functioning of the circulatory system.

Counting up the risks: How common are risk factors for morbidity and mortality in young people with psychosis?

Background: This study examined the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular (CV)-related morbidity and mortality in young people with psychosis aged 18 to 24 years.

Methods: The study included 132 people aged 18 to 24 years who participated in the 2010 second Australian national survey of people living with psychosis. The 2009 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Risks report was used as a framework to determine which specific risk factors were present in each in these young people.

The value of counting WHO-defined cardiovascular risk factors for death and disability in a national sample of adults with psychosis.

Objective: This study explored the prevalence and associations of eight WHO-defined CVD risk factors for death and disability in people with psychosis.

Method: The study included 1156 people aged 18-64years, diagnosed with psychosis. The 2009 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Risks Report was used as a framework to determine the prevalence and number of eight key risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and women with psychosis.

Psychosis and cardiovascular disease: is diet the missing link?

Objective: To explore the diets of people living with psychotic disorders, and to compare their dietary composition to the general population.

Method: 184 people with psychotic disorders in Adelaide, South Australia completed a food frequency questionnaire. Physical information and mental health status were collected.

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake in people with psychosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with poor dietary intake (less than four servings of fruit and vegetables daily) in a large nationally representative sample of adults with psychotic disorders.

Methods: The sample comprised 1286 adults aged 18-64 years who took part in the second Australian national survey of psychosis. Dietary information was obtained using a standardised questionnaire; all participants provided fasting blood samples.