Publications by authors named "M J Furlong"
Neighbourhood Deprivation and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Arizona From the AzPEARS Study.
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- High-Risk Areas
- : Mothers living in rural areas, tribal lands, or near the U.S.-Mexico border are at an elevated risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), particularly influenced by their neighbourhood's socioeconomic status (SES).
- Study Analysis
- : This study used Arizona birth records from 2014 to 2020 to analyze over 481,000 births, finding that neighbourhood deprivation significantly correlates with increased GDM risk, especially among Native American and Hispanic/Latina mothers.
- Key Findings
- : The research revealed that mothers in the most deprived neighbourhoods had a 21% higher risk of developing GDM compared to those in less deprived areas, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic
Article Synopsis
- - The use of larvicides for mosquito control in Australia, specifically Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and methoprene, raises concerns about potential risks to native stingless bees and pollinators amid growing conservation efforts and hobbyist beekeeping.
- - Despite possible risks, the study finds that larvicides are likely low-risk due to low application rates, poor long-term environmental presence, and the episodic nature of mosquito control measures.
- - The authors recommend expanding regulatory testing to include stingless bees and other non-target insects, as current assessments mainly use honey bees, to better understand the impacts of these pesticides on native pollinators.
Associations of pesticide exposures during preconception with stillbirth have not been well explored. We linked Arizona pesticide use records with birth certificates from 2006 to 2020 and estimated associations of living within 500 m of any pyrethroid, organophosphate (OP), or carbamate pesticide applications during a 90-day preconception window or the first trimester, with stillbirth. We considered a binary measure of exposure (any exposure), as well as log-pounds and log-acres applied within 500 m, in a negative control exposure framework with log-binomial regression.
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- The study aimed to see if giving individual budgets for employment-related purchases would enhance job success and financial stability for supported employment recipients.
- Participants were divided into two groups: one received only job support services, while the other received job support plus a $950 flexible fund for a year to help them meet employment goals.
- Findings indicated that while job placement rates were similar, those with the flexible fund had better job tenure, more employment days, higher earnings, and improved financial well-being compared to the control group, suggesting that flexible funds can enhance employment outcomes.
In Australia, Soldier flies ( spp.) are economically significant pests of sugarcane that currently lack a viable management strategy. Despite various research efforts, the mechanisms underlying the damage caused by soldier fly larvae remain poorly understood.
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