Firsts in their field: the perceptions of women who have led the way.

The role women play in sport has been the subject of considerable discussion and research since the nineteen seventies. Much of this research has been descriptive or focused on the barriers, women face in advancing into a leadership role in a sporting organization. In an attempt to enrich the picture, women role models who occupy or have occupied leadership roles in sporting organizations were identified to gain their perspective, in their own words, on the challenges and requirements needed to be successful.

A brain-wide map of descending inputs onto spinal V1 interneurons.

Motor output results from the coordinated activity of neural circuits distributed across multiple brain regions that convey information to the spinal cord via descending motor pathways. Yet the organizational logic through which supraspinal systems target discrete components of spinal motor circuits remains unclear. Here, using viral transsynaptic tracing along with serial two-photon tomography, we have generated a whole-brain map of monosynaptic inputs to spinal V1 interneurons, a major inhibitory population involved in motor control.

Microbial and mineral interactions decouple litter quality from soil organic matter formation.

Current understanding of soil carbon dynamics suggests that plant litter quality and soil mineralogy control the formation of mineral-associated soil organic carbon (SOC). Due to more efficient microbial anabolism, high-quality litter may produce more microbial residues for stabilisation on mineral surfaces. To test these fundamental concepts, we manipulate soil mineralogy using pristine minerals, characterise microbial communities and use stable isotopes to measure decomposition of low- and high-quality litter and mineral stabilisation of litter-C.

Force-induced tissue compression alters circulating hormone levels and biomarkers of peripheral vascular and sensorineural dysfunction in an animal model of hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Workers regularly using vibrating hand tools may develop a disorder referred to as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). HAVS is characterized by cold-induced vasospasms in the hands and fingers that result in blanching of the skin, loss of sensory function, pain, and reductions in manual dexterity. Exposure to vibration induces some of these symptoms.

A retrospective examination of risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infections in home parenteral nutrition patients from a Queensland tertiary hospital.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a potential complication for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients.

Aim: We sought to analyse risk factors of developing HPN-related CLABSI and assess CLABSI management in the Australian context.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on 34 adult patients receiving HPN via a central venous catheter (CVC) at a Queensland tertiary referral centre between 2016 and 2023.