Bard, Keller, and Leavens put a spotlight on the demographic makeup of participant samples in developmental psychology. These participants are generally Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic, echoing a widespread problem in psychology. The authors advocate for an approach that is worldwide, in situ, local, and diverse (WILD). Here, we want to look at WILD work in the domain of navigation, which illustrates some of the challenges involved with the approach.

Capacity development and strong collaborative networks are key features of a successful nutrition workforce(1). The Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform (ONLP) course is a biennial six-day course for early- and mid-career individuals working in nutrition related fields, which has been running since 2016. The aim of the ONLP is to develop leadership capability and foster connectivity in the field of nutrition across the Oceania region. ONLP uses a training model that is based on Nutrition Leadership Platform courses across the world (Europe, Africa, South-East Asia, Middle-East, Latin-America). Participants of the ONLP 2025 course submitted their own applications, which were assessed by an independent selection committee for acceptance into the course. The ONLP 2025 course was held in Maui Bay, Fiji, during June 2025. Course content focused on leadership, communication, policy, social responsibility, food systems, traditional food cultures and a collaborative project. A post-course evaluation assessed participant satisfaction, using a 0 (dissatisfied) to 100 (completely satisfied) scale, for overall course quality, overall course experience and course content, facilitator and venue specific items. Twenty-one participants from six countries (Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia) completed the ONLP 2025 course. Participants represented academia/research (71%), industry (10%), government (14%) and hospital/health service (5%) sectors. Participants, on average, rated their overall course experience as 81 (range 30–100) and the overall course quality as 81 (range 22–100). The ONLP 2025 course was predominately considered a success by participants, with 86% indicating they would recommend the course to others. Key highlights identified by the participants were the leadership training, rich interactivity and cultural integration, and meaningful collaborative opportunities. Importantly, the ONLP 2025 course cohort has joined an ONLP Alumni Network of more than 80 individuals, strengthening its capacity to positively influence food systems, nutrition related health outcomes and food security in Oceania.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, methodological inconsistencies across studies may limit the robustness and comparability of findings(1,2). This systematic review synthesised and critically appraised quantitative approaches used to assess UPF–CVD associations. Following dual independent screening of 13,055 records, 45 unique studies published between 2017 and January 2025 were included: 42 prospective cohort studies, two modelling studies, and one controlled quasi-experimental intervention, encompassing n = 4,332,932 adults aged 18–79 years from all inhabited continents. Data were extracted on study characteristics, dietary assessment methods, UPF classification systems, outcome definitions, statistical modelling, and strategies for confounding control. Most studies (69.6%) assessed dietary intake via validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), 28.3% via 24-hour recalls, and one used both; validity was unreported in three studies. Over half (51%) measured intake only at baseline. All studies applied the NOVA classification system, yet only 26% reported the number and/or profession of those classifying foods. UPF exposure metrics varied—grams, kcal, servings, frequency per day—with inconsistent inclusion of alcohol and unreported handling of water intake in weight-based estimates. UPF subgroup definitions lacked standardisation, with moderate inter-rater agreement in some datasets (e.g., 65% in Iranian cohorts) despite identical data sources. Outcome ascertainment was heterogeneous: 32 studies examined overall CVD, with variation in inclusion of fatal and non-fatal events. Most outcomes were registry-linked (67%), while others relied on self-report or investigator-defined criteria. Cox proportional hazards regression predominated (80%), followed by Poisson and logistic regression; only one study applied causal inference methods in the main analysis. Although 73% conducted sensitivity analyses, many adjusted for potential mediators such as BMI, diet quality, or baseline hypertension, which may introduce collider bias. Across studies, higher UPF intake was generally associated with increased CVD risk; however, pooled estimates were inconsistent even when studies were clustered by similar population, exposure metric, and outcome definitions. Such inconsistencies appeared partly attributable to differences in dietary assessment frequency, exposure categorisation, and classification of specific UPF items. Variability in exposure metrics and handling of key covariates further contributed to heterogeneity in risk estimates. These findings highlight persistent methodological shortcomings in UPF–CVD research, including inconsistent measurement and classification practices, infrequent repeated dietary assessments, limited transparency in classification procedures, and rare application of causal inference approaches. Addressing these gaps through standardised dietary assessment protocols, harmonised UPF classification systems, and robust analytical frameworks is essential to improve comparability, strengthen causal inference, and inform targeted public health recommendations aimed at reducing UPF consumption and associated CVD risk.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with a growing global prevalence and a projected increase in economic burden by 2050. A hallmark of asthma pathophysiology is airway remodeling, driven by persistent inflammation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key mediator in this process, contributing to fibrosis and structural changes in the airways(1). Moreover, long-term use of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a mainstay in asthma management, has been associated with elevated PAI-1 levels(2), highlighting the need for alternative or adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Anthocyanins, naturally occurring flavonoids found in various fruits and vegetables, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in several chronic diseases. Their use has also been linked to improvements in asthma-related symptoms and inflammatory biomarkers. However, the direct impact of anthocyanins on PAI-1 levels in the context of asthma has not yet been explored, presenting a novel area of investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant (NZBC) extract rich in anthocyanins on PAI-1 levels using BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells, an in vitro model relevant to asthma due to its airway epithelial responses involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and remodeling. Statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism version 10.4.2. MTT assay data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, while ELISA results were evaluated using an unpaired t-test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, which indicated significant cytotoxicity at concentrations above 50 µg/mL (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, 50 µg/mL was selected for subsequent experiments. Cells pretreated with NZBC anthocyanins and subsequently stimulated with TNF-α exhibited a significant reduction in PAI-1 levels compared to untreated controls (Control: 28,958 ± 2,485 vs. ACN: 14,360 ± 1,148; n = 3; p = 0.0060), as measured by ELISA, suggesting a potential protective effect against pro-fibrotic state. These findings support the potential role of NZBC anthocyanins as adjunctive agents in asthma therapy, particularly in mitigating airway remodeling. Future research should explore the clinical relevance of these effects, including genotype-specific variations in PAI-1 expression and responsiveness to anthocyanin treatment, to inform personalized therapeutic approaches.

Carbohydrate counting is crucial in the management of type 1 diabetes for determining meal time insulin and maintaining postprandial euglycemia. The use of automated dietary tracking apps may aid carbohydrate counting in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. However, the accuracy of these apps in detecting carbohydrate-containing foods might depend on their presentation. Segmenting or separating carbohydrate-rich foods on a plate could be a strategy to improve carbohydrate estimation accuracy with these tools. This study aimed to compare the performance of commercially available dietary apps in assessing the carbohydrate content of reference meals served as segmented vs. mixed meals. Under standard laboratory conditions, we analysed 30 meals of known composition using four commercially available apps: LoseIT, SnapCalorie, MyFitnessPal, and MacroFactor. Meals were presented with the carbohydrate dense food separated from other plate elements (segmented) (i.e., bolognaise sauce and pasta) and again with all elements combined (mixed). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare mean absolute errors (MAEs) for mixed vs. segmented meals across the different apps. Bland-Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) were used to assess systematic bias and clinical acceptability. Differences of < 20 g from known carbohydrate amounts was used as the clinically acceptable limit1. We found no significant difference in the MAEs of carbohydrate amounts assessed in segmented vs. mixed meals (median: 27.8 g vs. 29.8 g; p = 0.192). This finding did not vary according to the type of diet tracking app used. All apps showed a bias towards underestimating carbohydrate amounts, with mean bias (difference from known amounts) ranging from −5.6 g to −20.9 g. MacroFactor had the lowest mean bias (−5.6 g) and was the only diet tracking app with 95% LoAs within acceptable clinical limits for carbohydrate determination (−16.9 g, 5.7 g). The LoAs exceeded clinically acceptable thresholds for LoseIT (95% LoA: −29.0 g, −7.4 g), MyFitnessPal (95% LoA: −31.2 g, −10.6 g), and SnapCalorie (95% LoA: −24.9 g, 3.6 g). In conclusion segregating carbohydrate foods on a plate did not appear to improve carbohydrate estimation when using photo-assisted diet tracking apps. Current commercially available tools tended to underestimate carbohydrate amounts, and their accuracy varied between apps, suggesting that not all apps may be suitable for T1D management.

The Pacific Islands region is facing a high burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases, with Tonga experiencing some of the world’s highest rates of type II diabetes and obesity(1). Tonga relies strongly on agriculture as a main source of food production, however in recent decades a nutrition transition has significantly altered Tonga’s food environment(1). Homestead gardens (also known as community gardens) provide an opportunity to stabilise Tongan food production and encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables through increasing access and availability and promoting social values associated with food and eating through community engagement. Although research shows that homestead gardens promote health(2), there is little known about the outcomes in Tonga and the broader Pacific region. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the dietary diversity of Tongan adults participating in homestead gardening. In October 2024, Tongan adults participating in a homestead gardening initiative (n = 363) across the four main Tongan islands: Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, and Vava’u were surveyed. The survey asked about food and beverage consumption in the previous day to measure dietary diversity (using the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women indicator), involvement in the homestead garden and general food literacy. Dietary diversity, recognised by a score of 5 or higher, was achieved by 79% of participants. The most consumed food group was meat/poultry/fish (99.4%) and the least consumed was nuts/seeds (4.6%). No statistical significance was found between dietary diversity and garden location by island (p = 0.196), however there was an effect between district location (p < 0.001). The findings pinpointed specific districts that have lower dietary diversity and vegetable intake. The results also identified a negative significant association between diversity and garden participation length (r = −0.112) and nutrient composition knowledge for crops containing iron (r = −0.22, p < 0.01) and vitamin C (r = −0.147, p = 0.005). Based on these results, recommendations for further research have been made. This work presents new dietary intake data for a Tongan population and highlights the role that homestead gardening can play in supporting healthy, diverse diets.

Valid and reliable methods for measuring plate waste are essential to improving foodservice efficiency and patient nutrition management. Although direct weighing is considered the most accurate method for quantifying food waste, it is often impractical in clinical settings due to labour and time constraints(1). Alternative methods such as visual estimation, particularly digital photography, may offer a feasible solution. This study examined the accuracy of a digital photography method for quantifying whole plate waste (aggregate) in an acute care hospital setting. Plate waste data were collected across three main meals over seven breakfasts, 21 lunches, and 21 dinners. Each plate was photographed before and after consumption, and leftover food was weighed using an electronic scale. A total of 1763 plates (n = 108 for breakfast; n = 804 for lunch; n = 851 for dinner) were assessed using both direct weighing and digital photography with a 7-point visual scale (0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 100% of food remaining). A subsample of 200 plate images (n = 20 for breakfast; n = 90 for lunch; n = 90 for dinner) was independently evaluated by two assessors to determine inter-rater reliability. Waste per food component was calculated as: the visually estimated proportion (%) of food remaining × the recommended standard serving size of each menu item(2). Spearman correlation coefficients assessed associations between the two methods, and the Bland-Altman analysis evaluated agreement(3). A strong positive correlation was observed between the two methods (rs = 0.9895, p < 0.001), with consistent results across meals (breakfast: rs = 0.9950, p < 0.001; lunch: rs = 0.9882, p < 0.001; dinner: rs = 0.9882, p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis indicated good agreement, with a mean difference of 4.67 g and 95% limits of agreement ranging from −50.51 to 59.84 g. Mean differences were consistent across meals (breakfast: −5.22 g; lunch: 5.05 g; dinner: 5.56 g), with breakfast showing narrower limits of agreement than lunch and dinner (breakfast: −33.96 to 23.51 g; lunch: −50.99 to 61.09 g; dinner: −50.91 to 62.02 g), likely due to simpler meal composition. Inter-rater reliability was high [ICC range: 0.874 (95% CI: 0.815–0.916) to 0.972 (95% CI: 0.958–0.982)], indicating good consistency between assessors. Findings support digital photography as a valid method for quantifying whole plate waste in acute care hospital settings. It also highlights the utility of digital photography in monitoring plate waste over time, informing food waste reduction strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to enhance patient satisfaction and improve nutritional intake.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), a climate-resilient grain, is gaining recognition for its rich polyphenol content, particularly tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and is strongly linked to antioxidant and metabolic health benefits(1). Germination is an accessible, sustainable grain processing technique shown to enhance nutrient density(2), but its effects on the polyphenol profile and functional properties of pigmented sorghum varieties remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of germination on the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of black sorghum. Grains were soaked for 24 hours and germinated in the dark for 72 hours, followed by heat drying. Polyphenols were extracted using a standard protocol(3). Antioxidant activity was assessed using total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging, and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. The TPCs of germinated and non-germinated sorghum samples were 65.013 and 60.012 mg GAE/g dry weight, respectively. At concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL, germinated samples exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH radical scavenging activity, with increases of 22.3% and 33.6% compared to controls. Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), based on DPPH, was significantly enhanced by germination, with values of 777.02 µmol TE/g in germinated samples versus 455.34 µmol TE/g in non-germinated samples (p < 0.05). FRAP values were 738.39 µmol TE/100 g for germinated and 722.38 µmol TE/100 g for non-germinated samples, indicating a modest increase in ferric-reducing capacity. These findings suggest that germination improves the antioxidant potential and nutritional profile of black sorghum, supporting its development as a functional food. This research contributes to the advancement of value-added, climate-smart grains in Australia and aligns with public health nutrition goals.

Appendicectomy with 29,000 procedures per annum is the most common source of emergency hospitalizations in Australia(1). However, there has been little improvement in understanding acute appendicitis (AA) pathogenesis. Past studies based on online databases (i.e., UK Biobank) highlighted that dietary patterns could significantly contribute to AA development(2). More precisely, patterns aligned with the Mediterranean Diet (MD) were found to decrease the risk of developing AA. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether dietary adherence to the MD had an impact on AA outcomes among appendicectomy patients in South-East Queensland (SEQ). It was hypothesized that clinically diagnosed AA cases would have lower adherence to a MD in comparison to control individuals without AA history. A total of 87 patients (confirmed with diagnostic histopathological reports) were recruited before undergoing appendicectomy at the Acute Surgical Unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Another 87 Australia-residing control participants, without AA history were recruited into the study involving a dietary survey based upon the 14-Item MD Assessment Tool from the PREDIMED Study(3). The 14 questions were related to the use of olive oil, daily/weekly intake frequency of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seafood, spreads, confectioneries, red meat (including processed meat), red/white meat preference, and drinking habits regarding sweet beverages and wine. A maximum score of 14 points (indicative of the complete MD diet) and a minimum score of 0 points (indicative of a diet with no pattern recognisable as MD at all) were possible resulting in two categories defined by ≤ 5 points and ≥ 6 points defined as low and moderate-high adherence to a MD, respectively. A chi-squared test was performed to determine the relationship between MD adherence and appendiceal inflammation status. The AA group 87 patients reported in this study had their AA status confirmed with diagnostic histopathological reports provided by Pathology Queensland following surgery. For the appendicitis cohort, 62% (54/87) could be classified as low adherence whilst 38% (33/87) fell under moderate-high adherence to the MD. In contrast, the control group were categorized 48% (42/87) as low and 52% as moderate-high MD adherence, accordingly. The chi-squared analysis showed a near-significant (trend) value of p = 0.07, confirming that dietary patterns maybe one of the main risk factors of developing the disease. One potential constraint of this study was that there was some discrepancy in socio-demographic characteristics between the intervention and control groups particularly relating to ethnicity, where there was a greater proportion of non-White participants recruited in the non-AA group. It is concluded that dietary patterns associated to low adherence to the MD are likely to increase the risk of developing AA in a Queensland context.

To illustrate the potential risks of overlooking WILD (i.e., Worldwide, Insitu, Local and Diverse) approaches in developmental psychology, we examined possible cultural biases in child protection interventions across WEIRD (i.e., Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) countries. Analyses of national statistics revealed that children from minority cultural backgrounds are consistently overrepresented in care systems. We argue that equitable policies must adopt WILD-informed frameworks that respect cultural diversity while ensuring children’s safety and well-being.

Prebiotics can help to develop the gut and immune systems of young children via modulation of the gut microbiota(1), reducing the risk of infection and disease in later life. Breastmilk contains unique prebiotics and is associated with lower rates of infection, allergy and gut colonization of pathogenic bacteria, but not all parents can breastfeed. This review aims to understand if formula containing specific prebiotics can help modulate gut and immune outcomes in children up to 3 years, compared to standard formula. A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted without date limits using six international databases. RCTs that reported on gut or immune outcomes and included an intervention where a prebiotic blend containing short-chain galactooligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (lcFOS) [(scGOS/lcFOS ratio 9:1)] in formula were included. Studies were assessed for methodological quality and consistency of results using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Health Canada Consistency Rating tool, respectively. Twenty-eight studies were included, of which 24 were high quality (low risk of bias). scGOS/lcFOS prebiotic blend reduced incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, supported by increases in secretory IgA (first line of defense against pathogens in the gut) and decreases in stool pH. Improved markers of intestinal microbiota, including highly consistent beneficial increases in bifidobacteria and lactobacillus (beneficial bacteria), and decreases in clostridia (detrimental bacteria), were also reported. No study reported any unfavourable effects. Formula with scGOS/lcFOS prebiotic blend improves intestinal microbiota and reduces incidence of infection. When exclusive breastfeeding is not feasible, nurses can improve children’s gut-immunity outcomes by recommending formula with added scGOS/lcFOS prebiotic blend, instead of standard formula.

This study proposes a territorial-scale model to estimate flows of reusable building components by sequentially evaluating technical, logistical, and economic feasibility. It translates reuse barriers—such as disassembly potential, residual performance assessment, transportability, storage conditions, and costs—into measurable indicators. By aggregating component-level data into territorial indicators, the model links component-scale characteristics to overall territorial material flows, providing a framework to assess and compare reuse potential across territories.

We designed and evaluated an AI-based Application to enhance human creativity in design thinking workshops. The results indicated that AI hindered human creativity, resulting in fewer idea generations. The findings from quantitative and qualitative analyses comparing the only-human and human-AI teams indicated that AI contributed to the usability of ideas during the divergent phase and supported humans in converging on more novel ideas. The further development of the application is necessary to consider how humans can collaborate with AI without relying on it.

This study explores patient perspectives on hospital sustainability initiatives. Building on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, 30 interviews with patients reveal support for sustainability such as the use of reusable medical textiles, provided safety and quality are maintained. Patients view sustainability as a hospital responsibility, but value integrating sustainability communication into patient journeys. Informing and engaging patients can help shift sustainability from a background initiative into a trusted part of the healthcare system with patients as informed partners.

This study examines how different AR platforms support learning and creativity in Additive Manufacturing (AM) education. Design students used either a smartphone- or headset-based AR app to explore virtual AM models before completing a design task and questionnaire. Expert reviews and Mann–Whitney U tests showed that headset AR users reported higher usability, better AM understanding, and produced more creative designs. The results highlight the educational value of immersive AR in enhancing technological comprehension and creative performance.

This work introduces a graph-based CAD assistant that predicts the next modelling operation in parametric design sequences. Real CATIA V5 models from the automotive domain are converted into directed acyclic graphs capturing feature dependencies, enabling learning directly from structural design data. A four-layer Graph Attention Network achieved a top-5 prediction accuracy of 94%, outperforming a frequency-based non-parametric baseline. The results show that graph representations and attention-based message passing provide a strong foundation for context-aware modelling assistance.

Social robots increasingly interact with humans in diverse contexts. In this study, a systematic framework is proposed for selecting stakeholders based on the user requirements in participatory design of social robots. Matching social robot design dimensions with stakeholder fields in the framework, is achieved using Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Design Structure Matrix (DSM) methodologies. A case study is presented to demonstrate utilization of the framework. The contribution of this paper is to develop an infrastructure towards formalization of participatory design of social robots.

Sustainability transitions in manufacturing require new competences and organisational learning. This paper presents Schedazioni, a learner-led assessment tool that helps companies analyse past sustainable design actions. Developed through case studies and a Research-through-Design process, and piloted in industry, it enables teams to map transformations, identify problems, and reflect on impacts. By shifting assessment to internal sensemaking, it supports shared understanding and strengthens sustainability capability.

Companies lack methods to anticipate rebound effects (RE) in design, jeopardising their sustainability ambitions. This action research at Beiersdorf pilots a framework for ex-ante RE identification, modelling, and prevention. The study found 31 economic, behavioural, and social rebound mechanisms triggered by a refillable packaging innovation, using system dynamics to find leverage points for prevention (e.g., foster non-msaterial practices via packaging design). This paper offers a first attempt at a practical approach to integrate RE analysis into design, towards absolute sustainability.

Cost planning for Product-Service Systems faces rising complexity, making life-cycle cost estimates essential. This paper investigates how machine learning (ML) can be applied for life-cycle cost estimation in product development. A literature review was conducted to identify ML-based methods, classify them across life cycle phases, and compare them against traditional methods. Results show that traditional models remain transparent but limited in early stages, while ML methods achieve higher accuracy in data-rich phases. A clear research gap exists for hybrid models and end-of-life costing.