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Biotechnology is a fascinating interdisciplinary field uniquely poised to take on some of the world's most complex problems. This takes a refreshing problems-based approach to exploring the field. Novice readers will come away with a broad appreciation for the significance of current and emerging biotechnologies--from regenerative medicine, to genetically enhanced crops, to biofuels. Experts will benefit from the concise review of timely game-changing technologies such as DNA sequence-by-synthesis and genome editing. Despite being set within a conceptual framework of "wicked" problems (i.e., disease, food production, environmental degradation), insights into the current state and future potential of biotechnologies make this book both optimistic and forward thinking. This is not just an informative text--it's an entry point into a discipline with the potential to change the world.
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Occupational accidents, illnesses and fatalities are prevalent globally. Whilst the past decade has seen work-related accident and fatality rates plateau in many high-income countries, safety outcomes and disparities within and between countries remain prominent issues. Enhancing working conditions and making workplaces safer is necessary to decrease the number of fatalities, injuries and cases of occupational diseases, and to promote and safeguard psychological welfare. Using evidence in occupational safety and health (OSH) decision making may help reduce rates of occupational incidents and diseases. However, the role evidence currently plays within OSH is unclear. Therefore, we developed a study to explore the role of evidence in OSH decision making, which considered what evidence is produced, shared and used, and by whom. To answer the four research questions that guided the study, we conducted a rapid evidence assessment and stakeholder engagement activities (including secondary analysis of existing interview data, an online survey and primary interviews). Using this data we developed two conceptual models: one mapped the different actors and agencies involved in OSH decision making (structural model), and the other highlighted the processes involved in OSH and the role of evidence at an operational and systems level (process model).
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that affects large numbers, mainly of children younger than five. The burden of RSV includes not only ill health for the children with the virus, which in severe cases results in hospitalisation, intensive care and even death; but also the emotional and practical burden on the affected families and carers; and the impact that has on productivity in the economy; alongside the costs of providing healthcare. We reviewed recent literature and published data relevant to the UK and used this information to model the costs to the healthcare system and to the wider UK economy in terms of productivity losses of parents/carers. We found healthcare costs and productivity losses in the UK resulting from RSV in children younger than five total approximately £80 million annually. These costs are the consequence, in part, of an estimated 467,000 GP visits per year in the UK for children aged under five with RSV and 34,000 hospitalisations. Our report also presents additional material, identified in the literature review, on the health impacts on affected children and the nature of the burden on parents and families of caring for a young child with RSV. The consequences of RSV are short-term for the majority of cases, but for some there are long term sequelae including poorer respiratory health in later life. RSV is also responsible for the deaths each year in the UK of an estimated 33 children under five.
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Physical activity is well known to have positive effects on multiple health outcomes, including cardiovascular risk, diabetes, cancer, mental health and all-cause mortality. Despite this, recent data shows that only between 61-66% of adults in the UK meet the government recommended amount of physical activity (150min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous intensity activity). Smartwatches allow users to track their physical activity and can be a helpful tool to encourage people to be more physically active. In 2018, RAND Europe conducted an analysis of the impact of an insurance provider's smartwatch benefit on physical activity outcomes among their members in the UK; however, given that the benefit was relatively new, there was limited follow-up on members (average of approximately six months). Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal, observational study to examine longer-term physical activity impacts of this benefit. We included data on members who were eligible for this benefit collected from January 2016 to September 2022. We used an interrupted time-series analysis approach to examine the relationships between the smartwatch benefit status over time and physical activity outcomes. Models included statistical adjustment for gender and baseline body-mass index and smoking status, as well as calendar month and year from first recorded month of physical activity to the last. Standard errors were calculated using robust variance-covariance estimation with clustering by each member.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, people aged 50+ left the workforce at a high rate in the UK, and employment rates have not yet recovered. These trends led to concerns around the health, wellbeing and quality of life of these individuals after leaving the workforce, along with questions about the overall labour supply and economy in the UK and the ability of employers to recruit and retain workers with relevant skills. Although there has been national evidence around workers aged 50+, there is limited evidence available for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area that can be used to inform decisions around how to support workers as they age.
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Low levels of physical activity are associated with poorer cardiometabolic health outcomes, such as high blood glucose, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, and poor mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety. Therefore, encouraging people to engage in higher levels of physical activity is likely to result in improvements in both their physical and mental health. The AIA Vitality Program is a tailored health and wellbeing behavioural change program that aims to support insurance product members to make healthier choices through the use of financial incentives. We conducted an observational study using longitudinal data collected by AIA Vitality on its AIA Vitality members (September 2013 – July 2022) to explore the impacts of different types of physical activity and wellbeing engagement on health outcomes, with a particular focus on body-mass index (BMI) and mental health as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress 10-item Scale (K10). We also conducted secondary analysis exploring the relationship between physical activity and wellbeing engagement and cardiometabolic risk markers (total cholesterol, blood pressure and random blood glucose levels).
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