Towards a more sustainable future: simple recommendations to integrate planetary health into education

This Personal View presents recommendations aimed at integrating planetary health into various stages of education, which are simple but effective, and designed with teachers in training and those who have not yet considered how to incorporate UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development into their teaching practice. However, the constantly evolving nature of the Education for Sustainable Development programme must be recognised, and the importance of being able to adapt teaching methods to meet the changing needs of students as they progress through their educational journey should be highlighted. Therefore, this Personal View considers the cognitive, social, and ethical evolution of students and offers specific recommendations for preschool, primary, secondary, and university education levels. We recommend that educators should focus on teaching students to critically evaluate data on sustainability and to develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges. We also highlight the importance of incorporating practical projects, using active methods that promote skills related to caring for the planet, or the importance of situated learning that attends to the particularities of each context. In this way, students can develop skills and values that contribute to a more sustainable future. The recommendations made here aim to provide educators and researchers with simple but effective ways to integrate planetary health into education

How to teach about sustainable development in physical education? Examples from the perspectives of certified teachers in Sweden

Introduction: Teachers have a vital role in educating and empowering students to become informed and active agents of change in promoting sustainable development (SD). Little is known what PE teachers teach about SD. The aim of the present study was to explore what certified compulsory school and upper-secondary school physical education (PE) teachers in Sweden teach about SD within their practice. Methods: An online survey was used to collect data about background information and what the PE teachers had taught about SD in PE. Data from 653 PE teachers was used and the teaching examples were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in eight themes: Equality, inclusion, and norms, Exploring the local environment, Outdoor education and care of nature, Interdisciplinary projects, Picking waste and recycling, Sustainable bodies, Sustainable lifestyles, health and well-being, and Sustainable use of products and consumption. Discussion: The findings suggest that PE can have distinct subject-specific contribution to aspects of the SD agenda, but also a role to empower students of how movement, exercise, and sport can be embedded within a broader ecological perspective. Furthermore, the described themes may open for research about what competences that are particularly relevant for PE teachers in the context of SD.This study was supported by funds from the Swedish Research Council for Sport Science (#02022-0141)

Decreased Prevalence of Plasmodium Falciparum Resistance Markers to Amodiaquine Despite its wide Scale use as ACT Partner Drug in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has recently undergone a rapid decline in Plasmodium falciparum transmission following combined malaria control interventions with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and integrated vector control. Artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) was implemented as first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Zanzibar in 2003. Resistance to amodiaquine has been associated with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles pfcrt 76T, pfmdr1 86Y, 184Y and 1246Y. An accumulation of these SNP alleles in the parasite population over time might threaten ASAQ efficacy.The aim of this study was to assess whether prolonged use of ASAQ as first-line anti-malarial treatment selects for P. falciparum SNPs associated with resistance to the ACT partner drug amodiaquine. The individual as well as the combined SNP allele prevalence were compared in pre-treatment blood samples from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria enrolled in clinical trials conducted just prior to the introduction of ASAQ in 2002-2003 (n = 208) and seven years after wide scale use of ASAQ in 2010 (n = 122). There was a statistically significant decrease of pfcrt 76T (96-63%), pfmdr1 86Y (75-52%), 184Y (83-72%), 1246Y (28-16%) and the most common haplotypes pfcrt/pfmdr1 TYYD (46-26%) and TYYY (17-8%), while an increase of pfcrt/pfmdr1 KNFD (0.4-14%) and KNYD (1-12%). This is the first observation of a decreased prevalence of pfcrt 76T, pfmdr1 86Y, 184Y and 1246Y in an African setting after several years of extensive ASAQ use as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. This may support sustained efficacy of ASAQ on Zanzibar, although it was unexpected considering that all these SNPs have previously been associated with amodiaquine resistance. The underlying factors of these results are unclear. Genetic dilution by imported P. falciparum parasites from mainland Tanzania, a de-selection by artesunate per se and/or an associated fitness cost might represent contributing factors. More detailed studies on temporal trends of molecular markers associated with amodiaquine resistance are required to improve the understanding of this observation

CYP2C8 status of patients with malaria influences selection of Plasmodium falciparum pfmdr1 Alleles after Amodiaquine-Artesunate treatment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How to teach about sustainable development in physical education? Examples from the perspectives of certified teachers in Sweden

IntroductionTeachers have a vital role in educating and empowering students to become informed and active agents of change in promoting sustainable development (SD). Little is known what PE teachers teach about SD. The aim of the present study was to explore what certified compulsory school and upper-secondary school physical education (PE) teachers in Sweden teach about SD within their practice.MethodsAn online survey was used to collect data about background information and what the PE teachers had taught about SD in PE. Data from 653 PE teachers was used and the teaching examples were analyzed through thematic analysis.ResultsThe analysis resulted in eight themes: Equality, inclusion, and norms, Exploring the local environment, Outdoor education and care of nature, Interdisciplinary projects, Picking waste and recycling, Sustainable bodies, Sustainable lifestyles, health and well-being, and Sustainable use of products and consumption.DiscussionThe findings suggest that PE can have distinct subject-specific contribution to aspects of the SD agenda, but also a role to empower students of how movement, exercise, and sport can be embedded within a broader ecological perspective. Furthermore, the described themes may open for research about what competences that are particularly relevant for PE teachers in the context of SD

Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter and multidrug resistance 1 genes: parasite risk factors that affect treatment outcomes for P. falciparum malaria after artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine.

Adequate clinical and parasitologic cure by artemisinin combination therapies relies on the artemisinin component and the partner drug. Polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) genes are associated with decreased sensitivity to amodiaquine and lumefantrine, but effects of these polymorphisms on therapeutic responses to artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) have not been clearly defined. Individual patient data from 31 clinical trials were harmonized and pooled by using standardized methods from the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network. Data for more than 7,000 patients were analyzed to assess relationships between parasite polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1 and clinically relevant outcomes after treatment with AL or ASAQ. Presence of the pfmdr1 gene N86 (adjusted hazards ratio = 4.74, 95% confidence interval = 2.29 - 9.78, P < 0.001) and increased pfmdr1 copy number (adjusted hazards ratio = 6.52, 95% confidence interval = 2.36-17.97, P < 0.001 : were significant independent risk factors for recrudescence in patients treated with AL. AL and ASAQ exerted opposing selective effects on single-nucleotide polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1. Monitoring selection and responding to emerging signs of drug resistance are critical tools for preserving efficacy of artemisinin combination therapies; determination of the prevalence of at least pfcrt K76T and pfmdr1 N86Y should now be routine

Physical literacy in Europe: The current state of implementation in research, practice, and policy

Background/objective The holistic concept of physical literacy (PL) embraces different person-centered qualities (physical, cognitive, affective/psychological) necessary to lead physically active lifestyles. PL has recently gained increasing attention globally and Europe is no exception. However, scientific endeavors summarizing the current state of PL in Europe are lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to comprehensively assess and compare the implementation of PL in research, policy, and practice across the continent. Methods We assembled a panel of experts representing 25 European countries. Employing a complementary mixed-methods design, the experts first prepared reviews about the current state of PL in their countries (categories: research, practice/policy). The reviews underwent comparative document analysis, ensuring a transnational four-eyes principle. For re-validation purposes, the representatives completed a quantitative survey with questions reflecting the inductive themes from the document analysis. Results The document analysis resulted in ten disjunct themes (related to “concept”, “research”, “practice/policy”, “future/prospect”) and yielded a heterogenous PL situation in Europe. The implementation state was strongly linked to conceptual discussions (e.g., existence of competing approaches), linguistic issues (e.g., translations), and country-specific traditions. Despite growing scholarly attention, PL hesitantly permeates practice and policy in most countries. Nevertheless, the experts largely anticipate increasing popularity of PL for the future. Conclusion Despite the heterogeneous situation across Europe, the analysis has uncovered similarities among the countries, such as the presence of established yet not identical concepts. Research should intensify academic activities (conceptual-linguistic elaborations, empirical work) before PL may gain further access into practical and political spheres in the long term

Physical Activity among Adolescents in a Swedish Multicultural Area - An Empowerment-Based Health Promotion School Intervention

The overarching aim of the present thesis was two-fold. The first aim was to describe and critically reflect upon the experiences of developing and implementing an empowerment-based school intervention, focusing on food and physical activity, involving adolescents from a Swedish multicultural area characterized by low socioeconomic status. The second aim was to investigate accelerometer-measured sedentary time and physical activity among the adolescents, and to evaluate the effects of the intervention on these variables. The two-year intervention was continually developed and implemented, as a result of cooperation and shared decision making among researchers and the participating adolescents. Data was collected in seventh, eighth and ninth grade using documentation and observation protocols, accelerometers, and questionnaires. This thesis shows the importance of acquiring a broad and deep understanding of the targeted context and the participants of the intervention, and to be open-minded when it comes to negotiating, adjusting, and reorganizing empowerment-based interventions. This thesis further shows that the participating girls accumulated more sedentary time and less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than boys, and that approximately half of the adolescents met the physical activity recommendations. The intervention had no positive effects on sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Finally, this thesis shows that cautiousness is warranted when cross-comparing accelerometer-based studies with different epoch durations and cut-points

Fotbollsledare om styrketräning för barn : – når forskning ut?

Fysisk träning för barn har alltid varit ett kontroversiellt ämne som berör såväl etiska och fysiologiska som medicinska frågor. Styrketräning är den form av träning som ställer dessa frågor på sin spets. De svenska officiella organen Idrottens Forskningsråd (IFR) och Riksidrottsförbundet (RF) har genom åren lagt fram rekommendationer och riktlinjer som ska fungera som underlag vid utformning av den träningsverksamhet som bedrivs i idrottens föreningsliv. Eftersom forskningsrön har förändrats i takt med forskningsframsteg har också rekommendationer och riktlinjer från officiellt håll varierat över tid. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka om fotbollsledare har kännedom om de senaste rekommendationerna vad gäller styrketräning för barn. I studien inkluderades fotbollsledare (n=39) som tränade pojkar i årskullarna 1998-2002. Med utgångspunkt i nya svenska rekommendationer om styrketräning för barn formulerades påståenden i en enkät. Med hjälp av enkäten samlades data in som kodades om till siffror och analyserades. I resultatet identifierades två variabler som hade betydelse för de åsikter som fördes fram i enkäten. Dessa variabler innebar att det för resultatet spelade roll i vilken division som fotbollsledarens fotbollsförening spelade i samt hur många år denne varit aktiv som fotbollsledare. Resultatet visade att fotbollsledare inte hade kännedom om de senaste rekommendationerna vad gäller styrketräning för barn.Physical training for children has always been a controversial topic that raises ethical, physiological and medical issues. Although the recently revealed scientific evidence indicates that strength training can lead to a number of positive effects on children, there has always been a problem associated with weight training impact on child development. For several years the Swedish Sports Research Counsil (Idrottens Forskningsråd) and the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) has presented recommendations and guidelines that will serve as the basis for the design of training activities in sport clubs. Since research findings have changed over the past years, recommendations and guidelines from the Swedish Sports Research Counsil and the Swedish Sports Confederation has varied over time as well. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether football[1]leaders are aware of the latest recommendations regarding strength training for children. This study includes football leaders (n=39) who trains boys in age groups from 1998 to 2002. By using a questionnaire data was collected, coded and analyzed. The results of this study indicate that football leaders are not aware of the latest recommendations regarding strength training for children. [1]In US it is referred to as soccer

Nu slipper jag fråga någon : En studie om hur man förklarar termer i en text utan att läsbarheten påverkas.

Ishockey är en av Sveriges populäraste sporter och engagerar många, både i och utanför rinken. Hockeyligan.se är Elitseriens officiella webbplats och erbjuder besökarna möjligheten att följa matcherna direkt från en dator via ett text flöde. I liveflödet förekommer många förkortningar som är svåra att förstå. Målet med denna studie är att hitta en lösning på hur man ska förklara dem utan att påverka läsbarheten negativt.  Fokus ligger på den textuella biten och inte den grafiska och hur informationen presenteras. Genom att göra textanalyser och en omvärldsanalys hoppas jag få tillräckligt med kunskap för att tillsist kunna göra en gestaltning som uppnår mitt mål med arbetet. Det vill säga inkludera alla besökare.  Förstudien bestod av en läsbarhetsanalys och en textanalys. Textanalysen visade att informationen som idag ges är relevant men att förkortningarna borde förklaras för att öka möjligheten att förstå innehållet, vilken min enkätundersökning bekräftar. Där svarade nämligen 77 procent att de ansåg att det finns ett allmänt behov av förklaringar av termerna.  Resultatet blev en gestaltning där användaren använder sin datamus för att få fram förklaringarna av förkortningarna. Genom att dra musen över ordet så dyker förklaringen upp i en ruta, en så kallad tooltip, vilket ger läsaren möjligheten att själv välja om han/hon vill ta del av informationen eller inte. På så sätt har läsbarheten inte påverkats. När det gäller det textuella har studien givit mig följande resultat när det gäller hur man skriver förklarande texter för en tooltip på webben:  Var kortfattad.  Skriv det som krävs. Tänk på målgruppen.Hockey is one of Sweden's most popular sports and involving many pepole, both on and off the rink. Hockeyligan.se is Elitseriens Official site and offers visitors the opportunity to follow the games directly from a computer via a text flow. In the live stream, there are many abbreviations that are difficult to understand. The objective of this study is to find a solution to how explain them without affecting the readability negatively. The focus is on the textual piece and not the graphics and how information is presented. By doing textual analysis and an environmental scanning I hope to get enough knowledge to finally be able to make a design that achieves my goal of the study. That is to include all visitors. The pilot study consisted of a readability analysis and a text analysis. The text analysis showed that the information currently provided is relevant but that the abbreviations should be explained in order to increase the ability to understand the content. Which my survey also confirms. They flew namely 77 percent said they felt that there is a general need for explanations of the terms. The result was a design where the user uses his computer mouse to get the explanations of the abbreviations. By dragging the mouse over the word to bring up the explanation into a box called a tooltip, which does not affect readability. Briefly, we can say that the results of the study gives the reader the opportunity to decide if he / she wants to share the information or not. In this way, a box called a tooltip, it will not affect the readability As for the textual study has given me the following results in terms of how to write explanatory texts for a tooltip on the Web: Be brief. Write it as required.  Think of your audience