Surfing the internet for health information: an italian survey on use and population choices

BACKGROUND: Recent international sources have described how the rapid expansion of the Internet has precipitated an increase in its use by the general population to search for medical information. Most studies on e-health use investigated either through the prevalence of such use and the social and income patterns of users in selected populations, or the psychological consequences and satisfaction experienced by patients with particular diseases. Few studies have been carried out in Europe that have tried to identify the behavioral consequences of Internet use for health-related purposes in the general population.The aims of this study are to provide information about the prevalence of Internet use for health-related purposes in Italy according to demographic and socio-cultural features, to investigate the impact of the information found on health-related behaviors and choices and to analyze any differences based on health condition, self-rated health and relationships with health professionals and facilities. METHODS: A multicenter survey was designed within six representative Italian cities. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire administered in hospital laboratories by physicians. Respondents were questioned about their generic condition, their use of the Internet and their health behaviors and choices related to Internet use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to assess any differences by socio-demographic and health-related variables. RESULTS: The sample included 3018 individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Approximately 65% of respondents reported using the Internet, and 57% of them reported using it to search for health-related information. The main reasons for search on the Internet were faster access and a greater amount of information. People using the Internet more for health-related purposes were younger, female and affected by chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of Internet users search for health information and subsequently modify their health behaviors and relationships with their medical providers. This may suggest a strong public health impact with consequences in all European countries, and it would be prudent to plan educational and prevention programs. However, it could be important to investigate the quality of health-related websites to protect and inform user

Nutrition, productivity and soil chemical properties in an apple orchard under weed management

Weed management in orchard may affect apple tree nutritional status and yield, N flow and other soil chemical properties. This study evaluated apple tree nutritional status and yield, N flow in soil and soil chemical properties in an apple orchard under different weed managements. The experiment was started in October 2011 in an apple orchard established in 2008, on 80 plants submitted to the following treatments: no weed management, weed desiccation in rows, weed mowing in rows and weed mowing in rows and interrows. In 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014 crop seasons, stem diameter, number of fruits per plant and yield were measured, and nutrient leaf concentrations were quantified. In 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 crop seasons, soil samples were collected from 0 to 0.20 m layers, in order to quantify NH4 ?–N and NO3 -–N. In September 2013, 24 months after beginning of the experiment, stratified soil samples were collected in the 0–0.025, 0.025–0.05, 0.05–0.10, 0.10–0.15, 0.15–0.20 and 0.20–0.40 m layers. Soil total organic carbon, pH, available P and exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg were measured. The weed management methods did not affect apple tree yield and growth and they had a small effect on nutrient concentrations in leaves and in soil. Row and inter-row weed management had little or no effect on competition with apple trees for water and nutrients. The weed management can be dispensed during the production cycle, reducing soil erosion, N losses and the use of herbicide

Towards precise and accurate calculations of neutrinoless double-beta decay

We present the results of a National Science Foundation Project Scoping Workshop, the purpose of which was to assess the current status of calculations for the nuclear matrix elements governing neutrinoless double-beta decay and determine if more work on them is required. After reviewing important recent progress in the application of effective field theory, lattice quantum chromodynamics, and ab initio nuclear-structure theory to double-beta decay, we discuss the state of the art in nuclear-physics uncertainty quantification and then construct a roadmap for work in all these areas to fully complement the increasingly sensitive experiments in operation and under development. The roadmap includes specific projects in theoretical and computational physics as well as the use of Bayesian methods to quantify both intra- and inter-model uncertainties. The goal of this ambitious program is a set of accurate and precise matrix elements, in all nuclei of interest to experimentalists, delivered together with carefully assessed uncertainties. Such calculations will allow crisp conclusions from the observation or non-observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay, no matter what new physics is at play

The root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica leads to early flowering, higher biomass and altered secondary metabolites of the medicinal plant, Coleus forskohlii

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of plant probiotic fungus Piriformospora indica on the medicinal plant C. forskohlii. Interaction of the C. forskohlii with the root endophyte P. indica under field conditions, results in an overall increase in aerial biomass, chlorophyll contents and phosphorus acquisition. The fungus also promoted inflorescence development, consequently the amount of p-cymene in the inflorescence increased. Growth of the root thickness was reduced in P. indica treated plants as they became fibrous, but developed more lateral roots. Because of the smaller root biomass, the content of forskolin was decreased. The symbiotic interaction of C. forskohlii with P. indica under field conditions promoted biomass production of the aerial parts of the plant including flower development. The plant aerial parts are important source of metabolites for medicinal application. Therefore we suggest that the use of the root endophyte fungus P. indica in sustainable agriculture will enhance the medicinally important chemical production