Government of South Australia

ABSTRACTEffective conservation of threatened species relies on precise detection methods to inform conservation management strategies. Here, we developed a new environmental DNA (eDNA) assay to detect the endangered Booroolong frog (Litoria booroolongensis) in river water samples throughout their range in Australia. The suitability of the assay to detect Booroolong frog eDNA was first validated ex situ from a population of captive‐bred frogs at Taronga Zoo, New South Wales. We then established the detectability of Booroolong frog DNA from river water samples collected in situ. The new assay successfully detected Booroolong frog eDNA in water samples collected from the breeding enclosure, from water samples exposed to adult frogs and frog egg masses. Testing in the field confirmed the effectiveness of the assay at detecting Booroolong frog eDNA in environmental water samples collected in situ from sites with known presence of the species determined from prior nocturnal surveys. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of eDNA for detecting Booroolong frogs from river water samples across its geographic range. Ongoing monitoring utilizing eDNA has the potential to support conservation efforts by enabling more efficient and widespread surveys for this endangered species.

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women is sub-optimal. We assessed the effectiveness of a multi-component behavioural nudge intervention to improve COVID-19 and influenza vaccine uptake among pregnant women. A 'nudge' was developed that comprised three SMS text message reminders with a social norming message, links to vaccine safety information, videos of health professionals and consumers recommending vaccination in pregnancy and a pledge to get vaccinated. In separate RCTs, pregnant women who had not received an influenza vaccine during the 2023 influenza season, or received ≤2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, were randomised (1:1) to standard care or intervention at four hospitals in Australia. A total of 1090 and 1068 pregnant women were randomised to the COVID-19 and influenza RCTs, respectively. The nudges resulted in a 1.6% increase in COVID-19 vaccine uptake and 1.7% increase in influenza vaccine uptake among pregnant women. However, there was no significant difference in the percentage of pregnant women in the intervention (2.7%) and the standard care (1.1%) groups receiving one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from randomisation until delivery (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 6.30, P=0.08). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the percentage of pregnant women in the intervention (58.0%) and the standard care (56.3%) groups receiving the influenza vaccine from the time of randomisation until delivery (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.38, P=0.58). Less than 2% of women had viewed the video content of the nudges in both RCTs. The nudges delivered via SMS resulted in small increases in COVID-19 and influenza vaccination uptake among pregnant women. Considering the very low cost of bulk SMS, these nudges may be cost-effective interventions at a population level.

Coastal lagoons are productive ecosystems supporting diverse biota but are susceptible to altered flow regimes and nutrient enrichment. The Coorong Lagoon in South Australia faces significant threats from reduced freshwater inputs and eutrophication, with the keystone macrophyte species, Ruppia tuberosa, generally in a state of decline. Identifying management strategies to guide their recovery has proven complicated due to the complex environmental requirements across life stages. This study aimed to develop a novel phenology-based habitat suitability model for quantifying the overall probability of reproductive success, based on salinity, water depth, light availability, temperature and filamentous algae presence. High-resolution predictions from a coupled hydrodynamic-habitat suitability model were validated against individual life stage data and reproductive outcomes (sexual and asexual) under both typical and atypical (La Niña) climatic conditions, achieving statistically significant (P < 0.05) correlation coefficients for all life stages under typical conditions. Results revealed considerable inter-annual variability in total areas suitable for reproduction between 2018 and 2022, primarily influenced by salinity and light availability during early stages (germination and sprouting) and reproductive stage. 2018 had the largest suitable areas for reproduction, while 2021 had the smallest. Under typical conditions, the central part of the lagoon was identified as a high conservation value area for R. tuberosa, offering optimal conditions for both sexual and asexual reproduction. This study highlights the importance of incorporating phenology into habitat models and demonstrates how such models can guide management decisions aiming at restoring not just the adult plant phase but also ensuring reproductive success and long-term resilience of the R. tuberosa community.

Intersectoral action is integral in promoting population health and health equity. In South Australia, public health partnership authorities (PHPAs) are one mechanism to promote intersectoral collaboration for addressing complex public health issues. This case study examined contemporary evidence on the critical elements of successful partnerships, explored the role of formalisation in success, and examined how identified critical elements were operationalised over time in an existing PHPA. In the first phase, a scoping review was conducted. The second phase was a retrospective longitudinal case study of a government-academic PHPA agreement, involving partnership document review and key informant interviews. Data triangulation and iterative thematic analysis were performed. The critical elements of successful partnership, triangulated through multiple data sources, are mutuality, governance, communication, resources, leadership, and interactions and relationships. These elements have a high degree of interdependence. Trust supports and is reinforced by these elements, particularly during times of change or crisis. Formalisation of a partnership supports success in many ways but is insufficient on its own. Operating in dynamic environments, a partnership requires dedicated time and effort to be successful. Attention to the strength and interconnectedness of the critical elements over the course of a partnership is crucial. SO WHAT?: This case study describes how the elements of successful partnership can be applied to progress beyond transactional relationships towards authentic collaboration and overcome cross-border and cross-boundary public health challenges to promote population health and well-being.

Physical inactivity is a global health problem. Childhood is an opportune time to establish healthy physical activity behaviors, including the participation in organized physical activity, such as sports. We hypothesize that financial incentives can improve young people's participation in physical activity and sports. The design of the incentive and the context in which it operates are crucial to its success.

In Australia, 71% of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are enteric methane (CH4), mostly produced by grazing sheep and cattle. Temperate low CH4 yielding legumes and herbs can mitigate enteric CH4 production, but system-level GHG emissions need to be considered. The aims of the study were to: (1) devise a framework to assess GHG reductions when introducing low CH4 yielding species; (2) assess mechanisms of CH4 reduction in temperate legume and herb species for Australia; (3) use a case study to demonstrate expected changes to system-level GHG emissions with the introduction of low CH4 yielding legumes; and (4) identify knowledge gaps and research priorities. Results demonstrate lowering emissions intensity (kg CO2-equivalent/kg product) is crucial to mitigate GHG emissions, but livestock productivity is also important. Several pasture species have anti-methanogenic properties, but responses often vary considerably. Of the species investigated biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus) has great potential to reduce enteric CH4 emissions, but in a case study its emission intensity was similar to subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) but higher than lucerne (Medicago sativa). We conclude that there are temperate legumes and herbs with anti-methanogenic properties, and/or high productivity that could reduce total CH4 emissions and emissions intensity of ruminant livestock production. There is also great diversity in some plant genotypes that can be exploited, and this will be aided by more detailed understanding of plant secondary compounds associated with CH4 reduction. This review suggests an opportunity to formulate pasture species mixtures to achieve reduced CH4 emissions with greater or equal livestock production.