1. Evidence for reproductive senescence in invertebrate natural populations is scant probably because most groups are short-lived or because they lack natural markers of age. 2. Lycosa tarantula (L.) (the Mediterranean Tarantula) (Araneae, Lycosidae) is a slowly ageing burrowing wolf spider, in which females can reproduce for two consecutive seasons. Females in their first reproductive season (...

Background The prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy has increased in the developed world, particularly among children less than 5 years of age. Widespread folate supplementation during pregnancy commenced in the 1980’s in an attempt to decrease the rate of neural tube defects. This introduction corresponded with the increase in inflammatory disease in children, including allergic conditions....

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) contribute significantly to the world's disease and mortality burden. Global efforts addressing MNDs have achieved significant yet heterogeneous progress across and within regions and countries. For vitamin A and iodine interventions, enhancing achievements in coverage require further political and financial commitment and targeting of hard-to-reach populations...

Density-dependent habitat selection has numerous and far-reaching implications to population dynamics and evolutionary processes. Although several studies suggest that organisms choose and occupy high-quality habitats over poorer ones, definitive experiments demonstrating active selection, by the same individuals at the appropriate population scale, are lacking. We conducted a reciprocal food s...

Taking folate before conception and then for the first three months of pregnancy reduces the risk of recurrence of neural tube defects, and fortification of food has been proposed. The effects of long term exposure to high concentrations of supplemental folate are unknown, and antimetabolite effects are theoretically possible. Data on the long term effects of increased folate intake in pregnanc...

OBJECTIVE The potential effects of four interventions to improve iodine intakes of six New Zealand population groups are assessed. DESIGN A model was developed to estimate iodine intake when (i) bread is manufactured with or without iodized salt, (ii) recommended foods are consumed to augment iodine intake, (iii) iodine supplementation as recommended for pregnant women is taken and (iv) the l...