A survey of what legal populations believe and know about inattentional blindness and visual detection.

Inattentional blindness refers to when people fail to notice obvious and unexpected events when their attention is elsewhere. Existing research suggests that inattentional blindness is a poorly understood concept that violates the beliefs that are commonly held by the public about vision and attention. Given that legal cases may involve individuals who may have experienced inattentional blindness, it is important to understand the beliefs legal populations and members of the community have about inattentional blindness, and their general familiarity and experience with the concept. Australian police officers (n = 94) and lawyers (n = 98), along with psychology students (n = 99) and community members (n = 100) completed a survey where they: a) stated whether an individual would have noticed an event in six legal vignettes, b) rated whether factors would make an individual more, less, or just as likely to notice an unexpected event, c) reported their familiarity with and personal experiences of inattentional blindness, and d) indicated whether they believed individuals could make themselves more likely to notice unexpected events. Respondents in all populations frequently responded "yes" to detecting the unexpected event in most legal vignettes. They also held misconceptions about some factors (expertise and threat) that would influence the noticing of unexpected events. Additionally, personal experiences with inattentional blindness were commonly reported. Finally, respondents provided strategies for what individuals can do to make themselves more likely to notice of unexpected events, despite a lack of evidence to support them. Overall, these findings provide direction for where education and training could be targeted to address misconceptions about inattentional blindness held by legal populations, which may lead to improved decision-making in legal settings.

Reconsidering post 20-week abortion in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Abortion Legislation Act 2020 established comprehensive grounds for approving abortions after 20 weeks. These grounds are less restrictive than before law reform. They give qualified health practitioners (QHP) the scope to approve any abortion anyone wants and might reasonably request, if the QHP believes the abortion is clinically justified in the circumstances, having considered all the factors required by law. Because patients hold QHPs accountable under the Health and Disability Commission and legal processes, it is unlikely a QHP will need to justify approving an abortion, although they may well be called upon to justify refusing one.

Pre-RNA splicing in metabolic homeostasis and liver disease.

The liver plays a key role in sensing nutritional and hormonal inputs to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Recent studies into pre-mRNA splicing and alternative splicing (AS) and their effects on gene expression have revealed considerable transcriptional complexity in the liver, both in health and disease. While the contribution of these mechanisms to cell and tissue identity is widely accepted, their role in physiological and pathological contexts within tissues is just beginning to be appreciated. In this review, we showcase recent studies on the splicing and AS of key genes in metabolic pathways in the liver, the effect of metabolic signals on the spliceosome, and therapeutic intervention points based on RNA splicing.

Disparities in utilisation of combined oral contraceptives in Aotearoa New Zealand: A cross-sectional whole-of-population study.

AIMS: The combined oral contraceptive (COC) is the most commonly used hormonal contraceptive in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa/NZ). Currently there is limited data available on who uses COC in Aotearoa/NZ. The aims were to (i) define the population of reproductive-aged females in Aotearoa/NZ in 2018 and identify the rate of COC use among this group and (ii) describe the sociodemographic and geographic characteristics of the population of COC users compared to the general population of reproductive-aged females in 2018. METHODS: This whole-of-population cross-sectional study used the Integrated Data Infrastructure, a large research database managed by Statistics New Zealand. Females aged 16-50 years with complete sociodemographic and geographic information in 2018 from Aotearoa/NZ's estimated resident population were included. COC dispensing records to this cohort were identified from the national Pharmaceutical Collection. This paper reports descriptive counts of COC use and employs generalised linear regression with a binomial distribution and a log link to estimate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) of COC use for key sociodemographic and geographic subgroups. RESULTS: Of 1 113 750 individuals in the study, 159 789 (14.3%) were dispensed as COC in 2018. European/other individuals were most likely to use COC (aRR: 2.72, 2.67-2.78), and Pacific Peoples were least likely (aRR: 0.56, 0.55-0.58) to use COC. Individuals residing in the most deprived quintile had less COC use than individuals in the least deprived quintile (aRR: 0.73, 0.72-0.74). CONCLUSION: Our study is able to highlight significant disparities in use by ethnicity, area-level deprivation, and geographic factors.

The effects of episode spacing on adult's reports of a repeated event.

Witnesses' reports of repeated events have been the focus of much research; however, the spacing interval between each episode of the event has differed greatly. The aim of the current study was to determine whether spacing interval affects participants' memory reports. Adults (N = 217) watched one (n = 52) or four videos depicting workplace bullying. The repeated event participants watched the four videos all in one day (n = 55), one per day over four consecutive days (n = 60), or one every three days over 12 days (n = 50). One week after the last (or only) video, participants reported on that video and answered some reflective questions about the procedure. Repeated-event participants also reported on what usually happens across the videos. Single-event participants reported proportionally more accurate information about the target video than repeated-event participants, and spacing interval did not affect repeated event participants' accuracy. However, accuracy scores were close to ceiling while errors rates were at floor levels, preventing us from drawing strong conclusions. We found some evidence that episode spacing affected participants' perceptions of their memory performance. Overall, spacing may have a minimal effect on adults' memory for repeated events, but further research is required.

Laypeople's perceptions of the effects of event repetition, reporting delay, and emotion on children's and adults' memory.

For crimes such as child abuse and family violence, jurors' assessments of memory reports from key witnesses are vital to case outcomes in court. Since jurors are not experts on memory, the present research measured laypeople's (i.e., non-experts') beliefs about how three key factors affect witnesses' memory reports for an experienced event: how frequently an event was experienced (repeated, single), the delay between experiencing and reporting the event, and the emotional valence of the event. Across two studies, lay participants completed an online survey that measured their beliefs about each factor. In Study 1, 51 participants completed a survey about how the three factors affect children's memory. In Study 2, another 51 participants completed a survey about how the three factors affect adult's memory. Across both studies, delays were believed to worsen memory, and emotion was believed to improve memory. Beliefs about single and repeated events showed different patterns across the studies. In Study 1, participants' beliefs about children's memory for repeated experience were variable. In Study 2, participants believed that adults' memory was worse for repeated events than single events. Overall, laypeople demonstrated many accurate beliefs about memory, but showed some confusion about children's memory for repeated events.

Liver RBFOX2 regulates cholesterol homeostasis via Scarb1 alternative splicing in mice.

RNA alternative splicing (AS) expands the regulatory potential of eukaryotic genomes. The mechanisms regulating liver-specific AS profiles and their contribution to liver function are poorly understood. Here, we identify a key role for the splicing factor RNA-binding Fox protein 2 (RBFOX2) in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in a lipogenic environment in the liver. Using enhanced individual-nucleotide-resolution ultra-violet cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, we identify physiologically relevant targets of RBFOX2 in mouse liver, including the scavenger receptor class B type I (Scarb1). RBFOX2 function is decreased in the liver in diet-induced obesity, causing a Scarb1 isoform switch and alteration of hepatocyte lipid homeostasis. Our findings demonstrate that specific AS programmes actively maintain liver physiology, and underlie the lipotoxic effects of obesogenic diets when dysregulated. Splice-switching oligonucleotides targeting this network alleviate obesity-induced inflammation in the liver and promote an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein profile in the blood, underscoring the potential of isoform-specific RNA therapeutics for treating metabolism-associated diseases.

The effects of immediate recall and subsequent retrieval strategy on eyewitness memory.

The current study investigated the effects of immediate recall and subsequent interview on mock witnesses' memory of a crime. After watching a video of a crime, 111 participants were randomly allocated to an immediate recall condition (the iWitnessed mobile app, free recall). One week later, participants were randomly allocated to a retrieval condition (timeline aid, category clustering recall, free recall). Results showed that iWitnessed elicited more correct details than free recall at immediate recall (Time 1), without compromising accuracy. However, the immediate recall tool did not affect memory performance at a one-week delay (Time 2). At Time 2, participants with retrieval support (timeline aid, category clustering recall) reported more details than those with no retrieval support (free recall), without compromising accuracy. The findings highlight that high-quality immediate recall and retrieval support during a subsequent interview are necessary to elicit more complete and accurate accounts.

The perceived credibility of repeated-event witnesses depends upon their veracity.

For repeated crimes like domestic violence and workplace bullying, the primary evidence is often the alleged victim's testimony. Consequently, the perceived credibility of repeated event speakers can be pivotal to legal proceedings. In order to investigate perceptions of truthful and deceptive repeated-event speakers, undergraduate students observed interviews of speakers describing a single occurrence of an event that was either experienced or fabricated either once or multiple times. Some participants additionally read an expert statement on repeated-event memory. The effect of repetition on perceived credibility depended on the speaker's veracity, enhancing the credibility of fabricators but diminishing the credibility of truth-tellers. The expert testimony was found to raise the perceived honesty and cognitive competence of the repeated-event speakers and thus could be a promising mechanism for enhancing perceived credibility in legal proceedings.

Willing but not able: A survey of New Zealand health practitioners' interests in providing second trimester abortion care and the obstacles they face.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, abortion was removed from the Crimes Act. Abortions under 20 weeks gestation no longer require an indication and criteria for abortion above 20 weeks gestation has broadened. Prior to law reform, all abortions were provided on licensed premises and the responsible health practitioner was a doctor. Subsequently, any health practitioner with abortion in their scope of practice can provide abortion care. AIMS: To describe the characteristics of health practitioners who expressed an interest in participating in second trimester abortion care, and to identify and describe the barriers to providing an optimal second trimester abortion service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an exponential non-discriminating snowball email survey using tick boxes and open comments. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free-text components were analysed using a general inductive approach. RESULTS: The 113 respondents included: 38 hospital-based obstetrics and gynaecology doctors, 22 primary care doctors, 13 midwives and 14 nurses/nurse practitioners. Thirty-three (29.2%) and 62 (54.9%) respondents reported interest in providing second trimester surgical and medical abortion care respectively. The most commonly identified barrier to both surgical and medical second trimester abortion provision was lack of trained staff, followed by an unsupportive work environment. Thematic analysis aligned with these findings and commonly featured difficulty in accessing feticide. CONCLUSIONS: We need to actively recruit and train all health practitioners interested in providing second trimester abortion care to strengthen the workforce. This requires an organisation to oversee an inclusive national framework for abortion training, including feticide, and provide professional supervision.

The impact of recall timing on the preservation of eyewitness memory.

Two studies investigated the impact of recall timing on eyewitness memory. In Study 1, participants viewed a crime video and then completed the Self-Administered Interview (SAI©) either immediately, after a 24-h delay, after a 1-week delay, or not at all. All participants completed a final recall questionnaire 2 weeks after they had viewed the stimulus video. Study 2 aimed to determine how long the beneficial impact of the SAI© on witnesses' long-term memory lasts. Participants watched a crime video and then either completed the SAI© or did not engage in an immediate recall attempt. Participants then completed a final recall questionnaire after a delay of 24 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, or 1 month. The results indicated that initial recall should be completed within 24 h of an incident and that under these conditions, the beneficial impact of early recall on long-term memory endures for at least 1 month.

Dysregulated RNA polyadenylation contributes to metabolic impairment in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Pre-mRNA processing is an essential mechanism for the generation of mature mRNA and the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. While defects in pre-mRNA processing have been implicated in a number of diseases their involvement in metabolic pathologies is still unclear. Here, we show that both alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation, two major steps in pre-mRNA processing, are significantly altered in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Moreover, we find that Serine and Arginine Rich Splicing Factor 10 (SRSF10) binding is enriched adjacent to consensus polyadenylation motifs and its expression is significantly decreased in NAFLD, suggesting a role mediating pre-mRNA dysregulation in this condition. Consistently, inactivation of SRSF10 in mouse and human hepatocytes in vitro, and in mouse liver in vivo, was found to dysregulate polyadenylation of key metabolic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) and exacerbate diet-induced metabolic dysfunction. Collectively our work implicates dysregulated pre-mRNA polyadenylation in obesity-induced liver disease and uncovers a novel role for SRSF10 in this process.

Adult memory for instances of emotionally stressful and non-stressful repeated events.

Repeated offences, such as domestic violence, are often distressing for victims. When victims of such offences make an allegation of abuse, they are usually required to report details about specific incidents. Therefore, this pre-registered study examined whether memory for an emotionally stressful versus non-stressful repeated event would differ depending on the instance being recalled. Eighty female participants (Mage = 22.3, SD = 7.4) imagined being involved in four abusive (emotionally stressful repeated event) or non-abusive relationship instances (non-stressful repeated event) over a four-week period. One-week after the last instance, participants completed recall and source memory questions about each instance. We found no evidence that memory for stressful versus non-stressful repeated events differed depending on the instance being recalled. Instead, we found that memory was more accurate for the last instance relative to the other instances (i.e., recency effect), regardless of event stressfulness. We also found that memory accuracy was better across all instances in the stressful than the non-stressful group. The findings suggest that victim-survivors of abuse might find the last instance of abuse particularly memorable when the delay between the offence and report is one-week or less, and the stressfulness of the instance might help them recall more details.

Does experiencing inattentional blindness for crime influence eyewitness recall?

Witnesses may not notice crimes occurring when their attention is elsewhere, which may affect their memory. In this study, 174 participants completed an attention-demanding task while viewing a video containing an assault. Whether participants noticed the assault or experienced inattentional blindness for it was assessed. Then, participants were exposed to post-event information (containing misinformation) before completing a cued-recall task under one of three recall instructions (free, forced, or no instruction). Most participants experienced inattentional blindness for the assault (65.5%), which had a negative effect on recall, regardless of recall instruction. Specifically, participants who experienced inattentional blindness were less confident, complete, and accurate, and were more likely to report misinformation, than participants who noticed the crime. Witnesses who experienced inattentional blindness reported that they relied purely on post-event information to answer some questions. The findings suggest that caution should be taken when interviewing witnesses who have not paid attention to a crime.

Leaps ahead in law but not in practice: Why we need to train in second trimester abortion care.

BACKGROUND: Abortion care has always been controversial, with health professionals worldwide continually working to offer well-rounded safe services. Key improvements in New Zealand since abortion law reform include the ability to self-refer, no formal certification under 20 weeks gestation, and change to the indications for abortion after 20 weeks. Nationally, we know that the second trimester abortion incidence is stable, and will therefore require an ongoing workforce to sustain the service. AIMS: To document the current second trimester workforce for medical and surgical abortion in New Zealand, and examine their training and practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anonymous non-discriminatory snowball survey covering the domains of demographics, barriers to abortion care, abortion training, abortion provision and procedure specifics using Qualtrics software. RESULTS: Eleven practitioners currently perform dilation and evacuation, and 33 wish to. Current providers have between zero and three other colleagues to assist them in service provision. Most learned by an informal apprenticeship model and operate relatively infrequently. There is variance in the cervical preparation and evacuation procedure as well as skillset and/or willingness for later gestations. Fifty-nine practitioners' units currently provide medical abortion, and 62 wish to. There is more coherence in the regime of medical abortion, although the availability of this is affected by gestation and location. CONCLUSION: For most women requesting second trimester abortions, additional time, cost and stress is still very much the status quo. District Health Boards need to prioritise training and workforce planning to ensure the availability of this essential service.

Relevance of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women's health to general practice: a case study.

INTRODUCTION There are important changes in the health care needs of women presenting to general practice in New Zealand, which prompted an evaluation of postgraduate training needs of general practitioners (GPs) who care for women in the community. AIM To evaluate the perceived relevance of the curriculum of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women's health to GPs' work profile to identify any need for curricular change. This study was also performed to investigate the need for refresher courses or a Master's degree in obstetrics, gynaecology and women's health. METHODS In total, 426 GPs and GP trainees who had completed the postgraduate Certificate and Diploma programmes in women's health were invited to complete an online survey. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions with five-point Likert scale ratings to rate the relevance of papers to general practice, and options for free-text comments. RESULTS There were 86 responses (20.2% response rate) and we analysed 73 (17.1%). Curriculum modules related to gynaecological care were rated as more relevant than obstetric and newborn care. GPs suggested more training in contraception and management of infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain including procedural skills such as insertion of long-acting reversible contraceptives, implants and intrauterine devices. An interest in a refresher course was indicated by 76.6% of GPs. DISCUSSION GPs recognised the need for enhanced training in women's gynaecological care. Revision of the postgraduate women's health curriculum and development of new refresher courses will enable GPs, trainees and prospective GPs to improve their care for women in the community.

Stopping crime? The effect of crime re-enactments on eyewitness memory.

Crime re-enactments broadcast on television encourage witnesses to provide information regarding unsolved crimes. However, given that eyewitness memory can be altered through exposure to post-event information, it is possible that crime re-enactments may influence the memory of eyewitnesses. The current studies examined the effects of crime re-enactments on eyewitness memory. In two experiments (Experiment 1 with a distractor task, Experiment 2 without a distractor task), participants were shown one of three versions of a crime video that differed in their ambiguity. One week later half of the participants viewed a crime re-enactment. All participants then completed a guided free- and cued-recall task regarding the original event. Across both studies, exposure to the re-enactment did not improve eyewitness memory; instead, participants who viewed the re-enactment were more likely to accept the misinformation in the re-enactment. The findings shed light on potential issues with using crime re-enactments to elicit eyewitness accounts.

Proactively providing contraception to New Zealand adolescents.

High adolescent pregnancy rates in New Zealand (NZ) are influenced by limited access to contraception. In this paper, we discuss using a proactive contraception provision (PCP) model to overcome barriers that prevent effective contraceptive uptake. After outlining steps taken to assess acceptability of PCP in NZ, we cover three issues to consider with PCP: the range of contraceptives that should be offered, the age range that should be approached, and finally whether to include adolescents without uteruses. We conclude that PCP is an approach worth considering in the NZ context and should be piloted to assess feasibility and effectiveness.

What does abortion law reform mean for primary care practitioners in New Zealand?

New Zealand achieved a major sexual reproductive health and rights milestone when abortion ceased to be a crime. Introduction of the Abortion Legislation Act 2020 has significantly changed the way abortion care can be provided in New Zealand, with the potential to improve access, reduce inequities and transform the abortion experience for those people who choose to end their pregnancy. The primary care sector stands to be a key player in the provision of first-trimester abortion care. However, with issues relating to funding, training and access to medications yet to be resolved, the health sector is not yet ready to provide best-practice abortion care within the new legislative framework.

Adult memory for specific instances of a repeated event: a preliminary review.

In cases of repeated victimisation, a complainant's statement of abuse, and therefore memory, is often critical evidence for forensic investigations and legal proceedings. It is therefore important to understand the functioning of adults' memory for repeated events. As such, the purpose of this paper was to review the extant literature on adult memory for instances of a repeated event. The results of the review revealed a small number of heterogeneous studies on adult repeated-event memory (N = 12). The literature so far shows that while adults might have difficulty in recalling information specific to instances (narrow accuracy), they are capable of remembering information across multiple instances (broad accuracy). It was also found that several factors may impact recall of instances including age, the number of experienced instances, rehearsing an event, repeated retrieval and event distinctiveness. The discussion highlights the forensic implications of this research and future research directions.