Inside edge - prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of anxiety/depression in professional cricketers

The purpose of this study was to i) determine the prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms in professional cricketers and ii) identify factors associated with symptoms of anxiety/depression. One-hundred and seventy-seven (n = 177, response rate of 76%) professional cricketers completed the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Odd ratios (OR) for anxiety/depression symptoms were related to players' career, family and education. Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression was 59% (n = 104/177). Anxiety/depression symptoms increased when players were contracted for more than 2 years (OR: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.2-21.3; p = 0.028) and if they played their last offseason overseas (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.3-9.6; p = 0.013). Anxiety/depression symptoms decreased by 70% when players made "productive use" of their time in the offseason (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.9; p = 0.036) and contracted for 2 years (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-1.0; p = 0.049). These findings can be incorporated into cricket mental health literacy programmes to improve awareness and understanding, and to encourage early help-seeking.

Biotechnology and the utilization of biowaste as a resource for bioproduct development

There is widespread concern that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere will ultimately lead to climate changes. Recognizing the important role that fossil fuels have in the economies and lifestyles of people throughout the world, it is reasonable to ask if the global economy can be powered in ways that might have less impact on the environment because they discharge less carbon dioxide. A way of addressing this sensitive issue could be through the biodevelopment of biowaste as an alternative and renewable energy resource. Landfilling and incineration are popular ways to deal with biowaste but both cause negative environmental effects such as the use of valuable land and production of dangerous gases. The structural components of cells, cellulose and hemicellulose, make biowaste very susceptible for bioproduct development and biowaste offers biotechnology an opportunity to assist in maintaining environmental quality.