BACKGROUND Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable region (HVR) sequences of prehistoric Polynesian chicken samples reflect dispersal of two haplogroups--D and E--by the settlers of the Pacific. The distribution of these chicken haplogroups has been used as an indicator of human movement. Recent analyses suggested similarities between prehistoric Pacific and South American chicken samples, perh...

The languages of Vanuatu are uniformly Austronesian, but have long been described as “aberrant.” Blust (2005) points out a number of morphosyntactic features of the Vanuatu languages that might provide evidence for a Papuan element in their history. We add to that argument, presenting phonological evidence that links the languages of Vanuatu and New Caledonia with the non-Austronesian languages...

Crowley, Terry (edited by John Lynch), The Avava language of Central Malakula (Vanuatu). Canberra: Department of Linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, 2006, xvi + 213 pp. [Pacific Linguistics 574.] ISBN 0858835649. Price: AUD 54.50 (paperback). Crowley, Terry (edited by John Lynch), Tape: a declining language of Malakula (Vanuatu). Canberra: ...

We show human herpesvirus 8 with diverse molecular subtype D variants to be highly endemic among the Ni-Vanuatu population. Most K1 genes were nearly identical to Polynesian strains, although a few clustered with Australian or Taiwanese strains. These results suggest diverse origins of the Ni-Vanuatu population and raise questions about the ancient human population movements in Melanesia.

AIMS This article argues that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS in Vanuatu are a cause for concern and that a strong response is needed to stem an epidemic. METHODS Three sources of data are used: studies and policy documents on STIs and HIV/AIDS in Vanuatu; analysis of reported STI cases from public health facilities; and key informant interviews with 14 policy stakeholders...

BACKGROUND Lymphatic filariasis (LF) occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. The filarial worms affect the lymphatic system which leads to abnormal enlargement of body parts, chronic pain, disability, and social discrimination. In 1999, a commitment was made to eliminate LF from the Pacific Region by 2010. The Pacific Program to Eliminate LF began, with Vanu...

BACKGROUND Unmet need for family planning in the Pacific is among the highest in the world. Better understanding of required investments and associated benefits of increased access to family planning in the Pacific may assist prioritisation and funding. METHODS We modelled the costs and associated health, demographic and economic impacts of reducing unmet need for family planning between 2010...

A population-based survey of blindness was conducted in Vanuatu. Data were gathered on a sample of 3520 of the approximately 150,000 inhabitants of Vanuatu aged at least 6 years, in order to estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness among the whole population. An overall prevalence of blindness of 4.0 per 1000 was found, 85% of which was due to cataract, an avoidable cause of this disabil...

The identity of the mangrove sesarmid crab Clistocoeloma balansae A. Milne-Edwards, 1873, is clarified on the basis of the types from New Caledonia, and fresh material from Vanuatu and the Philippines. Sesarma (Sesarma) tectum Rathbun, 1914, is shown to be a junior subjective synonym of C. balansae A. Milne-Edwards, 1873. A new species, C. melanesicum, superficially similar to C. balansae, is d...

Upregulatory Effects of Nobiletin, a Citrus Flavonoid with Anti-dementia Activity, on the Gene Expression of mAChR, ChAT, and CBP Junko Kimura1, Kosuke Shimizu1, Jiro Takito2, Kiyomitsu Nemoto3, Masakuni Degawa3, Akihito Yokosuka4, Yoshihiro Mimaki4, Naoto Oku1, Yasushi Ohizumi1,5 1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan 2 ...