Citizen scientists help discover microplastics along the entire German coastline

The AWI's citizen science project "Microplastic Detectives" has analyzed 2.2 tons of sand from German coasts for microplastics

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

 

image: 

An empty plastic bottle lies on the beach. Washed up on Sylt's west beach after a stormy night.

view more 

Credit: Alfred Wegener Institute / Sina Löschke

The global production of plastics and the resulting plastic waste has increased to such an extent that plastics have become ubiquitous in our environment. Plastics of various sizes are also found along the German North Sea and Baltic coasts. Previous studies of microplastic pollution on German beaches have often been limited to a few locations. In the citizen science project “Microplastic Detectives”, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, together with citizens, have now collected samples from beaches along the entire German coast to be analyzed for microplastics. The resulting dataset is the first to be large enough to make reliable estimates of the state of pollution along the entire German coastline. The team is publishing its findings in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science.

Global plastics production could almost triple by 2060, according to estimates by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This leads to more plastic waste and a build-up of plastic in water bodies, where it breaks down into microplastics - particles smaller than or equal to five millimeters. “This irreversible plastic pollution is affecting species, populations and ecosystems, including along the German coast,” says Dr Bruno Walther, formerly of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), now at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and lead author of the recently published study. The extent to which our beaches in the North Sea and Baltic Sea are polluted has so far only been assessed for individual areas or locations, but not for the entire German coast. “This is why we launched the citizen research project 'Microplastic Detectives' to collect comparable data on the large-scale distribution of microplastic pollution along the German coastline.”

With the help of citizen scientists, the research team was able to collect a total of 2.2 tons of sand from 71 locations along the German coast, covering a total area of 68.36 square meters. “We have combined a total of 1139 comparable samples into one large dataset. That's more geographic coverage than we’ve ever had before,” says co-author and AWI biologist Dr Melanie Bergmann. The samples were then dried at the AWI, sieved and analyzed under a microscope for plastic particles as small as one millimeter in size. “In this study, we deliberately focused on large microplastics in order to rule out airborne contamination with small microplastic particles and to simplify sampling for the citizen scientists.”

The results were surprising: “Although we found plastic on 52 out of 71 beaches, the amount of large microplastics in the North Sea and Baltic Seas was lower than in other studies,” explains Bruno Walther. “If we had also analyzed smaller microplastic particles, we would certainly have found much higher concentrations,” adds Melanie Bergmann. In previous AWI studies in the North Sea and the Arctic, microplastics smaller than one millimeter accounted for over 90 per cent of the microplastics found in sediments. “We also randomly selected sampling sites on the beach, rather than focusing on accumulation areas such as drift lines.” This may also explain differences.

Of the 1139 samples analyzed, 177 contained a total of 260 plastic particles. This is an average of about four plastic particles per square meter. On a ten-hectare beach, that would be 400,000 plastic particles. However, the analysis also shows that microplastic pollution varies greatly from place to place.

How effective are policies, and where do policies need to be re-adjusted?

“Our study is the first to provide comparable data on the large-scale distribution of plastic pollution along the entire German coast using standardized methods,” emphasizes Melanie Bergmann. This is necessary, for instance, to be able to map the status quo against the success of future policies to limit plastic pollution. For example, monitoring results suggest that legislative changes may have led to fewer plastic bags being found on the seafloor in north-west Europe over the past 25 years. “But we need stronger, science-based policies that set binding rules on how we avoid, reduce and recycle plastics.” This would include measures to limit the production and use of plastics to essential applications, to ban hazardous ingredients, to increase degradability in nature and thereby enable the circular use of fewer resources.

“Microplastic Detectives” also shows that monitoring programs that involve citizens to collect comprehensive and timely data collection are successful. Interest in supporting science to tackle plastic pollution is huge: “We were surprised by the number of citizen scientists who enthusiastically spent several hours on the beach, diligently collecting, packing and sending samples. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for this,” says Bruno Walther. “The ideal outcome of our project would be, to use it as a blueprint for long-term and even more intensive monitoring of microplastics pollution on German beaches,” adds Melanie Bergmann. “This is the only way we can review and adapt the measures we urgently need to turn the tide on plastics and their negative impacts on our coastal environment, tourism and human health.” The “Microplastic Detectives” project has now come to an end. However, citizens can still get involved in campaigns such as the Plastic Pirates citizen science project, which has school children collecting data on plastic pollution on coasts and rivers.

---

Journal

Frontiers in Environmental Science

DOI

10.3389/fenvs.2024.1458565 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Article Title

Microplastic detectives: a citizen science project reveals large variation in meso-and microplastic pollution along German coastlines

Article Publication Date

25-Sep-2024

 

Rising waters, waning forests: How scientists are using tree rings to study how rising sea levels affect coastal forests

Guest editorial by Dr LeeAnn Haaf, assistant director of Estuary Science, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and author of a new Frontiers in Forests and Global Change article

Frontiers

 

image: 

When trees in coastal areas die a graveyard of dead trees—known as a ‘ghost forest’ is left behind. Salt-tolerant marsh plants take root and form a green carpet below the remains of the once-thriving forest. Image: LeeAnn Haaf.

view more 

Credit: LeeAnn Haaf

Sunlight filters through the canopy of pines, holly, sweet gum, and red maple while bird calls echo in the distance. These coastal forests may seem like others in the Mid-Atlantic, but a hidden challenge looms. Standing tall next to their salt marsh neighbors, where the wind carries the sharp scent of sulfidic seawater, these trees are more than just part of the landscape—they are living monuments to a rapidly changing environment. As sea levels rise, the future of these forests is uncertain. While the adjacent salt marshes can adapt to encroaching waters, the trees, vulnerable to the increasing frequency of saltwater flooding, face a grimmer prospect. Additionally, temperatures are increasing, and rain patterns are shifting. How long can the forest withstand the pressure of a changing climate? When will they finally succumb to a rising tide?

Rising tides

Coastal forests occupy low-lying land just above sea level, situated beside tidal marshes. Being low and close to tidal channels, these forests can flood with saltwater, which may happen a few times a year or only during the most severe storms. However, as sea levels rise, the boundary between land and sea pushes upslope, leading to more frequent flooding. Tidal marshes dynamically build elevation or migrate upslope, maintaining their positions relative to flooding. Forests, however, are far less adaptable. Along the lower edges, individual trees begin to die, forcing the forest to retreat until what remains is a graveyard of dead trees—known as a ‘ghost forest.’ Here, salt-tolerant marsh plants, such as smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), take root and form a green carpet below the remains of the once-thriving forest. This shift is beneficial for tidal marshes, allowing them to expand even in the face of erosion or other threats, but it comes at the expense of the coastal forest.

The stark reality of this transition is already apparent in many coastal areas, where acres of dead trees stand as a testament to the encroaching saltwater. Retreating coastal forest can result in a loss of biodiversity, and perhaps carbon sequestration; if nothing else, it represents the loss of critical buffer space between the land and sea. Land slope plays a role in determining where these forests retreat, but the variability is enough to leave land managers questioning: Where will forests retreat and where will tidal marshes take their place? Proactive management is paramount, as once the trees begin to die, it is likely too late to alter their fate. To anticipate these changes, it is essential to understand the subtleties that occur before tree death. Signals of stress can be gleaned from how well trees are growing as flooding increases, temperature rises, and precipitation patterns change. These signals point towards what conditions may eventually lead to tree death, and depending on other characteristics of the forest, where coastal forests are more vulnerable to retreat.

Tree rings show highly specific effects of sea level rise

Our study delved into this using dendrochronology, the analysis of tree growth rings, to explore relationships between flooding, climate variables, and site-specific conditions. Dendrochronology allows us to understand the conditions under which trees thrive or struggle, with narrower growth rings indicating periods of stress. Traditionally, simple correlations have been used to study these relationships, but we employed a different technique: gradient boosted linear regression. This machine learning approach can uncover complexities that correlations might miss, such as non-linear growth patterns across a spectrum of environmental conditions. We applied this method at four sites, with three tree species common to coastal forests in New Jersey and Delaware: loblolly pine, pitch pine, and American holly.

Our hypothesis was that rising sea levels would lead to reduced growth across species. However, the results were far more nuanced. The effects of sea level rise on tree growth varied depending on temperature, precipitation, and the site. At one site, we found that American holly grew better when winter water levels were higher. Loblolly pines appeared vulnerable to autumn water levels. We also observed frequent non-linear growth responses, painting a more complicated picture of how these forests react to rising sea levels and climate change. We also analyzed whether the gradient-boosted results indicated that trees would fare better or worse under predicted changes in temperature, precipitation, and water levels. Our findings revealed few consistent patterns, highlighting the influence of species and site-specific factors on overall vulnerability.

Learning to manage coastal forests

Before trees reach the point of no return, the impacts of environmental changes on their growth are anything but simple. In some cases, climate change might even enhance resilience to increased flooding. For example, loblolly pine, situated at its northernmost distribution in our study sites, could benefit from warmer winters, perhaps offsetting some stress caused by flooding. Similarly, American holly showed markedly different results between two sites, possibly due to variations in moisture availability. These and other factors likely contribute to the variability in how and when specific coastal forests will retreat in response to sea level rise.

Overall, the effects of climate change and increased flood frequency on coastal forests are complex and often non-linear, highlighting the need for nuanced forest management strategies. In the future, similar dendrochronological studies could serve as valuable tools for assessing coastal forest vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise. Our findings aim to inform land management efforts, helping to strike a balance between conserving coastal forests and tidal marshes given the growing pressures of climate change and sea level rise.

Researchers investigated the possible consequences of climate change on coastal forests. Image: LeeAnn Haaf. 

A ‘ghost forest’ can be the result of coastal forests being flooded with saltwater Image: LeeAnn Haaf.

Researchers investigated the possible consequences of climate change on coastal forests. Image: LeeAnn Haaf. 

Dendrochronology can be used to date tree rings to the exact year they were formed in a tree. Image: Sandra Cross. 

Dr LeeAnn Haaf (pictured) and colleagues used dendrochronology, the analysis of tree growth rings, to explore relationships between flooding, climate variables, and site-specific conditions. Image: Sandra Cross. 

In some coastal areas, acres of dead trees stand as a testament to the encroaching saltwater. Image: LeeAnn Haaf. 

Journal

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change

DOI

10.3389/ffgc.2024.1362650 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Growth conditions of tree species relative to climate change and sea level rise in low-lying Mid Atlantic coastal forests

 

Psychedelic drug psilocybin changes brain connectivity to treat body dysmorphic disorder

Columbia University researchers uncover how a single dose of "magic mushrooms" changes brain connectivity to alleviate symptoms of the devastating mental illness

Genomic Press

 

image: 

Whole brain multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) reveals that seed brain regions including the thalamus [8 -6 8] (yellow), insula [-42 8 -6] (green), inferior parietal lobe (IPL) [-54 -38 38] (red), and ACC [16 34 24] (blue) predicted symptomatic improvement of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) at one week following a single dose of psilocybin. Using these clusters as seed regions, no further regions were identified. 

view more 

Credit: Xi Zhu, Columbia University, New York, NY

New York, NY - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a debilitating mental illness characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one's physical appearance. Patients with BDD often have distorted self-image, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors that significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life. Current therapies have limited efficacy, leaving many sufferers without relief.

A new study led by researchers at Columbia University and published in Psychedelics (Genomic Press, New York, USA) provides hope by revealing how the psychedelic drug psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms," may rewirechange connectivity of brain circuitry, potentially aiding in the treatment of this debilitating disorder.

In the pilot trial, eight adults with moderate-to-severe BDD that had not responded to standard treatments received a single 25mg oral dose of psilocybin in a supportive setting. Using cutting-edge functional MRI technology, the scientists scanned the participants' brains one day before and one day after the psilocybin session. Sophisticated pattern analysis techniques were then applied to map changes in brain network connectivity and link them to subsequent clinical outcomes.

The results were striking: Just one day after psilocybin administration, the patients exhibited increased connectivity both within a network governing executive functions, and between this network and others involved in processing emotionally salient stimuli and self-referential thinking. Notably, those who showed the greatest strengthening of these neural connections also experienced the most improvement in BDD symptoms one week later.

While preliminary, the findings align with a growing body of evidence indicating that psychedelic compounds like psilocybin can promote mental health by enhancing the brain's capacity for flexibility and integration. By facilitating communication within and between brain networks that are often dysregulated in psychiatric disorders, psilocybin may help restore more adaptive cognitive and emotional functioning.

As the first study of psilocybin in a BDD population, the trial was small and lacked a placebo control. The researchers caution that larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to verify the efficacy and durability of the treatment. Still, the robust brain-behavior relationships uncovered bode well for the ongoing development of psilocybin therapy.

The peer-reviewed study, "Single-Dose Psilocybin Alters Resting State Functional Networks in Patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder," will be published on September 24, 2024, in Psychedelics. It is freely available online at https://pp.genomicpress.com/aop/.

About Psychedelics – Psychedelics: The Journal of Psychedelic Pharmacology (ISSN: 2997-2671) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Genomic Press, New York. The journal is exclusively dedicated to the latest advancements in the realm of psychedelic substances and their potential therapeutic uses. Psychedelics embraces the full spectrum of research, from fundamental investigations to cutting-edge clinical studies and welcomes diverse perspectives and contributions, advancing the understanding of psychedelic compounds.

Contact: Chen Zhang, Columbia University: Chen.Zhang@nyspi.columbia.edu

---

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Single-Dose Psilocybin Alters Resting State Functional Networks in Patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Article Publication Date

24-Sep-2024

COI Statement

Dr. Schneier has received research support from Compass Pathways, Otsuka, Vistagen, and NIMH, royalties from UptoDate, Cambridge University Press, and Guilford Press, and served as consultant to Receptor Life and PureTech. Dr. Hellerstein has received research support from Compass Pathways, Relmada, Intracellular Therapies, Beckley Foundation, serves on the scientific advisory board for Reset Pharmaceuticals and has received royalties from Johns Hopkins University Press and Columbia University Press. Dr. Feusner receives research support from the NIMH, NIBIB, and the Klarman Family Foundation and serves as a consultant to NOCD, Inc. Drs. Wheaton, Zhu, and Ms. Chen and Ms. Gomez have no financial relationships to report. This research was supported by a grant from Compass Pathways PLC, United Kingdom. Compass supplied materials and participated in formulating the outline of the study but had no role in study selection or interpretation of the evidence.

Ancient reef-builders dodged extinction — at least temporarily

Study shows that ancient reef-building stromatoporoids survived the Late Devonian extinction and continued to thrive during the Carboniferous Period

Osaka Metropolitan University

 

image: 

Alternating layers of stromatoporoids (black to dark gray) and Chaetetes (light gray) in an upwardly convex structure

view more 

Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

Will modern coral reefs go extinct? The answer is uncertain, but some of their ancient counterparts managed to dodge a bullet — for a while, at least.

Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that ancient reef-building organisms called stromatoporoids survived the Late Devonian mass extinction event and continued to thrive as major reef-builders long after their presumed extinction. These findings shed light on how life on Earth has responded to past environmental changes, offering valuable insights into the resilience and adaptability of marine ecosystems.

Corals are the most well-known reef-builders today, but reefs have been built by a variety of organisms throughout Earth history. One such group was the stromatoporoids, sponge-like organisms that played a major role in reef-building during the Paleozoic, particularly in the Silurian and Devonian periods (roughly 444 to 359 million years ago).

“Stromatoporoids were thought to have vanished as reef-builders after the Late Devonian extinction,” said Yoichi Ezaki, a professor at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Science and lead author of the study.

The Late Devonian extinction was one of five mass extinction events in Earth history. It significantly affected marine life, causing a decline in the diversity of reef-building organisms. During the Carboniferous (roughly 359 to 299 million years ago), which followed this devastating event, no stromatoporoid reef was known to exist…until now.

Scrutinizing fossils from Carboniferous rocks found in the Akiyoshi Limestone Group of southwest Japan, the research team discovered laminated skeletons with laminae, or layered, and pillar-like structures — typical features of stromatoporoids.

“Contrary to previous beliefs, our findings in Japan show stromatoporoids not only survived but continued to be instrumental in reef construction during the Carboniferous,” said Ezaki. “We feel sure this discovery will rewrite the content of textbooks.”

The Akiyoshi Limestone formed on a seamount in the Panthalassa Ocean through the Mississippian (early Carboniferous) to middle Permian periods. Stromatoporoids, alongside the organism Chaetetes, thrived on the warm shallow-water seamounts of the Panthalassa Ocean, benefiting from conditions such as enhanced ocean circulation, upwelling, and nutrient supply, culminating in elevated carbonate saturation due to ongoing global glaciation.

This suggests that isolated and unique oceanic environments like Akiyoshi may have allowed the survival of these resilient organisms.

“The isolated Akiyoshi seamount might have harbored a unique biological community, potentially forming a ‘Carboniferous Galápagos’ that offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of ancient marine ecosystems,” said Ezaki.

Intensified global cooling and exposure above sea level eventually took their toll on the stromatoporoids. Still, the continued presence of these reef-building organisms in the late Carboniferous suggests that they adapted to new ecological niches in response to the changing climate.

The study’s findings highlight the potential resilience of certain reef-building organisms in distinctive environments, providing valuable lessons for today’s conservation efforts.

“Understanding how stromatoporoids and other organisms adapted to survive past climatic and environmental upheavals offers crucial insights into how modern reef ecosystems might handle current and future climate changes,” said Ezaki.

The study was published in Geology.

###

About OMU 

Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

---

Journal

Geology

DOI

10.1130/G52420.1 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Post-Devonian re-emergence and demise of stromatoporoids as major reef-builders on a Carboniferous Panthalassan seamount

 

Humbug damselfish use 'motion dazzle' to evade predators

Macquarie University

When thinking of animal camouflage, we typically imagine creatures remaining still, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. But remaining motionless isn’t always practical, and many animals are highly mobile, constantly moving through their environment to graze their food.

New research suggests that high-contrast patterns on animals’ bodies may serve a dual purpose: offering camouflage when stationary, then creating a ‘motion dazzle’ effect when moving, confusing potential predators into misjudging their location – and helping them avoid being eaten.

The study, by Dr Louise Tosetto, Professor Nathan Hart and Dr Laura Ryan from Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences and published in PeerJ on 26 September, is the first to show that humbug damselfish – known for their striking black and white stripes – use motion dazzle as a defence strategy.

“Our findings also show that humbug damselfish adapt their behaviour based on their environment,” says Dr Tosetto.

“In their natural habitat, when they encounter backgrounds resembling their own striped patterns, like branching corals, they tend to move closer and reduce their movement. This likely helps them blend in and stay hidden from predators.

“However, when feeding outside the coral colony, where camouflage is less effective, they increase their movement and rely more on the confusing effects of their stripes, known as motion dazzle.”

Methodical study

Humbug damselfish are small, striped coral reef fish that often live in social groups protected by branching corals. While their stripes help camouflage them when still, these fish frequently move to feed, risking predator attacks.

The research team studied how different backgrounds might affect the fish’s ability to confuse predators using motion dazzle, by filming humbugs swimming in tanks against various striped backgrounds, then using computer models to simulate how predators like coral trout would see this movement.

They also used anatomical data from the retinas of humbug damselfish to help understand how clearly the fish might see different striped patterns in their environment.

The team found that when they were against backgrounds where predators would find it hard to see them clearly, humbugs tended to move closer to the background and increase their overall movement, so their own stripes would create confusing motion cues – anti-predator behaviour.

But when the background had clear, wider stripes that predators could easily see, the fish gained two advantages. First, the edges of their bodies became less distinct, making them harder to spot. Second, the combination of their own stripes and the background stripes created confusing motion signals (motion dazzling), so predators couldn’t accurately judge the speed or direction of the humbug fish.

“This suggests that humbugs can see different backgrounds and might then change their behaviour to improve their protection from predators,” Dr Tosetto says.

Senior author Dr Ryan says the findings show that these fish have complex anti-predator strategies.

“This is an essential baseline study that provides new insights into the motion dazzle phenomenon,” says Dr Ryan.

“Future research should investigate how factors like the water’s light-filtering properties and interactions with other damselfish might affect motion dazzle. The humbug damselfish offers a perfect model to explore these important questions.”

 

Louise Tosetto, Nathan S. Hart and Laura A. Ryan (2024) Dazzling damselfish:  investigating motion dazzle as a defence strategy in humbug damselfish  (Dascyllus aruanus). Peer J, 25 Sep 2024  DOI  10.7717/peerj.18152

 

---

Journal

PeerJ

DOI

10.7717/peerj.18152 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Dazzling damselfish: investigating motion dazzle as a defence strategy in humbug damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Article Publication Date

25-Sep-2024

 

Do natural disasters jeopardize women’s reproductive health?

Wiley

In research published in Brain and Behavior, investigators found increased rates of menstrual irregularities in women living in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.

In the study, 309 women of reproductive age living in regions declared as disaster areas completed online forms 9 months after the earthquake. Responses revealed an increase of menstrual irregularities from 14.3% before the earthquake to 44.8% after the earthquake. Risk factors for menstrual irregularities included post-traumatic stress symptoms, chronic diseases, and smoking.

The findings reveal that reproductive health can be significantly affected in the aftermath of natural disasters, and they highlight the importance of addressing mental health in post-disaster interventions to mitigate these effects.

“Traumatic events like earthquakes can disrupt not only physical but also hormonal and psychological balances, which can directly affect women's reproductive health,” said corresponding author Sibel Kiyak, RN, PhD, of Necmettin Erbakan University.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.7003

 

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Brain and Behavior is an open access journal that publishes research relating to every area of neurology, neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry. We publish interdisciplinary research reports - all enhancing the understanding of the brain and behavior. Brain and Behavior is part of Wiley’s Forward Series which are inclusive open access journals increasing discoverability.

About Wiley
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

---

Journal

Brain and Behavior

DOI

10.1002/brb3.70034 

Article Title

The Relationship Between Menstrual Cycle Pattern and Post-traumatic Stress in Women Following the 2023 Earthquake in Turkey

Article Publication Date

25-Sep-2024

 

Do preventive health technologies promote or harm consumers’ wellbeing?

Wiley

Preventive health technologies—such as wrist-worn activity trackers or health and fitness apps—are popular tools for promoting wellbeing, but new research published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs reveals that consumer engagement with these technologies can be considered a double-edged sword.

The study, which involved 30 in-depth interviews with users, found that consumers engage with preventive health technologies based on a variety of health goals—for example, to lose weight, improve performance, monitor data of an enjoyable activity, or acquire a healthy routine.

These diverse goals led users to experience different “engagement trajectories.” For example, some people had increased engagement initially and then reached a stabilization point of engagement, while others had reduced engagement after their initial interest. Still others became obsessive and over-engaged with the technology over time, while others had fluctuating cycles of engagement.

Investigators found that consumer engagement with preventive health technologies can have beneficial or detrimental effects on wellbeing depending on these types of trajectories. Particularly, while these technologies can support healthy routines, they can also lead to compulsive usage, ultimately leading to users’ ill-being.

“As preventive health technologies become more integrated into our daily lives, it’s crucial to understand the factors that lead to over-engagement and ill-being, so that designers of health apps can mitigate these risks,” said corresponding author Lisa Baiwir, a PhD candidate at the University of Liège, in Belgium.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joca.12603

 

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
The Journal of Consumer Affairs (JCA) is owned by the American Council on Consumer Interests and was founded in 1967. It is the premier journal devoted to peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary research about the interests of consumers in the marketplace. JCA publishes high-quality research about consumer behavior, consumer and household decision-making, and the implications of private business practices and government policies for consumers’ well-being. Research published in the journal focuses on protecting consumers’ interests and is addressed from the consumers’ point of view.

About Wiley
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

---

Journal

Journal of Consumer Affairs

DOI

10.1111/joca.12603 

Article Title

Consumer engagement with preventive health technologies: A double edged sword for consumer wellbeing

Article Publication Date

25-Sep-2024