Contact with Nature during Childhood could Lead to Better Mental Health in Adulthood

Almost 3,600 people participated in a European study on the impact of green and blue spaces on mental health and vitality

Barcelona, May 22, 2019-. Adults who had close contact with natural spaces during their childhood could have a better mental health than those who had less contact, according to a new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by ”la Caixa”, involving studies of four European cities scientists, among them Vytautas Magnus University (VDU), Kaunas, Lithuania, group.

Exposure to natural outdoor environments has been associated with several health benefits, including a better cognitive development and better mental and physical health. However, few studies have explored the impact of childhood exposure to natural environments on mental health and vitality in adulthood. Furthermore, studies have more frequently considered green spaces (gardens, forests, urban parks) than blue spaces (canals, ponds, creeks, rivers, lakes, beaches, etc.).

This study, published in the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health, was performed within the framework of the PHENOTYPE project with data from almost 3,600 adults from Barcelona (Spain), Doetinchem (Netherlands), Kaunas (Lithuania) and Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom).

The adult participants answered a questionnaire on frequency of use of natural spaces during childhood, including purposeful ­–e.g. hiking in natural parks– and non-purposeful –e.g. playing in the backyard– visits. They were also asked about their current amount, use and satisfaction with residential natural spaces, as well as the importance they give to such spaces. The mental health of the participants in terms of nervousness and feelings of depression in the past four weeks, as well as their vitality –energy and fatigue levels– were assessed through a psychological test. The residential surrounding greenness during adulthood was determined through satellite images.

The results show that adults who were less exposed to natural spaces during their childhood had lower scores in mental health tests, compared to those with higher exposure. Myriam Preuss, first author of the study, explains that “in general, participants with lower childhood exposure to nature gave a lower importance to natural environments”. No association was found between childhood exposure and vitality, or the use of or satisfaction with these spaces in adulthood.

Wilma Zijlema, ISGlobal researcher and study coordinator, underlines that the conclusions “show the importance of childhood exposure to natural spaces for the development of a nature-appreciating attitude and a healthy psychological state in adulthood”. Currently, 73% of Europe’s population lives in urban areas with often limited access to green space and this number is expected to increase to over 80% by 2050. “Therefore, it is important to recognize the implications of growing in up in environments with limited opportunities for exposure to nature”, she adds.

“Many children in Europe lead an indoors lifestyle, so it would be desirable to make natural outdoor environments available, attractive and safe for them to play in”, explains Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, director of ISGlobal’s Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative. In most countries, activities in nature are not a regular part of the school’s curriculum. “We make a call on policymakers to improve availability of natural spaces for children and green school yards”, he adds.

Reference

Myriam Preuss, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Sandra Márquez, Marta Cirach, Payam Dadvand, Margarita Triguero-Mas, Christopher Gidlow, Regina Grazuleviciene, Hanneke Kruize y Wilma Zijlema. Low Childhood Nature Exposure is Associated with Worse Mental Health in Adulthood. International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health. 

About ISGlobal

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between ”la Caixa” and academic and government institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clínic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. The pivotal mechanism of its work model is the transfer of knowledge generated by scientific research to practice, a task undertaken by the institute’s Education and Policy and Global Development departments. ISGlobal a member of the CERCA programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

3rd International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio”

The 3rd International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio” will be held on May 2-4, 2019 in Kaunas, Lithuania. Oral and poster presentations will be held in VMU Small Hall (S. Daukanto Str. 28), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Plant and Animal Laboratory Corps (Ž. E. Žilibero Str. 2) and VMU Botanical Garden (Ž. E. Žilibero Str. 4). Over 300 participants from 17 countries are going to participate.

The conference includes 16 sections of verbal messages:
• Genetics
• Vector-borne diseases
• Biotechnology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry
• Botany
• General, Molecular and Cell Biology
• Biodiversity
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Ecology
• Zoology
• Enviromental Science and Engineering
• Renewable Energy
• Hydrology
• STEM Education

The scientific articles prepared on the basis of the conference reports will be published in the journals “Biology”, “Energetika” and “Environmental Research, Engineering and Management”.

More information icsb.vdu.lt

Baltic Summer University

This summer, Vytautas Magnus University invites students from all over the world to visit Kaunas and attend the courses of Baltic Summer University. The courses start on July 15.

Apply now

Baltic Summer University

Vytautas Magnus University
K. Donelaičio g. 58, Kaunas, Lithuania
bsu.vdu.lt

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Baltic Summer University

This summer, Vytautas Magnus University invites students from all over the world to visit Kaunas and attend the courses of Baltic Summer University. The courses start on July 15.

Apply now

Baltic Summer University

Vytautas Magnus University
K. Donelaičio g. 58, Kaunas, Lithuania
bsu.vdu.lt

 Facebook Instagram

Baltic 22nd Annual International Scientific–Practical Conference

Baltic 22nd Annual International Scientific–Practical Conference BALTPHARM FORUM 2019 (13th–14th April 2019)

Pharmacists as drug experts: their role in health care system

 

Dear Colleagues,

it is a pleasure to invite you to the 22nd Annual International pharmaceutical conference BaltPharm Forum 2019 on 13–14 April in Kaunas, Lithuania.

This Forum will be dedicated to “Pharmacists as drug experts: their role in health care system“.

We invite Scientists, PhD Candidates, Students to present research findings and scientific ideas at abstacts and poster presentation session.

Participants should fill the Abstract form (attached documents) and send to the BaltPHarmForum 2019 e-mail address: ona.ragazinskiene@vdu.lt

Deadline for abstract submissions: Friday, March 15th, 2019.

More information: https://www.baltpharmforum.com

„THE VITAL NATURE SIGN“

INVITATION
To participate in the 13th international multidisciplinary conference of life sciences, technologies, biomedicine and physical sciences „THE VITAL NATURE SIGN“, which will be held at 16-17 of MAY (2019) in Small Hall of Vytautas Magnus University (S. Daukantas str. 28, Kaunas, Lithuania). More information see at conference webpage: http://vns.microsep.org/.
Why it is useful to participate in the 13th „THE VITAL NATURE SIGN“ conference:
– It is a nice opportunity to present your scientific results to colleagues and guests for free;
– It is a nice opportunity to create new contacts and to find partners for the future projects;
– There is no need to thing about poster printing – only e-posters will be presented during the conference.
– Conference proceedings may be published in: „Chemija“, „Lithuanian Journal of Physics“, „Biologija“, „Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry“ ir „Environmental Research, Engineering and Management“.

Organisers of the conference:
Faculty of Natural Sciences of VMU
Lithuanian academy of Sciences
Nordic Society for Separation
Science (NoSSS)
Email: vns@gmf.vdu.lt

DOWNLOAD INVITATION

3rd International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio”

Dear Colleagues,

As the Chairman of the 3rd International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio”, I would like to make an open invitation for this conference.

The 3rd International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio” highlights the following scientific topics:

  • Genetics
  • Vector-borne diseases
  • Biotechnology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany
  • General, Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Biodiversity
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Ecology
  • Zoology
  • Enviromental Science and Engineering
  • Renewable Energy
  • Hydrology
  • STEM Education

The 3rd  International Conference on Life and Environmental Sciences “Smart Bio” will be held on May 2-4, 2019 in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Selected papers prepared on the basis of  oral and poster presentations will be  published in scientific journals Biologija,  Energetika and Environmental Research,  Engineering and Management for free.

Conference fee – 30 euros (for students, including PhD students); 50 euros – for researches.

Authors are requested to submit abstracts (1 page) by March 15th, 2019.

Possible distance participation at the conference. In this case, only abstracts are submitted without the publication of an article. The fee of the distance participation is 30 euros.

Post conference tour is organized to The National  etnographic Open-Air museum of  Lithuania. The Open-Air museum introduce the  ethnographic regions of Lithuania as they looked at the  end of the 18th century and the first half of the 20th  century.

Post conference tour costs 40 euros.

For more detail information please visit the following web site: http://icsb.vdu.lt

Please forward this email to your colleagues and potential participants who might be interested in attending this unique conference.

PS: Please only use committee email address to reply this email or for further correspondence at:  ICSBinfo@vdu.lt

Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Saulius Mickevičius
Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences
Vytautas Magnus University
Kaunas, LITHUANIA

Researchers of Vytautas Magnus University Response Visit to Kharkov

Prof. Dr. (Habil. Proc.) Ona Ragažinskienė, Vice-President of the  Lithuanian Pharmaceutical Association, Head of the Scientific Sector of Medicinal and Aromatic plants of the Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University

Prof. academician habil. dr. Audrius Sigitas Maruška, Head of Open Access Center of Instrumental Analysis at Faculty of Natural Sciences of VMU

Prof. dr. Saulius Mickevicius Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University

 

The administration of the National University of Pharmacy of Ukraine had organized a return visit of scientists of Vytautas Magnus University: prof. academician habil. dr. A. Maruska, prof. dr. S. Mickevicius and prof. Dr. (Habil. Proc.) O. Ragazinskienė as university cooperation on 3-6 February, 2019.

The meeting was organized according to a pre-program:

  • During the Rector’s meeting, representatives of both universities introduced the infrastructure of their universitetes, the scientific and study activities and the possibilities of international cooperation (Сhief vice-rector prof. A.I. Fedosov, vice-rector for science and education prof. A.L. Zagayko, vice-rector for educational affairs prof. T.V. Krutskikh, Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical technologies & management prof. O. O. Surikov, Dean Faculty of Medical & Pharmaceutical technologies prof. O. I. Naboka, Head of Academic Mobility Department O. Skrypnyk).
  • Agreement for Cooperation have been signed (Rector prof. A.A. Kotvitska);
  • The areas of co-operation were discussed: opportunities of the creation of a double diploma and joint programs.
  • Visit to the Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy and Diagnostic Center (prof. dr. I. A. Zupanets), State Scientific-Research Laboratory for Quality Control of Medicines (Prof. S. N. Hubar), departments of Biotechnology (Prof. Strelnikov L.S.), Botanical ( T.M. Hontovaya), Pharmacognosy (Prof. O. M. Koshovyi), Chemistry of Natural compounds (Prof. V. S. Kyslychenko), Pharmaceutical Technology (prof. Liliia Vyshnevska), and oth., where they were interested in the science research and study base and the ongoing projects;
  • Visited Pharmacy – Cosmetic Factory LEDA (ISO Standard and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) (Director A. V. Demchenko).

Shared professional experience and innovation during the meeting. The perspectives of cooperation in the fields of pharmacy, pharmacognosy, biotechnology and bioanalysis and medical diagnostics were discussed.

The next meeting with scientists from the National Pharmaceutical University of Ukraine is planned in Kaunas, on 13-14 April, 2019 at international scientific conference the BaltPharm Forum 2019, organized by the Lithuanian Pharmaceutical Association (more information . web link www.baltpharmforum.com).

World-Renowned Innovator David Gluckman to Hold Seminar at VMU

On Friday 16 November, 4 p.m., a seminar entitled “No Nonsense Innovation – Why Simple Ideas are Often the Hardest and the Best (with Case Studies)” will be held at VMU Centre for Research and Studies (V. Putvinskio g. 23, Room 106) by world-renowned business innovator David Gluckman, the inventor of the popular Baileys Irish Cream liqueur. His visit in Lithuania is no coincidence: even though Gluckman was born in South Africa, some of his roots are in the Lithuanian town of Tauragė.

At the seminar, Gluckman will share his 40 years of experience of working and achieving success: he has not only worked with international brands such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and others, but also invented globally recognized brands of drinks himself: the world’s best-selling liqueur Baileys Irish Cream, Princess Diana’s favourite soft drink Aqua Libra etc.

A book by David Gluckman, That S*it Will Never Sell!, was released last year, entitled after a phrase uttered by a drinks industry pundit when a bottle of Baileys was put on his desk. In the book, Gluckman remembers his successes, failures, and lessons, the most valuable of which were related to teamwork: the ability to surround yourself with the best and brightest.

In his lectures and seminars, the innovator discusses various subjects: from the creation of a brand to the market entry. In the near future, Gluckman is planning to hold lectures in Ireland, Great Britain, the USA, Germany, Australia, and other countries. The internationally recognized marketing expert is frequently hired by companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

David Gluckman also has a connection to Lithuania: seeking to evade World War II, his mother emigrated from the town of Tauragė in the beginning of the country’s occupation.

In the seminar in Kaunas, the guest will explain why simple ideas are often the best and the hardest and will hold a discussion and a practical workshop dedicated to international business. The event will include not only work with international brands and lessons from Gluckman’s experience but also an opportunity to establish new contacts.

In his lectures and seminars, the innovator discusses various subjects: from the creation of a brand to the market entry. In the near future, Gluckman is planning to hold lectures in Ireland, Great Britain, the USA, Germany, Australia, and other countries. The internationally recognized marketing expert is frequently hired by companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

David Gluckman also has a connection to Lithuania: seeking to evade World War II, his mother emigrated from the town of Tauragė in the beginning of the country’s occupation.

In the seminar in Kaunas, the guest will explain why simple ideas are often the best and the hardest and will hold a discussion and a practical workshop dedicated to international business. The event will include not only work with international brands and lessons from Gluckman’s experience but also an opportunity to establish new contacts.

 

For students: Studies and Traineeships Abroad

International Cooperation Department would like to remind you about the announced competitions for studies and traineeships abroad:

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