A new study, co-led by a Griffith University researcher, has found termites are able to lessen the effects of drought in tropical rainforests.
Dr Louise Ashton is an Adjunct Fellow with Griffith’s Environmental Futures Research Institute who is also affiliated with the University of Hong Kong and the Natural History Museum in London.
The team collects insects from the leaf litter.
Dr Ashton worked with the Natural History Museum and the University of Liverpool on the first large-scale study to determine the role that termites play in rainforests in maintaining ecosystem processes in times of drought.
Termites act as ‘decomposers’ in ecosystems and facilitate nutrient cycling and enhance soil moisture. They are one of the few living organisms able to break down the cellulose in plant material.
The research team conducted the study in Malaysian Borneo during and after the 2015-16 El Nino drought, where they compared sites with termites to those where termites had been removed experimentally using suppression methods.
They found the sites where termites had not been experimentally suppressed saw an increase of termites during the drought, and fewer termites during the non-drought period.
The greater number of termites during drought yielded a higher rate of leaf litter decomposition and nutrient heterogeneity, as well as increased soil moisture and seedling survival compared with the non-drought period.
Professor Kate Parr from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Sciences said: “Whilst there has been some work exploring how severe drought affects plants in tropical rainforests, our study shows for the first time that having termites helps protect forest from the effects of drought. Termites might only be small but collectively their presence can help reduce the effects of climate change in tropical systems.”
Treated toilet paper rolls were used to suppress the activity of termites.
Co-lead author Dr Hannah Griffiths from University of Liverpool’s school of Environmental Sciences said: “The results of our study are important because it shows that intact biological communities can act as a kind of ecological insurance by keeping ecosystems functioning in times of environmental stress.”
“Termites confer important ecosystem services, not only in pristine tropical rainforest but perhaps also in disturbed or even agricultural ecosystems,” Dr Ashton said.
“If termite abundance is reduced with disturbance, these habitats could be particularly sensitive to drought.”
Senior author Dr Paul Eggleton from the Natural History Museum said: “People are justrealisinghow important invertebrates are ecologically, particularly social insects. Termites and ants may well be the ‘little things that rule the world’.”
The paper ‘Termites mitigate the effects of drought in tropical rainforest’ is published inScience(doi/10.1126/science.aau9565).
The study was conducted in collaboration with the Natural History Museum.
Two Griffith Film School students have scored an exclusive internship on the set of a new SBS TV series shot in Alice Springs.
Final year Bachelor of Film and Screen Media Productionstudents Daniel Patterson and Sean Abnett got the chance to work alongside AACTA-winning directors, writers and crew onRobbie Hood.The new six-part live actionreworking of the classic adventure tale is set in an Aboriginal community in Australia’s red centre.
The online project will screen on SBS On Demand later this year, and was produced by Griffith Film School alumni Daley Pearson and Meg O’Connell, from Brisbane’s Ludo Studio.
A once in a lifetime opportunity
The pair of film students were given the chance to hone their technical skills and make valuable industry connections during the month-long placement in Alice Springs. Daniel Patterson described the experience as “a once in a lifetime opportunity”.
“We spent a month on set doing a little bit of everything – camera work, lighting, gripping and production,” he said.
“We were on set first every morning and the last to leave, so it was sometimes 12 hour days, six days a week, but it was an amazing experience and a massive learning curve.
“On the set of Robbie Hood we were working with directors and crew who had just come off big-budget productions like Sweet Country, but they took the time to teach us and gave us a lot of responsibility.
Industry experience
Daniel said opportunities for industry placements were one of the major benefits of studying at Griffith Film School.
“Our lecturers have great connections to the film industry, and they offer us all kinds of opportunities,” he said.
“Last year, I got to operate the camera for the live stream at the Australian Cinematographers Society National Awards – the audience was packed with movie royalty, so it was a massive honour.
“I’ve also had a chance to work on some of the films produced by the Masters students.
“It’s all about putting up your hand and making the most of what’s on offer. I think in the film industry, it’s about keeping up the momentum, and one job often leads to another.”
Griffith Business School alumnus Julie-Anne Nichols has been announced as Queensland’s new Trade and Investment Commissioner for China.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Ms Nichols, who holds a Bachelor of International Business and a Graduate Diploma in Mandarin Chinese Language from the University, has exceptional experience as a leader and stakeholder liaison with the Asian business landscape that will serve her well in the key role.
“Ms Nichols has been the Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner in Hong Kong since February 2017 and was previously the Senior Trade Commissioner for Austrade in Guangzhou and in Singapore, so her experience across Asia is outstanding,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“She is well placed to represent Queensland’s interests in trade and investment across all industries and has an extensive knowledge of the Chinese market.”
Acting Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) Professor Fabrizio Carmignani congratulated Ms Nichols on her appointment, which will see her work to improve trade and investment ties between Queensland and China.
“We are proud to hear that one of our remarkable Griffith Business School alumni has climbed to such tremendous heights in the international trade and investment sector,” Professor Carmignani said.
“As a university with historically strong ties to the Asia region, it is deeply rewarding to see Julie-Anne living the Griffith value of engaging with our northern neighbours to achieve meaningful outcomes and impacts for the state of Queensland at large.
“We wish Julie-Anne all the best in her new and exciting role, and will be watching eagerly as she continues to move from strength to strength in her career.”
Ms Nichols has been a resident of China for a decade, during which time she has overseen several teams working across eastern China and north-east Asia.
One of her first duties, according to the state government, will be to oversee the 30th anniversary of the Queensland Government Sister-State Agreement with Shanghai Municipal Government, being commemorated this year.
Find out more about studying Business at Griffith here.
As a young girl growingupin Western Queensland,Cassie Heaslip dreamt of life beyond her small country town.
“I was alwaysdreaming of bigger things,’’ the Griffith Universitystudent says.
With science as her firstlove, Cassie enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at Griffith.
“I neverevenconsidered studying law but on the first day of university was introduced to the subject Environmental Sustainability and it changed my life.
“I was chatting with astudent adviserwho suggested I study law if I wanted to help change the world.”
So,after completing a year of science, Cassieadded law as a double degree.
Now inher fourth year,shewill combine her twin passions of environmental sustainabilityand lawwhen she heads to Bangkok this month for a six-week internship withEnerGaia, a companyspecialisingin producing fresh and sustainable spirulina.
“EnerGaiaalso has sites in Singapore and Bangladesh and is setting up in the Solomon Islands as well as negotiating with the US, Australia and France,’’ she says.
“My role will involve negotiating international contracts, trademark applications, patenting and governance.”
An added bonus, she says, will be the inevitable product sampling. “I love spirulina and have been taking it for years.”
Cassie won’t have much time to rest when returns from Bangkok before embarking on her next adventure.
This time traveling on a cargo ship from Fremantle to Singapore then flying to Austria for an international litigation, arbitration and mediation course withthe Australian Institute of Management for three weeks.
“I discovered a passion for maritime law this year and have just completed an intensive course. I want to immerse myself in the industry and thought maybe I can travel to Singapore on a cargo boat and turns out I can!
“The experience of being on the cargo ship will give me an insight into maritime law in practice. I will probably bug the crew a lot and ask them many questions!The course in Austria will be another great experience and opportunity for me to do some more travelling.
“Science was my first passion but now I love law. It governs the world, if you understand how laws are made, you can understand how the world works.”
Cassie said one of the highlights of studying at Griffith was the industry engagement, community internships and mentoring programs.
“Griffith is a really welcoming environment. I never felt like there were any limitations on what I can do.Overall, the Griffith experience has been incredible.”
Griffith University will host the 14th biennial conference for the Australasian Association for Communist and Post-communist Studies (AACaPS) at the end of the month, examining the dynamics of communist and post-communist states around the world 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The two-day event will be held at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus on January 31 and February 1, and will explore key issues facing communist and post-communist states in Europe and Asia.
Presenters and attendees will canvass topics such as Russia’s role in global affairs, the evolution of China under President Xi Jinping, and peace prospects on the Korean Peninsula, among others.
“This year marks a significant milestone in the history of communist and post-communist societies, as we approach the 30th anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall,” the conference’s convenor, Griffith Business School academic Dr Alexandr Akimov, said.
“In the past three decades, we have seen significant reforms take hold in several former communist states, particularly in Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries, where socioeconomic and political ideals have gradually gravitated towards more Western frameworks.
“Meanwhile, in Asia, we have seen astounding economic growth — but few democratic reforms — in countries such as China and Vietnam, while the unpredictable, isolationist North Korea remains a source of instability for the broader region.”
The 2019 AACaPS conference will feature keynote speeches from William & Mary College (US) Professor of Government Stephen E Hanson, and Viktor Larkin, a Professor of International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Additionally, representatives of diplomatic corpus are expected to come and share their views on the prospect of peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.
Now led by Dr Akimov, AACaPS was founded in 1975 — as the Australasian Association for the Study of Socialist Countries — by the late Professor T H Rigby, an internationally renowned Sovietologist at the Australian National University.
The association adopted its current name in 1993, and describes its purpose as supporting “the academic exchange and study of political, socioeconomic and cultural issues faced by countries formerly belonging to the socialist system”.
For more information, see the GBS AACaPS webpage.
A Griffith academic and researcherhas takenon a lead role at a world-renowned civil engineering journal.
Dr Dominic Ong, a Civil Engineering Senior Lecturer within Griffith’s School of Engineering and Built Environment, was appointedjointEditor-in-Chief of Geotechnical Research.
Geotechnical Research is ajournalpublished by the Institution of Civil Engineers(ICE) via ICE Publishingin the United Kingdom.
Having been appointed to the journal’s Editorial Board five years ago, in which time he contributed editorial pieces and reviewed manuscript submissions, Dr Ong was then short-listed for the role of Editor-in-Chief.
“It is a greathonourto be appointedtothis role, and it will give Griffith international visibility for its incredible teaching staff and research capabilities,” Dr Ong said.
This appointment also complementshisrecent elevation of professional membership grade of the Institution of EngineersAustralia (EA)and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)to‘Fellow’,the highest grade in both engineering institutions. This membershipgrade is Fellow peer-assessed and moderated nationally.
Dr Ong’s role asjointEditor-in-Chief will include:
- setting the theme and direction of the journal;
- improve the ranking of the journal through publication of research articles;
- qualify and maintain the journal’s status in international indexing databases;
- invite researchers to publish in the journal;
- and lead Editorial Board meetings at least four times a year for board members all over the world.
Dr Ong will maintain his role at Griffith while executing his new role as the journal’sjointEditor-in-Chief.
Dr Christopher Warren, a Griffith Institute for Tourismalumnus and co-founder of green holiday adviser ‘My Green Butler’, has been awarded the Banksia Foundation’s 2018 prestigious Small Business Award.
An innovative new service devised by Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages and Spa Retreat, of which Dr Warren is co-proprietor, My Green Butlerhelps tourist accommodation save resources, cut costs, cut pollution and increase guest satisfaction. The service was devised by this small business in Kangaroo Valley, NSW, and is already on trial in Australia and Europe.
Banksia judges said they chose this entry because it “was outstanding for its great leadership, to take on such a big role and create a big impact despite being only from a small business in tourism”.
“This business is producing a unique product with potential to have a real impact reducing the footprint of accommodation and has strong potential to go global,” they said.
My Green Butler applies smart technologies and persuasive communications to help people self-regulate consumption. The program combines host training, web app and guest engagement.
“Tourism is a major contributor to global carbon emissions and natural resource depletion, yet we are in the de-stress and happiness industry,” Dr Warren said. “So, we therefore must take serious innovative steps to change if we are to remain relevant to the changing social values of our guests and act responsibly to globally accepted science.”
My Green Butler evolved out of Dr Warren’s PhD research at Griffith University on how best to engage tourists to help hospitality become more sustainable. He believes that hospitality firms are under enormous pressure from rising costs, searching to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint and meet the escalating expectations of their guests.
“It is a very pressuring situation for business owners and managers, so I really think the time is right to apply genuine service innovations that give us win-win results for our sector,” he said. “The reason My Green Butler is particularly effective is that it has been devised by a small hotelier who understands the commercial constraints for hospitality.”
Dr Warren claims that his method to engage guests positively has the potential to save millions of kW of energy and litres of water without negatively affecting the guest’s stay.
The Banksia Foundation is a strong and expanding brand and its Awards program, the Banksia Sustainability Awards, are regarded as the most prestigious, longest-running sustainability awards in the world. Banksia Foundation’s 30th anniversary illustrates how the efforts and passion of so many individuals that have been a part of Banksia Foundation can make a difference in moving our society towards a more sustainable future.
“We are thrilled to have won this Banksia Award and are proud to participate alongside such talented and committed sustainability entrepreneurs from across Australia,“ Dr Warren said.
The Foundation has worked with governments, businesses and individuals over the past 30 years. The longevity of the Banksia Foundation Awards demonstrates that Australians are keen to innovate and move forward, with thousands of entries being received for the Banksia Foundation Awards in the past three decades.
Find out more about Banksia Foundation Awardshere.
Find out more about My Green Butlerhere.
Read about Crystal Creek Meadows’ 12 years of responsible tourism reporting here.
Interior Design graduate Maddison Cronin recently completed her Honours research project at the Queensland College of Art (QCA) exploring how virtual reality (VR) can aid in the transitioning process between a physical inpatient rehabilitation centre and the patient’s home.
Maddison developed a human-centered VR design tool that gives ownership and independence back to the patient by involving them in the redesign of their home to maintain a sense of place and create a safe and accessible environment.
“As a designer and someone that has witnessed the struggle of the transitioning process, I wanted to take advantage of this unique and powerful position.”
After graduating, Maddison wanted to extend her studies to Honours to challenge herself and grow as a designer.
“The process of this project was extensive and sometimes challenging, yet extremely rewarding. Though my work is still developing, I believe it has the potential to create a positive change.”
“The best thing about studying at QCA is that they teach you to be mindful when designing. I was also able to meet and connect with like-minded people who are also passionate about design.”
Maddison is excited about the future of virtual reality, and we’re excited to see where the future takes her.
“Through using VR in my Honours research project, it has showed me the possibilities of VR in interior design and I would like to continue to explore this.”
See more of Maddison’s work and the outcomes from her Honours project at maddisoncronin.com
Under the supervision of experts in your field, studying Honours at QCA will help you to develop advanced levels of studio practice, theory and research; move into employment with significant expertise in your field or progress to further postgraduate study; enhance and grow your creative community and network within your area of expertise.
Applications to study Honours close 30 January 2019. Contact the Honours Program Director, Dr Lorraine Marshalsey for further information.
Griffith researchers have brought the ‘freshwater orchestra’ in rivers to the surface by recording ‘singing fish’ and insects for a new river health study.
Dr Simon Linke from Griffith’s Australian Rivers Institute and his PhD student Emilia Decker led theecoacousticresearch into river health monitoring, which has recently been published inFreshwater Biology.
Dr Linkeandcolleagues from Monash University and Francerecorded underwater sounds continuously over seven days in two waterholeson the land of theEwamianAboriginal Corporationin theEinasleighRiver in Far North Queensland.Theyaimedto better understand the underwater soundscape relevant to the time of day and the environment as indicators of river health.
It is the first study in Australia to document all underwater noises, and the first time in the world that all biological sounds from fish and aquatic insects inan underwater locationwereidentified.
Dr Linke saidecoacousticswasa non-invasive way to log ecosystem health autonomously 24/7.
“This is the first time that we have performed this work systematically. When we started doing this work 4-5 years ago, we would put a microphone in the water at general times and intervals but never got a conclusive result,” he said.
“What we have found is that— just like above water, sounds vary during the day. If you arrive somewhere at a certain time of day, you might miss what you’re interested in hearing, whether that’s fish or insects or change in waterflow.
“By recording 24/7 you get an encompassing overview of life underwater.”
Decker, who identified more than 8000 sound events for the study, said just like above water, there were certain times of the day and season when certain lifeforms could be detected.
“Fish are active throughout the day, but most detectable in the morning,” she said.
“This is just like daily rhythms above water, with bird morning choruses and evening cicadas.
“Soit’s basically a fish chorus for breakfast,creekflowfor lunch, and an insect orchestra for dinner.”
The team discovered that the daily pattern could be detected using acoustic indices —similar toecological community indices —that measure the soundscapes as a whole, proving that an automated method could continuously monitor ecosystem change in a simple way.
The study follows on from Dr Linke’s previous research published inFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment,in which he confirmed the prevalence of ‘singing fish’ as an indicator of river health.
The Griffith-led study included researchers from Monash University and the Paris Natural History Museum. It was conducted on the land of theEwamianAboriginal Corporation withacknowledgementand appreciation from the researchers.
Gold Coast scientists have moved a step closer to finding a vaccine for gonorrhoea, which has taken on superbug status in 2018.
A research team including experts from Griffith University and Public Health England have pinpointed the potential for a meningococcal B vaccine named Bexsero to generate protection against the sexually transmitted disease which affects more than 100 million people worldwide each year.
The breakthrough comes at the end of a year when the infection gained ‘super gonorrhoea’ status in Australia and the UK.
Challenging
Associate Professor Kate Seib wants to beat the super-bugs
“Some strains of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae are now resistant to all antibiotics typically used to treat gonorrhoea, and unfortunately vaccine development for gonorrhoea has been very challenging,” Associate Professor Kate Seib from Griffith’s Institute for Glycomics said.
“Gonorrhoea is a significant public health problem in Australia where the rates of infection have increased by 63% during the past five years. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neonatal complications, and infertility.
“We urgently need new ways to treat and prevent gonorrhoea, and this work provides a new opportunity to progress gonococcal vaccine development.”
Reduced rates of gonorrhoea were previously observed in New Zealand, following a vaccine campaign with the MeNZB meningococcal B vaccine, as reported in The Lancet in 2017.
Prevention
Dr Seib is now building on the independent findings of this earlier study to determine if the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, could offer a feasible approach to the prevention of gonorrhoea. Bexsero was licensed in 2013 and contains the same outer membrane vesicle (OMV) antigen associated with the New Zealand MeNZB vaccine plus three additional recombinant antigens.
“We have shown that gonorrhoea has many proteins that match the OMV antigens in both the MeNZB vaccine used in the New Zealand campaign and the Bexsero meningococcal vaccine.”
Serum from Bexsero-vaccinated humans recognises the gonococcal counterparts of the antigens, which supports the finding that the MeNZB vaccine could have generated protection against gonorrhoea. The antigen NHBA, which is present in Bexsero but not MeNZB, is conserved in gonorrhoea strains and is strongly targeted by serum from Bexsero-vaccinated humans. This could provide additional cross-protection against gonorrhoea, above that predicted for MeNZB.
“It could potentially be better,” she said. “We have been working to identify the full set of gonorrhoea proteins targeted by Bexsero and determine exactly how this immune response could protect against gonorrhoea.”
Professor Mark von Itzstein, Director of Griffith University‘s Institute for Glycomics, said gonorrhoea is now recognised as a major issue by the World Health Organization.
“This is particularly due to the emergence of drug resistance. The research undertaken by Associate Professor Kate Seib presents exciting opportunities for new vaccine discovery to tackle this world problem.”
The research is published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1061).
