Fish populations could be threatened by climate change and its effect on a special relationship between jellyfish and juvenile fish.
New research from Griffith University, published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, has found that predicted ocean acidification may alter symbiotic relationships between juvenile fish and their jellyfish host.
Similar to the symbiotic relationship between anemones and clownfish, as seen in Finding Nemo, the juvenile fish rely on the jellyfish for protection against predators in the open ocean where there is not much shelter for them.
“By protecting the juveniles the jellyfish are probably enhancing the survival rates of the fish and that’s likely to lead to more fish in the future,” says Associate Professor Kylie Pitt of the Griffith School of Environment.
“If this symbiosis breaks down we actually may find this could reduce the number of adult fish in the future.”
The study, led by the University of Adelaide, is the first to demonstrate how ocean acidification will disturb the symbiotic relationship between two animals that interact closely for survival.
Ocean acidification and animal behaviour
Ocean acidification can reverse or alter a wide range of animal behaviours by interfering with the brain neurotransmitter function.
Jack mackerel treated with elevated seawater CO2 concentrations, as forecast for the end of the century, spent only one third of the time they normally spent close to their jellyfish host compared with ambient CO2 conditions.
The jack mackerel, commonly found along the east coast of Australia, and about 80 different juvenile fish species including important commercial varieties such as pollock and trevallies, form important symbiotic relationships with jellyfish.
“They’re pretty nimble and agile swimmers so they’re probably just good at avoiding the stingy bits,” says Associate Professor Pitt on how the baby fish somehow manage to avoid the poisonous tentacles of their jellyfish protectors.
Marine life such as the clownfish is protected from the anemone because of mucus coating.
Study leader Associate Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, from the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute, says these intricate, interdependent relationships between different species are common in both the marine and terrestrial environments.
“But, apart from the well-known relationship between coral and microalgae and what happens during a bleaching event, little is known about how climate change and predicted ocean acidification will affect such relationships,” he says.
The research shows just how important jellyfish could be in sustaining fish populations in the next 100 years.
ABC Radio National reporter, Nance Haxton, and Professor Brad Jackson from Victoria University of Wellington were the special guests for this week’s fourth instalment, with Professor Anne Tiernan on the other side of the table once more.
Behind the scenes a group of students spent each production morning setting up cameras, testing sound equipment, and prepping the location and the talent for the shoot.
“I see this basically as an industry credit,” Alexander Watson, a final-year student of film and screen production, said.
“I get to work on a film set which is great for my resume and my show reel.
“It shows that I can work with people in a team outside of student work which is incredibly important. Student films are great, but they’re student films. Industry work is what you need, is what pays the bills, what pays the rent.”
Working alongside Alexander (director) were Connor Nierfeld (director of photography), Benjamin Gilchrist (camera assistance), Ha Anh Phi (sound assistance) and Taylah Moore (camera assistance).
Overseeing the lights, the camera and the action was Amelia Paxman, a supervisor with LiveLab, the commercial arm of Griffith Film School.
“The exercise for the students, as is the case with all LiveLab projects, is essentially undertaking professional work. It gives them a chance to work in a professional context,” Amelia said.
Amelia Paxman supervises the shooting of Scrutineers
“They are responding to the needs of clients, they are working with different people, they are working with different specifications, and they’re working with client feedback. Those are important skills to have when they are transitioning into the professional world.
“It’s a very professional setting and our students are very capable of such professionalism.”
The first episode of Scrutineers, in which Professor Tiernan and Dr Duncan McDonnell unpacked the election prospects of minority parties like Nick Xenophon and Pauline Hanson, was published by the highly-respected Conversation website.
On set: Student Taylah Moore during shooting for the LiveLabproduction
“This is about more than making student films,” Amelia said. “It’s content that has a life beyond Film School. They’re making something that will be seen by other people. It’s election coverage, important media, it’s adding something to the election debate. Therefore, it has a huge benefit for students’ resumes.”
How did we evolve?
We’ve all heard of Neanderthals but how many people know that modern humans lived with two other kinds of humans 100,000 years ago?
He will explain how our species, which evolved in Africa, is related to the populations of Neanderthals in western Eurasia, the Denisovans in eastern Eurasia and Homo floresiensis in Indonesia, and why we are the only humans left today.
“New fossil and archaeological discoveries, new dating work and particularly new DNA studies are revolutionising how we look at recent human evolution,’’ Professor Stringer said.
He said the simple models of 20 years ago had been replaced by much more complex ones where our species had a Recent African originandalso where species boundaries with other human groups were still genetically open, leading to interbreeding.
“Consequently, human populations outside of Africa have around a two per cent input of Neanderthal DNA, while those in Oceania may also have up to four per cent of Denisovan DNA.
“New work on ancient DNA in Europe has shown how a story that was thought to be well-understood has been replaced by a richer but more convoluted picture, and it is likely that similar work in regions like Sunda and Sahul could reveal hitherto-unsuspected complexity in the human story there.”
Professor Chris Stringer has worked at the Natural History Museum, London since 1973 and is Research Leader in Human Origins and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
His early research was on the relationship of Neanderthals and early modern humans in Europe, but through his work on the Recent African Origin theory of modern human origins, he now collaborates with archaeologists, dating specialists and geneticists in attempting to reconstruct the evolution of modern humans globally.
The belated emergence of same-sex marriage as a point of contention in election campaigning gives Opposition leader Bill Shorten an opportunity to gain some political capital.
“We know that if re-elected, the Coalition will support a national plebiscite at some unknown date after the election. Any clear outcome would be delayed and provide the opportunity for moral panic from opponents of marriage equality” she said.
“The Labor party has promised to vote same-sex marriage into law within 100 days of office if it wins.”
Dr van Acker believes that the Coalition’s commitment to a plebiscite, combined with a $160 million budget allocation for this public vote, represents a risk for Malcolm Turnbull.
“A people’s vote would be unnecessary, expensive and potentially dangerous. It may, in fact, actually cause more harm.”
Six weeks into the campaign, Bill Shorten homed in on Mr Turnbull’s determination to hold a plebiscite, saying it could encourage homophobia and possibly be damaging to the LGBT community.
“The major political parties had been silent on the question of same-sex marriage up to this point,” Dr van Acker said.
“They had been treading very cautiously around this issue.
“It appears that despite polls showing consistently high approval rates for same-sex marriage, nobody wanted to annoy voters in marginal seats who may have more traditional family values.”
Adelaide United striker and Griffith University student Bruce Djite understands the value of timing.
It’s how he manages to juggle a high-profile sporting career and a role at accounting firm PKF Kennedy where he is helping the firm strategically grow its footprint in Adelaide,all while studying for a Bachelor of Business at Griffith Business School.
It comes after a post-finals speaking tour and a well-earned holiday with his family in Dubai and Africa.
He is also keen to build on Adelaide United’s success last season, although he doesn’t underestimate the challenge of securing back-to-back grand finals.
“We’ve just gone through the most successful season in the history of the club; it was very satisfying to accomplish the mission, a ticking of the box if you like,” said Bruce.
“Naturally our mindset is one where we have a strong belief in ourselves, but the challenge for both the coach and players now is to do it all over again.”
However, for Bruce the challenge also comes with the added pressure of completing his Bachelor of Business degree as an external student with Griffith University. He started the course during his tenure with Gold Coast United in 2011 and since then has successfully managed the rigors of sport with the discipline of study.
“As a sportsperson you want to do the best you can with everything in life,” said Bruce.
“My sporting career is extremely important because it’s my job, but when I have a day off I have to make sure I hit the books.
“It actually works well because sometimes when you’re in the middle of the season it’s good to have something stimulating outside of football.
“The process was tougher leading into the finals series, but juggling the priorities always comes down to time management and being organised. It’s also about not taking on too much — about knowing what you’re capable of doing and doing it well.
“It helps a lot that Griffith University has been quite flexible. Exams when training are always an issue. If there is a clash I usually do them on the same day as other students, but not necessarily at the exact same time. They are also good at having me do my exams with external invigilators.”
Bruce said he usually takes on just one or two subjects a semester and plans to complete his degree by the time he is ready to retire from the sporting field in about five or six years.
However, the talented striker ultimately plans to use the degree as a stepping stone to an administrative role in the sports industry.
“It would be fantastic to stay in the sport as either a manager or director, or perhaps even as a CEO of a club or football federation down the track,” he said.
A lengthy election campaign is laden with pitfalls and is a risky political environment for a Prime Minister to enter.
From the inconvenience brought about by a non-functioning government to the cost on the public purse, it is a far from ideal situation with the potential to backfire, a Griffith University researcher says.
“An incumbent government brings many advantages to electioneering but these diminish over a lengthier campaign,” Jenny Menzies writes in The Machinery of Government.
“The business of government stops and opportunities are missed because of the lack of a full government.
“Parliament is dissolved and Parliamentary accountability processes are stalled for an inordinate time.
“As a nation we are used to having regular access to Parliament and many of the implications of such a lengthy hiatus will not become apparent until after the election.”
Jenny Menzies, who has more than 20 years of experience in policy and public administration at state and Commonwealth levels, highlights the financial burdens that a sustained campaign brings for political parties and the media covering their pledges and commitment.
“But the greatest cost is to the public purse which funds the expenses and travel for the majority of the campaign.”
She also argues that Malcolm Turnbull left himself open to a greater chance of bad news with a two-month campaign.
“This is a particular vulnerability for the government with the release of regular economic indicators being put under the election microscope,” she says.
“For example, an increase in the unemployment rate, interest rate changes or poor balance of payments, can emerge as a potent symbol of government which then needs to expend precious campaign resources on defending its record.”
As an Elite Athlete Friendly University, the University supports student Olympians and Paralympians by helping them manage their study alongside their training commitments
The University currently has over 440 elite athletes (199 female and 241 male), one of the highest numbers in Australia.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor said the University is proud of the role it plays in supporting elite athletes achieve their academic goals.
“We count some of the country’s top sports people among our students and alumni and it is great to see such a strong number of them representing Australia at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
The University will be screening the Olympic and Paralympic Games on campus and Professor O’Connor said he was looking forward to watching the athletes compete.
“We wish all of our athletes the best in Rio and they can be sure we will be cheering for them on campus,” he said.
Griffith University student Madi Wilson will debut at the Olympic Games this year, competing in the 100m backstroke.
“It would have to be one of the happiest moments of my life, looking up at the scoreboard and knowing all of my hard work and sacrifice had paid off,” Madi said of qualifying.
The 21st staging of the Indigenous Uni Games will bring hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students to Brisbane this week, including a 30-strong groupfrom Griffith University.
The annual national event opens with a welcome ceremony in Brisbane on Sunday (June 26), followed by four days of fun and games.
Twoteams, sponsored by GUMURRII Student Support Unit, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) and a number of external supporters,will represent Griffith atthe Brisbane campus of Australian Catholic University atthe Games from Monday.
“The biggest focus of the Games is on participation,” Caleb Adams, a third-year student of environmental engineering, said.
“It’s a great way to meet other Indigenous students, to make connections and create new relationships in a social environment.”
Caleb is also secretary of the Griffith Indigenous Student Association (Nathan).
Competing teams will play one sport on each day with final scores tallied on Thursday before the awards presentation and closing ceremony.
Basketball will be first up on Monday, with volleyball (Tues), netball (Wed) and touch football (Thurs) to follow.
The National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games started in 1996 as a class project involving 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal in Newcastle. The first Games were attended by around 30 students.
The event has grown significantly since and was hosted by Griffith University’s GUMURRII Student Support Unit in 2006.
“The Indigenous Uni Games provide an excellent social platform to promote unity, fitness and good health among the students while also celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Professor Martin Betts, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), said.
Jane Ceolin, Director, First Peoples and Equity Pathways, Australian Catholic University, has promised a Games experience that will promote respect, fun and healthy activity.
“The 2016 Games will be a culturally affirming experience that celebrates the continuation of our living culture,” she said.
Only one in seven Queensland children walk or cycle to school, and those who don’t are missing out on potential health benefits, including a significant boost to mental wellbeing — new research shows.
A Griffith University initiative is aiming to overcome barriers to walking and cycling to school for parents and their school-going children.
‘Let’s Go! is a new campaign designed by Social Marketing @ Griffith researchers to help parents and children put active travel to school higher on their priority list.
“Children who walk or bicycle to school are less stressed, perform better at school and have more positive emotional experiences than those who arrive by car, research has shown,” Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele said.
Barriers
However, Queensland survey data gathered by PhD candidate Bo Pang shows only 14% of Australian children walk or cycle to school. The study identified four main barriers preventing parents from letting their children walk to school.
“The most influential factor is social norms,” Professor Rundle-Thiele said. “If there are few parents from someone’s neighbourhood or social circle letting their children walk to school, then that person tends to make the same choice and not allow their children to walk or cycle either.”
The other main barriers focused on a perceived risk involving traffic or ‘danger strangers’, long distances to and from school, and perceived time constraints which made it all too hard.
Focus groups led by Bo Pang and Associate Professor Krzysztof Kubacki gathered as part of the larger Griffith Business School research study leading to Let’s Go delivered key insights for the program.
“We also found that parents who walk alongside their children benefit from enhanced mental wellbeing,” Bo Pang said. “Other benefits are physical wellbeing, opportunities for social interaction and enhanced sense of community.”
“One respondent told us that with walking, they get more time with the child and more social interaction,” Associate Professor Krzysztof Kubacki said.
“The campaign encourages parents to view walking to and from school as an opportunity for children to reflect and unwind.”
Another respondent highlighted the opportunity for children to transition on the walk home after school. “It’s almost like an opportunity to decompress as a kid, to go ‘well, that part of my day is finished and I’m transitioning now back to family time’.”
The Social Marketing @ Griffith team is now seeking Queensland primary schools to become partners in the ‘Let’s Go!’ program trial.
“These partnerships will help us design and fine-tune a social marketing campaign that makes active travel fun,” Professor Rundle-Thiele said.
“Increasing physical activity is one of two ways we can combat obesity in Australia and there is no cheaper means of physical activity than walking.
“The percentage of Australian adults who are obese has tripled and, as we know, health expenditure for obese people is higher.”
Leading geomorphologist Dr Andrew Brooks says theQueensland Government’s plan to rehabilitate grazing land to improve water quality of the Great Barrier Reef is based on “good science”.
The State Government has agreed to purchasethe grazing lease on the 56,000-hectare Springvale Station in north Queensland, which is a parcel of land central to the catchment for the northern Reef.
“It is a triumph of good policy built on good science”, said Griffith University scientist Dr Andrew Brooks who hasled a team of scientists since 2009 focused on understanding the sources of sediment and nutrients from the Normanby catchment to the northern Great Barrier Reef.
“The Normanby catchment contributes around 50 per cent on average of the run-off to the northern Great Barrier Reef, and so the sediment and associated nutrients from this catchment have a significant impact on this part of the reef,” he said.
Normanby, North Queensland (Google Maps)
“The recent coral bleaching in the northern Reef, which until recently had been spared the degradation that has occurred further south, is a serious blow to the long term survival of the reef, and makes it even more important that we do whatever we can to improve the resilience of the northern Great Barrier Reef by improving the water quality.”
The detailed mapping and field work that the Griffith University researchers used to develop a sediment budget for the Normanby (www.capeyorkwaterquality.info/) highlighted the fact that a large proportion of the sediment and nutrients is coming from a very small proportion of the landscape.
“When we compiled all the data we found that 40 per cent of all gully erosion was coming from one property – Springvale Station”, said Dr Brooks.
“So the case for undertaking some focused rehabilitation work on this property was a compelling one, and the Government to their credit has picked up on that and acted on it.
“Nevertheless, purchasing the property is just the start. Now comes the challenge of actually implementing an effective rehabilitation strategy.
“We are, however, excited by the opportunity that this presents to make a real difference to improving water quality to the northern Great Barrier Reef” said Dr Brooks.
