Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

News From the Dean
The weekly update from the Dean of Division, A/Prof Kevin McCracken

Biological Sciences to Host UNESCO-Macquarie University Forum
"The Ethics of Energy Technology" on Sunday 4 th May

Opportunities
- Job Opportunity in Melbourne with "Science in Public"
- University of Sydney is looking for two Postdoctoral Fellows in Proteomics

Events
- Biological Sciences Seminar this Wednesday
- Waverley Council Talk "Sustainable Transport Options for Sydney"
- Tony Bonyhardy Talks on Climate Change and the Law
- Solar Energy Society Talk "Commercial Solutions for Combating Climate Change"
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to the second half of the semester. I hope you managed to have at least some sort of a break. The highlight of the past week was the ELS Graduation ceremony, held last Thursday. It was terrific to see so many of our students graduating after their years of hard work and study.

Some upcoming meetings and seminars:

•  The Australian School of Advanced Medicine is holding a seminar "Stroke and Ischaemia" on Friday 2 May at 6:30 pm at the MGSM, Westpac Amphitheatre 103. The special guest speaker, Rona Gifford, is from Stanford University 's Dept of Anaesthesia, http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/rona_giffard . RSVP to Jane Davidson on 9850 4013, jane.davidson@vc.mq.edu.au

•  Biological Sciences is hosting a joint UNESCO-Macquarie University forum "The Ethics of Energy Technology" on Sunday 4 May in the Biology tearoom, E8A room 290, from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. Further details follow in Science News.

•  The Australian Institute of Biology is presenting "A Climate for Change" at the Macquarie Room, MGSM, North Ryde , on Friday 30 May from 5:00 to 11:00 pm. Further information:- http://www.aibiol.org.au/frames1.html . Registration enquiries to Dr Geoff Crawford, eo@aibiol.org.au , tel: (03) 9812 7280 or 0421 599 649.

Finally, I hope everyone is getting their teams together to support the Global Corporate Challenge "Walk your way around the world" as mentioned in the MQ Announcements on 17 April. For further details see www.uatmq.com.au/active or contact Lauren Hargreaves on 9850 7660 or lauren.hargreaves@mq.edu.au .

Till next week,
Kevin

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Biological Sciences to host UNESCO-Macquarie Forum

Biological Sciences is hosting a Joint UNESCO-Macquarie University Forum 'The Ethics of Energy Technology' on Sunday 4 th May, 2008; held in Biology's tea room E8A 290 commencing 9.15 am and expected to conclude around 3.30 pm with lunch provided.

The Macquarie forum forms part of a wider collaboration - the 'Ethics of Energy Technologies in Asia and the Pacific ' project advanced by Professor Darryl Macer, Regional Adviser in Social and Human Sciences for Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO Bangkok. This Forum is distinctive as it is a vibrant student-orientated look at ideas traversing matters across bioscience ethics, legal rights and responsibilities towards the environment. Students from the Advanced Biology Program and the Centre for Environmental Law are responsible for the preparation of the program which will be presented by means of eight interrelated scenes at the interfaces of applied science, law in practice and ethics with the intention of exposing value questions that have often been neglected in public-political debates. You are welcome among us but please RSVP to hodels@els.mq.edu.au for catering purposes and any dietary requirements. Further information is available from:-

Associate Professor Irina Pollard,
Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University ,
N.S.W. Australia, 2109.
ph 02 9850 8142:
fax 02 9850 8245:
e-mail: ipollard@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Visit: www.bioscience-bioethics.org for free access to educational material

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Power up for the Future and Get the Real Story on Energy

Where will the energy to power our homes, cars and business come from in the future?

Energy security is a critical challenge for all Australians. This topical, educational series is for policy makers, government departments and agencies, civic groups and non-government organisations, researchers, universities, schools and other members of the community – particularly those in Greater Western Sydney.The Whitlam Institute and UWS College of Health and Science are presenting a series of forums to help increase understanding and debate about this key question. Bringing together leading scientists and experts, Energy Security: The Real Story will present the most up-to-date information to inform community discussion and decisions.

Climate change and the move to a carbon-constrained world will have a big impact on what kind of energy we use and how much it will cost. These forums will present the best science, not spin, with chances to engage with the key players in the energy world. The speakers at these forums range from international experts to the heads of leading Australian energy organisations. Come and be part of this exciting opportunity

Tickets:
Individual Session: $15 ($10 concession)
Series Ticket: $60 ($40 concession)

Venue:
Riverside Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets Parramatta

Bookings:
https://boxoffice.riversideparramatta.com.au
Phone +61 2 8839 3399

More Information:
www.whitlam.org
Phone +61 2 9685 9187

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Opportunities

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Job Opportunity:
Science in Public is looking for an experienced or early-career science communicator to join our team 3 to 4 days a week in Melbourne.

The work will involve project management, writing and some event management. We're looking for someone familiar with the science and science communication community who has experience in managing projects, can write well and enjoys communicating.

Website skills, technology knowledge and database experience are an advantage.

Our current project portfolio includes:
· Communication support for the Australian Institute of Physics
· Program development for the International Year of Astronomy
· L'Oréal Australia For Women in Science
· Fresh Science
· Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Other clients include:
· Australian Synchrotron
· Australian Genome Research Facility
· Australian Biosecurity CRC
· New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

You can read more about the company : www.scienceinpublic.com

If you're interested, please send a few paragraphs on yourself, your mix of skills and some examples of your writing to:

Sarah Brooker
Science in Public
365 Esplanade Altona VIC 3018 Australia
phone: +613 9398 1416
home: +613 9398 1561
mobile: +61 413 332 489
sarah@scienceinpublic.com.au
www.scienceinpublic.com

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University of Sydney is looking for two Postdoctoral Fellows in Proteomics

More info: Postdoctoral Fellows in Proteomics

University of Sydney - School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences is seeking two Postdoctoral Fellow positions in Proteomics to improve the surveillance of people at very high risk of melanoma, to make use of new technologies for classification of melanoma by genomic and proteomic analyses, and to identify new markers and targets that can improve its clinical care.

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Events

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Biological Sciences Seminar:

"CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY: THREE TALES FROM THE BUSH"

Prof. Marilyn C. Ball
Australian National University

Summary: How well can we predict responses of vegetation to combined effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate warming? Our studies of these factors on the snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) under field conditions have yielded surprising results that were not predicted from laboratory studies. Under field conditions, evergreen tree seedlings respond to elevated [CO2] with enhanced growth when temperatures and resources are favourable, but can lose much of their growth advantage during periods of either low or high temperature stress, with the outcome under high temperature stress strongly influenced by edaphic resources.

Wednesday 30th April, 1:00pm, Building E8A room 290 (Biology tearoom)

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Climate Law in Australia

Tim Bonyhady talks to environment journalist Marian Wilkinson about his new book of articles covering all aspect of climate law. It's all very well to make pronouncements about climate change but how will changes work within the framework of the law?

When: Monday 28 April, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Cost: $10/$7 gleeclub welcome
Venue: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
Bookings: Gleebooks www.gleebooks.com.au/events/ 02 9660 2333

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Sustainable Transport Options for Sydney: Garry Glazebrook

Health, liveable communities and productivity are all dependent on our transport options. Congestion, public transport use and parking remain contentious issues in Waverley. Dr Garry Glazebrook presents his views on transport options in Sydney and Waverley. Representatives of Waverley Council will outline new sustainable transport projects in the area.

When: Tuesday 29 April, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Cost: Free
Venue: Theatrette, Waverley Library, 32-48 Denison St, Bondi Junction
Bookings: Waverley Council www.waverley.nsw.gov.au RSVP - 9369 8044

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Commercial Solutions for Combating Climate Change

Join Bob Stevenson, Managing Director, Technical & Research Services Australia as he offers an overview of innovative renewable energy sources including Ethanol, Algae Oil and Tidal and Wave Energy and other interesting prospects.
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm Apr 29 Cost: Free
Venue: Main Hall, Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden St., Alexandria
Enquiries: Australian & New Zealand Solar Energy Society www.anzses.org (02) 9918 9613

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ELS Seminar Series

Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.

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Snippets

Tasman Glacier is melting fast
New Zealand's Tasman Glacier is melting at an increasing rate and forming a new lake, which is speeding up the melting process further, according to researchers.

Suicide rates higher among vets
Australian veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of all professions and may need support for depression and stress, according to a new study.

Fatigue as dangerous as booze
Miners who work more than eight long days straight are so fatigued that they are as impaired as they would be if they were drunk, a study has found.

Elderly in growing risk of falling
Falls are causing an increasing number of deaths and injuries among elderly people in Victoria, and the problem is set to grow, according to research.

Genetic testing strays from purpose
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is being used in a broader range of situations than originally intended, bringing up new ethical issues, findings have revealed.

Smell linked to post traumatic stress
A study has revealed that an inability to identify smells from one another is associated with extreme symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Gun laws haven't stopped shootings
A review of previous studies and new research has found that the Australian 1996 gun ban has had little impact on firearm suicides and homicides.

Doctors misdiagnose one in five
One in five patients are misdiagnosed, revealed an expert, who lists poor communication and fatigue as common sources of error.

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