In this edition:
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News From the Dean |
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Carbon Dioxide Poses Risk to Marine Life Survival |
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Opportunities |
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Events |
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Snippets | |
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Science News Archive | |
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News from the Dean |
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Dear Colleagues, In case this has passed you by, the University's Academic Programs Committee and Academic Senate have endorsed the principles of the White Paper on the Review of Academic Programs. Details are available at:- Congratulations to the organisers of the Sustainability Fair which livened up the courtyard last week. The bands playing over lunch provided live entertainment; the stalls offered many interesting organic wares – clothing, food and cosmetics and the NGO’s were well represented. UTSpeaks are holding a free lecture “Breaking the Ice – Will we be able to live on an ice-free Earth?” presented by A/Prof Peter Ralph and Prof Greg Skilbeck, both of UTS. On Thursday 21 August at 6:00 pm in the UTS Great Hall, Level 5, UTS Tower, Broadway. Free parking for those who cannot find alternative transport in the Peter Johnson Building basement car park 702-730 Harris Street, Ultimo. RSVP by 20 August to Robert.button@uts.edu.au, tel: 9514 1734. The Annual UniServe Science Conference is on 2 and 3 October at the University of Sydney. The main theme will be Visualisation and Concept Development with minor streams in Research in Science Teaching and Learning and the First Year Experience.
Full details are available at:- Till next time,
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_________________________________________________________ Our Research: Carbon Dioxide Poses Risk to Marine Life Survival
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Climate change and the subsequent acidification of the world's oceans will significantly reduce the successful fertilisation of certain marine species by the year 2100, an international team of biological scientists has found.
A team from Macquarie University's marine ecology group, led by our own Dr Jane Williamson, joined forces with the University of Gothenburg in Sweden to study the effects of seawater acidification on sea urchin fertility for the first time, finding a link between decreased pH (increased acid) levels and a reduction in sperm swimming speed and motility. Williamson said sea urchin gametes and larvae used in the research were exposed to the same acid levels that are predicted to be present in the world's oceans by the year 2100. The surface of the ocean absorbs up to 30 per cent of the yearly emissions of carbon dioxide. This absorbed carbon dioxide dissolves in the water and forms a weak acid that is gradually increasing the acidity of the oceans. "It is widely believed that seawater is chemically well-buffered, but these results show that the acidification process already well underway may threaten the viability of many marine species," Williamson said. "Our results show that carbon dioxide-induced acidification of seawater, at levels predicted for the year 2100, reduced fertilisation success of an ecologically dominant marine species by 25 per cent." The Macquarie University research is especially significant, as equivalent results have only previously been found at far more extreme levels of acidification. "What we have now is evidence that the world's marine life is far more sensitive to ocean acidification than first suspected, and that means our oceans may be very different places in the not too distant future," Williamson said. Researchers measured sperm swimming speed, sperm motility, fertilisation success and larval developmental success in individual male x female crosses in the Heliocidaris erythrogramma species using control (pH 8.1) and acidified (pH 7.7) seawater. The Heliocidaris erythrogramma species is found commonly in inshore waters around south-eastern Australia. The findings of the Macquarie University study will be published in the August 5 issue of science journal, Current Biology (www.current-biology.com).
This article was adapted from an article released by the Macquarie University PR Unit available at http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/archive.asp?ItemID=3455. Any enquiries from the media should be directed to: |
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_________________________________________________________ Opportunities |
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_________________________________________________________ Chiropractic Research Symposium: Healthcare Research and its impact on Practice The Research Symposium is being sponsored by the Department of Health and Chiropractic, Macquarie University, the Advisory Board, The Alumni Association, and the CAA-NSW chapter. The invited Keynote Speaker is Prof Anthony Rosner from the United States. When: Invited Speakers: Where: For further information please contact Ramon Fernandez-Caamano at _________________________________________________________ CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT OFFICER - 3 YEAR CONTRACT - Willoughby City Council, Chatswood, New South Wales, due by 25th August 2008. Salary: $62,998 - $69,472, Superannuation is in addition. The role also includes a subsidised travel pass for use on public transport This position has been initiated under Council`s e.restore program. This highly successful program aims to achieve long term and substantial improvements to the environment. You will use your passion for, and understanding of, the principles of sustainability and climate change to manage climate change projects within Council and the local community and to assist with community engagement leading to effective action on climate change. You will need:
Council offers excellent facilities and benefits, including a range of career development opportunities and a progressive, flexible work environment. If this position interests you then visit our website at www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au or phone the Enquiry Officer, Dr Haydn Washington, (02) 9777 7538 Applications should address all of the selection criteria outlined within the Position Description available online or from the Enquiry Officer. Email applications to humanresources@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or post to _________________________________________________________ ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR - AUSECO (Environmental Education Specialists), Sydney - Northern Suburbs and Southern Region, New South Wales, due by 12th September 2008. We are looking for enthusiastic and self-confident people to instruct and supervise primary and high school students while on excursions. A good knowledge of and interest in environmental science, biology and or geography is required and tertiary study in these areas is preferred. Experience in working with children/young people is of advantage. AUSECO is now recruiting staff for the 2009 season. We are looking for people that can work up to 3 days per week on a casual basis, starting early February 2009. Training will start as soon as possible, with occasional shifts available for term 3 and 4 for the remainder of 2008. For information about AUSECO please look at our website www.auseco.com.au Contact Details: auseco@optusnet.com.au _________________________________________________________
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Events |
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_________________________________________________________Biological Sciences Seminar: by Dr. David Warton, The University of New South Wales Summary: Species distribution modelling is often used in autecological studies, whether the purpose is to understand response of a species to environmental variables (explanation); to map where a species is likely to occur (prediction); or to study potential threats to the species of future events such as climate change (projection). Methodology for species distribution modelling has change dramatically in recent years, due to the availability of richer datasets and new technologies for data analysis. Some recent innovations in data analysis will be reviewed, and a new approach for presence-only data analysis will be presented. It will be explained how this new method solves the "pseudo-absence" problem, a problem that invalidates inference for methods of data analysis that are currently used. Approaches will be illustrated using data on the distribution of Angophora costata in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Where and When: Wednesday 20th August, 1:00pm, Building E8A room 290 (Biology tearoom) _________________________________________________________ Hill Top to Headland Lecture: Aboriginal Perspectives on Warringah Time: Wednesday 20 August, 7 – 8.30pm _________________________________________________________ Rain Water Tank Technical Workshop Time: Saturday 23 August, 9am - 12.30pm Venue: Marrickville Council Administration Building, 2-14 Fisher Street, Petersham Have you considered installing a rainwater tank to save water but are unsure about what it entails? Marrickville Council is holding a rainwater tank technical workshop where participants will find out what's involved in designing and maintaining their own rainwater harvesting system. Booking is essential, please call (02) 9335 2222. _________________________________________________________ Prof Stephen Leeder Talks: "Rethinking The Role of Medicine" What changes will nanotechnology and the genetic revolution bring to Medicine? Professor Stephen Leeder, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, discusses some of the challenges including dealing with chronic disease and new approaches to prevention. _________________________________________________________ Powerhouse Museum's Big Science Night _________________________________________________________ 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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SnippetsRefugees need University's support Exercise needs the right messenger Enzyme group worsens cancer Scientists invent waterproof paper Abuse endangers pregnancies Homeless tenants still stable Myopia slowed by outdoors |
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