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Applying environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for Yellow crazy ant detection, a sensitive and less labour-intensive approach to invasive ant detection. (Old ID 27191)
Invasive invertebrates in Australia are estimated to impact agricultural production losses by $4.7 billion annually and cost up to $8 billion annually considering all impacts and expenses. More specifically, invasive ants are a significant threat to agricultural production, biodiversity, tourism, personal property, and local business and industry. Current methods for invasive ant detection (i.e. baited traps or cards, pitfall traps, and detection dogs) rely on trapping, smelling, or sighting active individuals and are therefore labour-intensive, costly, and highly reliant on weather conditions. The proposed project will apply environmental DNA methods for yellow crazy ant (YCA) detection. YCA has been listed as a high priority species under the National Invasive Ant Biosecurity Plan 2018-2028, and will be used as a case study. The proposed methodology could be applied to the existing infestations and taken up by farmers, as well as being applied to other terrestrial pests.
A pilot study into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving veteran mental health in North Queensland (Old ID 27280)
This pilot study aims to test the effectiveness of a MBSR intervention on veteran mental health in North Queensland. MBSR is a clinically standardized 8-week group intervention, with one 2.5-hour session each week and an all-day (6 hours) self-retreat session in week 6. It provides systematic training in mindfulness to improve mental health through self-regulating arousal to stress. Fifty veterans living in Townsville will be recruited to participate in the MBSR intervention. To assess the effectiveness of MBSR, a repeated-measures design will be employed, with mental health outcomes being measured at four timepoints.
Donation of Armoured Mist Frog translocation program (Old ID 27290)
Donation of $2,000 from AWS to my upcoming translocation of Armoured Mist Frogs to establish another breeding population in the wild.
The ecological and evolutionary factors influencing the establishment and persistence of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in resourcelimited, high-burden settings (Old ID 27344)
Our preliminary data suggests that there is high circulation of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in the highlands of PNG. We propose a hospital- and community-based study to determine the ecological and evolutionary factors associated with the establishment of the highly virulent MRSA ST93 clone in the highlands of PNG. This study will provide vital information for clinicians, public health professionals and policy makers in PNG to guide treatment and interventions to reduce the impact of MRSA-associated AHO in the country. Indeed, these findings will also inform strategies for the treatment and prevention of MRSA-associated AHO in other resource-limited settings.
Seagrass thermal stress risk model for the inshore Great Barrier Reef. (Old ID 27720)
Seagrass meadows are at risk from decline caused by thermal stress, and this will impact the ecosystems and communities who depend on the goods and benefits they provide. There is currently no spatial and temporal product that indicates seagrass exposure to thermal stress. This proposal outlines a staged project that will deliver a model of thermal stress risk. Working in collaboration with First Nations rangers, temperature loggers will be deployed across thermal exposure gradients in the inshore Reef. These data will be used to calibrate and validate a seagrass thermal stress risk model for the inshore Reef.
IMR Integrated Reef Fish Monitoring Program (Old ID 27813)
While critical knowledge of the abundance, diversity, and assemblage composition of Great Barrier Reef reef fishes has been delivered by comprehensive and systematic monitoring programs across various spatial and temporal scales to date, significant knowledge gaps remain. The Integrated Reef Fish Monitoring Program will address these critical knowledge gaps by establishing monitoring in nursery seascapes, deep-water inter-reef habitat, inshore fringing reefs, and developing indicators of reef fish status and trend.
Developing culturally appropriate assessments for people with dementia (Old ID 28929)
This study's aim is to develop culturally appropriate measures of anxiety and depression for older adults living with dementia in the Torres Strait. This is of significance given high rates of psychological distress identified in First Nations peoples. Outcomes from the study will (1) improve the accurate and timely diagnosis of comorbid psychological conditions in people with dementia; and (2) clarify differential diagnosis of dementia in older Torres Strait adults. Having culturally appropriate tools will facilitate equity of assessment for treatment within an underserved and disadvantaged group and ensure appropriate treatment and management within this vulnerable population of older adults.
Heritage Oil Rukwa (TZ) PhD Scholarship for Cassy Mtelela (Old ID 20298)
Heritage Oil Rukwa (TZ) to fully support a PhD scholarship and project expenses for Tanzanian Student, Cassy Mtelala. The PhD research Project will focus on investigating the relationship between sedimentation and tectonics in the deposition of the Pilocene to Recent Lake Beds strata in the Rukwa Rift Basin, Tanzania. Heritage will support all tuition; fees; living expenses; and a small research stipend for Cassy to conduct this PhD project through the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, under the direction of Dr Eric Roberts. Heritage Oil Rukwa (TZ) will also directly pay for all field expenses, visas and travel costs.
Supply of Impact Resistance (part 2) (Old ID 23212)
Collaborative project with Queensland Government to determine defining properties of variability and risk of wind driven debris impact testing in order to develop uniform code / standard for assessment of materials for cyclone shelters etc.
New strategies for improved tuberculosis vaccines (Old ID 23218)
Tuberculosis is a major global public health problem and continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality due to the low efficiency of the only licensed anti-tuberculosis vaccine, BCG. This project aims to produce novel, highly efficacious vaccination regimens against tuberculosis, especially pulmonary tuberculosis, which is currently the most difficult manifestation of infection to control. The results of this project have the potential to not only save millions of lives in the developing world but also to decrease socioeconomic burden of tuberculosis, particularly in the context of HIV co-infection.