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Sources, transformations and fate of particulate and dissolved organic carbon-implications for the GBR (Old ID 25001)
Organic carbon has traditionally been poorly studied in marine systems, but recent studies suggest that GBR microalgae can utilise organic matter, and that eroded soil carbon parameters can ameliorate marine algal responses to catchment nutrients. This suggests that organic carbon may play an important role in marine ecosystems than previously thought. Additionally, GBR organic carbon concentrations are increasing, but the mechanisms are unclear. The proposed study would review the literature, develop a conceptual model, and undertake data analysis on organic carbon in the GBR and catchments, and examine links to ecosystem effects. This will improve monitoring and management of water quality in the GBR.
Developing an innovative low-power and high-speed architecture for smart machines (Old ID 25065)
This project aims to significantly improve the processing speed and power consumption of intelligent, mobile computing devices. Using a novel computing architecture inspired by the low-energy, parallel processing of the brain, the project will overcome a major impediment to progress, that placing ever more transistors on electronic chips is reaching its physical limits. The intended outcomes include important theoretical advances in electronic engineering, a new architecture enabling intelligent devices to operate independently of remote supercomputers, and a software trial in a robot. Applicable to devices ranging from smartphones to medical diagnostic equipment to autonomous vehicles, the new architecture promises significant benefits.
e-beef Evaluation Project. (Old ID 27641)
The project will evaluate the outcomes of the e-beef Project. The e-beef project worked with selected grazing businesses (Smart Farms) and groups of grazing businesses (Innovation Hubs) in regional Qld to demonstrate and trial innovative technologies that aimed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of livestock perfrmance and pasture data. It was expected that the e-beef project would assist grazing businesses to make informed management decisions based on recorded data. The e-beef evaluation project outsomes will inform future research and activity in Innovation and Commercialisation Projects.
Targeting Inflammasome Activation To Combat Infections With Intracellular Pathogens (Old ID 20303)
The project will investigate the potential to specifically target intracellular sensors, so called inflammasomes, to enhance immunity against the intracellular pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Toxoplasma gondii. Particular emphasis will be placed on the regulation of inflammasome-mediated secretion of iterleukin-18 and subsequent initiation of protective interferon-gamma production. The project aims to identify novel host-pathogen interactions that can enhance effective control and clearance of these pathogens and to test the associated molecules in murine infection models as well as primary human samples. Results obtained from this research project may aid in the development of novel vaccine candidates and immunomodulatory strategies against intracellular pathogens.
Spatial predictions of changes in forest biomass carbon (TLJV Postdoctoral project) (Old ID 22356)
This project will enable the appointment of a Postdoctoral Fellow who will work with JCU and CSIRO researchers to better link ground-based measures of biomass with remote sensing tools. This will provide spatial predictions of changes in biomass carbon with known certainty. Specific tasks for the first year of the project will include three stages of work, each focusing on TERN Supersites. The Supersites involved are FNQ Rainforest Robson Creek (Qld), Warra Tall Eucalypt (TAS and Calperum Malee (SA).
Tackling Frog Disease (Old ID 22979)
Chytridiomycois is one of the most dramatic and important emerging infectious diseases in wildlife. It is caused by a fungal pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd), which parasitizes the skin of amphibians. This highly contagious pathogen has been responsible for making frogs the most endangered vertebrates on earth. Remarkably, some populations that experienced drastic declines have recovered, and now appear to coexist with the fungus, but the nature of their recovery remains a mystery. There are a a range of possible complex and interacting reasons why frog populations may coexist with this disease, which could be evolutionary, behavioural, environmental, or ecological. We are examining possible reasons for coexistence, to find approaches to aid populations that persist but are not recovering.
Assessment of the ecological risk of emerging contaminants released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant (Old ID 25082)
Discharge from the Cleveland Bay Purification plant (CBPP) is via ocean pipeline into Cleveland Bay and falls within the jurisdiction of the Qld State Marine Park Authority (QSMPA). A planned CBPP membrane upgrade has initiated a QSMPA operational permit, issued in December 2017., requiring Townsville city council to develop an Effluent Quality Assessment Program. The assessment program is to be developed under the guidance of a Special Technical Advisory Group (STAG) and should include effluent sampling of new and emerging contaminants, as identified in the Tropical water quality hub's NESP report (2015). This includes but is not limited to heavy metals, various organics (hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, poly-aromatics and personal care products) and micro-plastics. The assessment program's objective is to identify and prioritise emerging contaminants based on estimation of the current and longer-term ecological risk to the receiving environment.
A new functional approach to coral reefs (Old ID 26230)
Around the world coral reefs are changing fast, challenging traditional scientific, management, and governance approaches. This project will address this challenge by implementing a new function, approach exploiting a unique combination of evolution ary and ecological methodologies. Expected outcomes include a global overview of ecosystem function and an in-depth understanding of how ecosystems change. This is likely to result in specific, and practical, management objectives by identifying crucial ecosystem functions that support reefs and the people who rely on them.
Assessment of Community Livelihood needs to support Australia’s Marine Resources Initiative in the Asia-Pacific Region (Old ID 27267)
The global community has committed to increasing the economic benefit that Small Island Developing States and less developed countries derive from marine resources by 2030 (UN 2015). This commitment was reflected in the Prime Minister’s statement at the November 2020 ASEAN-Australia Summit where he announced the Marine Resources Initiative (MRI), and pledged to support maritime states in Southeast Asian countries to “develop their marine resources sustainably and address challenges through enhanced training, technical advice and cooperation” (https://www.pm.gov.au/media/investing-our-southeast-asian-partnerships). This project will conduct an assessment of coastal community livelihood needs to inform DFAT’s policy on maritime resource development and support the MRI in selected southeast Asian countries. The project will focus onWestern Philippines and Northern Indonesia and will culminate in recommendations on interventions to support coastal communities to develop their maritime resources sustainably. More broadly, this will contribute to supporting regional maritime states to achieve more equitable and sustainable maritime resource development.
Cu isotope characterization of waters in the Mt Windsor Sub-Province, NE QLD (Old ID 27379)
Minotaur Operations has received funding through the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) for copper isotope characterisation of groundwater sampled from active bores in the immediate vicinity of its Windsor Project in NE Queensland. The Mount Windsor Subprovince terrane covers significant Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposits and prospects, and VMS deposits in the district all contain New Economy Minerals including Cd, Cu, Au, In, Ag, and Zn. Building on existing JCU research findings, this collaborative project will characterize up to 50 water bores for major/trace elements and Cu isotopes, towards determining elemental/isotopic anomalies which may indicate mineralization and therefore aide Minotaur’s exploration program.