Latest news with #BondUniversity
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Experts Question Queensland's New Shark Control Strategy
The Queensland government has identified potential locations for its expanded shark control program, ... More based on the presence of Surf Life Saving Queensland and data reflecting beach use. Queensland's Shark Control Program is about to undergo its most significant expansion in decades, with the state government pledging nearly $90 million to install new shark nets, increase the number of drumlines and broaden the reach of drone patrols along the coastline. The move comes amid growing public concern about unprovoked shark bites, especially during peak swimming seasons. 'Today's announcement is big and bold, it puts swimmer safety first,' Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said. 'I have said time and time again, the best science must inform our actions when it comes to [the Department of Agriculture and] However, the plan has sparked immediate backlash from scientists, conservationists and environmental law experts, who say the expansion could do more harm than good to both marine life and public safety. Dr Daryl McPhee, an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Bond University and one of the country's foremost experts on shark-human interactions, voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of the program during an interview on 4BC Breakfast: 'Regardless of how much the government spends and what it does, there are still likely to be unprovoked shark bites in Queensland waters. […] We have a lot of sharks and a lot of people going in the water.' Shark nets and drumlines have been used in Queensland since the 1960s, with the aim of the nets being to reduce the local population of large, potentially dangerous sharks (primarily tiger sharks and bull sharks) in areas popular with swimmers and surfers. Yet the effectiveness of these methods has been repeatedly questioned. While nets and drumlines may give beachgoers a sense of security, there is limited scientific evidence showing they reduce the overall risk of shark bites. In fact, many shark incidents in Australia have happened at netted beaches. And Sea Shepherd has warned that the planned upgrades could breach national environmental protections. 'Under Section 43B(3) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, any enlargement or intensification of the Queensland Shark Control Program could be deemed illegal,' Sea Shepard Australia's Jonathan Clark said. This is because current methods like gill nets and baited drumlines often catch more than just the targeted sharks. Non-target species such as dolphins, turtles, rays and even endangered sharks frequently get entangled or killed by these devices. 'These lethal methods don't protect people … Minister Perrett is ignoring the science, legal risks, and public safety, while intensifying a program that should have been phased out years ago. We need to have the shark nets removed, the drumlines ultimately have to go, and we have to get into the modern ideas of using that technology such as drones, shark barriers, and really good public education.' The government is expanding the shark control program in a bid to protect swimmers and uphold ... More Queensland's reputation as a tourism destination. The state government has defended its investment, arguing that the expansion is about using 'every available tool' to keep the public safe. But critics argue that such measures divert attention and resources from alternative strategies that could be more effective and environmentally responsible. Modern drone patrols have been one of the more promising tools added in recent years. Drones allow lifeguards to scan for sharks in real time, alerting people on the beach or in the water if a large animal is detected. However, even drones have limitations. Cloudy skies, rough surf and limited battery life can all reduce their effectiveness. And like any surveillance technology, they rely heavily on well-trained operators and rapid response protocols. Education campaigns, personal shark deterrents like electric anklets and improved signage at high-risk beaches are also often pointed to as lower-impact ways to manage human-shark interactions. The tension between public safety and environmental conservation is not unique to Queensland, but the scale of the planned investment and the potential for legal conflict makes this a notable strike agaisnst shark conservation in the country. If Sea Shepherd goes ahead and sues the state for environmental breaches (which it says isn't out of the question), Queensland may find itself forced to scale back or alter its strategy to comply with national law. This situation is just the latest example of just how complex and contentious shark control has become in an era where both beach safety and biodiversity are high public priorities. In the end, the key question remains: will nearly $90 million worth of nets, drumlines and drones actually make Queensland's waters safer? Or are we spending millions on an illusion of control in a wild ocean we don't fully understand? While public demand for visible shark control measures is understandable, science suggests that no approach will fully eliminate risk. As Dr McPhee pointed out, 'We have a lot of sharks and a lot of people going in the water.' Perhaps the most realistic strategy moving forward is one that accepts some level of risk, prioritizes coexistence and focuses on reducing harm to people and the ocean as a whole.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Bill Thompson: Music is the universal language of understanding and connection
From Mozart to Billie Eilish, music has the power to move listeners in deep and profound Ode to Joy is a soaring anthem of hope and elation, while Adele's Someone Like You is a sorrowful ballad that can bring listeners to that emotional connection doesn't always translate across cultures.I was recently involved in a study led by my PhD student Marjorie Li that looked into how Western listeners perceive emotions in two distinct musical styles: Western classical and Chinese do this, music experts curated a series of 10-second sound clips — half Western classical violin music and half Chinese traditional music played on an erhu, a two-stringed bowed sound clip was selected to reflect one of four emotions: happiness, sadness, agitation and with Dr Kirk Olsen, a colleague from Macquarie University, we recruited 100 listeners of white European descent and based in the UK, US, New Zealand and the most interesting finding from this research was that the listeners tended to perceive Chinese music as 'agitated' and Western music as 'happy'. In a world of geopolitical conflicts headlined by the US-China trade war, could music play a role in bridging divides and fostering understanding?An earlier study by the same research team suggests it found that teaching people to play a musical instrument from an unfamiliar culture, even learning to play a single tune, can diminish or even eliminate biases about that that study, 58 white Australians were randomly assigned to learn either the Chinese pipa or a Middle Eastern oud (both instruments are similar to the lute).After a two-hour lecture on the instruments' cultural and musical background, the would-be musicians spent another couple of hours learning to play a folk they were more empathetic toward people of different cultural learners felt more connected to Chinese people, while oud learners felt more connected to Middle Eastern Lennon understood this anthem Give Peace a Chance became a rallying cry of the anti–Vietnam War movement, uniting millions across borders under a shared call for didn't end the war, but it gave voice to a global Donald Trump's trade negotiators to pick up a Chinese pipa to help find an amicable end to the ongoing tariffs dispute is a bridge too there's no doubt music can build unity if we're all singing the same tune. Dr Bill Thompson is a professor of psychology at Bond University
Jordan News
21-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Reducing Dietary Fat May Ease Symptoms of Depression, Study Finds - Jordan News
A new study suggests that cutting calories or following a low-fat diet may lead to a slight reduction in depression symptoms. Researchers from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, analyzed 25 clinical trials involving over 57,000 participants who either received nutritional guidance as part of their treatment plans or continued with their regular eating habits. اضافة اعلان Key Findings: Calorie restriction and low-fat diets were associated with modest improvements in depression, especially in adults at risk of cardiovascular disease—such as those with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, smoking habits, or low physical activity. The impact on anxiety was less clear. The Mediterranean diet showed uncertain effects on depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life. Despite the small effect size, the researchers believe that long-term dietary changes might still offer notable mental health benefits over time. Important Note: The team recommends that individuals consult healthcare professionals before making any major dietary adjustments, especially if they have underlying health conditions or are undergoing treatment for mental health issues. Source: HealthDay News
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists pinpoint the two diets that could help relieve depression and anxiety
Two simple diet changes could reduce the symptoms of debilitating mental health conditions, a study suggests. A major review by researchers at Bond University in Queensland, Australia, found that calorie restrictive diets may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The research–which included 25 studies involving 57,000 adults–also found that low fat diets may help relieve anxiety. Researchers found that the benefits of a low fat diet on mental health were primarily seen among people at 'elevated cardiometabolic risk'. This included those suffering from conditions like obesity or insulin resistance the latter considered a potential precursor to type 2 diabetes. A calorie restrictive diet is an eating pattern where you limit the amount of calories you consume per day in a bid to lose weight, usually around 1500 calories total. Dieters are also advised to avoid processed foods and products high in sugar. On the other hand, a low fat diet is considered getting less than 30 per cent of your energy intake from fats, a level recommended by the World Health Organisation. Publishing their findings in the journal the Annals of Internal Medicine, the experts said while calorie restrictive and low fat diets may help combat depression and anxiety the quality of the data supporting this was low. As such they recommended any patient suffering from these problems discuss potential dietary changes with a health care professional beforehand. The authors didn't speculate on how diet may help combat mental health issues, but previous studies have established a link between food and mood. In 2017 Australian researchers, published a study in the journal BMC Medicine, where 33 people with major, drug-resistant depression were put on the Mediterranean diet for three months. They were then compared with 34 people with the same condition who continued with their usual diets. The Mediterranean diet group experienced 'significantly greater improvement' in symptoms than the control group. Additionally, last year data from 3,000 adults showed that, after six years, those who followed Mediterranean diet had a 16 per cent lower risk of developing depression than people who didn't. The Mediterranean typically involves focusing on fresh produce, lean meat like fish and chicken, and whole grains, while eating less red meat and sweets. Professor Felice Jacka, an expert in nutritional psychiatry and director of the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University in Geelong, Australia, previously told MailOnline she is convinced there is link between diet and depression 'Where mental health is concerned, our gut microbes are running us,' said Professor Jacka. She said that a diet rich in unprocessed foods with lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, pulses and grains is the key. Professor Jacka said this fibre-rich diet richly supports a healthy gut microbiome, the population of bacteria, viruses and fungi that naturally live in our digestive tract. Fibre is a type of complex carbohydrate found in plants that our bodies cannot easily break down. This means it passes through the digestive system all the way to the large intestine where it helps feeds trillions of micro-organisms. Fibre's mood benefits have been demonstrated in a review of 18 previous studies, published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience in 2023. The University of Adelaide researchers found that, for people deemed at risk of depression, each additional 5g of fibre they added to their diet was associated with a 5 per cent reduction of their risk of developing symptoms. The NHS recommends aiming for at least 30g of fibre per day. Experts also warn that a diet in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can have a negative impact on mental health. Professor Jacka co-authored a study in the journal Clinical Nutrition which concluded that a person's risk of depressive symptoms goes up 10 per cent for each additional 10 per cent that their diet is comprised of UPFs. 'If you do just one thing to improve your mental health through diet, completely cut out soft drinks, ice cream and crisps,' Professor Jacka told MailOnline. While multiple studies have established a link between what we eat and mental health, other experts caution the relationship might not be as clear cut as it seems. They highlight that for UPFs and depression there is no clear cause and effect. Additionally, they note that patients who eat a lot of UPFs are also more likely to be obese, exercise less frequently and more likely to smoke, all of which could influence their mental wellbeing. Mental health charity Mind estimates that one in six Britons are suffering from a common mental health problem like depression and anxiety at any one time. Symptoms of depression range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains. For anxiety they say that common symptoms include feeling restless or on edge being irritable, getting tired easily and having tense muscles. The NHS recommended seeing a doctor if you have symptoms of either condition.
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Virtual reality gaming 'not dead' but cutting edge technology facing challenges
In Steven Spielberg's 2018 film Ready Player One, humanity spends its days entertained in a massive virtual reality (VR) game called OASIS. But in 2025, Spielberg's dystopian vision of a VR future is far from reality. Virtual reality games are still an entertainment niche, with manufacturers reducing prices to clear unsold VR headsets, VR software publishers laying off employees, and many development studios closing their doors. While concerns remain around motion sickness, social isolation and the lack of a "killer app" — a game so enjoyable that it drives up VR headset sales — Australian gamers, developers and researchers insist VR games are "not dead". They say there are still many possibilities for VR games, including in therapeutic settings, with Australians making unique contributions to the medium. Anais "Naysy" Riley, a Queensland content creator, says the immersion and physicality of the games are a great part of the appeal of VR for Australians. "When you play a game, you're still controlling a character. But when you're in VR, it's a lot more immersive and you are that character," she says. "It used to be quite expensive to get into VR and you used to need … an expensive PC and all these external sensors. But now [VR headsets] are cheaper than ever." According to James Birt, Associate Professor of Creative Media Studies at Bond University, VR games have "not hit the mark" of traditional video game formats, even with streamlined and "reasonably priced" headset technology. "We're looking at about 5 per cent of Australian households owning a [VR] headset … and about 50 million headsets [sold globally] across all the different brands," Dr Birt says. "[Nintendo] sold 100 million units of the [interactive video game console] Wii … I think that's what the VR companies were really hoping they were going to get. "But it's a magnitude below what one would consider as mass adoption and certainly tiny when you look at PlayStation or Xbox or PC or the [Nintendo] Switch. Dr Birt believes a "stigma" around VR games causing motion sickness was created by people who felt sick playing in earlier, less advanced VR headsets. "It's a real shame because there are some absolutely incredible VR gaming experiences available that are so engaging and engrossing," he says. A lack of multiplayer experiences that can be enjoyed socially also hurts their mainstream appeal. "VR is considered isolating because you're within the headset, you're by yourself. Beat Saber is a perfect example of that … it's an individual experience within an immersive world," Dr Birt says. For many players, the lack of a "killer app" is the biggest obstacle to buying a VR headset. But Ms Riley says finding a "killer app" depends on individual tastes. "I found my killer app, it was Beat Saber. We've had some great games like Half-Life Alyx … that was the killer app for some people," she says. "I think it's just finding the game that gets you into VR, and that's going to be different for everyone. How do you define a killer app?" Justin McArdle, the founder of FrameLabs, a software development studio based in Fremantle, Western Australia, says working in VR is an opportunity to be at the cutting edge. But this opportunity comes with significant challenges for Australian studios. "In Australia, [we are] very lucky to have government support, but you do get the feeling that if you actually look at the metrics on how many VR games have been supported across all those initiatives, it's low," Mr McArdle says. "You can see that there is a kind of reticence about [VR games], you feel they don't really understand … we've had indie game studios going under [in Australia], which has been heartbreaking for the community." In February 2025, Toast Interactive, the Gold Coast-based development studio that developed Max Mustard (2024) and Richie's Plank (2017), closed down. According to Mr McArdle, Australian studios contribute "incredible creativity and energy" to the global VR development scene. "[Richie's Plank] is the go-to for so many people who want to demonstrate the power of VR," he says. "Whenever I meet with people around the world at games conferences, their eyes light up when they hear 'Australia'. "They think it's a really creative, really innovative development community with really cool ideas." Mr McArdle says Australian developers are adapting to an emerging younger audience and focusing on creating free-to-play, multiplayer experiences in VR. "They are a teen audience … they haven't got money to pay for [games], so they're looking for free-to-play and they're really into the social aspects," he says. He remains optimistic for the future of VR games and his studio has diversified into developing VR applications for the education, health and training sectors, including in therapeutic settings. At Bond University, researchers have trialled using a VR version of Minecraft to help children overcome anxiety when seeing a clinical psychologist. Patients can interact with therapists in a virtual world before meeting them face to face. "[It] allows the clinician and the child to build a rapport in an experience that's familiar for the child, but in an immersive environment where the child doesn't see the clinical environment," Dr Birt says. The trial has been well-received by both parents and clinicians. "It's a really big win for youngsters who look at it as not about going and seeing the psychologist, but about playing with somebody because that person is doing what their friends would do in Minecraft with them," Mr McArdle says. He believes VR games are "very much not dead" but evolving in a way not previously envisaged. "I think we are on the cusp of a whole new wave that, over the next five years, you'll see feed into [the] mainstream." He says Australian development studios are working towards making VR more accessible but need government support to continue "during this difficult period". "We don't want Australia to be left behind because of spatial computing, artificial intelligence … they're all game-driven technologies and skill sets that can be deployed across any industry."
