Latest news with #MarsdenGrant
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
From Way Back To The Future: Space-Time Ripples Study Heralded
Press Release – University of Canterbury A UC major breakthrough in gravitational physics has been recognised by a top international scientific journal. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) second year PhD scholarship student Sebenele (Sebe)Thwala, working with supervisors DrChrisStevens and Prof Jörg Frauendiener, has been modelling how gravitational waves interact across the universe from the distant past to the far future. Sebe says most simulations cut off the faraway parts of spacetime and make rough guesses about what happens there, which can lead to errors. 'When something dramatic happens in the universe—like two black holes merging—it sends out ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves. We detect those ripples here on Earth, but we don't get to see the event directly,' she says. 'To measure energy and momentum accurately, you actually have to look really far away from where the action is happening basically, at an infinite distance. But if we simulate the whole thing properly, from the infinite past to the infinite future, we can avoid mistakes and get a clearer picture. This also helps us understand what happens when a gravitational wave hits a black hole, how much energy the black hole takes in, and how much energy is sent back out as more gravitational waves.' The research funded through a Marsden Grant is the first time the 'absolute beginning' and 'absolute end' of the process has been incorporated into a single computer simulation. Physical Review Letters has flagged the 'outstanding' Fully Nonlinear Gravitational Wave Simulations from Past to Future Null Infinity as a 'PRL Editors' Suggestion' – papers judged to be particularly important, interesting and well written. Originally from Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Sebe completed her Master's degree in South Africa. Around that time New Zealander Chris Stevens was also based in South Africa, and looking for students who might be interested in furthering research on particular gravitational physics topics. The COVID epidemic got in the way initially, but then she was able to take up the invitation to the University of Canterbury to complete her doctorate. Now her supervisor, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics Dr Stevens, says getting the paper accepted in Physical Review Letters is a rare feat at any career stage. 'This is an extraordinary milestone for a second-year PhD student, but to also receive the distinction of Editor's Suggestion marks this work as truly exceptional. It reflects not only groundbreaking scientific insight, but also a level of impact, clarity, and originality that stands out internationally over a broad range of fields in physics. 'Achievements of this calibre so early in a research career are exceptionally rare and speak to a scholar of outstanding promise,' he says. Sebe is not sure what or where her own future lies yet. She would like to complete her doctorate over the next year or so. While her dream would be to continue with post-doctoral research, her mathematical modelling and coding skills could also land her a job in many industries. 'I'm being led by where the opportunities are,' she says.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
From Way Back To The Future: Space-Time Ripples Study Heralded
Press Release – University of Canterbury A UC major breakthrough in gravitational physics has been recognised by a top international scientific journal. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) second year PhD scholarship student Sebenele (Sebe)Thwala, working with supervisors DrChrisStevens and Prof Jörg Frauendiener, has been modelling how gravitational waves interact across the universe from the distant past to the far future. Sebe says most simulations cut off the faraway parts of spacetime and make rough guesses about what happens there, which can lead to errors. 'When something dramatic happens in the universe—like two black holes merging—it sends out ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves. We detect those ripples here on Earth, but we don't get to see the event directly,' she says. 'To measure energy and momentum accurately, you actually have to look really far away from where the action is happening basically, at an infinite distance. But if we simulate the whole thing properly, from the infinite past to the infinite future, we can avoid mistakes and get a clearer picture. This also helps us understand what happens when a gravitational wave hits a black hole, how much energy the black hole takes in, and how much energy is sent back out as more gravitational waves.' The research funded through a Marsden Grant is the first time the 'absolute beginning' and 'absolute end' of the process has been incorporated into a single computer simulation. Physical Review Letters has flagged the 'outstanding' Fully Nonlinear Gravitational Wave Simulations from Past to Future Null Infinity as a 'PRL Editors' Suggestion' – papers judged to be particularly important, interesting and well written. Originally from Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Sebe completed her Master's degree in South Africa. Around that time New Zealander Chris Stevens was also based in South Africa, and looking for students who might be interested in furthering research on particular gravitational physics topics. The COVID epidemic got in the way initially, but then she was able to take up the invitation to the University of Canterbury to complete her doctorate. Now her supervisor, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics Dr Stevens, says getting the paper accepted in Physical Review Letters is a rare feat at any career stage. 'This is an extraordinary milestone for a second-year PhD student, but to also receive the distinction of Editor's Suggestion marks this work as truly exceptional. It reflects not only groundbreaking scientific insight, but also a level of impact, clarity, and originality that stands out internationally over a broad range of fields in physics. 'Achievements of this calibre so early in a research career are exceptionally rare and speak to a scholar of outstanding promise,' he says. Sebe is not sure what or where her own future lies yet. She would like to complete her doctorate over the next year or so. While her dream would be to continue with post-doctoral research, her mathematical modelling and coding skills could also land her a job in many industries. 'I'm being led by where the opportunities are,' she says.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
From Way Back To The Future: Space-Time Ripples Study Heralded
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) second year PhD scholarship student Sebenele (Sebe)Thwala, working with supervisors DrChrisStevens and Prof Jörg Frauendiener, has been modelling how gravitational waves interact across the universe from the distant past to the far future. Sebe says most simulations cut off the faraway parts of spacetime and make rough guesses about what happens there, which can lead to errors. 'When something dramatic happens in the universe—like two black holes merging—it sends out ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves. We detect those ripples here on Earth, but we don't get to see the event directly,' she says. "To measure energy and momentum accurately, you actually have to look really far away from where the action is happening basically, at an infinite distance. But if we simulate the whole thing properly, from the infinite past to the infinite future, we can avoid mistakes and get a clearer picture. This also helps us understand what happens when a gravitational wave hits a black hole, how much energy the black hole takes in, and how much energy is sent back out as more gravitational waves.' The research funded through a Marsden Grant is the first time the 'absolute beginning' and 'absolute end' of the process has been incorporated into a single computer simulation. Physical Review Letters has flagged the 'outstanding' Fully Nonlinear Gravitational Wave Simulations from Past to Future Null Infinity as a 'PRL Editors' Suggestion' - papers judged to be particularly important, interesting and well written. Originally from Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Sebe completed her Master's degree in South Africa. Around that time New Zealander Chris Stevens was also based in South Africa, and looking for students who might be interested in furthering research on particular gravitational physics topics. The COVID epidemic got in the way initially, but then she was able to take up the invitation to the University of Canterbury to complete her doctorate. Now her supervisor, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics Dr Stevens, says getting the paper accepted in Physical Review Letters is a rare feat at any career stage. "This is an extraordinary milestone for a second-year PhD student, but to also receive the distinction of Editor's Suggestion marks this work as truly exceptional. It reflects not only groundbreaking scientific insight, but also a level of impact, clarity, and originality that stands out internationally over a broad range of fields in physics. 'Achievements of this calibre so early in a research career are exceptionally rare and speak to a scholar of outstanding promise," he says. Sebe is not sure what or where her own future lies yet. She would like to complete her doctorate over the next year or so. While her dream would be to continue with post-doctoral research, her mathematical modelling and coding skills could also land her a job in many industries. 'I'm being led by where the opportunities are,' she says.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Incurable side effect of cancer treatment in the spotlight
Photo: 123rf An incurable side effect of cancer treatment is in the spotlight as researchers work toward better understanding why it happens, and who it's most likely to affect. Lymphedema is a condition of localised swelling caused when the lymphatic system can't do its job of removing excess fluid from tissue, usually because of damaged or removed lymph nodes. The fluid builds up, causing pain and tightness, and while it can be mitigated, there is no cure, and funding for treatment is hard to come by. An estimated 40 percent of those who have undergone treatment for breast cancer have lymphedema in their arms as a result of removed lymph nodes near the breast, under the armpit. But the data is patchy, at best, with no national registry or numbers of people who have the condition. In 2023, Auckland University Bioengineering researcher Dr Hayley Reynolds secured Marsden Grant funding in an effort to better understand the condition. Catherine Davies, who is also with the Bioengineering Institute, recently finished treatment for breast cancer and now has lymphoedema. Dr Reynolds and Catherine join Kathryn from our Auckland studio.
