Scale of human impact laid bare in new island study
30 April 2021
When humans arrive on an island they have an immediate and dramatic impact on the ecosystem, according to a new international study which included scientists from The Australian National University (ANU).
The study looked at 27 remote islands across the globe and found they had something in common. When humans arrive on these islands the ecosystem immediately starts to change. But even more importantly, it keeps changing - it s still changing now in most cases, ANU co-author Dr Simon Connor said. The change is also permanent. There s no going back because our impact as humans is so profound. This is worrying because the islands have really special biodiversity, including species that aren t found anywhere else in the world.
Building closures on campus
30 April 2021
There has been a fire at building 13b on the Acton campus, between Baldessin Precinct Building and School of Art and Design. The fire is out and there is no immediate danger. No one is injured. The local area is closed. Please stay away from the affected area.
There is no access to the following buildings and carparks today, Friday 30 April:
Baldessin Precinct Building
Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies
School of Art and Design
Beryl Rawson Building
Classes are cancelled in the affected buildings.
Baldessin carpark permit holders will be able to park in other areas across campus in non-reserved and non-disabled places, with no infringements enforced.
New research from The Australian National University (ANU) shows female swift parrots can determine the sex of their offspring, and they are favouring boys over girls as they face diminished survival prospects in the wild. Instead of producing extra daughters to make up for a shortage of adult females they make sure their sons hatch first so they get more food and become more competitive in a tight mating market.
Stellar researcher recognised with leading science honour
28 April 2021
One of Australia s leading space experts and ANU astronomer, Professor Lisa Kewley, has been named a foreign member of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
Professor Lisa Kewley, an ARC Laureate Fellow at the ANU Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics, has transformed our understanding of the Universe, particularly star and galaxy formation.
She is also Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in All-Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D), which brings together more than 200 world-leading astronomers to understand the evolution of matter, light, the Big Bang and our earliest stars.
Social singing lifts dementia blues
27 April 2021
A therapeutic music outreach program is improving the mental health and wellbeing of people with dementia and Alzheimer s disease, according to a study from The Australian National University (ANU).
The Music Engagement Program (MEP), initially developed by researchers at ANU, assists people with Alzheimer s disease and dementia. It s different to other music interventions; it s not me standing in front singing at people, we sing together, ANU researcher and program facilitator Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney said. This study provided us with evidence of the impact of the music making beyond its entertainment value something we have always known anecdotally.