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A Griffith University researcher hopes a new discovery on orangutan weaning could help conservation efforts for the highly endangered primate.
Associate Professor Tanya Smith, from the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE) team, based in Griffith’s Environmental Futures Research Institute, aged museum specimens using growth lines in their molar teeth and mapped barium, an element found in mothers’ milk, to determine how long they suckle for.
The research, published in Science Advances in collaboration with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and other US scientists, provides the first detailed nursing histories of wild, orangutans. Researchers found immature orangutans may cycle their mothers’ milk consumption annually over more than eight years, weaning much later than other mammals.
Associate Professor Smith, an evolutionary anthropologist who recently arrived to the centre from Harvard University, said new technology allowed researchers to study collections of highly endangered primates from natural history museums,

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A library loan with a difference will be on offer at Griffith University’s Nathan campus on Wednesday, May 24, 12pm-1pm) with the opening of a one-hour ‘Human Library’.
In a Queensland first, library users will be able to find out more about the experiences of a refugee, a Muslim, a Jew and a widow – among others – when they register to ‘borrow’ a person rather than an old-fashioned book.
Through 15-minute private, informal chat, nearly all will be revealed as humans in the form of a book open up about their life experiences and narrate very personal stories of heartache and happiness.

HUMAN LIBRARY: Reserve your human book today

“The role of the library has evolved through the years and this initiative puts the library at the heart of cultural and social interaction on a university campus,” Linda O’Brien, Pro Vice Chancellor (Information Services) said.
“Challenging stereotypes, demystifying assumptions and understanding identity are all

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Opportunities and challenges in the industrial relations sector were discussed at a meeting between Griffith Business School experts and the Shadow Minister for
Dr Rebecca Loudoun addresses the meeting
Employment and Workplace Relations, Brendan O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor said Labor was exploring ways to “remedy current industrial relations laws” by talking to employers and unions.
“It’s important we also have conversations with experts in that field and, of course, this university houses a number of experts.
“It’s been a very productive conversation today.”
A range of topics were covered at the meeting, including employment security.
“How can we fix, mitigate, improve the lot of workers who feel increasingly that their employment is precarious?”
Griffith Business School student Bianca Bell
“How do we change the fair work laws to make them better, so they work in terms of security and, at the same time, ensuring productivity? They were the main
topics of conversation” Mr O’Connor said afterwards.
Dr Rebecca Loudoun, who specialises in enterprise

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In her first year at Griffith, Azaria Bell realised she had a knack for budgeting.
It didn’t take long for fellow students to notice, and a love of helping others achieve their own financial goals was born.
Now in her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in financial planing, Ms Bell has been named the 2017 Stonehouse Group Scholarship recipient.
She said the recognition, worth $10,000, was a huge honour.
“The work experience will be invaluable and I’m extremely grateful to the Stonehouse Group.
“When I applied, I thought they looked like a great company who cared about their clients – the kind of company I’d want to work for one day.”
Benjamin Hancock, Senior Partner at Stonehouse Group, said they look for a student who is committed to a career in financial planning.
“We’re also looking for someone who has shown commitment academically and is performing well,” he said.
“They also need to have some

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So, what do you talk about when you’re one-on-one with a princess? If you’re Avril Francis, you talk about the local language for a start and maybe a little bit about how different timekeeping can be when you trade tropical Queensland for the cooler climes of continental Europe.
The Griffith University postgraduate student was chatting with Princess Mary of Denmark after she was formally presented with the Crown Princess Mary Scholarship at a University of Copenhagen ceremony at the start of May.
“I spoke to her about the language and mainly about how difficult it is to grasp,” Avril says. “We also talked about a 15-minute discrepancy (that exists in Denmark) between when a class should start and when everyone turns up. I have arrived early for class a few times to an empty classroom and thought the class must have been cancelled.
“Other than that we just talked about Denmark and how much

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By Monique Gilmore
Griffith University business student Naseema Mustapha has featured on the panel of SBS show Insight to discuss dowry customs in cultural weddings.
Naseema talked about her own dowry experiences around her 2017 Gold Coast wedding to husband Mohamed.
“We are Muslim and although we come from different cultural backgrounds we follow the Islamic tradition which overrides our cultural one,” she said.
“The dowry negotiation is between the bride and the groom; the family does not particularly get involved.
“Whatever the bride requests the groom obliges to. At the same time the bride is advised to ask for something he can afford.”

WATCH: Naseema Mustapha discusses her dowry on SBS

Naseema has asked Mohamed to choose one single goat in his home country of Sierra Leone and for him to pray and then slaughter the goat.
“He will cook the food and feed the poor– and that is our dowry.”
Currently studying a degree in International Tourism and

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Griffith Film School is throwing open its doors to the public this month for a blockbuster Masters showcase.
Film buffs can enjoy a series of free workshops and panel discussions, including a directing masterclass with renowned US filmmaker and educator Mark Travis.
Mark has directed several features, and acted as a creative consultant on films including Men of Honour and Barbershop, and TV shows including Ally McBeal, Melrose Place, NYPD Blue and The Practice.
The showcase, presented with Screen Queensland, will also feature free screenings of some of the best films produced by the Master of Screen Production students.
Acting Head of Griffith Film School Professor Trish FitzSimons said it was an opportunity for local movie fans to catch the work of up-and-coming filmmakers.
“This is a chance to see award-winning work by Griffith filmmakers, many of whom have already received industry recognition,” she said.
“Our Master of Screen Production students are producing some of the

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By Professor Fabrizio Carmignani & Professor Ross Guest, Griffith Business School.
European Experience
Studies of European countries show that bank taxes similar to the 0.06% bank levy introduced by the government in the 2017 federal budget will be largely borne by customers, not shareholders.
The levy could also make the banking system more, rather than less risky. The fact that a bank is asked to pay the levy is a confirmation that it is “too big to fail”. This could in turn encourage riskier behaviour. The levy might also trigger a higher probability of default by reducing a bank’s after-tax profitability
But it is difficult to say whether banks will pass the levy on to customers by increasing their loan rates, fees or both.
In its response to the levy, NAB confirmed it will not just be borne by shareholders:
“The levy is not just on banks, it is a tax on every Australian who benefits

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Griffith University research fellow Dr Shelley Roberts from the university’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland, is celebrating after winning the title of 2017 Summer Surf Girl.
The Summer Surf Girl program is a Surf Life Saving Queensland initiative, first established in 1964. Since then, the program has raised over $16 million for surf life saving clubs across Queensland. Summer Surf Girl is a member development and leadership program and seeks to engage female lifesavers and develop their skills and experience.
Community fundraising
Participants are heavily involved in fundraising, club and member development, and community awareness around surf safety.
After raising a massive $43,000 for her Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Queensland club as a result of 12 months’ worth of relentless fundraising, Dr Roberts will now act as an ambassador for the surf life saving movement, having shown exceptional surf life saving skills and a dedicated commitment to the cause.
“It was hard work but it

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