Preparation is key – particularly when facing a potentially devastating natural disaster.
Tropical Cyclone Debbie made landfall in March, bringing with it cyclonic winds and flooding, and causing damage to thousands of properties across Queensland.
But the cyclone, which crossed the coast as a Category 4 system, was unusual in that the logistic challenges were slightly less than would normally be associated with such a major weather event.
“The logistic response was actually quite impressive, not least because the cyclone gave 2-3 clear days’ notice of its arrival,” said Professor Peter Tatham from Griffith Business School.
“As a result, there was time to undertake the necessary preparation activities – for those likely to be evacuated, for example.”
Professor Tatham, a global expert in humanitarian logistics, said that responses were tested and generally found to be satisfactory under the circumstances.
“In that sense, it was a useful rehearsal for the next – and potentially more challenging – event.
“This is incredibly important
Category: Griffith University Feed
All targets up for grabs – terrorism expert
Hard and soft targets are equally vulnerable to terrorist attacks says Griffith University counter-terrorism expert Professor Geoff Dean.
In the wake of the Manchester bombing he said every event and place, small and large was a potential target.
He said it was essential that security measures such as early risk screening tools were implemented to prevent home-grown terrorist attacks.
“We need early warning systems so we can identify the perceptions and beliefs people have that lead them down this road toward behaviour radicalisation.
“If we can get them at the cognitive radicalised stage, when they’re starting to think about it and their perceptions and beliefs, that’s when we have the power to change behaviour.”
He said the way the community of Manchester responds to the attack will determine if it will become a double tragedy.
“If there is a backlash against Muslims because of the tragedy, then such extremist reactions will further drive more moderate Muslims into
National redress scheme a step in the right direction
Griffith University criminologist Professor Kathleen Daly has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of an initial $33.4 million to establish a national redress scheme for children who were sexually abused in institutional contexts.
Professor Daly, a member of the Independent Advisory Council on Redress announced by the Turnbull Government in December 2016, said the scheme will begin taking applications for redress from survivors of Commonwealth institutions from July 2018. In time, it is expected that other governments and non-government institutions will opt into the scheme.
Joining Professor Daly on the 15-member Council are survivors of institutional abuse and representatives from support organisations, as well as legal and psychological experts, Indigenous and disability experts, institutional interest groups and those with a background in government.
Establishing the Council was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The Council has been asked to provide advice on the governing principles of the
World-class research in sights of top Chinese entrepreneur program
A delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology’s Torch Program will visit Griffith’s Gold Coast campus today (Friday) for a firsthand insight into the university’s health and science research capabilities.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), Professor Martin Betts, will welcome the group of high-level officials which will also meet with the Director of Griffith’s Office for Research, Pro Vice Chancellor (Science), Dean of Research (Griffith Health), and Deputy Director of Griffith Enterprise.
Preliminary plans for an entrepreneurial precinct incorporating latest innovations in the medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have led the Chinese delegation to Queensland.
During a three-day exploratory tour of southeast Queensland, the group has met representatives of Queensland Health, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, City of Gold Coast and the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.
A site visit of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct will also take place today as investment
Countdown to annual Logan Fun Run underway
Queensland steeplechaser and Griffith University biomedical science student, Gabriella Dalton, has some sporty words of wisdom for participants ahead of next month’s Griffith Sport Logan Fun Run.
“Don’t get tricked into sprinting at the start, but pace yourself,” Gabriella says. “Don’t follow those people who sprint at the start unless you’re one of them.”
FIND OUT MORE: Logan Fun Run registration details
Gabriella, an Australian steeplechase specialist at underage level, also encourages runners in the 10km, 5km and 1km dash to eat well the day before – a pasta dinner is advisable – and on the morning of the run.
“Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and eat a light breakfast at least an hour before the start. Even a banana will do.”
Gabriella (17) also stresses the importance of a proper stretching session in anticipation of some cooler temperatures early on a mid-June morning.
She has also encouraged Griffith students to group together
The importance of monitoring exercise for improved health and fitness
Griffith University scientists have found exercise-response monitoring is crucial for maximising the safety and effectiveness of undertaking exercise.
Published in SpringerPlus in time for Exercise Right Week (22-28 May), the Gold Coast study examined if so called ‘mood-state’ assessment could be used to non-invasively indicate the stress-recovery balance in the body at a molecular level, following resistance-exercise.
Male participants aged 18-40 were recruited and performed either a highly-controlled thumb resistance-exercise bout or a placebo intervention. Participants were then assessed for mood-state changes using a validated questionnaire and levels of two biomarkers believed to influence fatigue (IL-6) and recovery (DHEA-S) from exercise.
Following exercise, DHEA-S decreased significantly in the untrained exercising group and this change was also reflected in the mood-state of the participants as borne out by their completed questionnaires, study leader Dr Adam Szlezak from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland, found.
“DHEA-S appears to be important in recovery from various forms of stress.
What did TC Debbie do?
The tragic loss of human life and subsequent emotional torment still being experienced by Queensland and New South Wales communities characterises the catastrophe that was Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
Director of Griffith University’s soon-to-be launched Cities Research Institute, Professor Paul Burton, will lead a panel discussion delving into the aftermath of the disaster.
Over the past month, Griffith University researchers have undertaken comprehensive fact-finding and data collation missions to better understand the enormity of the 2017 weather event
Researchers investigated the impacts across both the natural and built environment, from the devastation to the Great Barrier Reef to the disruption of business supply chains.
The panel discussion will explore the related impacts, and investigate how this research can be used to better equip Australia to minimise the effects of similar events into the future.
The members of the panel are:
Dr Andrews Brooks who has been investigating the effects of the sediment run off on the Great Barrier
Griffith University researcher recognised as one of Australia’s best scientists
Internationally renowned protein crystallographer Professor Jennifer Martin is one of 21 scientists who have been elected to the Australian Academy of Science, a rare and esteemed honour, for their outstanding contributions to science.
The Director of the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD) has made seminal discoveries in bacterial redox biochemistry, including revealing how the DsbA enzyme assembles bacterial ‘weapons’, and validating DsbA as a target for novel antibacterials that are now being developed.
Through her role as a founding member of the Science and Gender Equity (SAGE) Steering Committee, Professor Martin helped implement the Athena SWAN pilot to address gender equity in science.
Professor Martin has also been recognised as a strong public advocate for science with an inspirational and highly effective science communication record.
The 21 scientists’ ground-breaking discoveries and contributions to research range from improving crop yields, women’s reproductive health and mobile telecommunications, through to our understanding of the evolution of
Griffith to host Human Library
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
Orangutan teeth hold key to nursing habits and conservation
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,