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DUBBO
Home > Regional News > Dubbo
Devil in the detail
10 Jun 2008
 Microscopes have been enlisted in the fight against the summer perennial weed Silverleaf Nightshade. Researchers at the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, are half way through a project to look for innovative solutions to tackle the invasive weed. Silverleaf nightshade is estimated to cost agriculture millions of dollars every year in reduced crop and pasture production. Project leader Dr Rex Stanton says new research has shown that trichomes, or fine hairs, on the underside of the leaves may hold the key to tackling the invasive weed."Under a microscope the hair like structures are visible and they penetrate deep into the leaf, so understanding the basic anatomy of the plant may help us come up with better techniques to manage it," said Dr Stanton. The researcher is about to start planting trials with pasture species such as lucerne, phalaris, coxfoot and biserrula at sites across NSW. The project is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia.
Media Note: Interviews on research into Silverleaf Nightshade are available from the EH Graham Centre’s Dr Rex Stanton (02) 6938 1618 or Professor Deirdre Lemerle on 0419 816 267. Print this story Supporting Indigenous education
10 Jun 2008
 A Wiradjuri woman from Wagga Wagga has been appointed to a key position in the four Indigenous Support Units (ISU) covering Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga. Based in Wagga Wagga, Ms Therese Reid, the Units’ Programs Coordinator oversees the Koori Admissions Program, an alternative admission to university program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme, as well as supporting Indigenous students who travel to CSU for study including many students studying the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health). Ms Reid was the first Indigenous Coordinator at the Ashmont Community Resource Centre in Wagga Wagga for three years and is the daughter of Wagga Wagga Elders’ Group member, Ms Isabel Reid. “Therese’s role in supporting Indigenous students is a critical part of the University’s mission to enhance our communities by promoting Indigenous access, participation and success in tertiary education,” said Executive Director of Student Services at CSU, Mr Andrew Callander.
Media Note: The Indigenous Support Units on the Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga campuses will celebrate NAIDOC Week from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July. Further details will be released closer to NAIDOC Week.
Print this story Earlier detection in the fight against heart disease
03 Jun 2008
Detecting heart disease before the symptoms start is the subject of new research by Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher Dr Geoff Currie, a senior lecturer with the University’s School of Dentistry and Health Sciences in Wagga Wagga. Dr Currie is looking at the role that the sympathetic nervous pathways can play in that detection. An examination of the body using thermography, or digital infrared imaging, can also screen for other conditions including diabetes, breast cancer and auto-immune disease. Dr Currie, who lectures in nuclear medicine, is researching the potential for thermography as a cheap, effective and mobile instrument for the early detection of disease in rural and remote Australia. He is part of the CSU-initiated Cardiovascular Research Group, which also includes researchers from Wagga Wagga Base Hospital who work collaboratively with other Australian and international universities and hospitals on research projects, from the diagnosis to treatment for heart failure, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors.
Media Note: For interviews with Dr Geoff Currie, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Healthy young men wanted
03 Jun 2008
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) research student in the School of Human Movement Studies on the Bathurst Campus needs healthy, physically active males aged 18 to 35 years for her research into the central nervous system and exercise. Ms Katrina Onus said that her study will investigate fatigue and athletic performance, and how to possibly overcome or delay the onset of fatigue. “Findings from this research may be able to be applied to diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as the military and industry,” Ms Onus said. Research participants should preferably live in the Bathurst area as they will need to be available for five tests over three weeks on the CSU Bathurst Campus. They need to be physically active at least three times per week, and will be required for one session of 90 minutes and four sessions of 2.5 hours each session. People interested in participating should contact Ms Onus on 02 6338 4211. The study will start as soon as volunteers are recruited, briefed on the research and checked for medical clearance. The study will continue until August 2008.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with CSU PhD student Katrina Onus. The research entitled, The Central Nervous System and exercise endurance in a warm environment following ingestion of a dopamine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor is supervised by Associate Professor Frank Marino and Dr Jack Cannon. The study has been approved by the Charles Sturt University Ethics in Human Research Committee.
Print this story Australia beefs up Indonesian collaboration
20 May 2008
 Australia’s beef and live export industry will have a greater understanding of Indonesia’s beef market with the launch of a two and a half year project by the Asian Agribusiness Research Centre (AARC) at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus. Funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the project ‘Benchmarking the Beef Supply Chain in Eastern Indonesia’ is a collaboration with four Indonesian institutes and the world-wide network agri benchmark. Project leader Dr Claus Deblitz says, “The Indonesian beef supply chain has been identified as a crucial area in Eastern Indonesian agriculture and is one of the most complex”. Drawing a comprehensive picture of the stakeholders, product, finance and information flow, proposals will be developed investigating how the Indonesian supply chain can be more effective and competitive, and provide farmers with higher incomes.
Media Note: Interviews with Dr Claus Deblitz are available through CSU Media. Print this story Researcher recognised for excellence
20 May 2008
 There was loud applause for awarding-winning Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher Associate Professor Gavin Ash as he received public recognition for his work in the fields of agricultural and veterinary sciences and environmental sciences. Professor Ash was named earlier this year the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence 2007. The CSU academic received his award from the Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter during the graduation ceremonies on the Wagga Wagga Campus in April. Professor Ash, from the CSU School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to innovative research in plant pathology, identifying and determining the risk posed by diseases in crops and exploring innovative approaches to the management of diseases and weeds. Since joining CSU at Wagga Wagga in 1990, Professor Ash has attracted more than $4.2 million in research funds, written for over 150 publications and supervised 38 postgraduate students. In the last five years Professor Ash has authored 27 refereed publications and gained 27 research grants.
Media Note: Associate Professor Gavin Ash is available for interview. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Computer game research needs volunteers
13 May 2008
(B).jpg) Volunteers are being sought to assist a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher with a study into the use of computer games technology to portray Einstein's Theory of Relativity. PhD student Mr David Carr says that there has been growing interest in both research and industry in the use of computer games - so-called ‘Serious Games’ - for teaching and training. “Virtual worlds can be programmed to behave according to Newtonian laws of physics, or other rules, that enable us to experience things that are not possible or feasible in real life,” said Mr Carr. “Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, which is concerned with travel at close to the speed of light, is a subject which can be visualised through the use of computer software. The aim of my research is to evaluate how this physics can be portrayed in an interactive game, and whether such a game can help people to learn the concepts of relativity. The game was designed with the HSC physics curriculum in mind, so it would be good to hear from high school students in particular, although anyone is welcome. I want to find out if it's fun and if you learn anything from the game.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with PhD student. Mr David Carr. The computer game is a simple arcade design that is Windows-based, requires DirectX 9.0c, but requires no installation. The game and survey can be found here. Instructions for use can be found on the page.
Print this story Faculty of Education awards at CSU Dubbo Campus
12 May 2008
The Dean’s Merit Awards ceremony of the Faculty of Education will be held at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus on Monday 12 May. The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Toni Downes, will present awards to about a dozen teacher education students who performed at a high academic level during the period of their studies at CSU. The awards acknowledge outstanding academic performance by undergraduate students who have achieved a Distinction or High Distinction grade in four subjects undertaken during one semester for full-time students, and in four subjects undertaken over two consecutive semesters for part-time students.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The Deans Merit Awards and will be held from 2pm to 3pm on Monday 12 May in the CSU campus courtyard. Print this story Dean’s awards for Dubbo students
08 May 2008
A joint awards ceremony for the faculties of Science and Business will be held at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus on Thursday 8 May. Two students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Faculty of Science and two students from the Faculty of Business will receive Dean’s Awards at the ceremony. They will be acknowledged for their outstanding academic performance by achieving Distinction or High Distinction grades in their studies.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The Dean’s Awards ceremony will be held from 12.30pm to 2pm on Thursday 8 May in the Dubbo Campus courtyard.
Print this story Academic excellence rewarded in Dubbo
06 May 2008
The annual Scholarships and Prizes Presentation Ceremony for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dubbo Campus will be held on Tuesday 6 May 2008 from 6pm. Head of Dubbo Campus and Director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies, Mr Gary Shipp said that for the first time the ceremony will be held in the Theatrette of the Dubbo RSL Club. “Because we have 14 scholarship and 17 prize winners this year, we decided to move the event to a bigger venue to comfortably accommodate the winners, their families and friends, the Foundation and prize sponsors, and a range of dignitaries including local business people and school principals,” Mr Shipp said. “We aim to expand the number of scholarships and prizes on offer to our students, and we welcome enquiries from any individual or organisation wanting to support the University in this way.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The annual Scholarships and Prizes Presentation Ceremony will be held at 6pm, Tuesday 6 May 2008 at The Theatrette of the Dubbo RSL Club. The event will be followed by refreshments on the RSL Rooftop Terrace.
The Charles Sturt Foundation was established in 1982 to provide support for the University, its students and their educational activities. The total amount allocated to scholarships is now over $5 million. In 2008 over $600 000 will be awarded to 229 students at scholarship presentation ceremonies across the University.
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