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ORANGE
Home > Regional News > Orange
Echinacea recommended for winter colds
03 Jul 2007
 An analysis of 14 existing studies on Echinacea, published last week in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, shows that the herbal remedy can cut the risk of catching a cold, and reduce the severity of a cold by up to a day-and-a-half. This comes as no surprise to Dr Philip Kerr, lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry at Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. “I’m a tincture rather than tablet man myself,” says Dr Kerr. Echinacea supplements are available as tablets, extracts, tincture, tea and even in fresh juice. He adds it should be taken, “At the very first sign of feeling a bit off.” Dr Kerr says to watch for the “tingle on the tongue” as a sign of an effective Echinacea remedy. Echinacea effectiveness can be reduced by “the process by which the plant extract has been prepared, and which variety of the plant has been used,” Dr Kerr said.
Media Note: Some medical agencies do not recommend Echinacea in cases of autoimmune disease, or for extended periods. Dr Philip Kerr is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Why health services are "inconsistent"
26 Jun 2007
 A project developing models of health care that work for specific needs of rural and remote communities is nearing completion. Dr Julaine Allan from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences conducted research into why Molong and Canowindra have relatively good health services compared to other towns of a similar size. She says “confusion” over State and Federal government health services, and local communities being excluded from the decision-making process, can contribute to the inconsistency of health services from town to town. “Health services can also develop historically. A service tends to stay put. So, one town will have something that another town doesn’t, just because it has always been there,” said Dr Allan. “Next I want to look at small towns which are seeing increasing numbers of disadvantaged people moving in because of cheaper rental prices. They bring with them a greater need for health services. I want to work out what is the best use of limited resources in a large area.”
Media Note: Dr Julaine Allan is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Cadia funds rehabilitation research
05 Jun 2007
Two new Charles Sturt University (CSU) scholarships will give postgraduate students the chance to achieve positive environmental change at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations near Orange. Cadia Valley Operations’ Acting Environment and Community Relations Manager Belinda Perry says the company is keen to collaborate with the University in restoration ecology. “Cadia Valley Operations is working with CSU on several projects involving operations, environmental assessments, rehabilitation research and the positive impact our work has on the local economy,” Ms Perry says. “We were delighted to offer two new $2 500 scholarships to areas that interest both our company and the local community.” With research topics covering biodiversity of soil biota in topsoil stockpiles, and metal uptake by vegetation in a mine rehabilitation area, the recruited candidates could start their year of research study and intensive field work as soon as August 2007.
Media Note: Potential candidates with a good academic track record and a bachelor degree in Environmental Science (or equivalent) can contact Dr A Raman on 6365 7833. Applications close on Friday June 15, 2007 Print this story Supporting health professionals
29 May 2007
 Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Maree Donna Simpson has spoken publicly about the development of a new online program designed to support rural based health professionals during clinical placements. A member of the Australian Consortium for the Education of Preceptors (ACEP), Maree explained, “The aim of the program is to ensure pharmacy students gain high quality learning experiences in rural health care settings by adequately preparing rural pharmacy student supervisors.” CSU is one of four Australian universities that are part of ACEP. Supported by two Pharmacy Guild Federal Government grants the consortium developed and offers an online training program for pharmacy student supervisors. Successful award of a Rural Health Support Education and Training grant last year has allowed the consortium to extend the program to allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and audiologists.
Media Note: Maree Donna Simpson is available for interview. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Student covers some ground
29 May 2007
Matt McNee is keeping his eyes on the ground as rain falls across NSW while he completes a PhD at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on cover cropping, where a crop is used primarily to cover and protect soil from water and wind erosion. With a background in farming sugar cane in Queensland, Matt is now at CSU’s Orange Campus observing the condition of soils on collaborating farms throughout NSW, including Orange and Wellington. “I’m looking at pure cropping and mixed farming properties with different soil types to discover whether the planting of crops intended for ground cover, as opposed to crops for grain yields, benefits the soil and increases efficiency of water conservation.” Matt hopes to discover how much cover is necessary to benefit soils in semiarid environments. “The objective is to adapt Australian farming systems in a semiarid environment to find the best cropping system and management options.”
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media Print this story Rainfall, pastures and parasites – a greater risk
15 May 2007
 While grain growers rejoice, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) livestock expert is warning recent widespread rainfall across New South Wales and Victoria brings risks as well as great benefits for pastoralists. Professor Kym Abbott from the CSU School of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Wagga Wagga Campus says sheep flocks and cattle herds face the increased threat of parasitic infestation over the next four to six weeks as parasite larvae, that had lain dormant in the soil, move onto pastures. He is urging sheep and cattle producers to closely monitor parasite egg counts over the next few months to treat sheep if necessary but avoid the excessive use of drenches. Professor Abbott says sheep and calves in particular risk weight loss and scour from parasites such as Brown Stomach worm, Black Scour worm and Nematodirus which thrive after prolonged periods of drought.
Media Note: CSU Professor Kym Abbott is available for interviews. For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story Students rewarded for academic efforts
15 May 2007
Mr Doug Stewart of the Bush Children’s Education Foundation of NSW will be attend his first Charles Sturt University (CSU) scholarship ceremony in Orange this Friday 18 May. He will pay special attention to the recipient of the inaugural scholarship, Emily Clapham, a Bachelor of Clinical Science student from Ilford, NSW, whose award recognises her top academic performances in the past year. Students from CSU’s School of Clinical Sciences will also be acknowledged at the ceremony with four scholarships awarded by GPlogic, an organisation supporting doctors in rural and regional areas. The 2007 ceremony will be one of the largest Orange has seen, with over 70 scholarships and awards being handed out on the day to students studying biomedical sciences, business and rural management.
Media Note: 2007 Scholarships and Awards Ceremony will take place at 3pm on Friday 18 May in the Templer’s Mill Function Centre, CSU Orange Campus. For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Greening up Orange
15 May 2007
 Orange is getting greener with a grant worth $11 000 for tree replanting on the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Campus and two neighbouring properties. Lecturer in Environmental Management and conservationist Cilla Kinross explained she was excited to receive the donation to fence the creek banks and plant native vegetation in the Summer Hill Creek catchment. “The funding is part of the Central West Catchment Management Authority’s Vegetation Incentive Program and the money is going to be channelled through the Summer Hill Creekcare. This is a local Landcare/Rivercare community group, of which CSU is a corporate member. I’d love to see more local people join the Rivercare group – it’s fun and a learning experience at the same time. Activities include learning about the flora, fauna and history of the creek, as well as hands-on working bees to help improve the habitat of the creek. We are also growing native trees, shrubs and grasses from locally collected seed, which is immensely rewarding.”
Media Note: To enquire about Summer Hill Creekcare or volunteering contact Cilla Kinross on (02) 6365 7651. Contact CSU Media for interviews with Ms Kinross. Print this story CSU introduces new online environment
08 May 2007
Academics and other professional staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are being introduced to the next wave of online change. Associate Professor Marian Tulloch, the Director of the Centre for Enhanced Learning and Teaching (CELT), will introduce the new online learning and teaching environment CSU Interact at a series of seminars on CSU’s campuses between 7 May and 16 May. “In early 2008 CSU Interact the new online collaborative scholarly environment will be rolled out across the University for learning and teaching,” Professor Tulloch said. “As part of CSU’s flexible learning strategy it will provide an integrated, enhanced and evolving learning environment for on and off campus students. Because it is a complex and collaborative process, these seminars will provide an opportunity for staff to hear more about the development of CSU Interact, to ask questions, and make suggestions.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Professor Marian Tulloch, or for details about CSU Interact seminars for staff at CSU Campuses in Albury Wednesday 9 May, Wagga Wagga Thursday 10 May, Goulburn Friday 11 May, Dubbo Monday 14 May, and Orange Wednesday 16 May. Print this story Student taking horse by the reins
08 May 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Jessica Quick is putting bridles to the test this week in a project that compares the relatively new Bitless Bridle™ to the traditional bridle. “I’m interested to see the horses’ response to the different types of bridle to discover which is the most affective,” Jessica says. “I am using horses that are not yet broken-in and haven’t spent much time with a bridle.” A third year student majoring in equine business management, Jessica will test horse responses throughout the “breaking-in” process. “I’m hoping that the results will give me a clear indication of just how affective the new bridles really are. This is the sort of research horse trainers would love to know the answers to but just don’t have time to conduct themselves.” Jessica’s findings will be published on the CSU Rural Management website and in scientific literature.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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