From individuals to mass organisation: aggregation, synchronisation and collective movement in locusts. By combining field biology, robotics and mathematics, this project will determine how animals flock or swarm and, in particular, how locust nymphs control their collective movement over their lifetime. The mathematical models derived during the project will be directly applied to controlling outbreaks of locusts in Australia, South and North Africa.
A networked robotic telescope array for coincident detection of transient phenomena in the optical, gravitational wave, neutrino and radio spectra. An international collaboration of scientists will employ a global network of rapid response robotic telescopes and detectors to study exotic transient phenomena in the early Universe. Potential spin-offs include the application of novel image analysis techniques for identifying and tracking dangerous space junk.
Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is f ....Assessing the mechanisms and dynamics of myelination in the brain. This project is expected to refine our understanding of brain plasticity by revealing how myelin plasticity optimises brain function in response to experience. Using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating animal studies, mathematical modelling and computational neuroscience, the project seeks to redefine our understanding of myelin remodelling using an entirely new integrated cell-to-system approach. The expected outcome is fundamental knowledge revealing how myelination is dynamically regulated by neural activity throughout life. This may transform current understanding of neuroplasticity that could aid in the future development of strategies to improve brain health.Read moreRead less